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"Smoother" Sailing Ahead for Guiding Light Fans?
Guiding Light by Robert Milazzo/PGP/CBS
CBS has renewed Guiding Light for one more year, which keeps it on the air through 2009. But that doesn't mean we're stuck with the show's new artsy-fartsy, überjumpy format. "I'm very pleased with some of it, and some of it needs to evolve," says CBS Daytime boss Barbara Bloom. "I agree that some of the camera work is shaky and frenetic and some of the close-ups are too tight — and that maybe we've broken rules that didn't need to be broken — but this is a work in progress. We're just a few weeks into this new production model. I think everybody who's complaining needs to lighten up." Oh, snap! — Michael Logan
Related:
• Inside Guiding Light's Extreme Makeover
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Apr 15, 2008 2:22 PM
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Wow! Those people who are complaining are called viewers! Insulting the few you have left isn't wise.
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Apr 15, 2008 2:57 PM
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Lighten up? Lighten up?!?!?
WTF is she thinking by saying that???
Hello, Barbara? Viewer here. I've been watching GL for about 22 years now, ever since Alan Michael delivered Daisy from Harley in a car on the side of a road. Not once since then have I considered NOT watching GL until this past month and a half of "new format". Ricky Paull Goldin Probably left the show because of it (reference) and your viewers are disgruntled and about to give up on it as well. And you don't care??? Yes, I gave the new format a chance; it sucks. I have been a pretty faithful viewer for over two decades, I have bought products/services advertised during your CBS daytime program, and might even own some Proctor & Gamble products as well. If $upporting your adverti$er$ and retaining viewer$hip/rating$ aren't important to you, then you need to be relieved of your duties. Your thoughtless comments aren't winning more fans, that's for sure. I'll miss GL when it disappears after 2009. 
ON a side note, shouldn't Daisy be 22 years old by now??? Heck, several years ago when Brittany Snow portrayed Daisy, she was about the same age she is now in 2008. For once I'd like to see a kid grow up on a soap in real time.
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Apr 15, 2008 4:23 PM
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Oh shut the hell up Barbara!
As usual just like with "Nuke" you have no idea what you're talking about.
You need to be replaced.
I have seen the show and it reminds me of what I could do w/ the camcorder on my cellphone - pretty pathetic.
And I have watched Guiding Light since 1991. Or 1992. Whenever Nick McHenry came to town.
If I was in the acting company of Guiding Light I would be banking every penny I had cuz that show probably won't go beyond 2009 at this rate.
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Apr 15, 2008 4:40 PM
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Wow...she needs to deal with it! Yes, from what I've read, the majority of fans dislike the new format and to dismiss us is an insult. Attitudes like that is what is destroying this great show that I've watched on a pretty regular basis as work allowed and especially once the VCR and now DVR came along...for the past 35 years or so, maybe longer. I remember Hope as a young woman and Mike and Ed when they were young and starting out... It has been hard to lose favorite actors or characters over time but nothing has made me want to stop watching the show until this new format. They need to work with the fans and stop with the attitude just because we don't like the change.
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Apr 15, 2008 5:51 PM
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I want to know what is wrong with the way Guiding Light has been for all these years? Ever since they started doing that stupid thing on Wednesdays where they focused mainly on one character, and now this; I hate it. This show has been on longer than any other and it's for a good reason. But the writers really need to get back to basics. When something works, leave it alone. Getting rid of people like Ross, the REAL Cassie, trying to get rid of Reva, breaking up Josh & Reva; where does it all end. Get back to your roots, Guiding Light, or I'm afraid your light will be extinguished.
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Apr 15, 2008 10:34 PM
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RachelScribbles - Brittany Snow played Susan. 
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Apr 16, 2008 2:44 AM
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djdirecttx- Daisy is Susan. Harley named her Daisy when she was born and her adoptive parents named her Susan.
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Apr 16, 2008 9:41 AM
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RachelScribbles - Brittany Snow played Susan. ~djdirecttx
Um, Susan IS Daisy. You mustn't have been watching at that time when Brittany was on. ???
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Apr 16, 2008 10:27 AM
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I'm not a regular GL viewer, but I did try out the "new" look. I found the concept interesting and full of possibilities. I think what we're seeing now are some growing pains until TPTB find out what works and what doesn't.
That being said, I agree with the other posts; how can ANYONE connected to the production of a soap in today's day and age take such a cavalier POV with how the viewers feel? You apologize to the people who don't like the new look; you promise changes to appease them while not alientating the people who like the new look; and you BEG (if you have to) people to stick with you.
I hope they get the bugs worked out. GL is a show with such a rich history, it needs to be saved. I feel TPTB are just trying to find a way to make it stand out in a crowd of soaps that really have not changed how they film/tell stories in the past 25-30 years.
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Apr 16, 2008 10:28 AM
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Lighten up? PR no-no. Wow. It's not the viewers fault the color is desaturated, the direction is bad, and the sound echoes like something a high school student produced. In fact, it's insulting that they think we wouldn't mind as they "figure it out." They're getting paid to do this, they should be the first to notice before it even hits the air. It's BAD.
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Apr 16, 2008 10:37 AM
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Tricky camera work isn't the answer to daytime's problems.
Look, here's what needs to happen. Soaps need to abandon the early afternoon wasteland and start airing their shows from around 2:30, 3PM until dinner time. It will capture the younger, college co-ed crowd. NO ONE IS WATCHING TELEVISION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY ANYMORE.
2:30 B&B
3PM GL
4PM Y&R
5PM ATWT
2PM OLTL
3PM GH
4PM AMC
4PM DAYS
Oprah would be more popular during the lunch hour anyway -when all the women in the breakroom are watching.
If the local news wants its airtime back for the 5:00 news, air ATWT at lunchtime.
Stop programming 1950s formats for a 21st century audience. My MOM isn't even sitting at home anymore -she's out playing golf and running around with the Red Hat Ladies.
It ain't programming rocket science.
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Apr 16, 2008 10:45 AM
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Great ideas, sudsman. Too bad they don't stand a chance because...we've never done it like that before.![]<img border=](http://community.tvguide.com/images/emoticons/devil.gif) ">
You're right; the model of network programming has also not changed in how many years? But that late afternoon timeslot was what made Dark Shadows a cult hit among students, even though it was never a ratings smash.
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Apr 16, 2008 12:33 PM
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I guess I'm one of the few who is liking the new format. If it helps cut costs to keep the show on the air...all the better. I've read a rumor that Beth Ehlers contract negotiations are not going well. We've already lost too many characters to salary disputes. I'd rather have the show experiment with format than cut costs by letting any more talented actors go elsewhere.
Yes, it was different and the change took place quickly. I agree, it's a evolving situation, but, I think it's only getting better. If you are a fan and you care about the show, then yes...lighten up and give it a chance.
FYI: I've been a fan for a very, very, long time. When I started watching, I think the show was only on for 15 minutes a day.
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Apr 16, 2008 2:35 PM
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The new "format" is fine except for the shaky camera, and that should be easy to fix. I like the location shooting; outdoor scenes have always been rare on soaps, lately they've been almost unheard of. Unfortunately, the plots have been lousy, though, and so many favorite characters have either been written off or ruined by bad plotting. I think THAT's their real problem.
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Apr 16, 2008 3:18 PM
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