CBS's daytime drama Guiding Light celebrated its 71st year on the air on January 25. First, on radio, then and now on television, this grand old soap opera has never stopped telling its stories, making broadcast history. Production goes on, but starting February 29, 2008, viewers will be seeing Guiding Light in a brand new light. Led by innovative Executive Producer Ellen Wheeler, Guiding Light it busting out of the studio to starting filming in a more realistic, cinema verite style. "Soap operas have been shot, by and large, the same way since the 1950's, the same way I Love Lucy was shot - with pedestal cameras, in just a few interior sets," said Ms. Wheeler recently. According to her, the "[it's] old-fashioned, and it isn't working anymore." With that in mind, Guiding Light's fictitious hometown of Springfield (no, not the same one in which Marge and Homer reside), is coming to life. Outdoor scenes will be filmed in Peapack, New Jersey, becoming, in effect, a real live Springfield. Imagine, the Spaulding mansion, Reva and Josh's Cross Creek cabin, Cedar's Hospital, even everyone's favorite burger joint, Company! The interiors will feature permanent four-walled sets with ten-foot high ceilings shot with cameras that are free to roam. The entire look is meant to break with the conception of what most soap operas look like, and while it sounds revolutionary, it's actually been done before to some extent. When the ABC soap, Loving, was failing in the ratings in 1995, producers changed the name of the show to The City, reset the show in Soho, and tried to jazz up the way it was shot. It didn't work; the soap was canceled in 1997.
Guiding Light is on much firmer footing than that show was. True, it's in the lower tier of soap opera ratings, but it's a critical darling and it won the Daytime Emmy as Outstanding Drama Series in 2007 (tied with The Young and the Restless).
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-17-2008 @ 11:46AM
Jojee said...
They have been testing it out all month. At first it was terrible. The mics and sound had a lot of interference. But now it has been getting better and better.
The scenes are similar to when soaps shoot on location, like when the characters go on a vacation. But now it will just be all the time.
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2-17-2008 @ 2:15PM
C C said...
The "new look" they're introducing is merely a way for them to save money. Guiding Light is in the daytime ratings cellar, and is not earning much of a profit for CBS. So they're using real backdrops in order to cut down the number of stages and sets they normally use.
Actually, they're making jokes on soap opera boards along the lines of "They shot this episode in the stairwell, it's the only set they have left!"
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2-17-2008 @ 2:40PM
Argus said...
Ummm... Is this the one with the Superheroine in it who got her powers during a crossover with Marvel?
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3-05-2008 @ 11:33AM
rilla said...
Oh, that was just a fun spoof show for halloween a couple of years ago.
2-17-2008 @ 3:02PM
Patti said...
While it may be in the cellar as far as ratings go, seems to me they won Best Daytime Drama last year, which has to account for something. This writers strike has affected everyone, including soaps. I don't watch this show everyday, but lately since Jonathan has been back, (played by the exceptional Tom Pelphrey) I haven't missed an episode. He should have won the emmy last year, but it went to that drip that plays Devon on Y&R. How that happened, I will never understand.
This show is and will continue to be on the air, just because it HAS been on in one way shape or form for 71 years. Congrats to GL for giving us one hell of a show for that long!
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2-17-2008 @ 9:17PM
TomB said...
Actually, GL is bankrolled and produced by Procter & Gamble. As long as P&G is willing to produce the show I'd bet that CBS wouldn't cancel it.
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2-19-2008 @ 1:59PM
cmercure said...
I have loved this show for years - I don't underdstand the ratings
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3-10-2008 @ 6:34AM
Debra said...
I can not get used to this! the constant close ups, the wardrobe consist of nothing but the same old coats and sweaters,in their effort to cut cost they are loosing longtime viewers. look for your favorite characters to jump ship as contract negotiations start.
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3-14-2008 @ 2:26PM
KAREN said...
I thought the show looked like it was shot with even less lighting than usual.....and the filming in stairwells,
and cafeteria like settings was temporary while they fixed up the new set for the Feb 29 reveal......I was hoping for
more lighting, and less drab sets....
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3-14-2008 @ 4:28PM
Dawn Foley said...
I don't like the new way the show is shot. I am thinking of not watching it anymore. It is terrible.
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3-15-2008 @ 6:16PM
june said...
I do not like the new camera shots when one sees an actors half a head big noses all the imperfection's ,twigs shadows etc ,its not fair to the actors who in the world wants to see so much scenery. CBS will lose a lot of viewers .What bothers me most is the close up of the faces JUST TO CLOSE FAN FOR YEARS
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3-16-2008 @ 3:48PM
Shirley Easley said...
The new set is horrible...Please please bring back the old Guiding Light...we all love it!!!! How about a descent story line while you're at it. The show is so boring. I have watched GL forever and I find myself not even bothering to watch it...They should pay what ever it takes to get Philip to come back and really make it a show! Listen to your followers!!!!
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3-18-2008 @ 1:18PM
Donna said...
I hate it! Just cannot get use to it, looks very low budget.
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3-20-2008 @ 10:02PM
nonina said...
Go back to the old GL - it is difficult to watch. Don't tape it anymore.
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3-28-2008 @ 9:45AM
nonina said...
I am here again with my comments. I have talked to some friends who are no longer taping Guiding Light. I used to look forward to watching it at the end of the day, however, with your "new" camera work, it is very difficult to watch. It actually makes me dizzy when the camera is shooting from one to the other with such quick action. I hate all the outdoor scenes. I want to see them in their "old" sets. Please go back.
Will Guiding Light go back???????
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4-02-2008 @ 7:15PM
nonina said...
I have written twice now and every time I try to go back to watching GL, I am reminded that I don't want to watch anymore.
The colour is faded that it now almost looks black and white. If you were rebuilding new sets, why is it that Harley's kitchen does not look like Harley's kitchen??? Cassie's house looks like it's falling apart.
Why do the characters have to be outdoors all the time and jumping in a car?
Storylines jump around too much.....
Absolultely hate the new GL look....
It's no wonder actors are leaving...
Please bring back the "old" GL. It's not fun to watch anymore.
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4-20-2008 @ 2:42PM
Edna said...
I think that the new guiding light stinks. Use to watch it every day but don't even turn it on. There are other channels to watch and better than GL. Don't think it will win any awards this year
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