Errol

Exactly why I said the above. Regardless of one's politics, some extremists will see the summary of the show with the phrase "Black soap" in it and believe that the show isn't for them and that it is a DEI project, this can be said whether one is politically left or politically right, hence what I said about media and politicians. I want BTG to be a huge success for CBS, not just because they are highlighting an underrepresented demographic, but because it is a new soap opera in an era where soaps are "dying." I don't want B&B, GH, or Y&R added Black characters just because it's the "in" thing. I want them to add them and UTILIZE them because they have great characters with great storylines. The cynic in me is prepared for ABC/Hulu (and Peacock) seeing how BTG performs and thinking they must have a "Black soap" on their lineup/platform, too. Unfortunately, they will think it's just about the race bait and not the characters themselves, and ultimately ruin it with their potentially less-than-quality product.

Not to taint the thread, but I am seriously getting annoyed with the phrase "Black soap." Therefore, I'm personally not going to refer to the show as such. Does the show have a predominantly Black cast? Yes, but it is not a "Black soap." There shouldn't be such a thing, IMO. Just like there isn't a "White soap." For me, the phrase is a huge turn off for general audiences and I hope it doesn't deter people from tuning in, thinking the show can't be consumed by them simply because they aren't "Black." This can be said of White, Latino, Asian, or any other ethnic background. I've been thinking about this for a while, not just in terms of Beyond the Gates, but in general. Media and politicians like to place things into categories but only do so to fit certain key narratives, and I'm tired of it. For me, Beyond the Gates is just a daytime soap opera with a predominantly Black cast. Its storylines aren't going to be any different than the ones featured on other shows, with rare exceptions, and it shouldn't be put into a bubble where the world thinks it's just a soap catering to a specific demographic (an underrepresented one, yes), whereas the other soaps are geared towards everyone else. One of the things that has always bothered me about "Black" being used to refer to race when talking about shows or movies, is that the term "black comedy" doesn't refer to race at all. Dictionary definition: Although the same definition doesn't apply to "Black drama," I'm sticking to my stance on the matter overall. Ted Talk over.

With media companies seeking more ways for cross-platform planning, audience measurement, outcome measurement and optimization solutions, Nielsen, the long-time measurement leader for broadcast and cable television ratings, is currently in an ongoing contract dispute with CBS. While the two parties continue talks, the network is now utilizing Nielsen rival VideoAmp to measure the ratings performance for its shows. According to Live+7 ratings data released by the measurement company, CBS’ daytime lineup is displaying substantial growth among Total Viewers just seven weeks into the young 2024-2025 broadcast television season (09/23/24 – 11/5/24). Highlighted by game shows “The Price is Right” and “Let’s Make a Deal,” and soap operas “The Young and the Restless” and “The Bold and the Beautiful,” CBS remains the most-watched daytime network overall, averaging 3.83 million viewers, led by the most-watched program, “The Price is Right” (5.38 million), up +4% year-over-year. Maintaining its lead as the most-watched daytime drama series, “The Young and the Restless” (5.09 million) placed second, up +5% year-over-year, while “The Bold and the Beautiful” (4.13 million) ranked third among all daytime shows and second among daytime dramas, up +5% year-over-year. Meanwhile, “Let’s Make a Deal” (3.34 million) is up +4% year-over-year. Looking into the future, the new daytime drama series “Beyond the Gates” is expected to further the network’s lead in the daypart when it joins the CBS daytime lineup on Monday, February 24, 2025, where it’ll air weekdays at 2:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT, replacing talk show “The Talk.” Created by Michele Val Jean (“General Hospital,” “The Bold and the Beautiful”), who also serves as executive producer/showrunner and head writer, “Beyond the Gates” marks the first time ever that a one-hour daytime drama will feature a predominately Black cast and is the first daytime drama to premiere since “Passions” in 1999. Outside of daytime, CBS’ “The Late Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (3.61 million), hosted by comedian Stephen Colbert, is up +16% year-over-year, retaining its lead as the most-watched late night series. Note: Ratings data reported by Soap Opera Network each week has historically been via Nielsen. Note: The post ‘The Price is Right’ & ‘The Young and the Restless’ Average More Than 5 Million Daily Viewers in Delayed Ratings appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website. Read More

Although not by timeslot, the soaps still compete among their genre. It would be very noticeable by CBS should Beyond the Gates outperform B&B among the demos, and viewers overall. So, while not direct competition since they'll be on the same network, the performance of both shows (and Y&R) will be closely watched, followed and studied by CBS execs.

