Another Guiding Light related post for the end of this week: a brilliantly done tribute has been posted on YouTube by user FebWriter, which does an excellent job at looking back at some of the many memorable moments that the fictional city of Springfield has endured.
It honestly has to be the best tribute to this show that I have seen all year. As much as I enjoyed seeing Betty White introduce the tribute done at the Daytime Emmys this year, the tribute in itself was pretty pathetic. With tens of thousands of episodes and such a huge legacy, there was no reason why there should have been such a short tribute.
It is separated into nine parts. The memorable moments one is really one of my favorites out of them all. I was not old enough to see Bert Bauer firsthand, but in seeing many of the older episodes and moments like what is first featured with her and Josh, it is very evident to see what a big impact she had on the show’s fans. Celebrations is another favorite. That really lightens the mood, I think.
They are all there: Memorable Moments, In Loving Memory, Friendships, Weddings, Couples, Villains, Celebration, and Legacy.
This amazingly done tribute to the longest running television series ever, my online pick of the week!
Showing posts with label guiding light. Show all posts
Showing posts with label guiding light. Show all posts
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
GL: Series Finale and Reflections, Part Two
As sad as I am to see the show go, any anger or bitterness on my part as a fan is directed mostly at Procter & Gamble/Telenext when it comes to the actual cancellation than CBS. Although I do think that it was in incredibly bad taste for the network to make the announcement on April Fools’ Day of all days. It’s really irritating to see that it basically took a cancellation notice in order to get things such as better storytelling and more vets getting screen time. I’ll bet right now we would not be seeing favorites like Ed, Holly, Mindy, Danny or Michelle if the show was staying on the air past this week. There’s also the fact that there are writers and producers who stayed on the show much longer than they should have (i.e. head writer David Kreizman and executive producer Ellen Wheeler).
And I’ve said it before and I will be happy to reiterate: this needs to be a testament to any other show running right now, especially if you are a daytime soap (I am especially talking to YOU, As The World Turns! Things are starting to get better with you, and it needs to continue.). If you’re treating your fans as if they matter, then good for you, continue to do so. If you are not, then you need to do so. Fans are not expendable, and there is only so much that they can tolerate before they throw in the towel. Respect your fans. Your job depends on it. There are many items that contributed to longtime viewers deciding to no longer watch the show. Whether it was Maureen Bauer’s death in 1993, Reva being cloned in 1998, the handling and demise of Roger Thorpe's character in 2005, or switching to the “realistic” shaky-cam style in 2008; people left the show for specific reasons. There were reasons why fans stopped caring; they differ depending on which fan you talk to. Reasons to no longer watch pretty much had to do with decisions that were either not well thought out before they were made or were just plain bad choices.
This is not to say that change is a bad thing, because it is not if it is done correctly. Two years ago Days of our Lives was along the same lines; ratings down, cancellation being imminent, with even NBC president Jeff Zucker saying that the show would make it past 2009. Well guess what, changes were made to the show creatively, the ratings are up (either #3 or somewhere in the top 5 overall), and 2009 is almost over. And some really big changes were made too, and I found myself questioning a lot of them; for instance, getting rid of John and Marlena. But in the end it paid off and things look much better. So I refuse to believe that a show can’t turn itself around if it really wants to.
Change in itself can be good. It just needs to be well thought out and fans need to be respected. If television’s longest running show ever can be axed, then no other series can ever be exempt of a cancellation notice.
Despite its severe dips in terms of quality over the last several years, congratulations, Guiding Light. Congratulations to a show which achieved something no other television show has ever been able to touch and never will.
And I’ve said it before and I will be happy to reiterate: this needs to be a testament to any other show running right now, especially if you are a daytime soap (I am especially talking to YOU, As The World Turns! Things are starting to get better with you, and it needs to continue.). If you’re treating your fans as if they matter, then good for you, continue to do so. If you are not, then you need to do so. Fans are not expendable, and there is only so much that they can tolerate before they throw in the towel. Respect your fans. Your job depends on it. There are many items that contributed to longtime viewers deciding to no longer watch the show. Whether it was Maureen Bauer’s death in 1993, Reva being cloned in 1998, the handling and demise of Roger Thorpe's character in 2005, or switching to the “realistic” shaky-cam style in 2008; people left the show for specific reasons. There were reasons why fans stopped caring; they differ depending on which fan you talk to. Reasons to no longer watch pretty much had to do with decisions that were either not well thought out before they were made or were just plain bad choices.
This is not to say that change is a bad thing, because it is not if it is done correctly. Two years ago Days of our Lives was along the same lines; ratings down, cancellation being imminent, with even NBC president Jeff Zucker saying that the show would make it past 2009. Well guess what, changes were made to the show creatively, the ratings are up (either #3 or somewhere in the top 5 overall), and 2009 is almost over. And some really big changes were made too, and I found myself questioning a lot of them; for instance, getting rid of John and Marlena. But in the end it paid off and things look much better. So I refuse to believe that a show can’t turn itself around if it really wants to.
