Chris B

Dani reminds me of an Erica Kane or Sami Brady. She's an over the top diva who does many questionable things so it can be difficult to feel sorry for her even when she's wronged. On the flip side with Hayley, she reminds me of a early Jill Abbott or Brooke Logan. She comes across as naive and innocent but still the decisions she makes are wrong and she needs to take accountability for that. I love that both of them are so complicated because it makes it more interesting to watch. I feel like these types of characters are sorely missing from the other soaps these days and things tend to be black and white.

It's nothing like either of those shows. I know people will throw tomatoes at me for saying this but I could find some comparisons to Ambitions which MVJ also had a hand in.

I don't think it reminds me of any of the soaps specifically. It feels like it was inspired by the soap genre through a Black cultural lens. Part of why I feel I can't place it as like a P&G or Bell or Agnes Nixon soap is because you have a Black woman leading the show. Michele's unique perspective and extensive experience is giving us something that feels familiar but new.

It could be to prepare for the wedding. It's typical when weddings are held at luxury hotels that the bride and groom would be given a suite to get ready in.

In Michael Fairman's interview posted a few pages back, Karla Mosley dropped a few interesting tidbits. Their lighting hadn't arrived when filming started which explains why the first episode was so brightly lit. She also mentioned that something happened where they had to film 17 episodes in a week. My guess is that this was reshoots due to technical issues and possibly allowing the cast time to adjust to a soap production model. That explains why starting with episode two we started seeing improved lighting and some of the performances as the week went on. I think it's nice they took care to make sure they got this first week right. I don't think it's unreasonable to say this was an incredible week. A soap hasn't been launched in 25 years. There is no model for how to launch a soap in 2025. There have been complaints that too much happened this week but in today's tv landscape, you have to draw in the viewers instantly or you're not going to get them. I'm sure post launch there will be time to slow down and breathe but had they done that for launch week that could've tanked the show. Everyday this week a clip is viral on TikTok and Twitter, the show is also trending which is proof they did something right. Of course it wasn't perfect but I definitely think the foundation they built is stronger than some of the first weeks I've seen. Particularly I'd say Texas, Port Charles and Sunset Beach. All needed extensive retooling for the shows to work. The one thing that makes BTG stand out for me is that I do think the writing is strong. The ideas feel familiar but fresh and despite all of the action and exposition to set things up, I feel like they've done a good job of quickly developing these characters and their relationships so the world feels real and so we actually care about them. There is definitely room to grow but I feel like they absolutely got it right and any changes will just be improving upon a good product. I don't see them having to drastically change the show in order to make it work. Launching a soap is daunting and they definitely should be proud of what they delivered.

This is exactly what I want to avoid. Sheila has been ruined several times over but I thought they did a great job of resetting the character so she'd be viable long term. Why they almost immediately jumped to her shooting Steffy is beyond me. What happened to blackmail and small schemes? A character like Leslie could last for years if handled correctly. I'm especially curious about why she's doing this. That secret could go a long way to providing sympathy for the character. I feel like it has to be something solid if Eva is on her side, but of course her mom could just be lying about what happened.

As we all are enjoying Leslie, I hope MVJ avoids the trap many soap writers get in of writing villains into a corner. I feel like they tend to go too far but then want to keep the character on and either have to retcon an illness or make everybody on the show look stupid to justify keeping them on. If she goes too far, let her go to prison and write her off similar to how Bill Bell wrote off Michael Baldwin but then brought him back years later after he'd gone to prison and was rehabilitated.

All My Children is still talked about in pop culture which is why I feel Disney has been trying to get a reboot off the ground. It would be easy to get enough of the cast back as well whereas I feel like the same can't be said for a ATWT or GL or OLTL. People clown on Passions but it was very popular with younger viewers who are now in their 30s and 40s and the show is always going viral on social media. At the very least I think there would be a huge value in streaming the original series.

