FIND YOUR LIGHT!

Wednesday, January 3rd, kicks off Guiding Light's Find Your Light campaign.

In Springfield, it all starts when little Zach (Nicholas Art) makes a discovery which eventually leads intrepid reporter Dinah (Gina Tognoni) to unearth a mysterious connection between Buzz (Justin Deas), Jonathan (Tom Pelphrey), Rick (Michael O'Leary), Mallet (Rob Bogue) and... Alan (Ron Raines)?

(For longtime viewers concerned that this connection might be of the Maryann Carruthers variety, rest assured, it's nothing like that).

Stay tuned for some Year 2007 hints as to what this discovery will mean to Mallet and Dinah's relationship, right here on the PGP Classic Soaps Blog!

Until then -- Happy New Year!

WHO AM I: ANSWER

The cute little girl below is, indeed, Ellen Dolan (Margo; ATWT).

And Gregory A Welda... you're cheating!!

DID ATWT CHANGE A PLOT TWIST DUE TO VIEWER OUTRAGE?

Speculation, here.

WHO AM I?

This toddler fashion plate is now sometimes in need of a visit from Oakdale's fashion police.

Who is she?

Answer tomorrow!

BE A SOAP STAR... OR JUST DRESS LIKE ONE

New York-based Entertainment Media Works LLC announced the launch of StarStyle, a groundbreaking "supersite" allowing viewers to identify and purchase the apparel, furnishings, gadgets and music featured in their favorite TV shows and films.... StarStyle will launch with such popular series as American Idol, What I Like About You and, imminently with the debut of their new seasons, Real World Key West and The Simple Life. StarStyle's trove also holds popular daytime dramas including As the World Turns, Guiding Light and The Young and the Restless.

More here.

I FOUGHT...

The Law... and The Law is now on-line!

Log on to www.cbs.com/daytime/gl/behind/specials right now to see exclusive webisodes of The Law, a reality cop show based in Springfield, starring Marina Cooper (Mandy Bruno), AC Mallet (Robert Bogue), Dinah Marler (Gina Tognoni) and Remy Boudereau (Lawrence Saint-Victor).

New episodes will appear every Wednesday until January 3rd .

BACK IN!

ATWT's Jennifer Landon (Gwen) will return to the recording studio on Thursday, December 28th to record her new song, I Saw Love.

The song will be available for download at iTunes.com as of December 28th .

FLASHBACK: ATWT

A 1986 Christmas card from Oakdale's Hughes family.

In the center, Chris (Don MacLaughlin) and Nancy (Helen Wagner).

Back row, left to right, Kim (Kathryn Hays), Bob (Don Hastings), Tom (Gregg Marx), Margo (Hillary Bailey Smith).

From row, Frannie (Julianne Moore) and Andy (Scott Defreitas).

Where are they now?

Scott Defreitas is expecting his third child with wife Maura West (Carly).

Julianne Moore is a four-time Academy Award nominee, currently appearing in Children of Men.

Hillary B. Smith is OLTL's Nora. Gregg Marx is performing his cabaret Wet Night... Dry Martini.

Don MacLaughlin died shortly after this photo was taken, but Kathryn Hays, Don Hastings and, of course, the indomitable Helen Wagner are still a part of the ATWT landscape.

Happy Holidays to all, and here's to many more!

A SPRINGFIELD CHRISTMAS

GL's Ghost of Christmas Past: Blake (Elizabeth Keifer) and Ross' (Jerry ver Dorn) 2003 Yultide wedding...

And Christmas Present: Buzz (Justin Deas) reads the bible to assembled Coopers.

What are some of your favorite GL memories?

A CHRISTMAS MYSTERY

For all those who e-mailed me asking why Coop (John Driscoll) wasn't part of the Cooper family Christmas photo below, the answer is, Coop is there at the start of the family celebration (see picture above).

However, a crises with Ava prompts him to go looking for his lady love. Unfortunately, Coop isn't the first one to find her...

NOW AND THEN

Just for fun...

Martha Byrne's (Lily) first ATWT headshot, circa 1986...

And her most recent, twenty yeas later...

QUALITY TIME

Gus (Ricky Paull Goldin), Harley (Beth Ehlers), little Sydney and cousin Marina (Mandy Bruno) are all smiles for Christmas 2006.

But will the Aitoros be able to keep their little girl once the New Year dawns?

