September 23, 2009
Did you make it through GUIDING LIGHT viewers' toughest day? I don't mean Friday, Sept. 18, but Monday, Sept. 21, the first official weekday without the soap. If so, congratulations to you and all the viewers who were able to handle going Springfieldless. It was a challenge for me, but I believe the advance notice of GL's conclusion, along with the powerful finale, helped me deal with not having my favorite show on the air. Tuesday proved to be somewhat easier...but that might have been far from the case for many people.

Well, we can always reminisce, and the soap's final week floored me. The double wedding of Billy and Vanessa and Buzz and Lillian was beautiful, and the character returns, from Bridget to Holly, heartwarming. If it wasn't scripted, Lisa Brown's choice to have Nola blow Company, her former stomping grounds, a kiss as she left the building was one fantastic ad-lib.

The sudden passing and memorial service for Alan were stunningly produced, and it was fitting that Alan's last scene alive was with his old friend Buzz, as Alan's machinations inarguably led to Coop's death. It made sense that Olivia and Jonathan, who often spoke their minds, were both blunt when they informed people of Alan's death.

Other heart-pleasers included Phillip and James finally becoming close as father and son (even though it partly took Alan dying for that to happen), and Jonathan and Reva ricocheting from tears to laughs and back to tears in front of his new home; Tom Pelphrey and Kim Zimmer were outstanding in that scene. Also, who knew we'd be sad to see the once dull, now likable Rafe go? The soldier's farewell to his mom and friends by the bus was moving, and his telling Olivia to take care of Natalia but not hugging her hinted (appropriately for his character) that he still didn't completely accept her.

Congratulations to Yvonna Wright and Murray Bartlett (Mel and Cyrus) for performing the series' final love scene. I found them to be an exciting couple with much chemistry and potential, so at least we got a taste or two of what might have been.

I honestly did not like everything the last week offered. Several scenes sped by far too quickly, and Olivia and Natalia didn't get a true closure scene as a couple, although their love story was superbly told. On the other hand, the Jeffrey storyline needed worlds more suspense; "NCIS: S.O.S. (Somewhere Outside of Springfield)" might have been more enthralling, if, say, Edmund held someone — such as Jonathan or Sarah — hostage, or even if Jeffrey chased him through a mall (there are plenty of those in New Jersey). But "LL Cool Jeffrey" left the show a hero, and the penultimate episode did explain his whereabouts, as his fate was to keep chasing Edmund.

The lack of flashbacks, apparently due to a dearth of time, was unfortunately jarring. The show has told many "life stories," and those of characters such as Bert, Meta, Mike, Hope and Roger could have been briefly spotlighted.

Aside from all that, I was very pleased and satisfied by the Sept. 18 finale. It shared sublime grace with tremendous depth, just like the show has done for decades. There were many standout moments, but Mindy announcing she's staying in town was the first scene that made me misty, as I loved the Four Musketeers from their 1983 introduction, when those four characters solidified my devotion to the show. I was delighted that Fletcher returned to spirit away his former flame, Alex. Her telling her family, "I'll be back for the damn wedding," was hilarious, and pure Alex, while Fletch and Bill mentioning the late Ben, Fletch's son and Bill's good friend, brought me a huge smile. Finally uniting love-starved singles Frank and Blake was ultraromantic, as was James literally breathing, "I...love you" to Daisy before her road trip.

As GL battled to beat the avalanche of time constraints, the show cleverly rolled with its own limits by bringing us a year later. I was beyond thrilled that former lovers Rick and Mindy were engaged, and later got just a touch "verklempt" when Danny and Michelle clinked glasses with the Four Musketeers, in a manner that appeared to create the Six Musketeers (which makes sense, since Michelle is Rick's sister). It was good to see Lizzie expecting her second child, and all the kids at the softball game, from Henry and Sarah to Francesca and Clayton, effectively represented Springfield's next generation. And talk about sublime; in the church's light and seemingly free of worries, Mallet and Dinah were at their engaging best.

