Guiding Light (1952–2009)
"The Guiding Light" (original title)

Guiding Light takes place in the fictional Midwestern town of Springfield. In its early years the stories centered on the middle class Bauer family, but later the wealthy Spauldings, ... See full summary »

Creator:

Irna Phillips

Stars:

Kim Zimmer, Robert Newman, Lia Yang

99 wins & 418 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Kim Zimmer	...	Reva Shayne (590 episodes, 1983-2009)
Robert Newman	...	Joshua Lewis (552 episodes, 1981-2009)
Lia Yang	...	Susan (508 episodes, 1993-2007)
Ron Raines	...	Alan Spaulding (445 episodes, 1994-2009)
Beth Chamberlin	...	Lorelei Hills (440 episodes, 1989-2009)
Bradley Cole	...	Jeffrey O'Neill (396 episodes, 1999-2009)
Emme Rylan	...	Lizzie Spaulding (393 episodes, 2006-2009)
Justin Deas	...	Buzz Cooper (392 episodes, 1992-2009)
Frank Dicopoulos	...	Frank Cooper (390 episodes, 1987-2009)
Crystal Chappell	...	Olivia Spencer (378 episodes, 1999-2009)
Beth Ehlers	...	Harley Davidson Cooper Spaulding Mallet Spaulding Aitoro (376 episodes, 1987-2008)
Mandy Bruno	...	Marina Cooper (369 episodes, 2004-2009)
Gina Tognoni	...	Dinah Marler (368 episodes, 2004-2009)
Robert Bogue	...	A.C. Mallet (339 episodes, 2005-2009)
Nicole Forester	...	Cassie Winslow (299 episodes, 2005-2008)
Bonnie Dennison	...	Daisy Lemay (286 episodes, 2007-2009)
Michael O'Leary	...	Rick Bauer (278 episodes, 1983-2009)
Daniel Cosgrove	...	Bill Lewis (267 episodes, 2002-2009)
Jordan Clarke	...	Billy Lewis (260 episodes, 1983-2009)
Murray Bartlett	...	Cyrus Foley (257 episodes, 2007-2009)
Grant Aleksander	...	Phillip Granville Spaulding (254 episodes, 1983-2009)
Jessica Leccia	...	Natalia Rivera (247 episodes, 2007-2009)

Storyline

Guiding Light takes place in the fictional Midwestern town of Springfield. In its early years the stories centered on the middle class Bauer family, but later the wealthy Spauldings, Chamberlains, and Lewises, along with the working class Reardons and others, took their own places of prominence, though the Bauers remained the heart of the show.

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Plot Keywords:

1990s | 1980s | 1960s | 1970s | based on radio show | 

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Taglines:

Life happens here.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Official Sites:

CBS [us] Official GL Message Board [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 June 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Guiding Light

Filming Locations:

CBS Broadcast Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Procter & Gamble Productions (PGP), RDF Television, Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 15 min (1952-1968) 30 min (1968-1977) 60 min (1977-2009)

Sound Mix:

Mono (1952-1987) Stereo (1987-)

Color:

Color (1967-2009) Black and White (1952-1967)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the mid-1980s, Springfield dance club Wired For Sound played host to several real-life bands doing guest appearances on the show. One of the most famous of these guest bands, the B-52s, performed two songs and did offstage cameos with cast members throughout the entire hour-long episode.

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Quotes

A.C. Mallet: Hey, partner, how is it going, man?
Gus Aitoro: Hey, I've been looking for you. You need to come with me. You've got to help me.
A.C. Mallet: What's the problem?
Gus Aitoro: The problem is you.
A.C. Mallet: [Locks Gus in a jail cell] And now the problem is fixed.
Gus Aitoro: Open the door.
A.C. Mallet: So what did you tell Harley?
Gus Aitoro: Open the door. If you don't open the door, I'm going to beat you senseless.
A.C. Mallet: What was the plan, go down to the courthouse and slip into the hearing room, and then you're going to shoot him in the head in the alleyway?
Gus Aitoro: We are not talking about ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: As the Will Turns (1995)

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Soundtracks

"Die Springfield Story"
Written by Ralph Thiekötter & Maik Weppner
Courtesy of Heinz & Klaus Funk, Hamburg
(German version)

User Reviews

Why Don't They Bring Back Michael Bauer?

I've often wondered why the writers never think about bringing back Mike. After he left the show, it's as if he never existed. Now I realize the Bauers have less of a role on here now, but I've often wondered about Mike. The character that played him is still around, making commercials.

And, while I'm at it........why ARE the Bauers talked about less and less??? I know Michelle is gone away to make a life with Danny and the two children. Maureen has been dead for a looooong time. Ed is out and about. Rick? Hardly ever see him. Allan Michael is the only "tie" left (Mikes's grandson).