Agree with the pros. Jill and Guza's GH was too dark and more concentrated on the core four. I wasn't much of a fan. Riche and Guza's GH was the best, not factoring in the 1999/2000 boyband craze with Emily/Juan/Lucky/Liz quad. According to Michele Val Jean, it wasn't Guza who wanted to exit Alan Quartermaine, and allegedly it wasn't JFP either. However, the late Jacklyn Zeman was ousted by JFP as Bobbie. That's true. https://www.soapoperanetwork.com/2012/08/jacklyn-zemans-bombshell-gh-interview Technically, the core four at BTG will be the Duprees, led by Anita and Vernon, followed by their daughters Nicole and Dani. So, if anything, they'll be front and center for the most part, but I'm okay with that as each of them will help expand the other characters. Unlike at GH where it was just the same four in the same storylines with the other characters being window dressing.

The mob became the core of the show under Guza, yes. I do blame Frons more for that though as Guza was able to provide a well balanced show for the most part up until it became mob and central all the time with the four core (Sonny, Jason, Carly & Sam). That said, Guza is a great writer with many great ideas. I would consider him a visionary for the genre. Additionally, considering he's been gone from the industry for 13 years, I'm sure he has a lot of fresh ideas to present.

‘Beyond the Gates’ Formally Announces Writing Team, ‘Robert Guza Jr. Named Co-Head Writer Alongside Creator Michele Val Jean Robert Guza Jr. formally named co-head writer of “Beyond the Gates” with Ron Carlivati, Sara A. Bibel and Christopher Dunn, among others, joining as breakdown writers.

Following up on this week’s announcement that “Beyond the Gates” will premiere Monday, February 24, 2025 on CBS, the network is formally announcing the show’s writing team. Robert Guza, Jr., who had previously been named an executive producer alongside creator, head writer, executive producer and showrunner Michele Val Jean, will also be part of the show’s writers’ room as co-head writer. In addition to serving as head writer at “General Hospital,” Guza is also best known for his writing work on “Santa Barbara” (writer), “Sunset Beach” (co-creator; co-head writer) and “Loving” (co-head writer). In primetime, his writing credits include “Melrose Place,” “Models Inc.” and “General Hospital: Night.” He was a story consultant for “Port Charles,” the first spinoff series for “General Hospital” early in the show’s run. Susan Dansby, who most recently served as a writer at “The Young and the Restless” working in various writing capacities, including story consultant, is joining “Beyond the Gates” as the show’s script editor. Dansby’s previous daytime work includes associate head writer at “As The World Turns,” and directing at both “General Hospital” and spin-off series “Port Charles.” She had also served as a consulting producer for “Ambitions” and as an associate producer at “General Hospital.” Michael Montgomery will serve as the show’s continuity producer, having previously served as a script and story coordinator, breakdown writer and scriptwriter at “The Young and the Restless.”Judy Tate (“Another World,” “As The World Turns”), Danielle Paige (“Days of our Lives,” “Guiding Light”), Jazmen Darnell Brown (“Ambitions,” “Saints and Sinners”), Cheryl L. Davis (“As The World Turns,” “Days of our Lives”) and Lynn Martin (“The City,” “The Young and the Restless”) have been hired as the show’s scriptwriters while the breakdown writers include Ron Carlivati (“One Life to Live,” “Days of our Lives”), Sara A. Bibel (“The Young and the Restless”), Christopher Dunn (“Santa Barbara,” “All My Children”), Gregori J. Martin (“The Bay”) and Teresa Zimmerman (“The Young and the Restless,” “The Bold and the Beautiful”). The new daytime drama series from the CBS Studios/NAACP Venture will air weekdays at 2:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT on the CBS Television Network and will be available to stream Live and On Demand on Paramount+*. Production on “Beyond the Gates” formally began on Wednesday, October 30 with the cast, crew and producers gathering at the show’s new Atlanta, Georgia-based studio for a ribbon cutting ceremony ahead of the first cast table read. Commemorating the start of season one, the cast also came together and contributed signed scripts and letters to their future selves that would be placed inside a time capsule and encased on the series stages for future retrieval. Physical production for the series began on Friday, November 1. “Beyond the Gates” stars Tamara Tunie, Clifton Davis, Daphnee Duplaix, Karla Mosley, Alex Alegria, Lauren Buglioli, Brandon Claybon, Timon Kyle Durrett, Sean Freeman, Ben Gavin, Marquita Goings, Jibre Hordges, Jen Jacob, Maurice Johnson, Trisha Mann-Grant, Mike Manning, RhonniRose Mantilla, Ambyr Michelle, Colby Muhammad and Arielle Prepetit. Set in a leafy Maryland suburb just outside of Washington D.C., and in one the most affluent African American counties in the United States, “Beyond The Gates” is where viewers will find a posh gated community filled with winding tree-lined streets and luxurious mansions that the wealthy call home. At the center of it all are the Duprees, a powerful and prestigious multi-generational family who are the very definition of Black royalty. Behind these pristine walls and lush, manicured gardens are juicy secrets and scandals waiting to be uncovered, while those living outside these gates are watching ever closely. For every person who has “made it,” there are always those who have not. Follow the characters as they live, love, work, and play, all while trying to navigate life… some more gracefully than others. Developed and produced by the CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, led by Sheila Ducksworth, in partnership with P&G Studios, a division of Procter & Gamble, “Beyond the Gates” marks the first-ever one-hour Black daytime soap opera and the first daytime drama series to premiere since “Passions” in 1999. In addition to Michele Val Jean and Robert Guza Jr., Julie Carruthers (“All My Children,” “Port Charles”), Leon Russell, Derrick Johnson, Kimberly Doebereiner and Anna Saalfeld as executive producers, along with Ducksworth. *Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers will have access to stream Live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as On Demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream Live but will have access to On Demand the day after the series airs. Note: The post ‘Beyond the Gates’ Formally Announces Writing Team, ‘Robert Guza Jr. Named Co-Head Writer Alongside Creator Michele Val Jean appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website. Read More

