Guiding Light was the longest-running American television soap opera. As of early 1994, it was the daytime soap opera with the highest proportion of female characters. In the 1990s, it also turned the series' "monster", the character of Roger Thorpe, into a protagonist.

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Show development

Pam Long, who had served as headwriter from 1983 to 1985 and again beginning in 1987, left the show in early 1991 and was replaced by a triumvirate of writers, Nancy Curlee, Stephen Demorest and James Reilly, the latter who went on to write Days of Our Lives and create Passions for NBC.The realism of the early 1990s was in stark contrast to the mid-1980s, when self-described "Slut of Springfield", Reva Shayne (played by Kim Zimmer) was Guiding Lights central character and storylines tended to be more campy. In fact, executive producer Jill Farren Phelps believed the show was so good without her she didn't approach Zimmer to return even though Zimmer was available. For a time, Phelps was right; the show had become much more of an ensemble piece, with several key players.

Executive producers + Guiding Light executive producers Name Years Robert Calhoun July 3, 1989 – July 12, 1991 Jill Farren Phelps July 15, 1991 – May 26, 1995 Michael Laibson May 29, 1995 – December 6, 1996 Paul Rauch December 9, 1996 – December 24, 2002

Major charactersThe Bauers Dr. Ed Bauer (Peter Simon, 1981–1984, 1986–1996, 2002–2004, 2009; Robert Gentry, 1966–1969, 1997–1998) Maureen Reardon Davenport Bauer (Ellen Parker, 1986–1993, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004) Dr. Rick Bauer (Michael O'Leary, 1983–1986, 1987–1991, 1995–2009) Michelle Bauer Santos (Rachel Miner, 1989–1995; Rebecca Budig, 1995–1998; Bethany Joy Lenz, 1998–2000) Meta Bauer White Roberts Banning (Mary Stuart, 1996–1999, 2000–2002)The Spauldings Alexandra Spaulding (Beverlee McKinsey, 1984–1992; Marj Dusay, 1993–1997, 1998–1999, 2002–2009) Alan Spaulding (Ron Raines, 1994–2009) Phillip Spaulding (Grant Aleksander, 1982–1984, 1986–1991, 1996–2004, 2005, 2009) Alan-Michael Spaulding (Carl T. Evans, 1987–1990, 1997–1998, 2001; Rick Hearst, 1990–1996; Michael Dietz, 1996–1997) Beth Raines (Beth Chamberlin, 1989–1991, 1997–2009) Nick McHenry Spaulding (Vincent Irizarry, 1991–1996, 1998) Lizzie Spaulding (Julie Levine, 1990–1991; Hayden Panettiere, 1996, 1997–2000) Amanda Spaulding Thorpe (Toby Poser, 1995–1998)The Lewises H.B. Lewis (Larry Gates, 1983–1988, 1989, 1990–1995) Billy Lewis (Jordan Clarke, 1983–1987, 1989–1993, 1996–1998, 1999–2009; Geoffrey Scott, 1993–1994) Joshua "Josh" Lewis (Robert Newman, 1981–1984, 1986–1991, 1993–2009) Shayne Lewis (Travis Cartier, 1990–1991; Bret Cooper, 1993–1997; Garrett Stevens, 1997–1999; Tony Michael Donnelly, 1999) Reva Shayne Lewis Lewis Spaulding Lewis Cooper Lewis Lewis (Kim Zimmer, 1983–1990, 1995–2009) Vanessa Chamberlain Lewis Lewis Reardon (Maeve Kinkead, 1980–1981, 1982–1987, 1989–2000, 2002, 2005, 2006–2009) Mindy Lewis Spaulding Corday Jeffries Spaulding, (Kimberley Simms, 1989–1992, 1997; Ann Hamilton, 1993; Barbara Crampton, 1993–1995) Dylan Lewis (Morgan Englund, 1989–1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2006, 2009) Bill Lewis III (Bryan Buffington, 1989–1998; Ryan Brown, 1998–2001) Marah Lewis (Ashley Peldon, 1988–1991; Kimberly J. Brown, 1993–1998, 2006; Lauren C. Mayhew, 1998–1999; Laura Bell Bundy, 1999–2001)The Reardons/Chamberlains Bridget Reardon Lewis (Melissa Hayden, 1991–1997, 2009) Matt Reardon (Kurt McKinney, 1994–2000, 2005, 2006–2009) Chelsea Reardon (Kassie DePaiva, 1986–1991) Nola Reardon Chamberlain (Lisa Brown, 1980–1985, 1995–1998, 2009) Quinton "Quint" Chamberlain (Michael Tylo, 1981–1985, February 27, 1996–1997; Josh Taylor, 1997) Anthony James "J" Chamberlain (Ethan Erickson, 1996–1998)The Marler/Thorpes Ross Marler (Jerry verDorn, 1979–2005) Christina "Blake" Thorpe Spaulding Spaulding Marler Marler (Sherry Stringfield, 1989–1992; Elizabeth Keifer, 1992–2009) Holly Norris Bauer Thorpe Lindsey Reade (Maureen Garrett, 1976–1980, 1988–2006, 2009) Roger Thorpe (Michael Zaslow, 1971, 1972–1975, 1975–1977, 1978–1980, 1989–1997; Dennis Parlato, 1997–1998) Hart Jessup (Jeff Phillips, 1991–1992; Leonard Stabb, 1993; Sean McDermott, 1993; Marshall Hilliard, 1995–1996; Frank Grillo, 1996–1999) Dinah Marler Thorpe Jessup (Wendy Moniz, 1995–1999) Samantha Marler (Suzy Cote, 1989–1992)The Coopers Frank Cooper (Frank Dicopoulos, 1987–2009) Harley Davidson Cooper Spaulding Mallet Spaulding Aitoro (Beth Ehlers, 1987–1993, 1997–2008) Dante "Pops Cooper" Kouperakis (Vince O'Brien, 1987 until February 1990), character killed in the Fifth Street fire Nadine Corley Cooper Lewis Cooper (Jean Carol, 1988–1995, 2003, 2004, 2006) Eleni Andros Spaulding Cooper (Melina Kanakaredes, 1991–1995; Wendy Kaplan, 1994–1995; Jennifer Roszell, 1995–1999, 2001–2002, 2006, 2008–2009) Stavros Kouperakis (Eugene Troobnik, 1991–1995) Jenna Bradshaw Thorpe Morgan Cooper (Fiona Hutchison, 1992–1994, 1996–1998, 2006, 2009) Buzz Cooper (Justin Deas, 1993–2009) Lucy Cooper Spaulding (Sonia Satra, 1993–1997) Marina Cooper (Casey Rosenhaus, 1993–1995; Alysia Zucker, 1995–1996; Sasha Martin, 1996–1999)Other Characters''' Olivia Spencer Lewis Spaulding Spaulding Lewis, (Crystal Chappell, 1999–2009) Father Ray Santos (George Alvarez, 1999–2007, 2008–2009) Danny Santos (Paul Anthony Stewart, 1998–2005, 2009) Lillian Raines, R.N. (Tina Sloan, 1983–2009) Dr. Margaret Sedwick (Margaret Gwenver, 1982–2007) Dr. Charles Grant (David Wolos-Fonteno, 1995–2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006) Vivian Grant (Petronia Paley, 1992–1999) David Grant (Monti Sharp, 1992–1995; Russell Curry, 1995–1996; Terrell Tilford, 1998–2001) Dr. Eve Guthrie (Hilary Edson, 1992–2994) Dana Jones (Katell Plevin, 1989–1990) Rae Rooney (Allison Daugherty, 1990) Louisa Young (Holly Marie Combs, 1991–1993, 1994–1995) Daniel St. John (David Bishins, 1990–1992) Francesca Vizzini (Nadia Capone, 1991) Bess Lowell (Elizabeth Lawrence, 1993–1994) George (Sherilyn Wolter, 1993–1994) Tangie Hill (Marcy Walker, 1993–1995) Annie Dutton Bauer Lewis (Cynthia Watros, 1994–1998; Signy Coleman, 1998–1999, 2003) Fletcher Reade (Jay Hammer, 1984–1998, 1999, 2003–2004, 2009) Gilly Grant Speakes (Amelia Marshall, 1989–1996) Hampton Speakes (Vince Williams, 1989–1995) Kat Speakes (Nia Long, 1991–1994) A.C. Mallet (Mark Derwin, 1990–1993) Julie Camaletti (Jocelyn Seagrave, 1991–1994) Suzanne Deveraux (Juliet Pritner, 1991–1992) Sid Dickerson (Kelly Neal, 1994–1995) Abigail Blume Bauer (Amy Ecklund, 1995–2000) Marcus Williams (Kevin Mambo, 1995–1998) Griffin Williams (Geoffrey C. Ewing, 1995–1998) Dahlia Crede (Sharon Leal, 1996–1999) Cassie Layne (Laura Wright, 1997–2005) Tammy Layne (Katie Sagona, 1997–2002) Richard Winslow (Bradley Cole, 1999–2002) Edmund Winslow (David Andrew Macdonald, 1999–2005, 2006, 2007, 2009) Jesse Blue (Paulo Benediti, 1997–2000) Drew Jacobs (Tammy Blanchard, 1997–2000) Selena Davis (Patti D'Arbanville, 1998–2000)

