TVSquad

Product placement baby - it's fantastic! I just can't wait till it goes the other way - 'cause I want to go to KFC and get me some Octo-chicken.

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The way the Exec Producer has been slowly killing Guiding Light, this is a natural place to go, just before the show slips into a coma. In terms of dollars I'm sure Universal threw a sum of money at the show to lure it down, given how tight cash is on daytimes these days. So she can report to her P & G execs that she saved a week of production dollars in Peapatch NJ and had Universal foot the bill for their poorly scripted infomercial...loved the shots with planters in the background and no ID for the location

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The film division of NBC Universal Studios owns and operates the theme parks, not the television studios. As far as the reasoning for having the whole family down at Universal, its a soap opera. It was a plot device and it happens all the time in soaps. It wasn't very original, but it wasn't the most contrived idea either.

Moving on from that point, what they filmed was done very well and enjoyable to watch for a lot of fans. The couple (Bizzie) is just too cute for words.

As for the post criticizing the Executive Producer, Ellen Wheeler. Ellen has done a great job the last several months and deserves credit for what she has accomplished with little to no budget. Let's be clear who has been trying to kill Guiding Light here. CBS is to blame, not Ellen and not P&G. P&G and Telenext had nothing to do with the canceling of Guiding Light. P&G is currently shopping the show to other networks that will hopefully treat it with more respect than CBS has given it the last several years.

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I really don't see what the problem is with GL shooting scenes at Universal Studios. They looked great and they were fun. The product placement didn't bother me one bit actually didn't really notice any.

It certainly was a welcome change to see some sun and different scenery.
It is funny that you brought up ridiculous sorasing while speaking of Lizzie and Bill, two of the few legacy characters we actually have seen grow up.

Maybe it would also be a good idea to wait until the Spaulding get there before criticizing their purpose etc.
The show is the best that is has been for a long time, sure it is not perfect but no soap and even with its minor flaws it is still the best soap out there, JMO

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The scenes at the Universal Studios park are just adorable. Bill & Lizzie are fun to watch.

As to the comment on Ellen Wheeler - she has put her heart and soul into Guiding Light and has pulled it up by the boot strings and made it into a wonderful show, despite the slashed budget they were given. Yes, it took a while for everyone to get used to the new production model but they're doing amazingly well and the writing is much better than anything else out there! So Kudos to Ellen and the cast for getting to enjoy some fun while they can.

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This show has been outstanding recently. The Exec Producer and the writers have brought the goods with the storylines. It's real and honest, it's a true pleasure to see a tv show remember what matters and tell stories that effect everyone, and tell it in a way that is not in your face. This show has stepped it up a notch and others should take note.

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Ellen Wheeler has done a great job putting out a quality product with the skimpy budget that CBS thrust on her. IMO, it is the best written show with the best ensamble cast in daytime TV at this time.

I am enjoying the scenes from Florida. It's a nice change of pace for the show, and as far as Alan goes, he has been slipping into a kind of darkness for a couple of weeks. Maybe we will see some kind of story unfolding about his mental health in the near future.

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In the context of soap opera writing, Alan rallying the family to rescue his granddaughter from Bill is pretty in character. Bizzie having some fluff time together after reuniting as a couple is also pretty basic soap writing. It being set at Universal is kinda fun. What was the alternative....watch Bizzie sit at Towers and have dinner? Go for a walk around the Peapack pond?

With the decline of soap opera viewership, I have no problem with increases in product placement or plugs. I think there are plenty of fans who would gladly accept it vs. losing their favorite show. As an advertiser, in show advertising is soo much more effective since most people dvr soaps and FF.

GL is actually doing a great job telling stories about its families without any sensationalized BS you see some of the other programs attempting this year.

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I actually really like the on-location shoot at Universal Studios. It made the show fun, and different from what we've seen in the past. As far as product placement, well that is kinda why soaps were invented to begin with, and it keeps the shows on the air.