Tune in to GL in 2007 to find out!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: LAURA BELL BUNDY

Laura Bell Bundy, GL's first somewhat grown up Marah Lewis, is about to embark on the biggest project of her career -- the lead role in the Broadway musical version of Legally Blonde, the film that made Reese Witherspoon a megastar.

Though she previously appeared in Hairspray and Wicked, this is Bundy's first starring role.

"Seeing the billboard on Times Square, which was totally surreal, was real validation that this is happening," Bundy told the Lexington Herald-Leader. "It's originating a starring role on Broadway. That was the dream, as a child."

More here.

PARKER MUNSON WON'T DIE (BTW: Pop Culture Bonus Points going out to those who know what obscure '90s sitcom this is referring to)

A recent article on BroadwayWorld.com led to intense Internet speculation that ATWT's Parker was about to be killed off by his adopted brother, JJ.

While it is true that both characters are being slightly aged for storyline purposes (Mick Hazen and Daniel Manche take over the roles of Parker and JJ respectively starting Friday, December 22nd), Daniel Manche's assertion that he had just filmed a scene where JJ kills Parker was wildly inaccurate. (The article has since been corrected).

Parker's little sister, Sage, as well as his cousin, Faith, have also recently been aged.

I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS....

What does Buzz (Justin Deas) have in his big, red bag for on-again/off-again/on-again/off-again/oh, make up your minds already girlfriend Olivia (Crystal Chappell)?

Tune in to Guiding Light Christmas week to find out!

(And keep checking back regularly to the PGP Classic Soaps Blog for more spoilers right up to the big day!)

WRITER WHEREABOUTS

Dramatist writes below:

Could you please post something about the writing process for Procter & Gamble soaps? And tell us how to decifer from the day's credits who wrote the episodes's breakdown and who the script.

Writing duties at the P&G soaps are broken down into three parts:

Headwriter (sometimes there's a Co-Headwriter, as well)
Breakdown writers
Script writers

The Headwriter conceives the long-term story and writes the thrusts, outlining his/her tale approximately a week at a time. (Sometimes, there may be a story document for one particular plot, summarizing all of the major beats, but this isn't required for all stories).

The Headwriter and the Breakdown writers then divide the week's thrust into five episodes. The Breakdown writers outline an episode, breaking it down into acts and scenes, with a summary of the action. (Sometimes a Headwriter may choose to write a breakdown personally, as well).

Script writers take the breakdown and write dialogue for each scene.

Guiding Light does not make a distinction in the end credits of the show for Breakdown or Script writer. Both groups are listed alphabetically.

On As The World Turns, the Breakdown writers are listed as a group, but the Script writer for that day's episode is listed as the last writer on the list of writers.

Hope this helps!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: JOHN LOPRIENO

As Austin Peck prepares to make his As The World Turns debut as the latest Brad Snyder, check out what a previous Brad, John Loprieno, is up to these days.

CHRISTMAS SPOILED! (BUT IN A GOOD WAY)

Tis the season to be jolly. And I know nothing makes GL fans jollier then some spoilers about what's coming up as we prepare to finish off 2006 with a bang!

To that end, come back to the PGP Classic Soaps blog every day from now until Christmas for a new photo offering a little sneak peak into the future.

To kick things off, here's a Christmas card you'll probably never see in real life: The extended Cooper family all smiling and in good spirits -- simultaneously!

We'll see you tomorrow for more!

MORE ON THE WGA AWARDS

As reported yesterday on this blog, As The World Turns and Guiding Light were both nominated for Writers Guild of America Awards.

ATWT submitted the following episodes for consideration:

Episode #12,760
Breakdown Writer: Lisa Connor
Script Writer: Judy Donato
Synopsis: Paul finally gets past Susan to deliver the news to Emily that she's pregnant. He urges her to have an abortion and, eventually, Emily agrees.... Jack tells Mike and Katie about the Kasnoff DNA on the medal.... Lily is reeling after hearing Luke's secret. Holden hopes he and Lily can be there for Luke.

Episode #12,839
Breakdown Writer: Leah Laiman
Script Writer: Susan Dansby
Synopsis: Luke comes out to Kevin and Kevin rejects him.... Mike walks in on naked Simon with Carly.... The Slasher kills another teen at Raven Lake.

Episode #12,840
Breakdown Writer: Judy Tate
Script Writer: Richard Culliton
Synopsis: Dusty overhears that Lucy has contacted Craig for Paul.... Holden tells Emma that Luke is gay.... Kevin rejects Luke for coming out.... Maddie finds Casey and tells him she wants him to know everything, as Louis spies on them with binoculars.

