Soaps are an endangered species

Autoworkers and newspaper reporters aren't the only ones worried about their jobs these days. Or worried about their industries.

These are also scary times for anyone who works on a daytime soap opera — an industry that some are predicting will soon face extinction.

Every daytime soap is in some degree of danger, not just "Guiding Light," which is going off the air for good on Sept. 18 after 72 years.

(The first 15 years were on radio; "Guiding Light" moved to CBS television in 1952.)

Overall ratings for daytime soaps have been in decline for years, and the ratings for "Guiding Light" were the lowest of any of them. While not entirely unexpected, the cancellation still sent a shockwave through the daytime serial landscape.

"It's a big buzz all through the medium," said "General Hospital" star Anthony Geary, a Utah native. "Whenever we lose one, it always affects all of us. The more competition there is, the better it is for any business.

"It was a real cornerstone in our medium, so to lose it is quite a blow."

It's just the latest to go, however — the latest victim of the long, slow decline that shows no signs of bottoming out. "Guiding Light" joins a long list of canceled daytime serials, including:

"Another World" (1964-99)

"The Brighter Day" (1954-62)

"The City/Loving" (1983-97)

"Dark Shadows" (1966-71)

"The Doctors" (1963-82)

"The Edge of Night" (1956-84)

"Generations" (1989-91)

"Love Is a Many Splendored Thing" (1967-73)

"Love of Life" (1951-80)

"Passions" (1999-2008)

"Port Charles" (1997-2003)

"Ryan's Hope" (1975-89)

"Santa Barbara" (1984-93)

"Search for Tomorrow" (1951-86)

"Somerset" (1970-76)

"Texas" (1980-82)