5.9
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Guiding Light (1952)
Guiding Light (1952)
Overview
Guiding Light is an American television soap opera that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running television drama in history, broadcast from 1952 until 2009, preceded by a 15-year broadcast on radio. Guiding Light stands as the third longest-running program in all of broadcast history; only the Norwegian children's radio program Lørdagsbarnetimen and the American country music radio program Grand Ole Opry have been on the air longer. On April 1, 2009, it was announced that CBS canceled Guiding Light after a 72-year run due to low ratings. The show taped its final scenes for CBS on August 11, 2009, and its final episode on the network aired on September 18, 2009.
Starring Cast
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Center
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
LGBTQ: Positive
Trans: Positive
Christianity: Positive
Viewer Rating
5.9
Overview
Guiding Light is an American television soap opera that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running television drama in history, broadcast from 1952 until 2009, preceded by a 15-year broadcast on radio. Guiding Light stands as the third longest-running program in all of broadcast history; only the Norwegian children's radio program Lørdagsbarnetimen and the American country music radio program Grand Ole Opry have been on the air longer. On April 1, 2009, it was announced that CBS canceled Guiding Light after a 72-year run due to low ratings. The show taped its final scenes for CBS on August 11, 2009, and its final episode on the network aired on September 18, 2009.
Starring Cast
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Center
Primary
The film's central focus on interpersonal relationships, family dynamics, and moral dilemmas within a community context positions it as largely apolitical, reflecting general societal values rather than promoting a specific political ideology.
The movie, a long-running American soap opera, primarily featured traditional casting and character portrayals, consistent with its historical context. Its narrative generally maintained a neutral or positive framing of traditional identities, without explicit critiques or central DEI themes.
Secondary
Guiding Light featured a groundbreaking and positively depicted same-sex relationship between Olivia Spencer and Natalia Rivera Aitoro. Their storyline explored the complexities of love, identity, and acceptance, ultimately affirming their bond despite societal challenges. The show portrayed their relationship with dignity and depth, contributing significantly to LGBTQ+ representation in daytime television.
The series featured a significant storyline involving Ava, a transgender woman, depicted with dignity and complexity. While initial reactions of shock and prejudice were explored, the narrative ultimately affirmed her worth and her relationship, aiming to educate and promote understanding of transgender identity.
The series originated with a minister as its central character, and its title, 'The Guiding Light,' symbolized spiritual guidance. The narrative consistently presented Christian faith, values, and community as sources of comfort, moral direction, and strength for its characters.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
Guiding Light is a long-running soap opera where characters are established with a consistent gender. There is no evidence or widely known instance of an established character's gender being changed during its run.
Guiding Light is a long-running original soap opera, not an adaptation of a prior work with established character races. While the show introduced diverse characters over its decades-long run, these were typically new roles rather than recasts of established characters with a different race.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
6.6
5.3
Critic Ratings
N/A
N/A
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