Breaking News
The Writers of ‘Guiding Light’ Come Together For A Virtual Conversation
Several of the writers who helped mold and shape the town of Springfield, and in particular the characters you loved to love, or loved to hate on Guiding Light, are banding together for a special livestream chat on Wednesday July 1st.
Look for former writers and head writers: Jim Brown, Dave Kreizman, Jill Lorie Hurst, Courtney Simon and Millee Taggart to share remembrances about stories they crafted through the years on the beloved CBS soap opera and more.
It all takes place on The Locher Room with former Guiding Light and As the World Turns publicist, Alan Locher as your host.
Click here to watch what will be an interesting hour of discussion and insight for any longtime fan of GL.
So, looking forward to checking out this “Writers Room” Guiding Light reunion? Comment below.
Unfortunately, will be missing it, so I will have to catch it at a later time.
Now this should be interesting! Let’s hope they talk about network/P&G interference in the stories they were trying to tell … and what it was like to see other writers undo the good work they had done.
Wish you would return where you left off.
Bridget and Jerome Dobson were the best writers… Doug Marland came next.
I absolutely adored the Marland era, and I thought the Dobson era was quite well done also, but Nancy Curlee is the one who really stands out in my mind. And the fact that she accomplished what she did WHEN she did, well after the heavy network and P&G interference started (which was circa 1988), made it even more remarkable. I wasn’t as fond of Pam Long’s work as some were, but when I look at clips in retrospect I realize she was much better than I gave her credit for at the time; I think I just didn’t like GL as well as I did under the Dobsons and Marland (and I’d still say that). I enjoyed what the Labines did, later, and what Millee Taggart did. I admired what the folks toward the end were trying to do, though they were having to undo so much damage accumulating over so many years by that point and the budget cuts and such really did not help. Just about everybody else involved as a headwriter since I started watching in 1975 I will not comment on, because there’s not much nice to say. (There might be some I’m forgetting who did good work, but I can think of a handful who really did damage, and I’d have nothing good to say about them.)
Very well stated. I found your comment about Pam Long interesting. I was in high school when her version of Guiding Light was in full-steam. I thought…at the time, it was masterpiece theater. Years later…(watching YouTube)…not so much. Watching the old clips, I find the show to be so hokey, bordering on high camp. I discovered the Dobson / and Marland eras via YouTube and must say, I absolutely love the writing and storylines. I now see what all buzz around these two era’s was about.
I love any soap discussion related to writing. Should be an interesting show.
IMO Douglas Marland was the BEST HEAD WRITER in history and I still miss him to this day, he died way to young…next in line was Bill Bell and he is also greatly missed.
I think the body of Marland’s work on the soaps, taken together, probably should mark him as the very best that was. I accept some of the criticisms people have levied as valid, but I can’t think of a perfect headwriter ever, and I still think on balance, he was tops. I never saw anything Irna Phillips wrote (my soap watching started a few years after she left ATWT for the last time), so I can’t include her in my sample group. I think the Dobsons did “intense” better than anybody else, and nobody was better than Agnes Nixon at weaving social issues into solid storytelling. Bell deserves special recognition for his ability to sustain consistency of character and mood over a long, long period (which is partly why YR has suffered so much since his passing; who could possibly follow that?). Harding Lemay was the absolute best at making me forget I was watching a soap; those may as well have been REAL people I was watching. I think Henry Slesar of Edge of Night did plot better than anybody else (although Gordon Russell and Sam Hall of 1970s One Life to Live and Marland came close, and I still think Marland’s Douglas Cummings mystery on ATWT in the mid-80s was probably the best mystery even). Claire Labine did “human” better than anybody. There are quite a few others who also did good work, particularly before all the network and sponsor interference started, and whose shows I was happy to watch. There are some promising talents in the last couple of decades whose work I can’t judge because the interference makes it impossible to know what they can really do and what’s been foisted up on them. What astonishes me in retrospect, though, is how many truly bad headwriters there have been who continued to get hired over and over to destroy show after show. I take away from that that most people involved in the hiring had absolutely no idea what made a good soap writer. But since it was a writer’s medium, from the start (thanks largely to Irna), eventually it did not matter whether they could pick a good writer or not; the minute Gloria (“Anybody can write a soap opera”) Monty decided she could do the headwriter’s job better than a writer could, the soaps were probably sunk. People focus on the OJ trial and the changing demographics and more women in the work world and such as the cause of the decline, and I have no doubt that all has played a part, but I think the interference and the denigration of the headwriting function played a bigger role.
Michael (not Fairman)…I am so impressed with your knowledge of a lot of the headwriters and I agree with you…I started watching GL when the Dobson’s were writing and then Douglas Marland…How I miss the good ole days of our daytime dramas…
Thanks for bring back The Light! But let’s bring it back for real. Writers need to get together and promote a 30 min GL soap revival again on a major network. You have a great list of writers on tap. Notably missing are some of the best writing in the 1980s (Pamela K. Long) and the 1990s (Nancy Curlee with Daytime Emmy Win for Writing and husband Stephen Demorest). Pamela created characters like Reva Shayne, Alexandra Spaulding, and Harley Davidson Cooper! Thanks to Alan Locher for putting these virtual conversations to the fans. And Michael Fairman for promoting it!
I miss this show so much!!! I wish theyd bring it back streaming!!! My favorite era was the early 80’s. The 4 musketeers!!!! I think they lost their way when they killed off Maureen.
Breaking News
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.
According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).
Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.
Photo: ABC
After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared, “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”
In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.
Photo: ABC
TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.
Photo: ABC
The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.
No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.
So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.
