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Tainted Dreams Star Grant Aleksander Says The Late Paul Rauch Was Working On Reviving Guiding Light!

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/NYCCityBrandProds.

Courtesy/NYCCityBrandProds.

Now this comes as a welcome shocker!  In Carolyn Hinsey’s latest blog piece for New York City Brand Productions website, the home for now of Tainted Dreams, the upcoming series about the the inner-workings of a soap opera with a twist, Hinsey talks with beloved former Guiding Light star and now part of the “Dreams “cast, Grant Aleksander!

When speaking about the loss of Guiding Light (where Grant played “Phillip Spaulding”) going off the airwaves, Aleksander related that the shows late great one time producer, Paul Rauch was actually working on resurrecting it!

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Grant acknowleged:”Oddly enough, Paul was working on getting the show back on the air before he died. He had gotten pretty far with that, he was talking to big network executives. P&G was interested. When you look at what’s going on in Stamford right now (where AMC and OLTL have been filming), I don’t think P&G will just sit on a creative property if there’s a profit to be made.”

Can you imagine if P&G finally would work its way to bring back GL into the internet space or through cable deal?  What do you think of the fact that Rauch was working on this before he passed away?  Share your thoughts below!

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Paul Rauch was one of the best. I remember when he was at OLTL, it was one of the best shows at that time. Hopefully someone will carry his dream on

I agree. I started watching One Life To Live back when he was the ex producer in the late 1980s and fell in love with Buchanan clan. I was also a fan of GL for a couple of years in the early 90s and then in the late 90s. With oltl n amc back and full force, it be great to have this iconic soap back.

As wonderful as this sounds, realistically I don’t believe he would have gotten very far. I don’t believe P&G have any faith that soaps can turn a profit anymore and for that reason alone would never get back in the business. I do appreciate Rauch’s passionate attempts and wish this champion of the genre was still around to fight for it but I have a hard time buying P&G would reconsider.

Well P&G wouldn’t have to produce it, just be willing to lease the rights for the show and the characters to a third party– like ABC did with PP. Right now the shows aren’t making any money for them at all– leasing the property would at least give them some money for something sitting on the shelf. P&G owns the rights to a number of former soaps– if proved successful with one dead soap, P&G might open the vault and let a lot of other former soaps shine. Well at least a girl could dream.

I didn’t watch Guiding Light everyday; but, I did off and on while in High School. I liked it back then, in the mid-90’s. I was sad when it went off of the air. Maybe it will be back someday. I’d like to see it on television, though, not the web. They had a talented cast!

I would love to see Guiding Light being reconstructed again with Reba, Josh, and Phillip being part of the cast. AMC and OLTL are living proof that any dream can be made possible if you want something bad enough. Hope some company has the vision and means.

if they need a headwriter and want new talent i’m available! Watched the show since 1992 and read the 60 year anniversary Complete Family Album from cover to cover.

I remember when Paul Rauch prodiced Another World with Harding Lemay as H.W. back in the 1970s…1968 to 1979 was when AW was at its best, especially the Steve, Alice, and Rachel love triangle when the evil Sven worked as the Corys groundskeeper who murdered Rocky and the children Jaime and Dennis found his dismembered body under the floorboards i think was the Corey boathouse…Days and The Doctors were also at their best at this time as well as several others but not as good as the 3 NBC soaps i mentioned…soaps today have some good storylines but they were far better during the era i mentioned.

Amen Soap soul bro

Wasnt it P&G who wanted out of the soap opera business?

I think it would’ve been great to re-enter the world of Springfield and see how everyone has been! I think P&G would’ve been a bad choice since they didn’t help the series in the first place. And with GL resurrected, ATWT could’ve been next!

P&G owns the property rights to the show– He had to go to them to get the ball rolling. They didn’t have to produce them just be willing to sell or lease the rights to the show in order to bring them back. But the point is moot because Mr. Rauch passed away and don’t know if anyone else is interested in trying to revive P&G former shows.