Right now, Guiding Light is the best thing on TV, and that is largely due to the work of the writers (namely Jill Lorie Hurst) and Ellen Wheeler (exec. producer). They had a budget that had been unfairly slashed by CBS, and have managed to make a winning program in spite of that. It is because of the these things that Guiding Light is the only soap right now that I feel will outlast the broadcast networks themselves, especially CBS.
I truly hope Guiding Light finds a home on cable, because this show is a gem.

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This is the second time that GL has been at Universal Studios. Around 1996ish they did a few episodes in and around Universal Studios and Orlando. I haven't watched the shows in years, but I distinctly remember that Harley and some Spaulding got married on top of the marquee of the Hollywood Horror Make-up Show and thought, "Of all places, this is where they decided to get married?"

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I'm actually enjoying the Universal scenes with Bill and Lizzie and having Alan go there is just priceless!!! Of course he is out of place there but that's what makes it funny! GL is one of the few daytime shows that make me laugh out loud with their well written humor! I don't mind at all the plugging for Universal and it obviously works because it's making me want to get down there and visit the park! I think Ellen Wheeler is pure genius. She has a very small budget to work with and if she struck a deal with Universal to pull this off then that is just good business! In fact, if Universal wants to host my company's next annual conference I would be glad to advertise their theme park all year long!

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Thank you for writing a post about Guiding Light. I must agree with other responders here that product placement and soap operas go hand-in-hand and at this point could spell their very survival. A walk in the Springfield mini-mart showcases every P&G product imaginable. Executive Producer Ellen Wheeler has done an admirable job working with no budget and no network support. She and Head Writer Jill Lorie-Hurst have created magnificant storylines that have been a pleasure to watch. For fans of the particular couple you mentioned, Lizzie and Bill (Bizzie), the trip to Universal is a fun departure from a year or more of working at cross purposes. Bizzie and the Spauldings are great to watch and I can't wait to see what's next for them at Universal!

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Its great to see Guiding Light getting some more coverage. GL has been on fire lately, and I'm really enjoying it. The writing has been fantastic and I'm going to agree with the previous posters that Ellen Wheeler has done great things with GL.

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Oh soaps are known for their product placement. And in any case, I don't have a problem with the scenes at Universal. In fact I find them to be fun to watch. It fits in with Bill and Lizzie's relationship at the moment to perfection.

And I have to agree with some posters above here when I say the writing have really been the best I've seen on Daytime lately. After watching GL for the day, I cringe when watching some of the other soaps. Kudos to Guiding Light for continuing to deliver each day I tune in.

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Actually, I thought the prior wedding in Florida was Lucy and Alan Michael.

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I think this show has proven time and time again what a well thought-out, amazingly crafted, brilliantly written show it is, and that has everything to so with EW and JLH. I think the Universal Studios plot is just adorable and well in-keeping with the progression of the Bizzie storyline. As well, it is a nice little break from the usual Springfield occurrences, and allows the show to mix things up a little. It is entertaining while remaining true to the storyline so I see absolutely no problem with it. Congratulations to GL for continuing to be creative, original and wonderful!

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Since the beginning of Soaps there have always been product placement, it's just the way that it is. It's not that big of a deal and I think it's a cute idea.

In reguards to Ellen Wheeler. I dont think you will find an Executive Producer who cares more about a show than she does. She cares about the actors, she cares about the storylines and she cares about the viewers. Does everything always work, no, but she is willing to try things to make thinks better and more enjoyable for everyone. Guiding Light is the best soap on tv right now. Im glad you are watching it and hope to hear you talk about it, hopefully in a more positive note, again.

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I think that the scenes at Universal are fun and Bizzie are super adorable and I love the arc that Bill is trying to give Lizzie her childhood back and cannot wait to see the antics that ensue when the rest of the Spaulding clan get down there.

Also, Ellen Wheeler is a goddess!

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