Plus, that music! I appreciate and applaud independent songwriters, but over the past year, I had occasionally asked, "What is that song?" and "Why are its lyrics almost as loud as the dialogue?" The instrumental that played during the softball game gathering was amazing. Then, finally, a mainstream song ("Together" by Michelle Branch) was used, and included the fitting line: "When darkness awaits you, I'll be there to be your light."

I'll look at more of the last episode, including the wrap-up to a certain supercouple's storyline, in my next blog entry. Just like wrapping up 72 years in one hour had to have been difficult, so is giving that hour the review it deserves in just one entry. For now, I feel for the many people who have watched the show regularly for years, and those who view it as their grandmother's story or one of the last keepsakes they have of a dear relative who passed away. While it's not a loss of a family member (although, as I've noted in this blog, the characters do feel like family), it is still a saddening loss, one that's hard to put into words.

But we should be grateful to have seven daytime soaps left, and we should help to save them by watching them; that's extremely important. I'm still trying to decide which one will be my new top soap; recent changes to one that I thought was a shoo-in and current developments in another might change my mind. And as for what to do with that extra hour, the question that's likely on many GL-missing minds, other than trying a new soap or two, there's always talking a walk outside, calling a relative and seeing a friend, because you only have one life to live.

September 16, 2009
Watching the extremely moving developments in GUIDING LIGHT’s Phillip/Alan story, in which Alan bravely saved his son’s life but suddenly passed away, has been challenging but also cathartic. My dad, Sol, would have turned 75 today.

As I've mentioned in this occasionally personal blog, he regularly taped GL for me and my mom, Barbara, and the three of us watched it together for years. We were so into the show that one afternoon, during one of our many fun trips, we sat in the lobby of an Ocean City, MD, inn, watching it with the front desk clerk, who also happened to be a viewer. When someone asked if Warren Andrews, who was passed out on the floor of a Cedars elevator, was dead, the clerk said, "He'd better be; he's been lying there for two days."

I recently found one of my dad's tapes from 1987, which happened to feature my favorite male GL character of all time, who is not Josh or Rick; it's Rick's cousin, Johnny Bauer, a pilot who became the host of the Springfield talk show One on One. (Holly, who was his WSPR boss, is my all-time favorite character, largely due to her strength, wisdom and wit.) I watched this tape and marveled at its good advice from the mysterious but selfless Esme, who helped Johnny through his battle with cancer. I'll paraphrase her words to him: Don't live with a fear of dying; just live.

This past February, as the dying Coop said, "Good night, Dad" to Buzz, it's a good thing I was watching a recording at home, because let's just say I was teary. That's something I used to make sure to tell my dad for years, in person, by phone and in his hospital room. Coop's final words, "I'm just like you," were beautifully written, and boy, do I relate to them; I'm very much like my friendly and caring dad.

Phillip could relate to Hamlet's simple but heartfelt words about his father: "He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again." That last part could also be said about the soap itself, which entertained and amazed us with Phillip's powerful, decades-long epic, along with scores of other wonderful stories. We will not have a show like GL again.

On that note...

Dear Mr. Wilkofsky,

It doesn't seem right that I should be sending this e-mail, addressing the end of GUIDING LIGHT. I have been a GL viewer for only approximately three years. The first episode I watched was purely accidental. I was channel surfing one day — the day of Tammy and Sandy's wedding — and decided to watch for a couple of minutes. That couple of minutes turned into years. I am so sad and so shocked that a show of this quality is ending after such a long run. As sad as I am, I cannot even begin to imagine what it must feel like for the millions of viewers who have been watching for 10, 20, 30, etc. years.

I have watched soaps my entire life, since I was a teenager. I am in my 40s now, so that's a long time. There has never been a soap quite like GUIDING LIGHT. There were, of course, a few nonsensical storylines over the years, I'm sure, but there was something very special about GL that was never captured in quite the same way on ALL MY CHILDREN or THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, or any of the other soaps.

This show will be terribly, terribly missed. The one and only bright side to this story is that I can still see Tom Pelphrey on AS THE WORLD TURNS, although somehow he'll always be Jonathan Randall to me.

