Guiding Light - Bert and Phillip have a talk - 1984

[eric9590]

In my opinion, the Pam Long era was the beginning of the end for GL. From 1977-1983, GL's core and heart were the Bauer, Thorpe and Reardon families, with the Spauldings also playing an integral part of the show. When Pam Long took the reigns over as head writer in 1983, you started to see the show transform and unravel. I never quite understood why TPTB at that time felt it necessary to change the direction and focus of the show by writing out these core families.

[416mcp]

Many of use agee they should have stayed with the core families. TO me that is Reardon and the Bauers---but keep, mindy, phillip, and Beth along with Rick. Rick became an extra on this show in later years. To me ( i know i am a minority) Reva and the Shaynes were the beginning of the end.

[Zobinski]

@416mcp I'm in that same minority. It was Reva and the Shaynes who marked a very real change. The core families of the Bauers, Spauldings, Reardons, Lewises, Chamberlains, Thorpes, Marlers, etc. were wonderful. Another BIG blow was when Christopher Bernau left (and died) ... he was just amazing and he and Grant could/should have been together on GL for many, many years. Losing Bert Bauer too was such an end to "classic" Guiding Light.

[416mcp]

@Zobinski Yes they were. Looking at these old clips bring back memories. I agree Christopher Beunau was a wonderful villain as was the actor who played Roger. I always missed Bert. I also hated what they did to Beth. She use to be so strong (Evans) and they she became a whiner. The writers didn't stay true to the characters. I didn't like how they updated the camera shots. Looked like amateurs. I still wish the show was still on. I do think it was getting better towards the end.

[416mcp]

I have been watching these postsover last few days. It seem like many of us agree that if they stayed with the core families they still would be on the air. To me that was the Bauers and the Reardons.----but keep mindy, rick and beth too. Send Reva and the shaynes back to Tulsa. They were the beginning of the end. the crazy story lines (cloning all that stuff)

[Robert4770]

Well written and acted scenes like this make what we have now seem pathetic.

[gablefan01]

I really miss those days on GL...I think if they'd stayed with the core families, they would stil be on the air.

[bisnagaboy]

Bert was the BEST!

[rekcufrats]

Was that Ms. Piper that I saw briefly in between this clip? I'd love to see that story again.

[djintheatl]

What a cool scene! Bert was a great character!

[marctheark]

Why no sound ?

[Phantom3377]

The audio is fine for me.

[rhyfeddu]

Wow. What a great "bridge" scene between 2 iconic GL characters. THANKS for sharing this.