I am ready for this to happen. Guiding Light is the only soap I watched faithfully through the years. Those families and stories meant a lot to generations of viewers and losing it was like losing a family friend that had been part of the fabric of our lives. Kudos to anyone who can make this happen. I am not giving up hope…after all…OLTL is back ! Yeah!!

Guiding Light was at the top of my favorite soaps too, and I have so missed it.

Unlike others, I don’t have warm feelings for Paul Rauch’s period on CBS shows though; however, I would be happy with anyone who would attempt to revive GL. Hope the idea didn’t die with Rauch. 🙁

Yes, I feel the same about PR’s era on GL…I’m a lighter through & through, I love the GL. His & the Brown’s time was a mixed bag at best, I enjoyed many of stories, Abby’s restored hearing, Annie Dutton, the madness of hurricane Dinah, Olivia’s schemes, Danny & Michelle romance, return of Lizzie & Beth, introduction of Cassie, Holly as the nursery rhyme kidnapper, Bloss & Ben triangle but when the cloning, time transporting, letting go Marj Dussay, recast of Annie to just name a few was horribly off target for GL…but I would welcome GL back anyway I could have it back.

He probably didn’t want his legacy tarnished working with MAB as it were….hmmm?

Still miss GL and ATWT. It would be great to have them back. I can’t see Propect Park getting involved, they have enough on their plate.

I suppose the big question is, have Prospect Park profited from OLTL and AMC yet? If the answer is yes, the possibilities are endless.

You would need someone with a vision and a track record to bring GL back to life, there are not too many like Paul Rauch out there.

OMG!! To somehow bring back Guiding Light would be the BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!!! Paul Rauch was very good at what he did. His work on Santa Barbara, Y&R, and Guiding Light was some of the best drama, daytime had to offer. Please P&G keep soap history alive!!!

I would strongly prefer P&G reinvest in Another World……

Bringing GL back would be the greatest thing for me.. I miss it so!
I miss all the wonderful actors on GL especially the loving story of Otalia
It touched my life in such a special way and brought wonderful friends into my life
Bring back Crystal Chappell and Jessica Leccia .. Please… and all the fine actors of GL ..Their love story was amazing.. a first and best touching love story ever on a Soap for me..

Guiding Light has always been my favorite soap of all time. It is too bad he passed before it could happen and that he could see that happen! With the success of AMC and OLTL it might not be too late for GL, especially if they do it soon since it’s already been 4 years next month!

Hooray! Although this news came as a big surprise, I had an inkling that someone, somewhere was trying to resurrect GL. Paul Rauch is the perfect person to start it all. I am a big fan of his. When Paul Rauch was the executive producer of GL (1996-2002), the show was the best and most compelling it had been since the 1980s with Gail Kobe and Pamela K. Long. It is too bad Mr. Rauch is no longer with us to continue the project, but with the huge successes of the new All My Children and One Life to Live, it is only right that GL be resurrected and brought to the internet and/or television. The last years of GL were unwatchable (similar to how All My Children was in it’s last years, too), but those terrible years can finally be forgotten with a new, compelling version of the show today.

I sincerely hope that GL and ATWT will be resurrected.
Some things should never die. Please bring them back to life on
daytime TV or even night time will work.. Those soaps
gave life to television! Reality and game shows
are not very uplifting. I record B&B and Y&R everyday and
can’t wait to get home to see them.

Breaking News

Tom Pelphrey and Kaley Cuoco Welcome Baby Girl, Philomena into the World

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Tom Pelphrey and Kaley Cuoco

Congratulations are in order for three-time Emmy winner, Tom Pelphrey (ex-GL and ATWT) and his fiancée Big Bang Theory star, Kaley Cuoco! The couple welcomed their second baby daughter together on October 12, and revealed they named the little bundle of joy, Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey.