Meanwhile, GL submitted:

Episode #14837
Dinah's Inside the Light as she vows to embrace the single life... and prepare for a date with Mallet.

Episode #14895
Reva and Josh's Inside the Light, where they try their best to get a divorce, but fail miserably and tear up the papers.

Episode #14910
Reva's Inside the Light. She goes for a mammogram, receives a diagnosis of breast cancer, decides to keep the news from Josh and fight the disease on her own.

Nominations were based on written scripts, not televised episodes.

Winners will be announced February 11, 2007.

Y&R and AMC are also up for this award.

OAKDALE CONFIDENTIAL CONTROVERSY?

What do you think about it?

DO YOU LIKE TO WATCH...

GL's Ricky Paull Goldin (Gus) sure does. Find out his faves, here...

DOUBLE NOMS!

P&G Productions hit a home-run Wednesday, December 13, when both As The World Turns and Guiding Light were nominated for Writers Guild of America Awards in the category of Outstanding Achievement in Television Writing during the 2006 season -- Daytime Serials. (Y&R and AMC rounded out the list).

GL last won this award in 2005. ATWT was previously nominated in 1998, 1999 and 2006. In 2006, ATWT was also nominated for a Daytime Emmy as Outstanding Writing Team for the 13th time.

The WGA winner will be announced February 11, 2007.

BEFORE THEY WERE SOAP STARS: DON HASTINGS

Yes, boys and girls, before he was ATWT's beloved Dr. Bob, Oakdale's favorite healer had a secret past.

He wore a uniform, he carried a gun, he was... (dramatic music, please)... The Video Ranger!

From 1949 to 1955, Don co-starred -- live!-- in Captain Video and His Video Rangers on the DuMont Network, considered to be the first science fiction, space adventure program on television.

To read more about this groundbreaking show, and Don's role in it, click here!

GL CAST PHOTO

As promised yesterday, here is some more news on the GL 70th Anniversary Cast Photo.

It will make its debut January 2, 2007 and will be seen first as a full page poster in Soap Opera Weekly Magazine.

So keep your eyes peeled for it!

WHO AM I: ANSWER

You got me, again!

That is Eileen Fulton (Lisa; ATWT), all ringlets and flounces, in the childhood photo below!

DOCTOR, DOCTOR

On the current batch of Search for Tomorrow episodes running on the AOL/PGP Classic Soaps Channel, Alec Kendall has decided to celebrate his miraculous return from the dead (there was a boat, deadly rapids, friendly natives, the usual) by ditching his singing career and applying to medical school.

He assures his estranged girlfriend, Adair, that he's checked his undergraduate prerequisites and he's got the credits to go for it. (Apparently, in Henderson, aspiring musicians take organic chemistry just for fun).

If Alec succeeds in his noble endeavor, he will join some very prestigious medical company.

On As the World Turns, little Bobby Hughes was a mere 12 years old when the show premiered in 1956. Four years later, he was a college student and by the time his son, Tom, was born in 1961, Bob was out of medical school and already a resident at Oakdale Memorial Hospital.

No wonder Bob didn't so much as blink when his son, Chris, went from aspiring Hemingway to medical intern in the space of a year or so.

Or when Lucy Montgomery pulled off the same feat, courtesy of an accelerated medical program back home in Montega. (I am sure her mother, former president of the once war-torn banana republic, pulled a string or two to waive that pesky organic chem requirement, as well).

Bob Hughes, after all, knows that anything you need to know to become a soap doctor is best learned off-screen.

On the other hand, Guiding Light's Rick Bauer completed his accelerated medical school course on-screen in 1986. His professor was Claire Ramsey, the woman to whom Rick had lost his virginity, now the mother of Rick's half-sister, Michelle.

Unhappy that Rick was dating Roxie Shayne, Claire constantly threatened to drum Rick out of the program unless he completed his work on time (her motives may have been suspect, but she did have a point there; making out with your girlfriend is not a valid reason to turn a paper in late... would Rick use the same excuse for failing to diagnose a patient?).

A stressed Rick turned to amphetamines to stay awake. Claire found out and threatened to report him to the medical board (again, motive bad, concept not; do you want a high doctor?)

Fortunately, Rick was able to complete an equally accelerated rehab program and take his med school finals. Only to have a vindictive Claire fail him before even reading the paper.

Ultimately, Rick was allowed to retake his exam and, despite accidentally ingesting sleeping pills right before the big test (honestly, do you want this doofus anywhere near you with a stethoscope, much less a scalpel?), managed to pass with a B-minus.