More good news coming...depending on how you look at it, of course.

The above is the only time I have ever seen anyone say such B.S. "Version D"? Stop posting this nonsense. This is another example of what Toups and I have been constantly telling you NOT to post as you are NOT an insider. You find things written on social media and take whatever you get and proclaim it as fact. This is not. Here's what I know, it wasn't corporate that stepped in and said "Fire this 21-year veteran." And this is why I removed the ability. People can not continue posting something, and delete it after being called out, only to pretend they didn't do what they did. Had I not removed the feature, I wouldn't have seen this latest mess. Thank you for confirming why I made the best decision on the "edit post" matter.

Donna... Saying you aren't an insider, yet continuing to post information that is neither factual nor verifiable outside of your own comments is the very definition of what Toups and I have been talking to you about for MONTHS!!!! First and foremost, Billy Miller was fired. His mother said so and Kelly has said so. So your claim otherwise, is contradicted by people who would know and your version is not verifiable by any trust source.

Mandi Line Joins ‘The Young and the Restless’ As New Costume Designer "The Young and the Restless" has hired Mandi Line ("Pretty Little Liars," "The Bold Type") as the show's new costume designer. Her work can be seen on screen beginning Monday, November 18.

Best known for her design work on such shows as “Pretty Little Liars,” “Death and Other Details” and “The Bold Type,” the Costume Designer’s Guild Award and CAFTCAD (Canadian Alliance of Film and Television Costume Arts and Design) award-nominated Mandi Line is heading to “The Young and the Restless” as the show’s new costume designer. Viewers can look expect to see what Line has in store for the people of Genoa City beginning with the Monday, November 18 episode of the CBS daytime drama series. “There was one world in 30 years of my career I hadn’t conquered, and that was soaps! When I got the call I thought, ‘Yep! This is where I’m meant to be,’” Line said in a statement. “After my first fitting with Melody Thomas Scott [Nikki Newman] I knew I was home, feeling excited and grateful to bring what I do best to Genoa City.” In an Instagram post, LIne said, To all those that came before me and worked very hard… I’m grateful to step into all the hard working history that has come before me.” “Every designer on this historical long running show has made their mark and was there for their time and served a beautiful purpose,” continued Line. “I’m in awe of all of those who have been part of this show.” A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), Line began her career designing music videos, red carpet appearances, and independent films, working with such stars as Kirsten Dunst, Mandy Moore, Lucy Hale, and such rock groups as Linkin Park and Korn, before transitioning to television as head costume designer for the ABC Family series “Greek.” During her six-season run on the series “Pretty Little Liars,” Line worked with the brand Aéropostale to launch the “Pretty Little Liars” apparel collection. Her other television credits include Showtime’s “Shameless,” The CW’s “Charmed,” FOX’s “BH90210,” Lifetime’s “Unreal” (Pilot), and the Netflix series “Travelers.” Among films, Line has designed for over 26 productions, and her work has been featured in periodicals such as Cosmopolitan, Us Weekly, The New York Times Style Section, InStyle, and OK Magazine. In March 2020, Line created and produced the popular Instagram Live show and podcast, “Convos with Costume Designers, ” featuring over 50 interviews with Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning costume designers. “The Young and the Restless” airs weekdays on CBS. Stream Live and On Demand on Paramount+. Note: The post Mandi Line Joins ‘The Young and the Restless’ As New Costume Designer appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website. Read More