Breaking News
‘Neighbours’ EP Jason Herbison on Series Daytime Emmy Nomination: “It’s a Huge Honour to be Nominated Alongside Such Iconic US Daytime Dramas”
When the 51st annual Daytime Emmy nominations were revealed last Friday, the iconic Australian soap opera, Neighbours, made the grade as one of the nominees for this year’s Outstanding Daytime Drama Series going up against U.S. titans such as General Hospital, The Young and the Restless et al.
That is because the revival of Neighbours, which is now seen in the United States streaming on Amazon Freevee, is now eligible under the rules from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).
Not only did Neighbours receive its first Daytime Emmy nomination for Drama Series, but also for one of its legendary stars, Guy Pearce, who returned for a stint in the revival as Mike Young. Pearce is nominated for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series.
Photo: Freemantle
Throughout its run, Neighbours has received several nominations and wins in Australian and the UK, with this being its first nomination in the U.S.
Neighbours Executive Producer Jason Herbison shared on this momentous moment for the series: ‘Neighbours has been on an incredible journey these past few years and a Daytime Emmy Award nomination is the icing on the cake! It’s a huge honour to be nominated alongside such iconic US daytime dramas. This news is an exciting moment for our hard working cast and crew and a wonderful recognition of the new chapter of the show on Amazon Freevee.”
Photo: Freemantle
For those who need a bit of a refresher on the revival of Neighbours. The series streams exclusively on Amazon Freevee in the UK and U.S. and on Prime Video in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. New episodes air daily Monday-Thursday on Amazon. The new series launched on 18 September, 2023, and picks up two years after the finale left off. In Australia, Network 10 retains first-run rights in Australia for the new chapter of the series.
Photo: Freemantle/AmazonFreevee
The series is known as the longest running local drama of all time in Australia and has launched the careers of so many celebrities including: Margot Robbie, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, the aforementioned Guy Pearce, and Liam and Chris Hemsworth, to name but a few.
Long running series star Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodbridge shared their many thanks on Neighbours Daytime Emmy nominations in a video message below.
So, what do you think of ‘Neighbours’ being nominated for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series at the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Could they be the spoiler in the category? Weigh-in below.
Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne would like to share a special message regarding our incredible #Neighbours Daytime Emmy Award nominations 💛 @DaytimeEmmys pic.twitter.com/wWWo5PxmfD
— Neighbours (@neighbours) April 23, 2024
Breaking News
Kim Kardashian, Emma Roberts and Marlene King Land ‘Calabasas’, a Soap in the Vein of the ‘O.C’ and ‘Beverly Hills 90210’, at Netflix
There has been lot of soapy projects coming to life and in the works of late, and now comes word that Kim Kardashian is executive producing a new series in development for Netflix called Calabasas.
After a bidding war last week, it looks like Netflix cemented the development deal from Kim, and her producing partners American Horror Story co-star Emma Roberts (pictured below) and Pretty Little Liars creators Marlene King and Alexandra Milchan.
The concept of Calabasas is based on the book If You Lived Here You’d Be Famous By Now by Via Bleidner. King set to write the adaptation and will serve as the series showrunner.
Photo: JPI
According to Deadline, Calabasas is said to be in the vein of primetime young teen and young adult soaps the O.C. and Beverly Hills 90210. The story follows “Via, a 16-year-old sheltered Midwestern Catholic school girl whose world is turned upside down when her family moves and she’s forced to transfer to the fast world of Calabasas High where nothing is as it appears and where everyone is trying to be someone else. It’s a place where dreams come true … but not without complications and sometimes unforeseen consequences.”
Photo: Hulu
As fans of the Kardashians know, Kim and her family made the town of Calabasas a household and worldwide name. Kim being attached to this project helped make its sale. This marks her fourth project to sell since the writers and actors strikes concluded at the end of last summer.
So, would you be interested to see a teen soap called ‘Calabasas’ on Netflix from Kim and company? Comment below.
Y&R’s Allison Lanier Lands Her First Daytime Emmy Nomination and Shares “Being a Recast Can Be Daunting”
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
DAYS and ‘Supernatural’ Alum Jensen Ackles Joins the Cast of Justin Hartley’s CBS Series ‘Tracker’
Jack Wagner Open to Making an Appearance in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot and Shares, “You Never Really Die on a Soap”
Wally Kurth Talks on His DAYS Daytime Emmy Nomination, His Emotional Scenes, and Remembering John Aniston
‘Knots Landing’s’ Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark Reunite for Los Angeles Ballet Season 18 Gala
Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
‘Tracker’s’ Justin Hartley on His ‘Passions’ Soap Start, “They’d Have Me With No Shirt Walking Around a Hospital for Three Weeks. It Was Ridiculous, but I Loved It.”
The Young and the Restless and General Hospital Actress and Writer, Meg Bennett, Passes Away at 75
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
Cameron Mathison Previews New Game Show ‘Beat The Bridge’ (Promo)
Y&R’s Michelle Stafford Talks on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, Allison Lanier, and ‘Pacific Palisades’ with Finola Hughes
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers
AEW Dynasty: Swerve Strickland Becomes AEW World Heavyweight Champion, Jack Perry Returns, Will Ospreay Retires Move After Scary Finish
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General HospitalApril 21, 2024‘Knots Landing’s’ Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark Reunite for Los Angeles Ballet Season 18 Gala
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NewsApril 20, 2024The Young and the Restless Preview: Ashley’s New Alter Emerges
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Days Of Our LivesApril 19, 2024Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
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General HospitalApril 22, 2024Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital
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Days Of Our LivesApril 17, 2024DAYS Alum Tanner Stine to Appear in ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ Starring Nicholas Chavez
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Breaking NewsApril 17, 202451st Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Set to Be Announced