Kim Zimmer
Pittsburgh and Atlanta Say So Long Springfield
By Mike Jubinville on September 25, 2009
If you can't make it to Pittsburgh, then head on down to the next stop, Atlanta. An afternoon and evening event is scheduled for Saturday, November 7. The website has important information, so click HERE to get the scoop before you make your plans. Don't miss out on your chance to say so long to Springfield!
Christian LeBlanc, Jeanne Cooper Pop Up on Guiding Light
By Jillian Bowe on September 20, 2009Farewell Guiding Light, Old Friend
By Melodie on September 19, 2009
September 18, 2009 is a day that will live forever in broadcast history. As we all know, it is the day the longest running television drama ever said "Goodbye" to the world. I watched the finale of Guiding Light with the heaviest of hearts. I couldn't believe this was the last time I would see Josh (Robert Newman) and Reva (Kim Zimmer) give each other those looks that could fry an egg on the street. I couldn't believe it was the last time I would see Alexandra Spaulding be absolutely fabulous on my screen. Don't forget to add some extra fabulous Fletcher Reade (Jay Hammer) on the side.
I can't tell you the pain in my heart when those infamous words "The End" flashed across the screen. It felt like I was losing apart of my soul. You see, Guiding Light was my grandmother's show. She watched all the soap operas and I do mean all of them, but The Guiding Light, as she called it, was her absolute favorite. Memories of watching this show with her when I was little came flooding back to me while watching the finale. Those are some of my best memories of her, watching her "story", The Guiding Light. She passed away about a year ago and watching Guiding Light helped me feel connected to her in a way. That connection is gone now that her show is gone. Losing Guiding Light is so much more than just losing another American soap opera, it's like losing a family member. I don't think it will truly hit me that my grandmother's show is gone until I turn on the television at 2 p.m. on Monday and nothing's guiding my light. READ MORE
Requiem for a Daytime Drama: Finale
By J Bernard Jones on September 18, 2009
The final part of a highly personal, non-objective series highlighting various aspects of the last episodes of Guiding Light, which which ended its 72 year run on September 18th.
What was it that got me first?
Was it the opening flurry of Guiding Light's logos throughout it's 72 year history or was it the show's last "Only Love" opening featuring the most of the current cast as it had never done before? Whatever it was that first triggered a torrent of emotions that ran through me, this is what happened on Guiding Light today:
In the wake of Alan Spaulding's death, Fletcher whisked Alexandra away to see the world. Doris pulled strings and got Ashlee into a writer's program at Berkeley; Daisy and Ashley went to California together for school, while James stayed behind and bonded with his father. Mindy informed Billy that she was moving back to Springfield. Remy and a newly pregnant Christina got married in the quickest wedding in soap opera history. Olivia & Natalia settled on a name for the baby — Francesca, named after Frank. Maureen played matchmaker for Matt and one of her pretty school teachers. After weeks of online dating, Frank & Blake finally hooked up for their date, with seemingly all of Springfield stalking him. Beth gave Phillip, who once had great dreams of being a writer, a journal in which to put his every thought.
Finally, there was everything involving Josh (Robert Newman) & Reva (Kim Zimmer).
It wasn't what happened "today" that was most important; it was what happened "one year later" in Springfield that truly mattered. As I sit a home, with the television now turned off and with more than a few tears in my cynical eyes, I cannot help but be amazed that I bore witness to what I believe was one of the greatest series finales of an American institution as has been produced during the long — and now endangered — life of a uniquely American genre. READ MORE
Requiem for a Daytime Drama, Part Four
By J Bernard Jones on September 17, 2009
The fourth in a highly personal, non-objective series highlighting various aspects of the last episodes of Guiding Light, which will end its 72 year run on September 18th
The penultimate episode of Guiding Light was light on story, but extraordinarily high in emotion and closure — and there was one bit of ridiculousness about which, at this late date, I could ultimately only laugh.
Jill Lorie Hurst & Ellen Wheeler threw in so many twists, turns and delightful surprises that it was hard to keep up! Danny (Paul Anthony Stewart), Michelle (Nancy St. Alban) and Robbie moved back to Springfield! Remy (Lawrence Saint-Victor) found out that he and Christina (Karla Mosely) really weren't married — again, only to be informed by the not-Mrs. Boudreaux that she is pregnant! Mel (Yvonna Wright) & Cryus (Murray Bartlett) burned up the well-worn sheets at the Beacon! Even Daisy (Bonnie Dennison) got accepted to college, which was a delightful shock, given that not only did I have no idea she had applied to a university, but was more shocked that she actually could read!
In some ways these developments were mere appetizers for two of the biggest, most emotionally satisfying payoffs Guiding Light could have ever delivered for its long time, faithful fans! READ MORE
Requiem for a Daytime Drama, Part Three
By J Bernard Jones on September 16, 2009
The third in a highly personal, non-objective series highlighting various aspects of the last episodes of Guiding Light, which will end its 72 year run on September 18th.
The third from the last episode of Guiding Light was all about reactions and coming to grips with the demise of Alan Spaulding, mirroring the mixed emotions of the show's fans as the series takes its final bows.
As news of Alan Spaulding's (Ron Raines) death rippled through town, we were treated to one of the most honest portrayals of how people react in such circumstances as has ever been seen on daytime. Over the last 30 years, Alan had committed any number of heinous crimes against most of the citizens of Springfield and yet his passing left many stunned (Ashlee, Blake, Reva, Jonathan, Frank), some confused (grandson Rafe), and others shocked & saddened (Lillian, Buzz).
When all is said and done, today's episode was rocked by Grant Aleksander (Phillip), Zack Conroy (James), and Marj Dusay (Alexandra). READ MORE

