Grant Aleksander
GL's Blake and Ross Reunited and They Look so Good!
By Daytime Confidential on March 12, 2010
One Life to Live's Jerry verDorn may not have been able to return for the Guiding Light finale to reunite Ross with Blake (Elizabeth Keifer), but GL fans who attended the "So Long Springfield" event at the Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino on March 7 were treated to just such a reunion. New mommy and soon-to-be The Young and the Restless star Marcy Rylan also participated in the event, along with Beth Chamberlin, Kim Zimmer, Robert Newman, Jessica Leccia, Bradley Cole, Grant Aleksander, Justin Deas and Michael O'Leary. See more photos from the "So Long Springfield" event after the jump.
So Long Springfield Heads to Connecticut
By Melodie on December 19, 2009
Get ready East Coast Guiding Light fans. The "So Long Springfield" tour is coming to the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. The cast list for this gathering features some new additions including: Beth Chamberlin (Beth Raines), Liz Keifer (Blake Marler), Marcy Rylan (Lizzie Spaulding), and an old favorite Jerry VerDorn (Ross Marler). So if you want the chance to meet your favorite stars, get autographs, take a few pictures and hear what it was like to be on the set straight from the actors' mouths be sure to attend the event on March 7, 2010. For more information visit the "So Long Springfield" official website.
DC Interview: Grant Aleksander on How So Long Springfield Reminds Him of the 80's
By Melodie on November 03, 2009
He returned to Guiding Light during it's final season with the Herculean task of helping to try to keep the soap that made him a star alive. Unfortunately, not even the dashing, good looks and tremendous talent of Grant Aleksander could keep the light burning in the end, not that the actor has any regrets about reprising his signature role of Springfield's (and Alan's) favorite son, Phillip Spaulding.
At the recent So Long Springfield event in Pittsburgh, Aleksander spoke with Daytime Confidential about how grateful he was to come back for the show's final months, and filled us in on what he's doing next, and no it doesn't involve any fishy business ventures with Michael O'Leary!
Daytime Confidential: What have you been up to since Guiding Light ended?
Grant Alexsander: Um, Michael O'Leary and I opened that tropical fish store.
DC: Wait, Seriously? READ MORE
So Long Springfield Packs the House in Pittsburgh
By Mike Jubinville on October 26, 2009
Fans came out in droves to the Hyatt Regency in Pittsburgh this weekend for the So Long Springfield event, saluting 72 years of The Guiding Light. Since the event was sold out, it was clear that it would be crowded, but I certainly wasn't prepared for the amount of people who turned out to say goodbye to something that they hold so close to their hearts. READ MORE
Pittsburgh and Atlanta Say So Long Springfield
By Mike Jubinville on September 25, 2009
If you can't make it to Pittsburgh, then head on down to the next stop, Atlanta. An afternoon and evening event is scheduled for Saturday, November 7. The website has important information, so click HERE to get the scoop before you make your plans. Don't miss out on your chance to say so long to Springfield!
Requiem for a Daytime Drama, Part Four
By J Bernard Jones on September 17, 2009
The fourth in a highly personal, non-objective series highlighting various aspects of the last episodes of Guiding Light, which will end its 72 year run on September 18th
The penultimate episode of Guiding Light was light on story, but extraordinarily high in emotion and closure — and there was one bit of ridiculousness about which, at this late date, I could ultimately only laugh.
Jill Lorie Hurst & Ellen Wheeler threw in so many twists, turns and delightful surprises that it was hard to keep up! Danny (Paul Anthony Stewart), Michelle (Nancy St. Alban) and Robbie moved back to Springfield! Remy (Lawrence Saint-Victor) found out that he and Christina (Karla Mosely) really weren't married — again, only to be informed by the not-Mrs. Boudreaux that she is pregnant! Mel (Yvonna Wright) & Cryus (Murray Bartlett) burned up the well-worn sheets at the Beacon! Even Daisy (Bonnie Dennison) got accepted to college, which was a delightful shock, given that not only did I have no idea she had applied to a university, but was more shocked that she actually could read!
In some ways these developments were mere appetizers for two of the biggest, most emotionally satisfying payoffs Guiding Light could have ever delivered for its long time, faithful fans! READ MORE
Requiem for a Daytime Drama, Part Three
By J Bernard Jones on September 16, 2009
The third in a highly personal, non-objective series highlighting various aspects of the last episodes of Guiding Light, which will end its 72 year run on September 18th.
The third from the last episode of Guiding Light was all about reactions and coming to grips with the demise of Alan Spaulding, mirroring the mixed emotions of the show's fans as the series takes its final bows.
As news of Alan Spaulding's (Ron Raines) death rippled through town, we were treated to one of the most honest portrayals of how people react in such circumstances as has ever been seen on daytime. Over the last 30 years, Alan had committed any number of heinous crimes against most of the citizens of Springfield and yet his passing left many stunned (Ashlee, Blake, Reva, Jonathan, Frank), some confused (grandson Rafe), and others shocked & saddened (Lillian, Buzz).
When all is said and done, today's episode was rocked by Grant Aleksander (Phillip), Zack Conroy (James), and Marj Dusay (Alexandra). READ MORE
Requiem for a Daytime Drama, Part Two
By J Bernard Jones on September 15, 2009
The second in a highly personal, non-objective series highlighting various aspects of the last episodes of Guiding Light, which will end its 72 year run on September 18th.
Let me begin by making an audacious claim. In my opinion, the September 15, 2009 episode of Guiding Light — the fourth from its last broadcast ever — may just go down as one of the series' greatest episodes of all time. This is not hyperbole; maybe not top five, but certainly top twenty.
Picking up immediately after the magnificent double wedding, the expertly paced episode had everything: the heartfelt engagement of Phillip & Beth; Josh's bittersweet decision to leave Springfield and find himself; the advancement of the romances of the teenaged James & Daisy and the smoking hot Mel & Cyrus; the ongoing tease of a courtship between Frank & Blake; and the long overdue reconciliation of Lizzie and Sarah, as Jonathan gave the Spaulding heiress shared custody of their daughter.
Every actor was spot on, including the sometimes over-the-top Tom Pelphrey. However, if Monday's episode belonged to Tina Sloan (Lillian), Tuesday's honors were split between Robert Newman (Josh) and Ron Raines (Alan). READ MORE
Requiem for a Daytime Drama, Part One
By J Bernard Jones on September 15, 2009
The first in a highly personal, non-objective series highlighting various aspects of the last episodes of Guiding Light, which will end its 72 year run on September 18th.
These final weeks of Guiding Light have been pure torture to watch. I don't mean "the new production model" (a phrase I never hope to hear again in my lifetime) or Bonnie Dennison's (Daisy) futile attempts to remember her lines. No, what has been extraordinarily difficult for me as a viewer — who vividly remembers when Roger (Michael Zaslow) kidnapped Holly (Maureen Garrett) in the Caribbean and Ed (then Mart Hulswit) threw him off a cliff — is watching the series' stories come to their inevitable conclusions. READ MORE







