Why did Beth Ehlers (Harley) quit Guiding Light?

There is no good story line anymore on the show and after 10 years of being a fan, I quit taping it on my DVR. I saw the headlines in a magazine on why she quit, but I am too cheap to buy it.

Beth has given several interview to the soap mags the last couple of weeks but basicly she wasn’t happy with what they were doing to Harley and missed working with Ricky ( gus)
not to mention that GL is under a Huge Budget Cuts epecially reguarding Salaries.
here is the latest interview

“1/08 SOW – Interview w/BE re Reason She Quit
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Source: Spaulding Mansion Board

“Beth Ehlers Exclusive The Real Reason She Quit GL”

From SOW 7-1-08

CAROLYN: CBS Made it very clear they wanted to keep you, so what made you jump to ABC?

BETH: You Know how they work: First they give you a(lowball) offerand it always hurts your feelings. I passed. After that, I Think they were so shocked that I Passed that we all became grownups. Everybody spoke very seriously to one another about what I wanted and they needed. Guiding Light was wonderful and CBS was wonderful.

CAROLYN: But in the end you jumped to ABC. Why?

BETH: I Love my Ricky(Paull Goldin Ex-Gus now Jake on AMC). I Know it sounds strange, but when Ricky told me he was leaving, I didn’t really care where Harley was going anymore. I thought, “What would she do if Gus died? She would leave town.” It was like I was walking the halls grieving the death of this person. So following Ricky was one reason.

CAROLYN: What else?

BETH: The Interest that ABC expressed in having us work together again, and capitalizing on that popularity ABC has such focus on its shows- they own all their shows. And Brian(Frons, ABC Daytime Honcho)
is very passionate. When you speak to him, you can’t help but feel his belief in his shows. I liked that about the network. They are committed. They’re putting money into their shows. They Believe in them. That sold me.

CAROLYN: Do you feel like you had unfinished business with Harley

BETH: Not without Ricky there.My friends over there are still my friends regardless of whether I Work there or not. But in terms of finishing story for Harley, I Feel done with her. I Played her for 20 Years, and I Feel blessed because I do think she was one of the great characters, one of the great heroines in daytime. She was so complicated and funny and strong. She taught me a lot about myself too. But when Ricky left, I felt at an impasse. And I felt this desire to leave.

CAROLYN: We heard you also had an offer from The Young and The Restless.

BETH: Yes It was a great character, and they were wonderful. I loved meeting them. Y&R is a terrific show. I just didn’t want to move to California. My Kids are not potted plants. I can’t keep moving them you know?

CAROLYN: Tell me about your AMC character, Taylor McBride. She was an Army lieutenant in the Iraq War?

BETH: Yes I Know very little else about her. I actually spoke to Brian yesterday. He said, “What Do You want to know?” ’cause he’s great that way. I asked all the basic questions. “Whats my name? How old am I? Where do I live? Have I Ever been married? Do I have children?(laughs)What’s my favorite color? I need to know who this girl is, because I’m not going to be talking the first time you see me.

CAROLYN: Are you injured?

BETH: No nothing like that. I don’t want to elaborate. I just don’t have to speak.

CAROLYN: Okay. Did you know Grant Aleksander(Ex-Phillip GL) used to be on AMC (as Alec McIntyre)

BETH: He played with Kelly (Ripa), right?

CAROLYN: Yes. Wouldn’t it be funny if he came back?

BETH: I would love that. whenever anybody asks me, “If you could bring back anyone to Guiding Light who would it be?” I’ve always said Grant. That was a huge loss for that show. None of us knows what really happened there, but he certainly got screwed in some way. And he was our big leading man! He was our Victor Newman, our Adam Chandler. I don’t think we ever recovered from that.

CAROLYN: Have you heard the rumor that GL might recast Harley with Cady McLain(ex-Dixie, AMC; Ex-Rosanna ATWT)?

BETH: Actually, Isort of suggested that. I don’t know Cady but shewas the first name that came into my head when I thought about who they could recast me with.

CAROLYN: Harley never would have left her kids to go on the run with Rafe, so they’ve got to address it.

BETH: Yeah, and it can’t be somebody that doesn’t have any daytime experience. Cady’s a terrific actress, so it’s not like I’m sitting here going, “That hag!” She’d be great.

NEXT WEEK: What happened when Beth went back to GL to clean out her dressing room-and why AMC changed their minds about her being Liza Colby.

GOOD Magazine: Skid Row Part 1: Introduction

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