At any rate, I just wanted to voice my sadness to someone who I knew would listen. Thank you.

Kristi Richards
A soon-to-be-former GUIDING LIGHT viewer

Thanks for your letter, Kristi. I'm definitely listening, and as always, asking our readers for their memories of GL and reactions to the wrap-up week. You can reach me at GLeditor@soapoperaweekly.com.

Here's another reason to keep the TV on, people (as I've heard a few of you note that your screens are off for good once GL ends): Fox's GLEE. This series, featuring the engrossing struggles and stunning performances of a high school glee club, is truly the finest new prime-time show of the season, and ultraclose to perfect. Both laugh-out-loud funny and dramatically compelling, it's one show which pays to rewind, while it also features soapy storylines, including two of unrequited love. The incredible singing talent of Lea Michele (Rachel) alone is a reason to catch a Wednesday installment, and I sincerely hope GLEE's well-deserved hype will bring more viewers to McKinley High every week.

September 11, 2009
I recall being stuck at home from school on snow days, and as the latest blizzard pounded on the windows, an hour of GUIDING LIGHT brightening up the TV screen was my hot cocoa. Each scene or act, whether the year's holiday season was being celebrated or someone was being romanced or blackmailed, created memorable coziness in my tweenage years, and for many years to come.

It'll be a peculiar fall and winter without GL. Many people are wondering what they're going to do with that hour five days a week. These are the same people who probably said now and then, "Well, that episode didn't do much." It is inarguable that even when some GL episodes were "slow," there were always a few characters you cared about, and often a moment that helped you get to know them. I remember a quiet scene in the mid-'90s between Nola and her nephew Matt; it was just a conversation, but it brought out a lot of character depth in both of them. The show always knew how to pull its viewers in, and surprise them. I was enthralled by Rick and Mindy in New York City (where lovebirds Phillip and Beth were on the run from her dad, Bradley, in 1984), as they suddenly found their own romance...with a beautiful kiss in a park, as the camera panned around them. The show didn't always need action (like the Josh/Reva/Sonni epic, the Susan Piper adventure, Holly kidnapping half the town's youngsters, Danny and Michelle vs. Carmen, etc.) to get viewers' eyebrows up and hearts beating.

Smiles are my oxygen, and GL has brought a lot of them. It'll be rough to see the show go, but as I've been saying in this blog, there are other shows to watch. Also, one's family can, and should, bring smiles. Today, Sept. 11, is a day where that means the most.

Here's another letter from one of this blog's saddened readers.

Marc, I am distraught!! I have been a loyal fan of GUIDING LIGHT for more than 50 years! I even listened to it on the radio with my mother before I started school! I am 62 years old, and had to be under 5 when I began listening. I surely wish someone, somewhere, somehow would pick up their contract and continue this wonderful soap opera.

Sincerely,
Judy W. Love,
Locust, N.C.

It's wonderful to read how long you've followed GL, which will continue in the hearts, minds and computer screens of many viewers, Judy. Maybe there's another form the show can take; I'll be looking out for that.

Dear Mr. Wilkofsky,

It's a nice thought...following actors to other soaps. It won't happen, though; everyone watching the soaps on CBS are watching them because they prefer them over the soaps on the other networks! We consider them part of our lives, we have watched them for most of our lives. The storylines, the characters and what they are going through mean something to us. Maybe CBS will stop and think about what it is doing to daytime when we all turn our viewing to cable, or better yet, turn off the television when the game shows and reality shows come on!

Sincerely,
Mary Cunningham,
Nashville, Indiana

Some viewers eagerly plan to move to other soaps, and some don't, Mary; maybe jumps like that of Tom Pelphrey (Jonathan) to AS THE WORLD TURNS will encourage more of the former type of viewer. Thanks for being the first reader to call me "Mr. Wilkofsky."