That's a Bluesky issue.

Thus far, Colton Little, Tina Huang, Eric Braeden and Maura West, along with SON (and myself), Soap Hub, Soap Opera News and Daytime Confidential are also available on Blue Sky.

Just over two months since it was first announced that former “All My Children” star Alexa Havins (ex-Babe Carey) would be joining the cast of “General Hospital” as a recast Lulu Spencer, we’re finally learning when the actress will be making her return to daytime television. In an interview published in the latest issue of TV Guide Magazine, on newsstands this week, the magazine reveals that fans will finally get to see Havins beginning with the Monday, November 18 episode. “The writers have written some fun things,” the actress said of what viewers can expect from her character, last played by Emme Rylan. “She’s waking up from a four-year coma, so we’ve got a lot of twists and turns and we hit the ground running,” Havins added. Alexa Havins, Justin Bruening Jill Johnson/JPI Studios Since exiting daytime in 2007, Havins went on to make several guest appearances in such shows as “CSI: Miami,” “CSI: NY,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Castle,” “Constantine,” “Barry” and even “Sweet Magnolias,” which features her real-life husband and former “All My Children” co-star, Justin Bruening (ex-Jamie Martin), in a starring role. Speaking to TV Guide Magazine, Havins touched upon working alongside her husband on his Netflix series, which she thought at one time would have been her last acting gig. “When they asked me to play Justin’s ex [Vicky], I said to him, ‘Oh, this will wrap it up in a little bow. It’ll be sweet for the kids. We met on the first thing I did and [worked together] on the last thing I did,” noted Havins. Although “Sweet Magnolias” and “General Hospital” are just two of the latest projects that appear on Havins’ IMDb page, both she and Justin also appear together in the film “Right Here, Right Now.” Released earlier this year, the film tells the story of high schoolers who find themselves on the outside looking in while dealing with all the trials and tribulations that come with being a teenager facing everyday realities. Alexa and Justin portray Mr. and Mrs. Turner, the parents of Aria Walters’ character, Rowan Turner. In 2011, Havins starred as Esther Drummond in the BBC America original series “Torchwood.” Note: The post Find Out When Alexa Havins Will Make Her ‘General Hospital’ Debut as Lulu Spencer appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website. Read More

Loren Lott Interview

Brytni Sarpy

Conner Floyd Interview

I started looking into this after I saw they confirmed the time slot. This is why I was hoping they wouldn't put the show in The Talk's slot, but we shall see. Will let you know if I hear anything.

See above...

Agreed. Even though I did see the first couple of episodes of Sunset Beach (missed first two episodes), Port Charles and Passions, this is the first time I get to watch a brand new soap as an adult. The previous occasions, I couldn't tune in daily due to being in middle/high school so I wasn't as aware of everything going on early on. I only really kept up with Passions in its latter years due to SON.

