Guiding Light was not only daytime TV's longest running soap, it was the longest-running broadcast in history. Guiding Light was on the air for 72 years. The drama began on the radio in 1937 and was first televised in 1952. The series finale of Guiding Light aired on Friday, September 18, 2009. Crystal Chappell who played Olivia Spencer and Beth Chamberlin who played Beth Raines have been nominated for their work on the show. Zack Conroy who played James Spauding was also nominated for his work on Guiding Light. They will find out if they are winners during the 37th Daytime Emmy Awards on June 27, 2010.
Complex and Timely Plot Development
Guiding Light had many plot sequences during the show's 72 year history. The plot was originally inspired by the creator's personal experiences and the sermons of a Chicago preacher. The radio serial converted to television in 1952. Guiding Light, unlike other popular radio serials, was successful at holding onto its old listening audience and making new viewers simultaneously.
The main characters became the Bauers, a lower -middle class German family, when the show transitioned to television. The show introduced African-American characters in the 1960's. In the 1970's, the soap opera started focusing on more complex and timely storylines. Many viewers stopped watching the show after the heroine was killed by a drunk driver.The show's popularity increased in the early 1980's. The Bauers, Spaudings, Reardons and Raines families were established as core families and the major plot developments circled around them until the series finale.
Nominations For The Actors and Actresses
Outstanding Lead Actor
- Peter Bergman as Jack Abbott on The Young and the Restless
- Doug Davidson as Paul Williams on The Young and the Restless
- Jon Lindstrom as Craig Montgomery on As the World Turns
- Michael Park as Jack Snyder on As the World Turns
- James Scott as EJ Dimera on Days of Our Lives
Outstanding Lead Actress
- Crystal Chappell as Olivia Spencer on Guiding Light
- Sarah Brown as Claudia Corinthos on General Hospital
- Bobbie Eakes as Krystal Carey on All My Children
- Michelle Stafford as Phyllis Newman on The Young and the Restless
- Maura West as Carly Tenney Snyder on As the World Turns
Outstanding Supporting Actor
- Bradford Anderson as Damien Spinella on General Hospital
- Ricky Paull Goldin as Jake Martin on All My Children
- Jonathan Jackson as Lucky Spencer on General Hospital
- Brian Kerwin as Charlie Banks on One Life to Live
- Billy Miller as Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress
- Beth Chamberlin as Beth Raines on Guiding Light
- Carolyn Hennesy as Diane Miller on All My Children
- Julie Pinson as Janet Ciccone on As the World Turns
- Bree Williamson as Jessica Brennan on One Life to Live
- Arianne Zucker as Nicole Dimera on Days of Our Lives
Outstanding Younger Actor
- Drew Tyler Bell as Thomas Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful
- Drew Garrett as Michael Corinthos, Jr on General Hospital
- Dylan Patton as Will Horton on Days of Our Lives
- Scott Clifton as Schuyler on One Life to Live
- Zack Conroy as James Spauding on Guiding Light
Outstanding Younger Actress
- Julie Berman as Lulu Spencer on General Hospital
- Molly Burnett as Melanie Layton on Days of Our Lives
- Shelley Hennig as Stephanie Johnson on Days of Our Lives
- Christel Khalil as Lily Ashby on The Young and the Restless
- Marnie Schulenburg as Alison Stewart on As the World Turns
Guiding Light fans who miss characters like Jonathan, Lizzie and Coop can now watch the actors on The Young and the Restless. The fans who miss Olivia can watch her on Days of Our Lives and the fans who miss James can watch him on The Bold and the Beautiful.
Lisa Craven - I have been a successful teacher and student. I love to read using all types of media. My favorite "toy" right now is my Nook.