There is a reality show (one of several) which has, in fact, been worth watching: CBS' latest BIG BROTHER installment wraps up on Tuesday, Sept. 15, and it's been one fun season, proving that this sociological experiment is always unpredictable and absorbing. Thankfully, I can stand all the final three players, Kevin, Natalie and Jordan, who have all been entertaining and have done a fine job keeping themselves in the Los Angeles house (especially Kevin and Natalie's ploy to chip away at Jeff and Jordan's trust in Russell...which worked). BB is another reason to keep the TV on, and I know there will be many more reasons as the leaves, and snowflakes, fall.

September 4, 2009
With two weeks to go, GUIDING LIGHT is certainly combining the dramatic, the depressing and the delightful these days, as Phillip's terminal illness and Henry's paternity (that's the delightful part) are both out in the open. But I have another storyline to discuss: the revisionist redemption of Cyrus Foley. I have no problem with him being the son of fellow jewel thief Jenna. This connects the Cooper and Bradshaw families in a new way (along with the Boudreaus, as he has brought romance to Mel's life and befriended Remy). Also, the fact that he romanced Harley and Marina, who he didn't know would later become his sort-of-family members...what? A soap character bedding people indirectly related to him through his family? That never happens. Cyrus has brought Buzz miles away from his depression over Coop's death by giving Coop a brand-new brother, and Buzz, a new "son." Would you rather see the chipper, fun Buzz, or the glowering, deeply down Buzz we watched mourn Coop (whose passing was the saddest I've watched on GL, but that's another story)? So just like I got past the fact that Daisy should be way, way past college age by now, I can easily get past some creative "rewriting" of Springfield history.

What I do have a problem with is how Edmund, most likely due to time constraints, has become a lightly developed villain. He's not exactly a one-note one, but the show hasn't recently offered much about his multifaceted personality and history, let alone the women who brought out his (gasp) sensitive side, including ex-wives Beth and Cassie. I realize the character has done some dastardly acts, and is still terrorizing Jeffrey, Jonathan and the rest of the town, but he helped Lizzie through her leukemia and brightened the days of his lovers, albeit briefly. At least David Andrew Macdonald is putting his all into portraying what looks to be GL's last villain.

In other "news," I have recently decided that my favorite current male character is Rick (his former stepmom Holly is my all-time favorite GL character). Shayne, Josh and Matt, who have lately proven to be as selfless as they are entertaining to watch, run right behind him, but I've "grown up with" the doctor and watched many of the wild and worrisome things that have happened to him. These include his barely passing his med school exam due to accidentally taking sleeping pills before it, and his losing several love interests over the years, including Mindy, Roxie, Abby and Mel. Rick's hilarious when the viewers need a laugh, and appropriately serious when his friends, like Phillip, need support.

By the way, regarding Shayne, a hearty congrats to his portrayer, Jeff Branson, on his well-deserved Emmy win; he has done an excellent job since jumping into Springfield last year, and has helped to revitalize the character. Next year, GL can still score an Emmy or three for its tremendous 2009 episodes and performances. Plus, maybe another GL montage will be played in 2010's Emmys broadcast, and it won't be truncated. Not to be overoptimistic, but at least we got to see a montage of classic GL clips — the Emmys might not have aired at all if not for The CW. Yes, there was obviously a scheduling problem, and the GL tribute should have been presented during the first hour to help make sure it was complete. To paraphrase a Vanessa Williams song, the producers obviously saved the best for near-last.

I promised to write more on last month's "Good-bye to GUIDING LIGHT" event, held at Manhattan's Paley Center for Media. After the lively panel and presentation of videos — including glimpses of cast and crew members emotionally putting together the final episode — the actors graciously spoke with the attendees at a post-event reception. Kim Zimmer (who was touched by an audience member saying she plans to mourn her husband "all-out" like Zimmer's character, Reva) stayed around for a long time, and several actors who were both on the panel and in the audience staged mini-meet-and-greets, while GL's former openings (including the well-loved "Dancing Harley" one) were displayed on video screens. There was a feeling of celebration in the air, and I applaud the Paley Center and everyone involved for giving the people who care about GL a chance to connect with each other. That, in large part, is what GL is about.