Change in itself can be good. It just needs to be well thought out and fans need to be respected. If television’s longest running show ever can be axed, then no other series can ever be exempt of a cancellation notice.
Despite its severe dips in terms of quality over the last several years, congratulations, Guiding Light. Congratulations to a show which achieved something no other television show has ever been able to touch and never will.
GL: Series Finale and Reflections, Part One
I have decided to split this entry into two: one part will cover my thoughts on the actual ending of the show dialogue-wise and the other will be my thoughts on the actual cancellation.
I’ve hated Alan Spaulding so much over the years, but his death was done so uniquely well in ties with the Phillip storyline that in all my time of watching this character, I never thought I’d be sad to see him actually die.
It’s nice seeing all these favorites again. And I am glad that over the past couple of years that they decided to give Remy something to do instead of just being angry all the time. I know Tammy’s death was sad, but geez. I really loved Billy and Vanessa’s wedding, and then they made it a double wedding for Buzz and Lillian. Very spur of the moment. No Olivia/Natalia reunion kiss? Grr.
Although it’s odd that Jeffrey disappeared with no explanation whatsoever, I was happier than ever to see Josh and Reva reunite. I like Jeffrey too, but with all the history these two characters have, there would have been no good excuse period to not bring these two back together.
I’ve hated Alan Spaulding so much over the years, but his death was done so uniquely well in ties with the Phillip storyline that in all my time of watching this character, I never thought I’d be sad to see him actually die.
It’s nice seeing all these favorites again. And I am glad that over the past couple of years that they decided to give Remy something to do instead of just being angry all the time. I know Tammy’s death was sad, but geez. I really loved Billy and Vanessa’s wedding, and then they made it a double wedding for Buzz and Lillian. Very spur of the moment. No Olivia/Natalia reunion kiss? Grr.
Although it’s odd that Jeffrey disappeared with no explanation whatsoever, I was happier than ever to see Josh and Reva reunite. I like Jeffrey too, but with all the history these two characters have, there would have been no good excuse period to not bring these two back together.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Let’s Make a Deal to replace Guiding Light
It came down between this show and Pyramid and CBS has chosen the former.
I’m actually pretty disappointed in this decision. I was really hoping that Pyramid would be picked up. I’ll admit it right now, it’s mostly bias since I largely prefer Pyramid over Deal. And the cards finally seemed in place for it. It was a show that had all the rules together, no lame rules it seems or judgment calls like what we saw a few years ago on Donnymid according to the pilot reviews. It was nice to not be too worried about a Michael Davies revival for once. There was a lot of buzz, and everything just seemed ready for a new version of this show. Hell, there was discussion about this show coming back THE DAY Guiding Light was cancelled.
With Deal, it’s nice to know that Monty Hall is behind this show and judging from a press interview is behind the decision of the new host, Wayne Brady, and Wayne seems really excited about it as well. I also had really been getting into the show when GSN was rerunning it. But hopefully this show will learn their lessons after the 2003 failure. I’m skeptical about an hour-long format. I remember it on Game$how Marathon all too well also and I was really turned off by it. The more I think about it, it might not be bad at all had CBS decided to green light both Pyramid AND Let’s Make A Deal. I want to be positive about this, but I really just don’t know.
And as for CBS and Pyramid, we’ve seen the mistakes made with this show: in 1974, CBS canceled it; ABC grabbed it a few months later and it wound up being a success and ran for 6 years. They made up for their gaffe in 1982 by bringing it back, but canned it in 1987. We’d see the show again in spring 1988 after the show that replaced it, Blackout, had failed after 13 weeks. Dick Clark on the first episode back says the show was brought back after viewer complaints: “They weren’t mad, they were angry” … but the show is canceled again 13 weeks later, apparently not thinking so much about the complaints anymore that were apparently sent in droves. All I have to say is that especially after all the buzz for a new version this time around, that they better hope this isn’t another mistake.
Also if anything, this needs to be a testament to folks like Christopher Goutman of As The World Turns since Procter & Gamble/Telenext doesn’t want to get off its behind and let him go, and any other executive producer of any other soap right now that’s producing a more shoddy product than not: networks are not playing around anymore, and if you don’t shape up you WILL be shipped out.
I’m actually pretty disappointed in this decision. I was really hoping that Pyramid would be picked up. I’ll admit it right now, it’s mostly bias since I largely prefer Pyramid over Deal. And the cards finally seemed in place for it. It was a show that had all the rules together, no lame rules it seems or judgment calls like what we saw a few years ago on Donnymid according to the pilot reviews. It was nice to not be too worried about a Michael Davies revival for once. There was a lot of buzz, and everything just seemed ready for a new version of this show. Hell, there was discussion about this show coming back THE DAY Guiding Light was cancelled.
With Deal, it’s nice to know that Monty Hall is behind this show and judging from a press interview is behind the decision of the new host, Wayne Brady, and Wayne seems really excited about it as well. I also had really been getting into the show when GSN was rerunning it. But hopefully this show will learn their lessons after the 2003 failure. I’m skeptical about an hour-long format. I remember it on Game$how Marathon all too well also and I was really turned off by it. The more I think about it, it might not be bad at all had CBS decided to green light both Pyramid AND Let’s Make A Deal. I want to be positive about this, but I really just don’t know.