Tom and Kaley shared the news via their Instagram accounts on Wednesday with some adorable baby pics. Cuoco captioned the photo“🎀Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey🎀. 💖10/12/26💖. There are no words to describe this feeling once again. What a blessing.

Cuoco added, “We are so grateful for the crazy wild up and down journey that brought us to our little Philo! Family officially complete 😭Time to bring Matilda’s baby home! 😂💕”

Tom Pelphrey and Kaley Cuoco

Photo: KCuoco IG

BABY MAKES FOUR

Next, Kaley shared her love for the father of her children, exclaiming, “Tom Pelphrey, life exploded the minute we met, and the gifts keep coming. I love you forever , girl daddy! 💘.”

Philomena now joins big sister, Matilda mwho was born in 2023, as part of the Pelphrey/Cuoco family! Tom and Kaley began dating in 2022 and became engaged in 2024.

Daytime fans first saw the talented actor on Guiding Light as Jonathan Randall, the son of Reva Shayne (Kim Zimmer). Tom won two Daytime Emmys for his memorable performances during his run from 2004-2009.

He later played Mick Dante on As the World Turns from 2009-2010, before heading to work in primetime and motion pictures. Last month, Pelphrey one the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in HBO’s Task.

TOM PELPHREY CELEBRATES EMMY WIN AND NEW DAUGHTER WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER

After winning his Emmy, the expectant dad told E! News, “We’re both so excited. Our daughter’s excited. We’ll see how it goes when it actually gets there.” Tom added, “The things that are new and the things that feel like not a big deal this time. But mom and baby are healthy, so God willing, that keeps up, and we’re thrilled,” added the actor.

Pelphrey took to his own Instagram and said on the birth of his second daughter, “Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey. Another miracle. Welcome to our family youngest queen!  Kaley you showed up in every way as a partner and a mom even when you weren’t feeling your best- you’re a CHAMPION. The girls and I would be lost without you. Thank God for the gift of this family and these girls.”

Jumping in to the comment thread to congratulate Tom and Kaley were Beyond the Gates star Ashley Jones (Heather), Dave Annabelle, Martha Plimpton, Alyssa Milano and many more.

Share your congrats and well-wishes to Tom, Kaley, Matilda and their new addition to the family, little Philomena via the comment section below.

 

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Breaking News

Hayden Panettiere’s Cause of Death Revealed

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Hayden Panettiere

On Tuesday, September 22, the Greenville, South Carolina Coroner’s office ruled that actress Hayden Panettiere’s death was an accident, attributing the 36-year-old’s passing to be a combination of toxic effects from fentanyl and other drugs that were in her system.

Panettiere was found unresponsive on Sunday, August 16. There have been numerous reports and sources speaking to various outlets about the manner in which the Nashville and Guiding Light alum died, but nothing was certain until now.

The Greenville County Coroner’s office shared that fentanyl, combined with 4-ANPP, Alprazolam (also known as Xanax), Methocarbamol (a muscle relaxant) and Quetiapine (used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia but is sometimes prescribed to treat depression), were all found in Hayden’s system.

Hayden Panettiere Guiding Light

Photo: CBS

GUIDING LIGHT ALUM’S DEATH IS STILL UNDER AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION

Meanwhile, the Greenville Police Department shared there is still an ongoing investigation into this case. “Our detectives will continue to follow leads and gather information as we work toward resolving this case,” the department shared.

That is, because despite Panettiere’s death being ruled accidental, authorities continue investigating whether anyone might be criminally responsible for providing the star with a lethal substance. It is being shared that this is  “cross-country investigation” stretching from as far as South Carolina to California.

As we previously reported, TMZ shared on September 14 that law enforcement officials believe Hayden’s “long time drug dealer” may have been the person responsible for supplying her with an oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl which she took the morning of her death.

Panettiere “had been temporarily staying” at the apartment in Greenville, the coroner’s office said in August. Authorities did not say whose apartment it was but it was said to later be an Airbnb. It was Hayden’s on-again off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother Zach who called 911 the afternoon of August 16 to say Panettiere was unresponsive, according to police reports.