Plot development

By the early 1990s, the Bauers, Spauldings, Lewises, and the Coopers had been established as core families in the fictional midwestern city of Springfield. Added to the Coopers (Harley and Frank) were Buzz Cooper, who had abandoned his wife Nadine and their two children, Harley and Frank, after his experiences in the Vietnam War.

The Reardons also returned somewhat at this time, Tony and his wife Annabelle had a son named Tom Reardon (name after Tony's dad Hugh Thomas Reardon) who was born prior to Bea briefly appearing back on the show in 1990 via a video tape recording during daughter Chelsea's failed attempt to marry Johnny Bauer and then again in the guise of Bea Reardon's second son (younger than her son Dr. Jim Reardon, who had been involved in the Dreaming Death and the Barbados-Spaulding storylines and then left in February 1985; but older than Tony), Sean Reardon and his wife Mary's children, Bridget Reardon who was introduced and living for a while with Ed and Maureen (Bridget also had the first child that was a grandson of Roger Thorpe's, Peter Lewis Reardon; Roger's long lost son, Hart Jessup), and also Matthew "Matt" Reardon, Bridget's older brother who ended up having a May–December romance and then marriage with Vanessa after Billy was sent to prison for attempting to murder Roger, in 1994. Bridget and Matt's younger siblings Ryan, Megan and Luke Reardon were mentioned but not seen. Chelsea Reardon left in early 1991. To the dismay of longtime viewers the entire Reardon family returned for Maureen's funeral in 1993. In 1998, it was mentioned that Nola Reardon and Quinton Chamberlain's daughter Stacey was attending college in California.

In August 1989, Dana Jones was introduced. She pretended to be Beth Raines. She later became involved with Rick, but the relationship ended when Rick discovered she had been pretending to be Beth. Dana then became involved with Frank Cooper, resulting in an engagement. During this same time Chelsea Reardon and Johnny Bauer also became engaged, and Chelsea's college friend, and teacher, Rae Rooney came to Springfield to be Chelsea's matron of honor. Chelsea was stalked by an unknown person, originally thought to be a crazed fan of Johnny's, due to Johnny being a talk show host and singer on WSPR-TV. Chelsea nearly lost her life twice, once when she was attacked by someone wielding a pair of gardening shears in a park gazebo, and once when her coffee was poisoned. Dana Jones became chief suspect when Rick caught her impersonating Chelsea. Chelsea was a news anchor at WSPR and Dana just wanted to be like her. Later when Dana paid a visit to the control booth at WSPR she caught Rae about to kill Chelsea, again, and so it was Rae who was the stalker. Rae shot Dana, and Dana was temporarily in a coma, at Cedars Hospital. Chelsea, Rick, Johnny and now private investigator Frank Cooper, were unaware that Rae was the stalker. Rae paid a private visit to Dana's hospital room, and seeing Rae in her room caused Dana to die of shock. In April 1990, Rae attempted to murder Chelsea, isolating her in her apartment. Rae despised Chelsea for supposedly making advances towards Rae's younger brother, Bobby. Bobby had committed suicide while in a mental hospital. Rick, Johnny and Frank were able to deduce the stalker's identity, rescued Chelsea, and Rae was sent to prison. Shortly after this, Chelsea and Johnny were written out, when Johnny left to go to be with Roxie Shayne in Switzerland, and Chelsea left to go on tour as a singer. Johhny's mom Lainie Donovan Bauer died (offscreen) at the end of 1990.

Reintroduced to the show was first a SORASed, Samantha Marler (Suzy Cote) (who got involved with Dylan Lewis, and ended up being severely injured and for a time in a wheelchair, when she threw herself out of the car Reva ended up driving off the bridge to her supposed death), and then Dr. Justin Marler who had since broken up with Helen Manzini returned from India to help both his daughter and his brother, Ross. (Although Justin left in the spring of 1991 when he was cured of his malaria that he had contracted while in India). Samantha departed in 1992.