August 21, 2009
"Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone?"
— Joni Mitchell, "Big Yellow Taxi"

As GUIDING LIGHT's final month, after more than seven decades, continues, I have a message to viewers of the seven remaining daytime soaps: Do not wish for your show to be canceled (which I've read that some people might be doing). Yes, there is more excitement, publicity and discussion surrounding GL than the show has seen in years, and the writing and acting have been fantastic, but trust me — you don't want your soap to have to speed up plotlines in a roller-coaster ride of happy wrap-ups and depressing drama. GL throwing everything it can — including, literally, the kitchen sink (Josh kindly fixed Reva's broken one) — into its last days has met with considerable success, especially the parallel of the dying Phillip living life to the fullest...but it's all going away way too fast.

That was clarified by August 19's amazing "Good-bye to Guiding Light, 72 Years Young" event at Manhattan's Paley Center for Media, which featured several GL stars, including Kim Zimmer, Grant Aleksander, Michael O'Leary, Elizabeth Keifer and Bradley Cole (Reva, Phillip, Rick, Blake and Jeffrey), writer Jill Lorie Hurst and executive producer Ellen Wheeler, all of whom spoke beautifully and honestly about their show during the panel. Comparing his 10 years on GL to the runs of many of his co-stars, Cole stated, "I'm still like the new kid on the block." Zimmer recalled, "They had money to burn in the '80s! We had big earrings and big shoulder pads," to which Aleksander added, "And then there were the ladies!" O'Leary, aside from mentioning the many women who have rejected Rick, beamed, "We did the multigenerational [aspect] better than anyone," and of her debut in 1992, Keifer said, "I have a fond memory of being petrified by Maeve Kinkead," having admired Vanessa's portrayer. Along with a heartwarming video presentation of GL's past and future, there was a Q&A session with the audience that became something of a lively town hall meeting, in which audience member Frank Dicopoulos (Frank) stood up and gave a moving speech. He opined that one reason soaps are popular is "You want to see how people handle problems," and then proudly noted that because Harley and her brother Frank decided to keep and have her and Dylan's baby, "There are people walking around named Daisy." Check out my future blog entries for more on the bittersweet event that said a touching "so long" to GL.

If you watch another soap, be glad you'll still have your hour, or half-hour, of escapist fun and surprises every weekday, and tell your friends why it's wonderful (or write Weekly about why it's not). Spread the word, and help to keep your show from being replaced far, far before its time.

On that note, let's make a deal, my fellow LIGHT-lovers. Keep watching GL, tell people it rocks, and then, after it reaches its Sept. 18 end, turn on a soap that's brand-new to you, and if you like it, please become a regular viewer and tell people why that one is fun. Hold onto the shows you have while you have them. Because I have a concern about GL's replacement, LET'S MAKE A DEAL, which is ironically a game show about replacing something you know is good with something unknown that could be a winner (or not). If LMAD is extremely successful, justifying the switch to a game show, what does that mean for the future of CBS' other soaps (especially a particular one produced in New York)?

I find game shows to be highly entertaining, and Wayne Brady is a lively and hilarious host (on Fox's DON'T FORGET THE LYRICS!, he does a fine job), but let me just say I will likely not be watching the 2003 Daytime Emmys host's LMAD debut in October. However, I will proudly and gratefully continue to watch CBS' three excellent remaining soaps. On that note, cue the "dream sequence."

SECRET SHOW HOST: Welcome to the final round of LET'S MAKE A DAYTIME DEAL! Each of our three finalists, who all happen to be longtime GUIDING LIGHT viewers, can now turn in their show for a brand-new one. Contestant #1, that's a beautiful lighthouse costume. Which door would you like: 1, 2 or 3?
CONTESTANT #1: I'll take door no. 2!

