Huge rumors have been circulating in the past couple of days with word from TV Week reporting that CBS Daytime Vice-President Barbara Bloom is shopping around for a series that would replace the 72 year-old soap that is produced by Proctor & Gamble Productions. The soap’s current contract expires this September. Will it be another soap? Nope…Bloom is looking into either a game show or a talk show. PGP’s soap productions unit is now operating under the TeleNext banner and also produces CBS’ As The World Turns. The last PGP soap that was cancelled was NBC’s Another World in June 1999. GL premiered on radio before making its way to television.
Daytime Confidential reported late Monday that ABC daytime chief Brian Frons is preparing to make offers to several high profile GL stars.
Meanwhile, TV Guide Canada’s Nelson Branco is offering some hope in The Nelson Ratings where he spoke to an insider who claims that “Due to the recession, no local affiliate can afford to create their own local programming, nor does its national network. That’s what could save GL.” The New York based soap changed its production model last year to one that is more cost effective, which includes filming on-location in New Jersey, rather than lavish sets.
Entertainment Weekly says a decision will be made within the next few weeks.
Udate – April 1, 2009 at 2pm: Soap Opera Digiest is reporting that Guiding Light, the longest-running soap in history is cancelled. Nelson Branco from TV Guide Canada has updated his Suds Report after speaking exclusively to a CBS soap star who confirmed the cancellation. Cast and crew of GL and As The World Turns were told this morning. According to the New York Post, the final episode will air Friday, September 18, 2009.
Update – April 1, 2009 at 2:30pm: TV Week is reporting that Proctor & Gample (through TeleNext Media) are currently exploring other possibilities for keeping the show alive. Senior VP and managing director of TeleNext Media says “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.”
Guiding Light airs Weekdays at 3pm on most CBS markets and on E! in Canada.
