What began as a fifteen-minute radio broadcast went on for decades! CBS’s ‘Guiding Light’ has been part of an exceptional journey. Could a new decade mean a new hope? Could ‘Guiding Light’ come back for season 6?
More than a decade has passed since ‘Guiding Light’ last came on our TV screens, but people still miss the over-the-top drama and deceit of this classic soap opera. ‘Guiding Light’ by CBS broke all records and had its name entered in the “Guinness World Records” for being the longest-running daytime drama on TV. Like all good things come to an end, this oldie retired from the screens as well, after season 5. It’s no surprise that people still want ‘Guiding Light’ to reboot for season 6, but could it really happen?
Highlights —
- The Longest Running Daytime Drama
- Fans Want ‘Guiding Light’ to Reboot
- Could ‘Guiding Light’ Come Back With Season 6?
The Longest Running Daytime Drama
‘Guiding Light’ began its journey via the radio and was taken up on the screen in 1952. During its pre-television years, the show was called ‘The Guiding Light’ and was launched initially on NBC Radio in 1937. Later in 1947, it shifted base to CBS radio and was a part of the radio broadcasting for a total of 15 years. In 1952, CBS decided to launch the show as ‘Guiding Light’ on television and from there the show went on for 57 years over a tenure of 5 seasons.
Created by Irna Phillips, ‘Guiding Light’ was taken down just ahead of season 6. When CBS first introduced ‘Guiding Light’ as a television series, it was limited to 15-minute slots, which later changed into 30-minute slots in 1968, and finally one hour slots in 1977 and onwards.
As the longest-running daytime drama on television, ‘Guiding Light’ followed the dramatic lives of the multi-generational families in Springfield. For 57 years on TV, the show swayed the focus on different characters and families. For instance, at the start of its television years, the focus of the show was Friedrich “Papa” Bauer and his family, while exploring a few subplots as well. As the show entered the mid-1960s, the focus shifted on the family of Bill and Bert.
The mid-1970s shifted the focus back to the core characters while introducing new and younger characters. By the time the show entered the ‘80s, many new families like the Coopers, the Reardons, and the Lewises were introduced with some of the older characters and families phasing out. The 2000s and what was the last decade for ‘Guiding Light’ split the focus between Springfield and San Cristobel as both the Winslows and the Santos mob joined the main league.
Fans Want ‘Guiding Light’ to Reboot
Like with any long-running series, even ‘Guiding Light’ began facing a drop in its ratings during the later seasons. This is probably why CBS decided to call off the show after the completion of season 5, replacing it with a talk show. However, no loyalty is greater than that of a fan and if they were given the option to reboot one old classic, it would be ‘Guiding Light’. Fans clearly want ‘Guiding Light’ to reboot for season 6 more than any other show. Not that we can blame them, after all, who doesn’t miss a good old drama?
“Goldderby” had organised a poll where the viewers had to choose between ‘Guiding Light’ and another classic, ‘As the World Turns’, as to which one of the two they would want to be rebooted. While some votes went to ‘As the World Turns’, ‘Guiding Light’ too saw impressive support. A fan wrote,
“Guiding Light. At the end it had like a whole park filled with characters. ATWT stopped being good, in early 90’s”.
Could ‘Guiding Light’ Come Back With Season 6?
CBS cancelled ‘Guiding Light’ in 2009 after it completed season 5. Needless to say, the decision was blow in the gut for the fans. However, the show’s owner, “Proctor & Gamble” had promised to look for alternative ways to keep the show breathing. Brian T. Cahill, a member of “Proctor & Gamble” said,
“We are working hard to find the show a new home, and we are exploring all our options to continue to bring loyal fans the characters and stories they love”.
Despite all efforts, it was next to impossible for ‘Guiding Light’ to thrive any longer. Cahill said,
“We have engaged in serious discussions with many networks, leaving no stone unturned in our effort to place the show elsewhere. Unfortunately, despite the urgent and dedicated efforts of many people, we have not been able to secure an outlet to carry the show moving forward. We are extremely disappointed with this outcome, but we are confident we have exhausted every possible option”.
That being said, people still haven’t given up and hope to “#ReigniteTheLight”. As of now, however, ‘Guiding Light’ stands cancelled and there’s no sign for a season 6 reboot.
Have you watched ‘Guiding Light’? What are your favourite moments from the show? Let us know in the comments below!