SSH: You've got…THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL! Our announcer's on vacation in Chicago, so I'll tell you all about it. If you love humor and passion mixed with unpredictable storylines that move fast, this is the show for you. As you can see in that cougar print-covered bed, the best (and hottest) romance right now is Owen/Jackie, but keep your eyes on the softly smoking Bill/Katie pairing. The Forresters' fight with Jackie M for fashion industry dominance could delight GL viewers nostalgic for the Spaulding vs. Lewis business battles. And you might recognize the actor playing Whip, Rick Hearst…formerly Alan-Michael from your show. This is one of the easiest soaps to get into, partly because each episode is just half an hour. Congratulations!
CONTESTANT #1: Thanks so much! I'll be watching.

SSH: Contestant #2, I love your gaudy but gorgeous Nadine Cooper wig, and kudos to your husband on his cool Lujack outfit. Your door choice is...?
CONTESTANT #2: No. 3, please.

SSH: And behind that door, we have…AS THE WORLD TURNS! There are many reasons this classic has aired for more than 53 years, and several characters and storylines should grab you. Those of you who miss GL's Maureen might like to know her original portrayer, Ellen Dolan, is now playing ATWT's Margo, and is in an engrossing storyline involving her son, Adam. The revamped, post-amnesia Paul is intriguing (and his romance with Emily, increasingly enchanting), and viewers who will miss jokester Rick should be wild about hysterical Henry. If you like GL's Otalia story, check out Noah and Luke's connection, which comes with occasional kisses. That leaves you, contestant #3 in the ravishing, Reva-like red dress, with the grand prize…THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS!
CONTESTANT #3: Whoo!

SSH: Y&R is a tremendous display of dependable quality that has not only survived many of the industry's ups and downs, but has revitalized and revolutionized the daytime genre (just like GL). Every well-written, powerfully produced episode proves why this soap has been so popular. Although GL has daytime's finest acting ensemble, Y&R's cast works together in consistently wonderful ways, bringing out the drama and emotions of each scene. The long-running triangle of Phyllis/Nick/Sharon features regular twists that keep viewers guessing, and the dysfunctional Abbott family should pull in fans of the Spauldings. You can expect laughs, surprises and affecting drama from Kevin, Michael, Gloria and the rest of the Fisher family. Plus, John Driscoll (GL's former Coop) has been livening up Genoa City as good guy Chance, Adam is one uncommonly nefarious villain, and there's a heaping helping of romance. Just like a mug of Crimson Lights coffee, an hour of Y&R should pick you up.
CONTESTANT #3: Thanks so much! I'll truly miss GL, but I think I'm going to be fine.

SSH: I believe you will! You all now have strong replacements for GL, and any hour now, someone else is trying out one of these CBS shows for the first time. And that's it for LET'S MAKE A DAYTIME DEAL, brought to you by our sponsor: Soap Opera Weekly. Remember, soaps may change, but Weekly's always watching. I've been your host, Marc Wilkofsky. Have a good afternoon!

August 12, 2009
To switch off from discussing GUIDING LIGHT's dimming, here's a look at two up-and-coming guys in the entertainment world, both of whom have intriguing soap opera connections (and dreams).

You might remember Isaak James as a top 10 finalist on the second season of SOAPnet's reality series I WANNA BE A SOAP STAR, in which he tried out for an ALL MY CHILDREN role. Since then, the successful movie actor, writer, director and singer has been everything but a soap star...and has even worked with a well-known one.

After scribing, starring in and directing the critically acclaimed, and darkly funny, big-screen look at the wild world of reality television, Special Needs, his latest full-length independent movie, Hungry Years, features Michael E. Knight (AMC's Tad). The comedic film, which runs the controversial gamut from restricted-calorie groups to a new look at autism, has a soap operatic feel, in that the viewer learns about several complex people (headed up by nutrition-minded Ellen) in various plotlines, while how food affects and unites us is one of its prevalent themes, and not one often depicted in soaps. I was quite taken by Ellen's slightly misguided but well-meaning decision to give a senior citizen a different type of meal than her usual regimen; as James (who plays altruistic inventor Neil) notes, "It's a movie about people trying to do good. Sometimes, the reasons why you do good can become blurred; are you doing it for yourself or are you doing it for the greater good? Sometimes, you [should] stick to the motto of 'Think globally, give locally,' and do a little bit in your own world every day, and maybe that can be the best thing that you can do."

