Guiding Light: Alan Spaulding returns to Springfield (1986)

[w8ing4ever]

This was the Alan Spaulding that I remember when I used to watch Guiding Light. For me, Christopher Bernau WAS Alan Spaulding!

[imajeepster]

I don't remember this Philip at all!!!

[imajeepster]

what a blast from the past...How I miss Bev! And Chris Bernau...

[rek1225]

This is the Allen Spaulding I grew up with. My mother loved this show and I spent countless afternoons with her, home from school sick probably. It was only interesting to me while this dude was in the story. Im 36 yrs old now, and I still remember those afternoons. It came on at 3pm. Otherwise it was horrible. I do remember fantasizing about about Harley. Whatever happened to her?

[SCBOI82]

Just a little bit of trivia-Christopher Bernau who played Alan Spaulding also played Phillip Todd on Dark Shadows.

[Englishlass]

The original Alan died so had to be replaced.

[Alexaklr]

Wow, so many familiar characters but all with different faces from GL's later years! Only one guy I can't put a name to. Recognize all the others: Alan, Alexandra, Phillip, Beth, Dr. Ed....... This is the Alan that got me hooked, really hooked on GL. Never cared for this Ed Bauer.

Chris Bernau (Alan) died of an aneurysm while he was in talks with GL to return. So, so sad.

[SoapsGoldenAge]

@Alexaklr uh--I was there, working on the show. The devastatingly-talented Chris Bernau died of Aids. His lover came to the studio and told us he would not be coming back--and he died shortly thereafter. Can't imagine what the 90's would have been like with McKinsey, Bernau, Zimmer & Zaslow all together. 4 of the top talents of all time! (and Malloy, Garret, Newman, et al weren't too shabby either)

[everydayrebellions]

@SoapsGoldenAge That explains the absolutely horrid recast of Daniel Pilon. I always wondered why the studio chose him but if it was an emergency situation that makes a lot more sense. Bernau was so fantastic. I can only imagine the fireworks had he been around when Alex married Roger!

[myrabradwell40]

@SoapsGoldenAge You knew the greats.... Were they nice people?

[SoapsGoldenAge]

@myrabradwell40 Well, Beverlee was over it all--it was just a job to her and she just wanted to do it and go home. Never took it personally, she was a supreme professional but didn't suffer fools...lol. Chris B was a little aloof but not rude--just, like Beverlee, he had a "life", did his job (again, extremely well) but stayed out of the b.s. Kim Zimmer is exactly what you'd expect--cool, funny and likeable. Robert Newman--exactly same. Zaslow was coming when I was leaving.

[savammy]

that phillip was awful

[travis082185]

i heard beverlee and the actor playing roger did not get along in real life

[Marinaskye]

Was the audience at the time aware Alan was back, or were they as surprised as Alexandra?

[bauble24]

@Marinaskye During the previous weeks he was shown in shadows and from the back. But GL fans knew it was him just by his voice. The episode where he unmasks was the first time that the audieuce saw his full face, however like I said we all knew it was him.

[fatima1009]

I agree about the recast Phillip. He was awful. And I couldn't get used to the recast Ed, because I remember him as Chuck Tyler on AMC.

[Blueskywatcher]

I forgot how evil Alan was! Chris Bernau, "How you doin'"?

[savammy]

did he not die of aids?

[deltablues2]

It's weird seeing the first Alexandra & Alan but the recast Philip & Ed.

[SupremeGL]

RIP Beverlee McKinsey (August 9, 1940 - May 2, 2008).

[metagrin]

Thanks for the memories! I loved this story line and miss the old Alan.

[Najee1020]

Wow, a recast Phillip & Ed!

[postdebut149]

Beverlee McKinsey has to be the best actress to ever appear on soaps! They should've never recasted Alexandra!

[CaliforniaGuy888]

1986- The year the producers were trying to bring back 'Guiding Light'. 1985 was a bust. In 1986, they lured back Christopher Bernau as Alan. Later, they brought back Peter Simon as Ed and Grant Aleksander as Phillip.

[copperplopper]

what was wrong with 1985? just curious.

[CaliforniaGuy888]

from my point of view , it was just a radical departure from what I had been seeing (1978-1984). I missed the Bauer family (Mike, Hope, Hillary, old Ed, Bert) and the Reardons were being written off one by one (Nola, Jim, Tony). Plus the storylines seemed to emphasize Reva too much..She's great, but the show lost its ensemble feel.

[marctheark]

Absolutely. In 1985 the show turned down hill.

They tried to rebound after Reva left but then they had to kill off Maureen Bauer.

[CaliforniaGuy888]

I forgot to mention the recasts of Phillip Spaulding and Ed Bauer - that didn't help 1985 either. Oy....This is a great scene -seeing the original Alan (my favorite Alan) and the original Alexandra (my favorite Alexandra).....They just looked so RICH to me ! They didn't had a look to them that was different than the common folk...folk like myself :)

I will miss you GL...