Web Site Helps "Light" Celebrate 70 Years
"Guiding Light," the longest running show in broadcast history, is celebrating its 70th anniversary with the launch of an interactive Web site featuring behind-the-scenes content and user videos.
With the launch of FindYourLight.net the soap opera is introducing the show's yearlong "Find Your Light" theme. It's reminiscent of the soap's original theme (circa 1937) of community and brotherhood, which was creator Irna Phillips's vision when the show debuted on radio.
The Web site, which launched Wednesday, invites users to upload videos that illustrate what brings "light" to their own lives.
"FindYourLight.net was created to build a community between 'Guiding Light' and its fans," executive producer Ellen Wheeler said in a statement. "We are excited to provide a place online where everyone can participate in 'Guiding Light's' 70th anniversary celebration."Photos: Guiding Light: Then & Now
The site will spotlight videos from the cast's road trips this year with the volunteer organization Hands On Network.
"Guiding Light" will shut down production Jan. 22-26 as the entire cast heads down to the Gulf Coast to help rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Videos of the cast hard at work will be available for viewing on the site. A special Valentine's Day episode of the soap opera will give viewers the chance to see what the actors and actresses were to able construct.
Throughout the year, viewers will be able to track the cast on the Web site as they travel to different cities to do volunteer work.
"Our fans have given us the chance to entertain them for the past seven decades," Wheeler said. "Giving back to them in their community is our small way of saying thank you!"
"Guiding Light's" 70th anniversary retrospective airs Jan. 25 on CBS (check local listings).