Hayden Panettiere, Charles Esten, Nashville

Photo: ABC

HAYDEN PANETTIERE IMPRESSED IN EVERY ROLE SHE PLAYED

Soap opera fans still remember Hayden’s as a very young Sarah Roberts on One Life to Live from 1994 until 1997, and then her signature daytime role as Lizzie Spaulding on Guiding Light from 1996-2000.

She later went on to star on the Music City primetime soap opera, Nashville from 2012-2018 on ABC and CMT where she played country and western singer, Juliette Barnes opposite General Hospital alum, Jonathan Jackson (ex-Lucky Spencer), who played her love interest, Avery Barclay.

Over this past weekend, Jackson, Charles Esten (pictured above), Connie Britton, and others from the cast of Nashville gathered for a memorial service in Hayden’s honor to pay their respects for their beloved co-star.

So, what do you think about the ruling in the death of actress Hayden Panettiere that it was an accident involving toxic effects of fentanyl combined with other drugs and medications she was taking at the time? Share your reactions via the comment section below.

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‘Guiding Light’ and ATWT Alum Tom Pelphrey Wins Supporting Actor in Drama Series Emmy For ‘Task’

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Tom Pelphey

Tom Pelphrey, one of the greatest actors of our time, who got his first big break on the soaps, can now add a primetime Emmy to his two Daytime Emmys after receiving the Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series tonight for his memorable role as Robbie Prendergrast in HBO’s Task.

Taking to the stage for his acceptance, Pelphrey delivered one of the more impassioned and touching moments at the 78th annual Primetime Emmys airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

Pelphrey shared, “I thank God for my life and my sobriety. I thank my family and my friends for all your love and support all these years, from Emmys to black box theaters and everything in between.” He added special thanks to his Task co-star and Emmy nominee, Mark Ruffalo, sharing, “Thank you for this incredible role and this opportunity and your friendship. I’m so proud to be your friend.”

Tom Pelphrey and Kaley Cuoco

Photo: NBC/TVAcademy

TOM PELPHREY GIVES BEAUTIFUL SHOUT OUT TO KALEY CUOCO

In conclusion, Tom gave a shout to his fiancée, Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco, when he expressed, “And to my favorite actor in this room, my love, my best friend, my partner, the very pregnant Kaley — I love you more than anything, and our family is the crown jewel of my life.”

Cuoco is the mother to their first child together named Matilda, and she is pregnant with their second child. Tom also gave shout oust to his children, the one they have, and the one on the way. “Matilda, daddy loves you. Baby girl, daddy loves you. Thank you. God bless,” an emotional Pelphrey said.

The now Emmy-winning actor beat out a stellar field for the gold statuette that included: Three men from the cast of The Pitt: Patrick Ball, Shawn Hatosy and Gerran Howell, The Morning Show’s Billy Crudup, Slow Horses’ Jack Lowden and Pluribus actor Carlos-Manuel Vesga.

Tom Pelphrey and Kim Zimmer

Photo: JPI

TWO-TIME DAYTIME EMMY WINNER FROM GUIDING LIGHT

Pelphrey had previously been nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 2022 for his guest star role as Ben Davis in the hit series Ozark. On the soaps, Tom won two Daytime Emmys for his role as Jonathan Randall on Guiding Light in the Younger Actor in a Daytime Drama Series in 2006 and 2008 and was nominated a total of four times.

For six years, Pelphrey played the son of Reva Shayne (Kim Zimmer) from 2003-2009, before later joining the cast of As the World Turns in the role of Mick Cain from 2009-2010. From there, it’s been all primetime television, stage and films for Pelphrey.

So, were you happy to see Tom Pelphrey winning an Emmy for his role in Task? What did you think of his acceptance speech? Do you think he was one of the best actors to ever get their start on soaps? Let us know via the comment section.

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