If they were to bring back a soap I feel like the only one that would work would be All My Children. I still hate the idea of a primetime reboot didn't come to fruition for them. Beyond that, if BTG is successful I do think other platforms and networks should look into launching a soap. The key is that they have to be intentional and develop something that could work. Personally, if I were tasked with creating another soap I'd create a supernatural soap to help broaden soaps overall fanbase. A Dark Shadows or Port Charles reboot or honestly, Passions.

This is one of the reasons I really struggle with the 90210 re-watch podcast. It seems obvious that cast really didn't get along, far beyond the obvious stories we know. They're reduced to having people who appeared on one or two episodes because they can't get their actual cast members to appear. They recently launched a podcast for Melrose Place and it's like night and day from the 90210 show. You can tell the cast got along and they've already had so many past cast members on and it's refreshing to see how positive they are. They also enjoy the show which is nice, another thing with 90210 that I struggle with is how much they hate the show.

I really enjoyed episode 3. It's odd how comfortable the show feels despite some of the issues with the performances which I'm sure will even out over time. They really did pick a good place to start the story so we truly are in the thick of things. I think that's whats helping me jump into the show. I don't feel like they're wasting a lot of time setting up like a soap typically would at the beginning. I love love loved Leslie in this episode! From the first moment I saw her I have called her Sally Spectra in my mind. I know they're not the same but she gives me the same joy I got from Sally. That delicious blend of warmth, comedy and deviousness. Of course she is much more dangerous than Sally but I just know she's going to be a lot of fun. The other big highlight for me was the family meeting. While some of the younger actors have work to do I feel like when you put them with the vets it instantly elevates them. In the first episode there was a moment between Martin and Dani that made me burst out laughing and made me believe their relationship. I also find Martin at his strongest opposite Vernon. There's been talk of ages but I feel like the chemistry is so strong that I find myself fully believing they're a family.

Honestly, if BTG were able to take over the #1 spot that would be the best thing possible for the industry. Y&R's ratings are still good and this wouldn't change that but it would show that launching a new soap is still viable. I also think the more successful BTG is, the more pressure the other soaps will have to improve their storytelling and modernize it. Ratings are unpredictable so I don't want to have high expectations but the more successful this is, the better for everyone.

They give me JR and Sue Ellen, down to the cheating. Sue Ellen was fine if he was discreet and she could keep up the facade of a happy marriage but once you start being messy, that's when the problems come in. I actually think this is something that a lot of people can relate to and was a really smart storyline to play.

The biggest problem with Ashley is that her storyline feels so disconnected from the Duprees and that has been the main focus of the first two episodes. I do think she benefited in episode two being away from Derek who is their Charity Rahmer. I'm not willing to write her off just yet. I liked her chemistry with Andre and I do see some potential. I do think overall that it feels like they didn't put a ton of effort into casting these white roles. I don't know if it was a desire to hire fresh non-daytime talent or what but I find it really hard to believe this is the best they could find. The only real standout on this front is Lauren Buglioli. The rest feel like they were the cheapest option available.

But Dallas fans can at least purchase the entire series and reunion movies on DVD. I wouldn't care if it's blu-ray or HD.

From a looks standpoint I think Mike Manning looks fine. He looks like the typical white male hunk that they typically cast. Only thing that concerned me was the lack of chemistry with his husband. Especially with them being a gay couple that'll have to improve because we know there won't be many options like if it was a straight character who ended up needing a new love interest.

He gives me JR Ewing with the levity he has in his scenes. With Haley I feel like she's naive but Bill knows he's a jerk and just doesn't care. I love that! Much like with JR, I imagine it's going to make his enemies hate him even more which is going to be gold for us.

Thank you! I can't wait to see them and see the chemistry with their parents. I get that, but I've never heard of a white person being called Smitty and Smith is a very common last name so I feel like I would've heard that at some point. I've only heard that nickname associated with Black people.