I'll review the film when it's closer to a public screening, but for now, I can say it's truly absorbing and has as much relevance as it does depth. Knight's character, an unorthodox laywer named Bernie, has a strikingly different persona from Tad and is a wonder to watch. James, who calls Knight "very professional and respectful," is busy shopping the movie around to festivals. For more information on Hungry Years, go to www.hungryyearsthemovie.com.

Another increasingly popular artist is energizing the country music world with some powerful (and fun) musical offerings. Last week's exciting country showcase at Joe's Pub in downtown Manhattan brought three captivating performers to the stage for one memorable night that proved country completely rocks (and New York City knows it, even though there is no major mainstream country station in the Big Apple...but that's another money-related story, one soap fans would understand). After Kendel Carson's wonderfully engaging set with Chip Taylor, I spoke with Cooper Boone, a multitalented but humble singer/songwriter, before he played to a venue-filling crowd.

Boone, born and raised in Minnesota, was a soap fan in college, having regularly watched both GENERAL HOSPITAL and AMC, and remembers characters including "Luke and Laura, and [on AMC], Jenny and Greg, and Dorothy Lyman played Opal Gardner. My dormitory was pretty committed; [watching the soaps] was a party thing. I remember a big murder scene, too [soon after Luke and Laura's 1981 wedding]." He also happens to be a psychologist, and notes with a smile, "Y'all show a lot of psychopathology in your characters; yes, indeed."

Boone describes how his genre's music is much like the daytime world. "Country songs are basically mini-soap operas. It's all about the story; it's all about conflict and resolution, the heartache and all that stuff. I've never articulated it like that until right now, but they're very much that way. Country music is one of the last genres where the story is up front, and you can hear it; it's not embedded into the mix."

Having heard hundreds of country songs, I am honestly impressed by many of Boone's tunes off his self-titled CD, from the lively, catchy "Cougar Dream" (which could be Owen's theme song on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) to the beautifully melodic "All Along." Interestingly, "What I Did Today" is about helping people, which Boone has done by penning the rousing "One Song" for DKMS, a bone-marrow matching program (www.dkmsamericas.org). Boone is familiar with the country music efforts of ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Kassie DePaiva (Blair) and AMC's Bobbie Eakes (Krystal), and saw them perform at a Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS event. He also has connections to country stardom, noting, "One of my co-writers, Angela Kaset, wrote 'Something in Red'" — Lorrie Morgan's powerhouse classic from 1991 that tells a woman's life story through the dresses she wears (the song would suit GL's Reva well).

Boone's performance was packed with energy, much heart and a few laughs, and afterward he told me that "Celia's Hands," the song I felt stood out the most, was his favorite; it's about his late grandmother. As he works on his online cooking show, Cowboy Kitchen, the musician also mentioned that he's friends with former BACHELOR Bob Guiney (former because he, of course, married daytime's Rebecca Budig, ex-Greenlee, AMC), and would like to be part of Guiney's Band From TV. Boone also has another soapier hope: "I'd love to be on AMC. I studied acting, so I'm the perfect guy to put on a soap. Come on, guys, give me my audition!" And if Pine Valley doesn't call, there's always (as a moving ballad on his CD is titled) "One Life." For more info on Boone, check out www.cooperboone.com.

I'll close this entry with another letter from a reader (you can reach me at GLeditor@soapoperaweekly.com or just post a comment below).

I have watched GUIDING LIGHT for many years; my grandmother used to feed me my lunch while we watched Papa Bauer together, so that gives you some idea. A few years ago, I could have understood this cancellation, but now, no way. What can one say about Ron Raines (Alan) and Grant Aleksander (Phillip)? And I would not want to forget to mention the tremendously talented Marcy Rylan (Lizzie), who for me carried the show through some of its not-so-good times, and the new Shayne. The show is better now than it has been for a long time. They have some good storylines, and we are all looking forward to the Bauers' return, which should have been a while ago.