The final week of episodes featuring Kelly Monaco in the role of Sam McCall on “General Hospital” led the ABC daytime drama series to hit or tie its season high among both Women 18-49 and Women 25-54 rating. During the week of October 28-November 1, 2024, “General Hospital” averaged a 0.22 unrounded rating among Women 18-49 and a 0.35 unrounded rating among Women 25-54. Pulling in a 0.40 unrounded rating among Women 25-54 and a 0.26 rating among Women 18-49, the Thursday, October 31 episode was the highest-rated episode for the week and also saw Monaco’s Sam character die from a sudden heart attack. Among Women 18-49, the episode tied for the highest-rated single episode of the young 2024-2025 television season, while among Women 25-54 the episode was the highest-rated of the season thus far. Compared to the same week last year, “General Hospital” was up among Women 18-49 (0.22 rating vs. 0.21 rating). The only other show to see year-to-year increases in the demo was “GMA3: What You Need to Know” which pulled in a 017 rating this year vs. its 0.14 rating last year. For the third consecutive week, “The Bold and the Beautiful” tied its unrounded season high among Women 18-49 and hit a new season high among Women 25-54 with a 0.41 rating. “The Young and the Restless” averaged a 0.43 rating among Women 25-54, tying its season high for the second consecutive week. Meanwhile, among Women 18-49, the soap was virtually on par with its season high, pulling in a 0.24 rating, down -0.01 from its week ago performance (0.24 rating vs. 0.25 rating). Among individual episodes, Wednesday, October 30 was the highest-rated single episode of the week among unrounded Women 25-54 while also becoming the highest-rated single episode of the season for both shows. “The Young and the Restless” pulled in a 0.51 rating among Women 25-54 on the day while “The Bold and the Beautiful” pulled in a 0.45 rating. Wrap-Up What follows is a breakdown of how daytime broadcast performed during the week of October 28-November 1, 2024 in Women 18-49 and Women 25-54, including their performance during the comparable week last year. A closer look at how the daytime soaps performed, specifically their daily performance breakdown in the demos, will be posted shortly. Note: Only figures available to Soap Opera Network at press time are published below. Women 18-49 Rating (Unrounded) Rank / Show / NetworkThis WeekLast Week20231. The Price Is Right 2 (CBS)0.370.360.452. The Price Is Right 1 (CBS)0.330.330.403. TODAY 3rd Hour (NBC)0.260.300.354. The Young and the Restless (CBS)0.240.250.36— The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)0.240.240.34— Let’s Make a Deal 2 (CBS)0.240.230.30— The View (ABC)0.240.220.238. Let’s Make a Deal 1 (CBS)0.230.210.269. General Hospital (ABC)0.220.220.2110. TODAY with Hoda & Jenna (NBC)0.190.230.3111. GMA3: What You Need to Know (ABC)0.170.160.1412. The Talk (CBS)0.150.150.2013. NBC News Daily (NBC)0.130.180.18Source: Nielsen (Live+Same Day) – October 28-November 1, 2024 Women 25-54 Rating (Unrounded) Rank / Show / NetworkThis WeekLast Week20231. The Price Is Right 2 (CBS)0.520.580.622. The Price Is Right 1 (CBS)0.480.530.563. The Young and the Restless (CBS)0.430.430.524. The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)0.410.360.475. TODAY 3rd Hour (NBC)0.400.450.496. The View (ABC)0.360.310.377. General Hospital (ABC)0.350.300.388. Let’s Make a Deal 2 (CBS)0.340.360.439. Let’s Make a Deal 1 (CBS)0.310.310.3810. TODAY with Hoda & Jenna (NBC)0.290.340.4111. The Talk (CBS)0.240.220.2912. GMA3: What You Need to Know (ABC)0.230.230.2613. NBC News Daily (NBC)0.210.260.27Source: Nielsen (Live+Same Day) – October 28-November 1, 2024 The numbers above are calculated using Live+Same Day viewing and DVR playback, defined as 3:00 a.m.-3:00 a.m., and are courtesy of Nielsen. Beginning August 31, 2020, national ratings include Out of Home (OOH) viewing. Previously, ratings did not include OOH viewing. Averages are based on regular telecasts. LEGEND R = RepeatS = SpecialP = PremiereNR = Not Rated / Not RankedN/A = Not Available* denotes further information Note: The post Daytime Broadcast Ratings for the Week of October 28-November 1, 2024 appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website. Read More

Amazon Freevee shuttered. All content previously available through the service has already been transitioned to Prime Video, staying in front of the paywall (i.e. remaining free). https://deadline.com/2024/11/freevee-shut-down-amazon-prime-video-1236172644

Follow ‘Beyond The Gates’ on Social Media, Get First Look at Cast in Costume & On Set CBS is going “Beyond the Gates” with the launch of official social channels for the Michele Val Jean-created daytime drama series while giving fans a first look at cast on set.