Daytime Commando

Big soap opera news:

Guiding Light has announced plans to take on a revolutionary new production model. The production changes, which will take effect immediately and begin airing on CBS on Feb. 29, 2008, will bring a modern, more realistic look to the show, allowing viewers to be entertained by the stories and characters they love in a more intimate way.

Guiding Light's new model will represent an end-to-end transformation in the way the show is created, from direction to editing to scenic design. Permanent sets inside the show's New York City studio will now feature four walls and a ceiling and will increase in number from eight to forty, allowing viewers to see much more of the fictional town of Springfield. Handheld cameras will shoot the actors inside the sets and deliver a higher level of realism and intimacy to the audience. In addition to the changes inside the studio, the show has adopted the town of Peapack, NJ to shoot all of its exterior scenes, which will total approximately 20% of production--an unprecedented amount for a contemporary daytime drama.
(from the official GL fan club)

I don't like soap operas--except Y&R because I've been watching it semi-regularly from birth. However, I caught a little of this new-style GL and it was kind of cool in a weird way.

Compare this clip:


to this one from the old-fashioned GL:


Okay, it all sucks, but I like that they are trying something new. I may check in on it from time-to-time. It looks a lot more like Eastenders or a Japanese soap now. More here.