Judi Lawrence,
Philadelphia

July 30, 2009
Now that TeleNext has confirmed that GUIDING LIGHT's television era will definitely end on September 18, I have a few comments to make on my favorite TV series of all time. A lot of people hold to the tenet that it's just a show, and that's understandable, but to me, it's much more than that. GL has inspired me in many ways.

Before I explain that, I should note that GL is not the only daytime soap whose plots, characters and actors markedly affected my life. YOUNG AND RESTLESS, amid decades of captivating stories, entertained me with its occasional concerts featuring Danny, Lauren (yes, Lauren sang, and quite well), Traci and their friends, and helped to inspire me to write songs. I still remember Danny first speaking with his friend Paul about his interest in music in the early 1980s. Before he knew it, Danny was a music superstar, and his portrayer, Michael Damian, had a No. 1 hit, "Rock On," in 1989, and successfully hit Broadway as the titular star of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. ONE LIFE TO LIVE's live week in 2002 was a major feat of hard work and professional courage, along with outside-the-box creativity (the type I like). I recall brilliant performances like Kassie DePaiva (ex-Chelsea, GL) as an anguished Blair blasting Todd for lying about little Jack, fun moments like Viki/Niki singing "I Will Survive" on a couch and risky production moves like Kamar de los Reyes, as Antonio, jogging (make that bolting) from Central Park to the show's studio for a diner scene. Recently, I was inspired by Spinelli, a character who has grown on me and many GENERAL HOSPITAL viewers, showing his karaoke prowess with "I Want to Know What Love Is." Who knew in 2006 that the shy, computer-fixated guy with the goofy hat would become such a likable, multifaceted character?

But it was GL that taught me, in large part, my writing skills, especially in the juggling and mixing of several disparate storylines and the often powerful dialogue. I'll mention my favorite stories in a future blog entry, but I felt 1987-'89's Josh/Reva/Sonni/Will epic was brilliantly written. Through its generally selfless characters (from Bert, Ed, Frank and Gilly in the 1980s and '90s to Matt, Blake and Natalia today), GL inspired me to be a kind person, because that's how I feel you're supposed to be. (Trust me, I'm also somewhat cynical, because that's how a New York City resident is "supposed" to be.) Plus, on yet another personal note — hey, blogs are inherently personal — watching life at the Springfield Journal showed me that the journalism world can be fun. In addition to speaking with dozens of gracious GL actors for Weekly over the years, I'm always pleased to speak with viewers who care about the show.

Two of those viewers have been my parents. Having watched GL with them for years (while I was in school and he was at work, my dad would tape it so that we could watch and chat about it with my mom at night), and after talking with some viewers and recently, a few GL actors, I've realized there's another reason why people are upset about losing their show. Because GL has aired five days a week for decades, even if people have good relationships with their family and other loved ones, many have seen these characters more often than they have their own family members (like siblings, aunts and uncles; even their parents). So when longtime GL viewers describe the soap's characters as "like family," they mean it.

Thank you for your replies to my questions regarding how you found out about GL's CBS era ending and how you'd like to see the LIGHT go out (my hopes were in my July 6 entry, and you can reach me at GLeditor@soapoperaweekly.com). Here are a couple of readers' letters I have received, which both mention family members.

I found out when I logged onto the Internet, and it was a news item. My husband thought someone had died because of my reaction. He thought I was being silly about being sad, but he's really happy now that I have one less soap to watch (I also watch ATWT). I probably won't watch what they put in its place. I just hope it ends happily and not with Phillip dying.

Virginia Compton
Baytown, Texas

Dear Marc,
I received the terrible news from my daughter. She had seen promos for Entertainment Tonight Canada. As for your blog, it's wonderful as always, but I'll go one step further, if you don't mind. I would like a huge party at the lighthouse, and have it shining bright, and letting all of us know that the LIGHT will always be lit. ALWAYS.

Lea Donaldson, via e-mail