You know what they say: What do you call the person graduating at the bottom of their medical school class?

Doctor.

Especially in the soap world.

LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN!

Guiding Light's official, 70th Anniversary cast photo is set to be unveiled any day now.

But, while you wait with baited breath for the finished product, check out this spoiler photo of Robert Newman (Josh) and Kim Zimmer (Reva), taken the day GL celebrated taping their 15,000th episode. (To put that number in perspective, Gunsmoke, which holds the record for 20 primetime years on the air, only produced 635 measly hours of television. The Simpsons, now on the air equally as long but with a shorter season, needs nine more years to simply match, much less pass that number).

WHO AM I #2

I got the feeling our last Who Am I game was too easy. So let's try this riddle on for size:

This young miss may look demure, but as an adult, she set the town of Oakdale on its ear with her wicked, wicked ways.

Who is she?

(Answer tomorrow)

IN MEMORIAM: BARNARD HUGHES

A memorial service will be held today at the Walter Kerr Theatre, 219 West 48th Street in New York City, for actor Barnard Hughes, who died on July 11, 2006 at the age of 90.

In addition to winning the Tony Award for playing the title role in Da, Hughes appeared in projects as diverse as the feature film, Midnight Cowboy, and the television series, Blossom.

Daytime audiences, however, knew him best for roles on Dark Shadows, The Secret Storm, As The World Turns and especially Guiding Light, where he played Dr. Bruce Banning from 1961-1966.

During Hughes' tenure (he played the role longest among four actors), Bruce was married to Meta Bauer and helping to raise her step-granddaughter, Robin, despite the fact that he and Meta rarely saw eye to eye on how to discipline the headstrong teenager.

For those wishing to pay their respects to Mr. Hughes, a limited number of seats will be made available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis.

THE LIFE BEFORE

Catherine Hickland is on her way back to OLTL as Lindsay this month, but eager fans can check out her 1980 daytime debut as Courtney Marshall on TEXAS, by clicking on the AOL/PGP Classic Soaps Channel now.

Beautiful Dr. Marshall was briefly introduced on Another World in the summer of 1980 prior to making the move to TEXAS.

There, she was instantly caught up in a love triangle with surgeon Kevin Cook and his estranged, less than stable wife, Reena.

Though Reena paid Kevin little attention while they were together (she was a bit too fixated on her Daddy for that), the moment she caught him with Courtney, Reena was out for blood. First, she picked his workplace as the ideal location for dramatically announcing that she would be suing Kevin for divorce -- and naming Courtney as the other woman! And then she did her best to get the young doctor fired.

Will Courtney and Kevin live happily ever after? And what role will the arrival of handsome soldier Jeb (played by GH's Kin Shriner) play in her future?

Tune in to TEXAS and find out today!

DREW NEWS

Monday, December 11, The Good Shepherd, directed by Robert De Niro, makes its worldwide premiere at the Zigfield Theater in New York City to benefit the Tribeca Film Institute.

Among The Good Shepherd stars expected to attend are Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Billy Crudup, Keir Dullea, and a name very familiar to Guiding Light fans -- Tammy Blanchard.

Tammy, who won an Emmy for her role as a young Judy Garland in the miniseries, Me and My Shadows, and was nominated for a Tony Award for crooning Let Me Entertain You as Gypsy Rose Lee in the musical Gypsy, began her illustrious career playing Dru Jacobs on GL from 1997-2000.

Next, she will appear as Sybil, the role that Sally Field originally made famous, in a CBS remake of the split personality drama.

(Pictured above: Tammy with Patti D'Arbanville, who played her reformed hooker biological mother, Selena).

AS THE BOOKS TURN

For those viewers who felt that Oakdale Confidential and Oakdale Confidential: Secrets Revealed focused too much on current characters like Katie, Carly, Maddie, Jack, Mike, Henry and Simon and not enough on historical players like the Stewart and Hughes families, you might want to check out some of these paperbacks:

ATWT: Full Circle
ATWT: Love Trap
ATWT: Shared Moments

For Guiding Light fans, there's:

GL: Restless Hearts
GL: Hidden Fears
GL: So Tender, So True

All are paperbacks from the mid-1980s and are novelizations of storylines from a few years before.

Enjoy!

WHO AM I: ANSWER

As guessed below, the cute little girl in the picture grew up to be ATWT stunner Maura West (Carly).

Obviously, this one was too easy. I'll make it harder next time... ;)

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

For 70 years, the town of Springfield has been kept afloat through the devotion of Guiding Light's many millions of fans.