Yeah, Martin and Smitty's adopted kids are 16 (girl) and 17 (boy). I forgot their names. I wonder if they've cast them. I don't recall seeing kids that old on any casting lists. Smitty is a popular nickname for Black people so I'm assuming they probably were initially casting for a Black actor. They definitely should've changed the name when they went with Mike Manning. It just doesn't work with him in the role. His original name of Bradley or Brad would've been better.

I'm sorry but I am not impressed with Mike Manning. I can tell he can act but he felt stiff and I didn't see any chemistry with Brandon Clayton. Hopefully this was just nerves from being their first scenes together and this improves with time. I agree...Not only that, but why would they want Nicole to have grand kids that are so old? Imagine one of them has a teen pregnancy, then she'd be a great grandma. That was unnecessary considering we have so many younger characters already.

I'm already a fan! They are both trifling as hell but so much fun to watch! I can't wait to see their story unfold. I want her to explain why she would do Dani so dirty and get with him. I'm finding episode 2 to be *much* better than episode one. Obviously episode 1 had to do so much to set up the show but this feels much more settled and natural. I'm also liking the new characters introduced. I agree with others that Ashley works much better when she's not with her boyfriend. I enjoyed her mom and I loved Eva and her mom. They made a nice little group. I knew from the promos they'd be schemers but I didn't imagine they'd connect to Nicole's story. I'm assuming but based on how the mom looked at Martin, I know what's up! Loved all the scenes at Nicole's house. Her chemistry with her husband is fire and I love that she has staff in her home. It felt very modern for her office to be at home and it always kills me when rich people don't have staff. I hope they give Dani a companion similar to how Irs had Vivian on Another World.

I wish they'd just do a DVD release to avoid this chaos. This is why I prefer physical media for things I really love. Even buying it on streaming isn't secure because they could pull the license and you lose your show and the money you spent.

Dani's life is falling apart so naturally there was a lot of focus on her but I am so intruiged by Nicole's life. Nobody is as perfect as she presents herself to be. I'm very curious to see her with her husband and see what's really going on in her mind and her household.

This was a very strong Part 1 (as I like to call it) to the pilot week! They did a great job from the beginning introducing us to this new world. The location shoot of Nicole driving up to the country club with a song we all know was classy. The transition from that scene to the interior set was seamless and I thought the lighting and directing was strong. The set design was excellent, the sets were large and there was room for movement. The writing also is knocking it out of the park from day one. I get a clear feel for what this show is about and I found it easy to get to know the characters we were introduced to. I recently started watching Sunset Beach from day one and it's like night and day comparing their premiere to this. Starting the show in the middle of the drama with Bill having already left Dani made it feel like we were jumping in at a good point for things to kick off. The only thing I found a bit concerning were some of the performances. Chelsea and Kat were cute and I can see them settling in nicely once they get used to the pace of soaps. Naomi, Jacob and Martin were all strong out of the gate. The weak links were definitely Ashley and Derrick. I've seen Jen Jacob in other things and she can act, so I can only imagine he's dragging down her performance. I'd go as far as to say he is so bad that it's the type of scenario where you'd do an emergency recast. The strongest out the gate were definitely the Core Four. Each actor felt perfectly cast and they had a nice chemistry. Dani and Nicole genuinely felt like sisters and watching Dani with Martin gave off true Auntie vibes. I also must say, this is a Karla Mosley like I've never seen her and it's pretty amazing to see so much of the show rested on her shoulders and she's doing so well. All in all, I'm in, but going forward I'm going to Paramount Plus. I can't do these commercials lol. I haven't watched a show live in so long!

I feel like we will for sure have some sort of Y&R or B&B crossover at some point but I don't want any former P&G characters. The last thing they need is to add the baggage of a show that ran 50-70 years. We know how soap fans can be and it's just too much of a handicap that it wouldn't be worth any potential benefit. All it would take is to mess up one bit of history and fans would be up in arms. They need to focus on developing their own world without the added pressure of old soaps.