And as for CBS and Pyramid, we’ve seen the mistakes made with this show: in 1974, CBS canceled it; ABC grabbed it a few months later and it wound up being a success and ran for 6 years. They made up for their gaffe in 1982 by bringing it back, but canned it in 1987. We’d see the show again in spring 1988 after the show that replaced it, Blackout, had failed after 13 weeks. Dick Clark on the first episode back says the show was brought back after viewer complaints: “They weren’t mad, they were angry” … but the show is canceled again 13 weeks later, apparently not thinking so much about the complaints anymore that were apparently sent in droves. All I have to say is that especially after all the buzz for a new version this time around, that they better hope this isn’t another mistake.
Also if anything, this needs to be a testament to folks like Christopher Goutman of As The World Turns since Procter & Gamble/Telenext doesn’t want to get off its behind and let him go, and any other executive producer of any other soap right now that’s producing a more shoddy product than not: networks are not playing around anymore, and if you don’t shape up you WILL be shipped out.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
GL: 72-Year-Old Serial To End In September
With how the show’s been handled in the last year with the new production model, you have no idea how much I wish I could say I did not see this coming. Though still, it breaks my heart. And of course this has to happen when the show starts to improve. Grady is gone, Phillip and Edmund are back. There are still things that make no sense (e.g. how can Reva Shayne be pregnant?) but at least I have some desire to watch these days.
This should be a big wake-up call for As The World Turns. To the heads up at this show, you need to get on the ball. Do something to improve this show and make sure said improvement is consistent. Guiding Light’s cancellation proves that the occasional good day with plenty of other bad days in between just does not cut it anymore. Goutman needs to stop with this “I don’t listen to the fans” garbage. If it weren’t for us, you wouldn’t have a job. And after how fast the show reacted after Luke and Noah were not kissing for months and the response of them getting more airtime last fall during the election storyline after fans campaigned for it, there’s no way in hell he could convince me all that was nothing but sheer coincidence.
Give Luke and Noah more airtime. End this Paul/Meg/Dusty insanity. Do something about this Parker/Liberty mess. Write in ways that respect not only women on the show, but in ways that respect all of the characters. Go back to writing character-driven stories. It’s been proven that plot-driven storylines on this show just do not work. History is an important thing to consider; it’s there for a reason. Use it; it’s your friend. Reunite Jack and Carly and end this break-up nonsense, a couple should not be apart for this long. Use more veteran characters and use them often; give a couple their OWN storylines for a change. Where is Lisa Grimaldi? Susan Stewart? Nancy Hughes? Bring Martha Byrne back. Even with mostly undesirable days, in the several months before her departure, the show’s ratings were still pretty strong at #3. Do SOMETHING, ANYTHING to keep the consistency. Make fans like me want to watch every day. I shouldn’t want to skip an entire episode because of what’s going on one particular day. I guarantee that if the show was good every single day, more people would watch like before.
As for Guiding Light, Brian Cahill of Procter & Gamble/Telenext is saying they're trying to shop the show elsewhere. If this is not just lip service, SOAPnet, this is something that needs to get your attention. It's about time in the past two years that you picked something up that was either a soap opera or related to one.
This should be a big wake-up call for As The World Turns. To the heads up at this show, you need to get on the ball. Do something to improve this show and make sure said improvement is consistent. Guiding Light’s cancellation proves that the occasional good day with plenty of other bad days in between just does not cut it anymore. Goutman needs to stop with this “I don’t listen to the fans” garbage. If it weren’t for us, you wouldn’t have a job. And after how fast the show reacted after Luke and Noah were not kissing for months and the response of them getting more airtime last fall during the election storyline after fans campaigned for it, there’s no way in hell he could convince me all that was nothing but sheer coincidence.
Give Luke and Noah more airtime. End this Paul/Meg/Dusty insanity. Do something about this Parker/Liberty mess. Write in ways that respect not only women on the show, but in ways that respect all of the characters. Go back to writing character-driven stories. It’s been proven that plot-driven storylines on this show just do not work. History is an important thing to consider; it’s there for a reason. Use it; it’s your friend. Reunite Jack and Carly and end this break-up nonsense, a couple should not be apart for this long. Use more veteran characters and use them often; give a couple their OWN storylines for a change. Where is Lisa Grimaldi? Susan Stewart? Nancy Hughes? Bring Martha Byrne back. Even with mostly undesirable days, in the several months before her departure, the show’s ratings were still pretty strong at #3. Do SOMETHING, ANYTHING to keep the consistency. Make fans like me want to watch every day. I shouldn’t want to skip an entire episode because of what’s going on one particular day. I guarantee that if the show was good every single day, more people would watch like before.
As for Guiding Light, Brian Cahill of Procter & Gamble/Telenext is saying they're trying to shop the show elsewhere. If this is not just lip service, SOAPnet, this is something that needs to get your attention. It's about time in the past two years that you picked something up that was either a soap opera or related to one.
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