SIDENOTE: I'm not a fan of this show. But if the Young And The Restless OR General Hospital would get cancel like THIS I would feel bad about it.

http://tv.yahoo.com/show/...__ER:74272

CBS is pulling the plug on the soap opera "Guiding Light" after a 72-year run that predates television, the show a victim of the economy and changed viewing habits.

The drama's final episode will air on Sept. 18.

The Guinness Book of World Records has cited it as the longest-running television drama. It began as a 15-minute serial on NBC Radio on Jan. 25, 1937, and debuted on CBS TV in 1952, focusing on the fictional town of Springfield and the Spaulding, Lewis and Cooper families.

"For many of us, it was the first show we ever watched," said Lynn Leahey, editorial director of Soap Opera Digest. Unlike prime-time shows that came and went, it was a constant in people's lives. "It really is heartbreaking to see something like this go away."

Procter & Gamble Productions, which makes the show, informed cast and crew Wednesday at separate sets in New York and New Jersey. The company isn't giving up on the story, and will explore different ways to keep it going after September, a spokeswoman said.

Soap operas have been in a long, slow decline in popularity, primarily because many of the women who made up their loyal audiences are no longer at home at that hour. They're working, and can find the communal experience that their favorite soaps once gave them elsewhere.

"Guiding Light" had the lowest ratings of the eight daytime dramas on the air. When it leaves, CBS and ABC will have three weekday soap operas, with NBC having one.

"The numbers are really tough for all of these old dramas," said Ron Raines, the actor who portrayed the villain Alan Spaulding in "Guiding Light."

"I don't think any of the other shows want any of us to go off. We're all in this together," he said.

Many successful actors got their start on "Guiding Light," including James Earl Jones, Calista Flockhart, Hayden Panettiere, Kevin Bacon and Taye Diggs

Faced with extinction a year ago, "Guiding Light" significantly revamped its operations. It ditched its fixed, three-camera set in favor of portable cameras that enabled producers to shoot in different locations. The move saved money and changed the show's look to make it seem more like the reality shows younger viewers are accustomed to.

It didn't work, at least enough for CBS. The network hasn't said what will replace "Guiding Light" on the schedule, but it will almost certainly be a talk or game show, which are much cheaper to make than dramas with a large cast.

The changes also made many of the fans and cast members unhappy, said Carolyn Hinsey, Soap Opera Digest columnist. Two of its biggest stars, Beth Ehlers and Ricky Paull Goldin, quit and now work on ABC's "All My Children."

For fans of the genre, Wednesday's move could be a peek into the future.

Ten years from now, "I absolutely think (daytime dramas) will still be around," Leahey said. "I don't know if you'll be able to watch them from noon to three o'clock on network television."

In fact, the cancellation could be an opportunity for "Guiding Light," she said. Perhaps there's a way to keep the show alive on cable or online; Procter & Gamble says it will have to evaluate whether there's a cost-effective way to do that.

For now, its cast and crew are in mourning.

"What is it? 72 years continuous?" Raines said. "That will never be touched. It's a very sad thing, but these are the times we live in. It's very tough out there."

Say Word!

I haven't watched Guiding Light in years - but it was my favorite in college. In fact, I remember when Kevin Bacon was on there!

Oh - and when Meg Ryan was on As the World Turns.

KidaDynamite said:

It's true. The same soap opera where actress Nia Long got her big break is getting cancel. It's truly an end of an era.

Now I wonder if The Young And The Restless could suffer the same fate.

My mom will be so sad, she has watched GL since 1966.

I've watched it off and on during my whole life. That being said, the last couple of years the show has been a train wreck and NOT in a good Soapy way. They've moved to hand held camera work, which I think just looks cheap and tacky.

Plus they've started doing lots of outside shots that aren't traditional soap opera venue and personally I think add to a cheap looking show.

Damn shame after 70 some odd years, but I can understand why.

Wow that's something....

lazycrockett said:

The last time I notice GL was when Nia Long was on the show. This was 1990 or 91.

TonyVanDam said:[quote]

lazycrockett said:

I won't even mention the sad sad storylines or the writers not giving a rats ass bout past characters history. At the moment Reva is pregnant but like 5 years ago she went through the "change" which was a big storyline. I think that P&G as well as CBS gave up on this show and its vast history bout 4 years ago.
[Edited 4/1/09 19:23pm]

bummer I hope they dont do that to my Days of our Lives

sorry to all you Guiding Light fans
[Edited 4/1/09 19:26pm]

My grandma is rolling over in her grave right now!

Is Reva still on there? What about Harley? Allen-Michael Spalding and his Greek beauty of a wife???

Guiding Light, we hardly knew ye!!!!

Wow, 72 years.