- Network: CBS
- Series Premiere Date: Jun 30, 1952
Summary:
The late soap journalist Christopher Schemering once wrote that soap operas are not just dramas; "they're little pockets of American history." So it's only fitting to consider that at one time, "The Guiding Light,"-the longest running program in broadcast history, spanning 71 years-- brought fifteen-minute bits of escapism to war-weary housewives, as their men trudged off to fight the indignities of WWII. It brought social awareness to a nation that began to think about the big picture beyond their picket fences and suburban streets. Soap opera is a truly dynamic genre that reflects life as it is lived, the quintessential American art form. Although berated and belittled, the soap opera has an illustrious lineage, with no less than the books of Charles Dickins as an inspiration. Created by the legendary, if not iron-fisted Irna Phillips, "The Guiding Light" began its life on January 25, 1937. Originally, the show focused on the Chicagoan suburb of Five Points, a bustling enclave of German-Jewish immigrants hoping to find their own piece of the American dream. Giving them the hope and inspiration they needed was a kindly minister named Reverend John Ruthledge (voiced by Arthur Peterson of "Soap" fame). The Reverend's sermons of hope and forgiveness made such an impression that a bestselling book was published of his most popular homilies. The Reverend's message could be summed up by his favorite mantra from Edwin Markum "There is a destiny that makes us brothers, none goes his way alone, all that we send into the lives of others, comes back into our own." On the desk near his window, the minister placed an old lantern, a "guiding light" to those parishioners passing in the cold, hopeless night. In the 1940's the Reverend Ruthledge enrolled as a chaplain to do his part of the war effort. However, when the production of the show moved to the west coast, Peterson refused to join them, so Irna Phillips had the minister die when his plane was shot down overseas. His "friendship lamp" went too with the production move to the town of Selby Flats, California. Reverend Matthews took over for the late Rev. Ruthledge as the center of hope and inspiration. However, by the time that the show was slated to move to television, the religious undertones of the show were virtually gone and the focus was moved yet again to the family Bauer. *
Guiding Light was cancelled on April 1, 2009 and the last episode aired on September 18, 2009.
Details
| Network: | CBS |
|---|---|
| Genre(s): | Drama |
| Seasons: | 72, 71, 58, 57, 56, 55, 54, 53, 52, 51, 50, 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 |
| Cast | Credit |
|---|---|
| Tom Tammi | Jack Kiley (1992) |
| Amelia Marshall | Gilly Grant Speakes (1989 - 1996) |
| Vincent Irizarry | Lujack (Brandon) Luvonaczeck (1984 - 1986)/Nick McHenry Spaulding (1991 - 1996) |
| Robert LuPone | Leo Flynn (1990; 1992 - 1996; 2000) |
| Beth Ehlers | Harley Davidson Cooper Spaulding Mallet Spaulding [1] (1987 - 93; 97 - 08) |
| Mark Derwin | A.C. Mallett (Aka Anthony Camaletti) (1990 - 1993) |
| Rick Hearst | Alan-Michael Spaulding [#2] (1990 - 1996) |
| Sherry Stringfield | Christina Blake Thrope Marler (1989 - 1992) |
| Nia Long | Kat Speakes (1991 - 1994) |
| Roger Howarth | Jory Andros (1992) |
| Monti Sharp | David Grant (1992 - 1995) |
| Melina Kanakaredes | Eleni Andros Cooper [#1] (1991 - 1995) |
| Fiona Hutchison | Jenna Bradshaw Cooper (1992 - 1994; 1996 - 1998) |
| Elizabeth Keifer | Christina 'Blake' Thorpe Spaulding Marler (1992 - Present; Rec.) |
| Clarice Blackburn | Edith Spurrier (1987 - 1988; 1992) |
| Jerry verDorn | Ross Marler (1979 - 2005) |
| Hillary Edson | Eve Guthrie Bauer (1992 - 1995) |
| Robert Newman | Joshua 'Josh' Lewis (Oct 1981-Dec 1984; Oct 1986-Jan 1991; Aug 1993-Sept 2009) |
| Kim Zimmer | Reva Shayne Lewis Spaulding Lewis Winslow Cooper Lewis (Nov 18,1983 - Jul 23,1990; Apr 25,1995 - Present; Contract)/ "Dolly Lewi |
| Margaret Gweneviere | Dr. Margaret Sedwick (1979 - Present; Occ. Rec.) |
| Suzy Cote | Samantha Marler (1989 - 1992) |
| Kimberley Simms | Melinda 'Mindy' Lewis [#2] (1990 - 1992, 1997) |
| Morgan Englund | Dylan Shayne Lewis (1989 - 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002) |
| Jay Hammer | Fletcher Reade (1984 - 1999) |
| Maureen Garrett | Holly Norris Bauer Thorpe Lindsay Reade [#2] (1976 - 1980; 1988 - Present; Rec. ) |
| Melissa Hayden | Bridget Reardon (1991 - 1997) |
| Ellen Parker | Maureen Reardon Bauer (1986 - 1993; 1997; 1998; 1999; 2004) |
| Beverlee McKinsey | Alexander Spaulding [#1] (1984 - 1992) |
| Vince Williams | Hampton 'Hamp' Speakes (1989 - 1995) |
| Michael Zaslow | Roger Thorpe [#1] (1971 - 1980; 1989 - 1997) |
| Jean Carol | Nadine Corly Cooper Lewis Cooper (1988 - 1995; 2003) |
| Jordan Clarke | Harlan 'Billy' Lewis II (1983-1987; 1989-1994; 1996; 1999-2009; Rec. )/Dr. Tim Ryan (1974-1976) |
| Maeve Kinkead | Vanessa Chamberlain Lewis Reardon (6/1980-8/1981; 2/1982-1987; 7/1989-7/2000; 6/2002; 4-5/2005; 2/2006-9/2009) |
| William Roerick | Dr. Bruce Banning (1974) / Henry Chamberlain (1980 - 1996) |
| Jocelyn Seagrave | Julie Camaletti [#1] (1991 - 1994) |
| Frank Dicopoulos | Frank Achilles Cooper Jr. (10/31/1987 - 9/2009) |
| Rachel Miner | Michelle Bauer [#1] [Child] (1989 - 1995) |
| Peter Simon | Dr. William Edward "Ed" Bauer (1981 - 1984; 1986 - 1996; 2002 - 2004) |
| Eddie Mekka | Grady (1992 - 1993) |
| Tina Sloan | Lillian Raines (1983-2009) |
| Petronia Paley | Vivian Grant (1992 - 1997; 1998) |
| Frances Foster | Vera (1985 - 1992; 1993 - 1994) |
| David Bishins | Daniel St. John (1990 - 1992) |
| Gregory Burke | Ben (Sampson) Reade [#1] [Child] (1989 - 1996) |
| Larry Gates | H.B. Harlan Lewis (1983 - 1996) |
| Robin Middleton | Debby Henderson, R.N. (1989 - 1992) |
| Bryan Buffinton | Harlan 'Billy' Lewis III [#1] [Child] (1989 - 1998) |
| Ted Sorel | Eric Luvonaczek (1992) |
| Eugene Troobnick | Stavros Kouperakis (1991 - 1995) |
| James M. Gregory | Jory Andros (1992 - 1994) |
| John Syragakis | Ari Andros Spaulding Cooper (1992 - 1994) |
| Irna St. Paul | Ya Ya Andros (1992 - 1994) |
| Nadine Kay | Musette (1992) |
