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GUIDING LIGHT Interview
What A Twist!
— By Danielle McClure
After 72 years, GL aired its final episode last week, leaving soap fans across the globe in tears. Reunions, returns, pregnancies and wedding surprises aside, there was one shocking twist in GL's final week that viewers never expected: Alan's death from a heart attack. Ron Raines chats with Digest about his alter's sudden, tragic end and what he thought about the Emmys GL tribute.
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Ron Raines
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Soap Opera Digest: Your final scenes with Grant Aleksander, when Phillip discovers Alan on the bench, were wrenching! How'd you maintain your composure?
Ron Raines: You just do it! It was in one take. Alan had rigimortis very early on [laughs]. I was sitting straight up so Alan died with his head held high, which I thought was kind of funny.
Digest: When Ellen Wheeler told you what she had planned for Alan, what was your reaction?
Raines: I was surprised but I thought it was great story. She said, "And if we're picked up [in the future], we already know how we're going to bring you back!" It was terrific, and how the wrap up of Alan is a full circle. He, of all people in the town, to see the light so to speak and change. It's really very powerful, I thought and I hope fans felt that way.
Digest: I think fans were utterly shocked and truly didn't see it coming. I didn't read a single spoiler regarding Alan's death, especially after the surgery was a success.
Raines: I was really thrilled about that, too. People kind of said, "Oh, this is something we don't want to leak out. Let's protect this." It was a powerful surprise and even the people who knew it didn't say anything. There were people outside [of GL] who told me later that they knew but they didn't tell.
Digest: I loved the Alan/Buzz scenes last week as well.
Raines: Of course, I love working with Justin [Deas, Buzz]. I adore him. I also thought that Grant did an incredible job. There were so many layers. I'm proud of my colleagues.
Digest: What do you think about turning Springfield's villain into a hero?
Raines: I know there are those, including myself, saying that Alan could never change. Then there's that part of me that thinks maybe that [the bone marrow transplant] indeed was his epiphany and since he has conquered this demon inside of him, he did change. Then I'm like, "Well then he wouldn't be any fun!" You've got to have an a**hole to stir things up! I loved playing that.
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Death Becomes Him: Raines credits Grant Aleksander (Phillip) for helping make his final scenes so powerful.
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Digest: Are you satisfied with the way the rest of GL wrapped up?
Raines: Yes I am. This is very complicated stuff, to wrap up all these characters in some way. It's amazing.
Digest: You told me before, however, that this storyline was your favorite.
Raines: Oh, yeah. It was driving, emotional, real and something to really sink your teeth into as an actor. I just really thought it was written well. Jill Lorie Hurst, I can't believe what she's done the last few months writing-wise. She's incredible. Just about the time we started to get our pace [after the production model change], some other kind of insanity would happen and then the show got cancelled. It's like we never landed. For her to write this kind of story, with all this insanity around her and deadlines, it's amazing what she's done. The creators of the story really deserve a terrific amount of credit in my book.
Digest: What responses have you received from fans regarding Alan's death?
Raines: On my Web site, they're just very thankful for how fitting it is that Alan finally found peace. It's nice to hear it. I'm very moved by the feelings of these people and how much [GL] has meant to them and how much they're going to miss it. I'm just kind of blown away by it, to be honest with you.
Digest: Now that it's all over, what's it like not having to get up and go to the studio?
Raines: Well, it's been kind of relaxing [laughs]! I'm finally sleeping well. I am liking kicking back a little. We were all very tired. It's been stressful, emotional and a terrific ride the last four months, especially. What I was so impressed with was the character of the [GL] company and how we bonded even more and never once did the work ethic falter or slip. They realized they were taking the show across the finish line and how many lives it had touched. I'm proud to be a part of the end of this great historical show. I was really moved by our cast. I can't say enough.
Digest: But you're still keeping busy!
Raines: I did a show in Omaha and I'm going to San Francisco next month to sing for the President's Cup. I'm singing big band, 30 minutes in a big gala type of thing. I'm really excited about that and get to meet some great golfers, Tiger Woods. Then I'm doing Little Night Music in Detroit for all of November, basically. So, I've got things to do!
Digest: Thoughts on the GL tribute at the Emmys?
Raines: Well, you know, it wasn't very much but at least it was something. They made the effort. You can always nit-pick but a minute in television is a big deal.
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I am in shock still, there is no Guiding Light on today. What does a girl do. Please put another soap opera in its place. I watch talk shows in the am not in the middle of the afternoon. I miss you Guiding Light. I am lost.
i feel as though it was sudden that you take my favorite soap off the air i have been a devoted fan of guiding light for forty years. i think you should have a change of heart and put it back on the air i'm so disappointed. please reconcider to put it back on the air, ifeel if any soap was to be taken off the air it should have been bold and the beautiful. please take it into consideration.
IT WAS SO HARD TODAY NOT TO BE ABLE TO WATCH THE BEST SOAP THAT WAS EVER CREATED,,TAKE OFF BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL.. ITS THE SAME OLE WITH IT ,,,GIVE US BACK THE REAL THING....THESE PEOPLE WHERE ARE FAMILY,,,,,GIVE US BACK THE LIGHT!!!!!
What a wonderful interview. Ron is very positive and had only good things to say about the show, cast, writers, producers. Good Luck. I have loved Alan Spauldings character over the years and will miss Guiding Light.
