‘Guiding Light,’ ‘As the World Turns’ Actors Reunite For Video Chat
Everyone is doing what they can to pass the time during the quarantine. Former publicist for GL and ATWT Alan Locher reunited several stars from the now-defunct soaps.
The success of the first As the World Turns mini-reunion led to another with more cast members. In between the ATWT reunions, a few Guiding Lights stars joined Alan to answer fan questions.
ATWT Reunion Part 1
As the World Turns aired on CBS for 54 years. The daytime drama was canceled in 2010 due to low ratings. The hour-long drama featured iconic soap super couple Lily Walsh (Martha Byrne) and Holden Snyder (Jon Hensley.)
Martha took part in the first ATWT reunion. She was joined by Michael Park (Jack Snyder) and Maura West (Carly Snyder.) Longtime ATWT actor Don Hastings took part in the reunion as well. He played Bob Hughes for 50 years on the daytime drama. Kelley Menighan (Emily Stewart) joined the chat halfway through.
After catching up on how everyone’s handling the coronavirus pandemic, the topic turned to binge-worthy shows. Several of the ATWT stars gushed over Tom Pelphrey’s performance on Netflix’s Ozark.
The actor played Mick Dante on As the World Turns. He left the show in 2010, a few months before the final episode aired.
Guiding Light Reunion
Another defunct soap opera from CBS is Guiding Light. The show ended its 57-year television run in 2009. GL started as a radio show and aired 72-years in total.
The first reunion features some heavy hitters from Guiding Light, including the iconic Kim Zimmer (Reva Shayne.) Robert Neman played Joshua Lewis, Reva’s love interest on GL.
They were joined by Liz Keifer (Blake Thorpe), Jerry verDorn (Ross Marler) and Maureen Garrett (Holly Lindsey.)
The Guiding Light actors were asked what they’re watching right now. Because of its popularity, Tom Pelphrey’s role on Ozark was mentioned. Most noteworthy, he played Jonathan Randall on GL before his ATWT role.
As Holly, Maureen acted out one of the most controversial scenes in daytime history – Holly’s rape at the hands of her husband, Roger Thorpe. Acting legend Michael Zaslow played the role of the bad guy the audience loved to hate. Michael passed away from ALS in 1998.
The host, Alan again, asked Kim some of her favorite storylines from her time on GL. She cited the outlandish Dolly the Clone story arc.
ATWT Reunion Part 2
The success of the first ATWT and GL reunions led to a second ATWT reunion with different cast members. Ellen Dolan (Margo Hughes) and Colleen Zink (Barbara Ryan) participated in the chat. Trent Dawson (Henry Coleman) and on-screen BFF, Terri Conn (Katie Peretti) joined the ATWT co-stars.
Terri’s two daughters video-bombed their mom at the beginning of the show. Her husband, soap actor Austin Peck, joined the reunion after finishing some yard work. Most known for his role on Days of Our Lives, he also played Brad Synder on ATWT, where the couple first met.
Fun fact: Movie stars Meg Ryan and Marisa Tomei both got their start on As the World Turns.
Just Four Soaps Still Airing in 2020
At the peak in the early 1990s, there were 12 soap operas on the air across three networks – NBC, ABC and CBS. In 2020, there are just four soap operas remaining. General Hospital airs on ABC. Maura West plays Ava Jerome on GH. Days of Our Lives airs on NBC.
CBS has two soap operas left – The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful.
While GH, Y&R and B&B are all relatively safe, DOOL has faced cancellation many times. TV Shows Ace wrote back in February that the soap will air for at least another season.
Tell us in the comments which former soap actors you’d like to see reunite.
- Theresa Nist’s Daughter Jen Speaks Out About Gerry Turner - April 17, 2024
- Did Gerry Turner Ever Intend To Live In New Jersey With Theresa? - April 17, 2024
- Did Financial Issues Cause The ‘Golden Bachelor’ Divorce? - April 17, 2024