In celebration of their milestone anniversary, the historic daytime drama has chosen to thank the American people for their decades of support by helping to build up the Hurricane Katrina-ravaged cities of the Gulf Coast -- and more.

To that end, GL announced a year-long partnership with Hands On Network, a nonprofit of 64 volunteer organizations focusing primarily on raising the level of volunteerism across the U.S.

"Seventy years ago Irna Phillips created Guiding Light with one fundamental theme in mind, 'the brotherhood of man,' "” says Ellen Wheeler, Guiding Light'’s Executive Producer. "We're hoping that this theme and the show's commitment to Hands On Network will resound with our viewers and motivate people to be the change they wish to see in their communities."”

To kick-off this campaign, Guiding Light will shut down production in their New York studio during their anniversary week of January 22-26, 2007 and take the entire cast and crew to the Gulf Coast. Guiding Light's crew will film cast members at work and viewers will get the chance to see the results in a special episode airing on Wednesday, February 14, 2007.

Following the week in the Gulf Coast, Guiding Light cast members will travel to a different city each month, encouraging their fans to volunteer alongside them.

If you would like to hammer with Harley or rebuild with Reva, please consider volunteering at one or several of the below volunteer locations:

2-24-07 Atlanta, GA Hands On Atlanta
3-31-07 Norfolk, VA Volunteer Hampton Roads
4-21-07 New York City New York Cares
5-4 to 5-5-07 Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh Cares
6-2-07 Los Angeles, CA L.A. Works
7-14-07 New Orleans, LA Hands On New Orleans
8-18-07 St. Louis, MO St. Louis Cares
9-29-07 Nashville, TN Hands On Nashville
10-27-07 New York City New York Cares
11-3-07 Miami, FL Hands On Miami
12-2007 Baltimore, MD Baltimore Volunteer Central

And make certain you tune into the show on January 3, 2007. This pay-it-forward styled episode will launch Guiding Light's yearlong Find Your Light theme.

Springfield is mysteriously bestowed with good fortune and the residents are surprised to learn how each of their solitary acts of kindness were passed on to others and ultimately made a meaningful impact on the town.

This theme harkens back to the roots of Guiding Light, and the very timely notions of community and brotherhood.

For more information visit www.findyourlight.net.

ONE RINGY-DINGY...

If, like ATWT's Will (and possibly Adam, too) you just can't get enough of Gwen (Jennifer Landon) singing her new single, Slide, now you can download it as a ringtone!

Click here for details!

WHO AM I?

This future ATWT superstar grew up in Massachusets.

Though she's been nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards, motherhood is her first priority.

Her birthday is April 27.

Can you guess who it is?

Answer tomorrow here on the PGP Classic Soap Blog!

COMES A SAGE

10 year old Allie Gorenc takes over the role of As The World Turns' Jack and Carly's little girl, Sage Snyder, on Thursday, December 7.

Check out her hometown paper's feature on the young rising star, here.

LIGHT IN THE VALLEY

Guiding Light's Reva makes a new friend on Thursday, December 14. Fellow cancer survivor Cal will be played by Another World fan favorite Paul Michael Valley.

From 1991 to 1997, Valley was one half of the show's hot supercouple, Ryan and Vicky, with Vicky being played both by Anne Heche and Jensen Buchanan.

He also previously appeared briefly on GL in 2002.

On Broadway, Valley played Thomas Jefferson in the hit revival of 1776 in 1997.

Will this be the man to make Reva forget all about Josh (it would probably help if he were a long-lost Lewis)? Tune into GL and find out!

For a 2005 interview with Valley, click here!

HOT, HOTTER, HOTTEST?

Since people seemed to really like our Goldin Decade comparison from below, here is one for ATWT fans:

Where is Roger Howarth (Paul) hottest:

In the 1990s with OLTL co-star Kassie DePaiva (Blair), or this week, as Paul prepares to walk down the aisle with Meg (Marie Wilson)?

THOSE WHO FORGET HISTORY....

NBC is trumpeting a historic first for Days of Our Lives.

Uhm... not so fast. As this post shows, Guiding Light -- and a host of others -- got there a long, long, long (as in over fifty years) time ago...

GOLDIN DECADE

Ricky Paull Goldin with Another World co-star Alla Korot (Jenna) circa 1992, and with current Guiding Light co-star Beth Ehlers (Harley) from 2002.

A decade apart, you tell me: which RPG is hotter?