By Patrick Erwin Being a Guiding Light fan hasn't been an easy road over the last few years. But one consistent bright spot for me has been the mother-daughter duo of Doris and Ashlee Wolfe. Ashlee, in particular, is always a joy to watch. She's a full-figured ball of energy, quirky and often funny, even when she doesn't intend to be. I think my … [Read more...]
Guiding Light and All Soaps: Don’t Change the Quirky Characters We Love!
April 25, 2008 by 5 Comments
Patrick’s Postcards from Oakdale, Salem and Springfield
April 10, 2008 by 5 Comments
By Patrick Erwin Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't been around as much lately. I've been dealing with the plot twists and turns of my own storyline, including a move to another city -- not just any city, but the Windy City of Chicago. Chicago is, of course, the cradle of soaps, where Irna Phillips started it all and where Bill Bell began. … [Read more...]
Guiding Light’s New Look: First Impressions
March 10, 2008 by 15 Comments
By Patrick Erwin Three weeks ago, before it even debuted, I recommended giving Guiding Light's new production style a chance. After a week or so of shows, here are some first impressions: THE GOOD: Some of the new sets read very nicely on screen. In particular, the outdoor sets and the larger sets look great. Many of the outdoor scenes do a … [Read more...]
Remembering Douglas Marland: Timeless Storylines, Timeless Talent
March 5, 2008 by 5 Comments
Douglas Marland: May 5, 1935 - March 6, 1993 By Patrick Erwin It's been fifteen years since Douglas Marland's death. That seems impossible to me, but then again, maybe that's because I still see aspects of his work and his characters on screen every day. Certainly, his body of work has had a big impact on me. I was eagerly watching his … [Read more...]
Remembering Douglas Marland: Highlights of a Great Career
March 4, 2008 by 1 Comment
Douglas Marland: May 5, 1935 - March 6, 1993 By Patrick Erwin As an actor: -- Doug appeared in a 1956 episode of Playhouse 90 called Forbidden Area (as Marland Messner, his real name). -- In 1973, he appeared on As The World Turns, playing Lisa's doctor, Eric Lonsberry, during the infamous "phantom fetus" storyline. -- Doug also appeared … [Read more...]
Remembering Douglas Marland: Actors Recall Their Marland Moments, Part 1
March 3, 2008 by 2 Comments
Douglas Marland: May 5, 1935 - March 6, 1993 By Patrick Erwin As part of our celebration of Douglas Marland's work, we want to share the thoughts and memories of some of the actors and actresses who performed his work day in and day out. We're posting these remembrances here to share with you, along with a brief outline of their "Marland … [Read more...]
The “New” Guiding Light: Give It a Chance
February 19, 2008 by 15 Comments
By Patrick Erwin Guiding Light has gotten an awful lot of ink lately -- not over storylines or any actor or actress, but because of some substantial changes in the way the show is made and produced. Many mainstream press outlets have reported on these changes -- giving them another opportunity to poke fun at the soap genre -- or try to … [Read more...]