I have to agree I am so lost today without Guiding Light. I grew up watching the show with my grandmother and mom since i was the age of 2 now in my forties. This show was about family. CBS or Proctor and Gamble dropped the ball should have been As the World Turns that got the axe. Would have made sense to change the time Guiding Light came on to see if it attacted more viewers than cancel such a terrific show. Hats off to Ron Raines and all his fellow castmates. You will be truly missed for years to come. My light has gone off for the soap world.
Have watched GL since it first aired on tv...even listened on radio (I was totally young). The show was boring at times, but I continued to watch anyway. Loved the ending, a perfect send off for all the characters, especially the reunion of Reva and Josh. It was especially wonderful to bring back all characters from the past, the double marriage ceremonies, the new babies...all perfect for "The End." Maybe in a year the show will be back if any of the actors' are still available.
What happened to Jeffrey and Edmond? Alot of people I know are upset that it just leaves you hanging about these two, even after one year?
I do hope to be informed as to the singing performances of Ron Raines. I have all his CD's and am a big fan! He has an amazing voice which made me feel I really could forgive his character! I saw him in SF with the San Francisco Symphony. Amazing!!!!! Congratulations!
Well I have watched the GL since I was 5, I'm now 57 that means 52 years longer than I had my parents' children hubby grandkids & friends & I've had 4 friends for 30 + years but losing the light is just killing me. I'm praying there is hope somewhere internet just anywhere find something the real fans will be there! All of you GL cast & crew thank you for giving me an escape from everthing there was never a better soap & no one will ever touch the lives like GL has done.Thank you so much!! I love you all. Joanne PS.I'M STILL HOPING THAT SOMEONE OUT THERE WILL SEE WHAT A BIG MISTAKE IT WAS & BRING BACK GUIDING LIGHT RETURNS OR WHAT EVER NAME THEY WANT THEY CAN STILL CONTINUE WITH ALL STORYLINES GL CAST YOU ALL WHERE THE BEST OF THE BEST IN DAYTIME JUST KNOW YOU ARE SO TRULEY MISSED I STILL WANT TO BELIEVE!! WE LOVE YOU CAST & CREW YOUR # 1 STILL TO MANY OF US TRUE GL FANS!!!!
I also am a more than fifty year fan of the Guiding Light, I watched it with my Grandmother for years. I even played sick to stay home from school so I could catch up on the show. I miss the show and the cast very much. I also think that the ending was good, but they left too much open with no end. Everybody should have had an ending, what about Grady, he is still laying at the bottom of a cliff. Jeffrey should have come back and at least let Reva know that he is alive and still hunting Edmund and give her a choice of whom to be with. Just my opinion, I really loved this show. Thanks to all of the cast for many years of enjoyment.
Soap Opera you are my "Light."I tape you each day to watch you at night.Just to get a glimpse of some drama or maybe a fight!I would not know what to do if you faded from sight.How could I go on?It would take all my might.You must be put back on air or it wouldn't be right!
I didn't even know what happen i look up and price is right on. I thought my clock was wrong. This is so sad. I loved this show, and hate to see it end. I love my game show but it don't seem right Guiding Light gone, and so much was going on. What to do?????
Guiding Light Has been a part of my life since I was a little girl. My aunts used to watch it and call each other to discuss their story. No matter where I've lived or what was happening in my life, my friends from Guiding Light were always there to make the transition a little easier. I feel as though I've lost my best friend. I will miss it every day.
Guiding Light has been a part of my life since I was a litle girl. My mother listened to the show before it went on tv. She died in 2008 and was 92. She watched the show everyday. I also have been watching the show everyday. I wished there had been more on Jeffery and Edmund. I keep watching the last weeks esposides on my DVR to see if I missed something that would connect as to what happen to them. Even after the year I had hoped that Jeffrey would have let Reva know that he was alive, or that Johathan would have told Reva that he was alive. I sure hope Guiding Light comes out with another Book to show the new comers. I have the Guiding Light Book that was my mom's I keep it on my coffee table. I now look at it more often now that the show is over.
I'm going to miss GL I;ve been watching this show over 29 years since I did not understand english, this show tought me how to speak and understand english, I became attach to the cast, I was so happy to see Fletcher, Danny and Michelle come back, when I can't see the show I taped it for and watched it later. Now I wont't see reva and Josh no more Michelle and Danny please email+me, I remember back in the day the drama of santos family I love you all GL.
I watched the show since I was born, most of the time with my mom and grandmother. It is the best and only soap that I watch! I will miss it dearly. Please bring back the Light to all of us who love it and miss it!!!!
I still cant believe Guiding Light is done...I feel like I lost a family member...All I have left are the shows on my DVR...Who is the idiot that made this decision? They take the best show off tv but leave all the crap? I don't understand...it makes me so angry and so sad...I miss you already...please bring them back...please!
o.k!! well that's gratitude for ya!! is this how you say thank you to the million of fan's that faithfully watched a show that made you filthy rich for 72yrs.??? poof!! just like that it's over? i have personally been a fan of Guiding Light for 30+ years. and with out notice or endings to the story lines it's gone.. I feel you owed your viewer's alot more than that , where is the gratitude where are the good bye's where is the good bye's? what is wrong with you people?? every good story has an ending,or a happily ever after and the G.L fans deserved one
Guiding Light, we miss you. Thank you so much to all the wonderful cast members, who through the years became our family. We laughed with you and cried with you. We lived with you. You are so deeply missed. Please, powers-that-be, bring back Guiding Light.
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