Guiding Light (GL) is a long-running American television soap opera.About the show "Guiding Light" at CBS.Com This article covers the show in the 1980s.

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

In 1980 Jerome and Bridget Dobson, the head writers of Guiding Light since 1975, left to become the head writers of sister soap As the World Turns, and were replaced by Douglas Marland. Marland, a former actor who had appeared on As the World Turns years earlier, had been part of several other writing teams, including a stint working under head writer Harding Lemay at Another World. Marland had great success at General Hospital before joining GL in January 1980.

As head writer, Marland focused on core families and characters, and developed several new characters, tying them to existing characters. He added the Reardon family, most notably vixen Nola Reardon, played by Lisa Brown. He added levels of intrigue and mystery to the show, and also focused story on young characters.

In May 1980, Guiding Light won its first Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in a Daytime Drama.

In 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, known informally as the "disco" theme. This opening was used until August 1983.

Marland left GL in 1982 due to a dispute regarding the Carrie Marler multiple personality disorder. Elliot was fired by Allen Potter, and Marland left soon after. Before Marland quit, Guiding Light won its second Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Daytime Drama, for the 1981 – 1982 television season.

After Marland's departure, Procter & Gamble brought in three new head writers in rapid succession, with only the third achieving success. Guiding Lights ratings dropped and the show fell out of the top five in the ratings. From June 1982 to November 1983, many of the stories shown became contrived, and some became very convoluted for many audience members. The first two head writers brought in, Pat Falken Smith and L. Virginia Browne tried to bring to a close to many of the storylines started late in Marland's term as head writer.

A replacement headwriter was found in Pam Long (who originally started writing in fall 1983 with Richard Culliton). Long was an actress who had appeared on the then-recently canceled Procter & Gamble soap opera Texas and, in an unusual move, was given the head writer reins of that show during its last months. At Guiding Light, she eventually clashed with CBS and Procter & Gamble executives who resisted her idea of introducing a Jewish family, the Weisses, to Springfield. With the rejection by Procter & Gamble and CBS of her idea for this new core family, Long left the show in early 1991. The only Weiss to ever be introduced to the canvas was Matt Weiss—and he only appeared for a couple of months in early 1991.

During the 1980s, a number of new families were introduced, including the Lewises, who would eventually become one of the central families on GL, the working class Reardons and, toward the end of the decade, the Coopers. A number of longtime cast members departed, including Millette Alexander (Sara McIntyre) and Robert Milli (Adam Thorpe), and their characters were phased out. Vixen/heroine Rita Bauer was written out when Lenore Kasdorf left the show in July 1981; Kasdorf had been so popular in the part that producers decided against recasting the role and left the door open for a possible return by hinting that Rita left pregnant with soon-to-be ex-husband Ed Bauer's or ex-lover Alan Spaulding's baby. Charita Bauer, who'd played Bauer family matriarch Bert Bauer since the show's radio days, died in 1985.

On August 22, 1983, the disco opening was jettisoned in favor of a slower, more romantic Rob Mounsey-composed "My Guiding Light", originally in a full-orchestrated arrangement, to visuals of the characters in various clips from the show. The "My Guiding Light" tune was used for the remainder of the 1980s, the orchestrated version was eventually replaced by a faster-paced version featuring synthesizer.

Executive Producers + Guiding Light executive producers Name Years Allen M. Potter 1975 – October 1982 Gail Kobe November 1982 – April 1986 Joe Willmore May 1986 – June 1989 Robert Calhoun July 1989 – June 1991

Major characters

The Bauers Bert Bauer (Charita Bauer, until her death in 1985), character died in March 1986. Hillary Bauer (Marsha Clark), Bill Bauer and Simone Kincaid's daughter. Half-sister to both Paul Kincaid and half-sister to Ed and Mike Bauer. Character killed in explosion in September 1984. Hope Bauer Spaulding (Elvera Roussel), married Alan Spaulding in February 1980, written out in November 1983. Mike Bauer (Don Stewart), written out in September 1984. Ed Bauer (Mart Hulswit until August 28, 1981; Peter Simon, September 1, 1981, until September 11, 1984, and again from April 2, 1986, until end of decade; Richard Van Vleet, September 24, 1984, until March 21, 1986). Kelly Nelson (John Wesley Shipp), Ed's godson, introduced February 1980, character last seen and actor last aired on January 26, 1984, written out, last mentioned in story line in November 1984 (by Dr. Claire Ramsey) Rick Bauer (Phil MacGregor, November 1982 until May 1983; Michael O'Leary, May 26, 1983, until end of decade), Ed and Leslie's SORASed son. Michelle Bauer (Rachel Miner – February 23, 1989, to June 13, 1995; Rebecca Budig – November 30, 1995, to November 4, 1998; (Bethany) Joie Lenz (currently known as Bethany Joy Galeotti) – November 5, 1998, to October 4, 2000; Nancy St. Alban – October 27, 2000, to November 22, 2005; July 2, 3 & 13, 2009; September 17, 2009). Ed's biological daughter with Dr. Claire Ramsey, adopted by Maureen, born November 1985. Rita Stapleton Bauer (Lenore Kasdorf), Ed's third wife, written out in July 1981. Johnny Bauer (James Goodwin, 1986–1990), Ed and Mike's second cousin once removed, third cousin to Rick. Lacey Bauer (Zoe Trilling) 1987. Johnnys younger sister. Jack and Lainie's daughter. Jack and Lainie Bauer, 1988 (Alan North) & (Teri Keane). Jack was Otto and Myra's only child. Johnny and Lacey Bauer's parents. Mike and Ed's 1st cousin once removed. Otto and Myra Bauer, talked about but not seen in 1986. Jack's parents. Papa Frederich Bauer's late brother and sister-in-law. Mentioned again in 1996. Karl and Alice Bauer. Talked about but not seen in 1986. The late Mary Bauers' parents. Late brother and sister-in-law of Papa Frederich and Otto Bauer. Mentioned again in 1996. Douglas and Ellen Bauer, talked about in 1986, but not seen. Late brother and sister-in-law of Papa Frederich, Otto and Carl Bauer. They had no children. Mentioned again in 1996. Dr. Meredith Reade Bauer (Nicolette Goulet, July 1987 until June 1989), Fletcher Reade's sister and Rick's wife; written out. Bill Bauer (Ed Bryce, August 3 to 8, 1983), character killed by Eli Sims. Meta Bauer White Roberts Banning (Gloria Blondell – June 1948 to September 24, 1948; Dorothy Lovett – September 27, 1948, to August 26, 1949; Jone Allison – September 22, 1949, to November 14, 1952; Ellen Demming – January 5, 1953, to June 30, 1966, and May 1971 to November 22, 1974; Mary Stuart November 22, 1996, to January 29, 2002), Ed and Mike's aunt; sister of Trudy and Bill. Mentioned when Bill Bauer died in 1983. Bert went to take care of an ill Meta in 1984 and later died while visiting her in 1986. Trudy Bauer Palmer (Laurette Fillbrandt – September 27, 1948, to September 21, 1949; Charlotte Holland – September 22, 1949, to 1951; Helen Wagner – January to August 22, 1952; Lisa Howard – March 14, 1957, to March 14, 1958. Daughter of Papa Bauer, sister of Bill and Meta. Mentioned when Bill & then Bert Bauer died. Paul Kincaid, Victor and Simone Kincaid's son. talked about but not seen. Said to be in Europe with his and half-sister Hillary's mom Simone. Both were unable to attend Hillary's funeral in 1984. Victoria Ballenger and Roy Mills, talked about not seen. Died offscreen prior to 1984. In 1984 Rick would mention he never knew his late grandparents.

