Claire Ramsey (Guiding Light)

The Guiding Light (GL) is the longest-running American television soap opera. This article covers the show in the 1980s.

The 1980s was a time of many transitions and many firsts for the show.

In 1980, the Dobsons were moved to As the World Turns, and were replaced by Douglas Marland. Marland had written for such veteran soap writers as Agnes Nixon and Irna Phillips (the creator of The Guiding Light) and had written on his own, as well as acted on As the World Turns in the early 1970s. From January 1980 to June 1982, Marland, as head writer, wanted to bring Guiding Light back to its roots and abide by the show's "bible". To that end he came up with many new characters, but incorporated them gradually with veteran characters. He also added more levels of intrigue and crimes to the show. Marland focused on introducing characters younger than 25.

In May 1980, Guiding Light won its first Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in a Daytime Drama, although many were surprised the departing Michael Zaslow did not win the award for Outstanding Achievement as a Lead Actor for playing Roger Thorpe. (The scene that won the Emmy was Zaslow's "hall of mirrors" sequence with Lenore Kasdorf.)

By 1981, Procter & Gamble changed the opening of Guiding Light to keep up with the more youth oriented ABC soaps, from the opening used since 1975 of a tree with sunlight shining through to a disco opening (with scenes of characters or groups of characters in several action shots) with a theme from Jack Urbont. This opening lasted through August 1983.

Writer Marland quit in 1982 due to a dispute over treatment of his friend Jane Elliot, when the Carrie multiple personality disorder storyline didn't carry Guiding Light's ratings to #1 above its rival, General Hospital. Elliot was fired by Allen Potter, and Marland ended the storyline. Before Marland quit, Guiding Light won its second Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Daytime Drama, for the 1981 - 1982 television season, and despite Marland's departure, things looked very well for this long time CBS drama.

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