The Spauldings

Alan Spaulding (Chris Bernau until May 31, 1984, and again from May 23, 1986, until June 28, 1988; Daniel Pilon from July 25, 1988, until end of decade), and then Ron Raines until the end of the show, married Hope Bauer in February 1980. Elizabeth Spaulding (Lezlie Dalton), written out in November 1981. Phillip Spaulding (Jarrod Ross until December 24, 1981; Grant Aleksander from December 22, 1982, until December 28, 1984, and again from December 1986 until end of decade; John Bolger from January 11, 1985, until Summer 1986). Amanda Spaulding (Kathleen Cullen until August 12, 1983, Christmas 1987), was known in this decade as the biological daughter of Alan and Jennifer (Jane Marie Stafford) Richards, written out. Alan-Michael Spaulding (Carl Tye Evans, July 3, 1987, until end of decade), Alan and Hope's SORASed son, born on-screen on September 23, 1981. Baroness Alexandra "Alex" Spaulding von Halkein (Beverlee McKinsey, February 10, 1984, until end of decade), Alan's sister and Brandon's mother. Brandon "Lujack" Luvonazcek (Vincent Irizarry, November 28, 1983, to December 6, 1985), Alex's biological son with Eric Luvonazcek, was tricked by Alex's father and Eric to give up shortly after birth, died from injuries sustained in an explosion. India von Halkein Spaulding (Mary Kay Adams), August 1, 1984, until April 1987), Alex's stepdaughter, blackmailed Phillip into marriage. Brandon Spaulding (John Wardell in flashbacks in 1983, Keith Charles in November 1984), presumed deceased in September 1979, came back from the dead, but died of old age in 1985. Victoria Spaulding (Kim Hamilton, Meesha Millington in flashbacks) 1984, Brandon Spaulding and Sharina Tamerlaine's daughter. Sharina Tamerlaine (Janet League) 1984, Brandon's mistress and mother of his daughter Victoria in Barbados. Died of old age alongside Brandon in 1985. Conrad Tamerlaine, (Willie Carpenter in flashbacks), Uncle of Victoria and brother of Sharina who was shot and killed by Penelope Spaulding who was trying to kill Sharina on founders day in 1944 in Springfield in a cottage that viewed the Spaulding Summer Estate that years later was bought by Tony and Annabelle Reardon. Penelope Spaulding (Joanne Camp in flashbacks), Mother of Alexandra and Alan. Accidentally shot and killed Conrad while aiming for Sharina. Died soon after while giving birth to Alan. Dorie Smith von Halkein (Kimi Parks, June 1986 until Spring 1987), adopted by India. One-time foster sister of Dinah Chamberlain. Simon Hall (Shawn Thompson, January 2, 1986, until April 1987), Lujack's half-brother via their father Eric Luvonazcek and the late Margaret Hall. Vera (Frances Foster), 1985 until end of decade, Alexandra's personal maid. Eventually retires and leaves town in 1995.

The Norrises/Thorpes

Barbara Norris Thorpe (Barbara Berjer), written out in December 1981. She made a brief appearance at Philip and Blake's wedding in 1989 and later returned in the mid 1990s on a recurring basis. Andrew "Andy" Norris (now played by Ted LePlat), taken to prison on August 28, 1981. Released from prison prior to Holly returning in 1988. Whereabouts unknown. Holly Norris Bauer Thorpe Lindsey (Maureen Garrett), married to Ed, Roger and Deitrich Lindsey, written out on September 26, 1980; returned on December 23, 1988. Roger Thorpe AKA Adam Malik (Michael Zaslow), son of Adam and Marjorie, character killed off on April 1, 1980, came back from the dead on February 15, 1989, stayed until end of decade.