Chris B

I finished season six and am about 10 episodes into season seven. This is a weird time for the show. I believe ratings were good with Jeff Freilich, but his writing was so awful. It's weird, hardcore FC fans seem to praise his seasons, but are upset about the changes in season nine. I feel like he made more changes than anybody. He literally made Chase an angry bastard who is furious and left his wife because she was raped. In general, it became a more male-dominated show as the women were either abused (Vicky) or made insane (Melissa). I can see why ratings were good though. It's the perfect popcorn tv. Scenes are super short and the story moves fast, with lots of action. Unfortunately, that hurt them later on because they blew the budget. Season six was decent, but season seven is almost unwatchable. They've started to take a short term story arc format where everything rotates every 3-4 episodes with new characters brought in constantly to shift the plot. I don't think one story is landing, the worst being Vicky literally being punched out and body slammed by John Callahan's character Eric. Angela becoming Richard's mother is an odd desperate move. I don't see the point of it and it completely re-writes the type of man Douglas was during season one.

I read the article on Straight From the A (https://straightfromthea.com/2022/04/21/exclusive-nene-leakes-lawsuit-breaks-down-years-of-racism-at-bravo-legal-docs/#more-245932) and it makes it clear the lawsuit (which is 97 pages long) is about a lot more than Kim. I believe the Kim stuff is being used in the media to discredit her. We know Bravo has a history of racism, so you can't convince me Nene is the only person lying about it. Now on the subject of Kim, the most shocking thing is that she apparently called someone the N word during season 5 and the entire cast complained to the network and refused to work with Kim. They responded by giving Kim a spin off and doing nothing to reprimand her. That is going to be damning in court, especially since Nene wasn't the only one to complain. As for why Nene stayed or why she wants to come back, I get it. Look at the NFL, they players are most Black, but they're mistreated and racism is RAMPANT. Why do they stay? Because of the money and because it's what they love to do. Black people face racism every day in corporate America. If you quit every job where you're mistreated, you're going to end up on the streets. Look at Victoria Rowell. She lost so much money and credibility speaking out about her issues, but was called crazy and blacklisted. Now everybody acknowledges she was telling the truth and we see the issue is MUCH larger than we thought. I'd be curious to read the entire lawsuit. I have a feeling it is more credible that the media is giving her credit for.

After maybe the third season, you can’t even convince me that was a real person playing Krystle and not a robot. I don’t think anybody gave up as much as Linda lol.

I’m not far into it, but I finally started the mini series and this is *so* good. I feel like I’m going to regret it because this will make me want to find the series even more. It’s so odd seeing Linda Evans outside of the static acting and perfection of Krystle Carrington.

Christine and Michael and Paul raping Christine ruined her character. It’s sad to see what’s become of what was such a popular character.

I have a random question, are any of the videos on the vault with Abby Dalton as Phyllis’ mother? I’ve always wanted to see that but have never come across it.

Thanks for posting Paper Dolls! I always wanted to see the movie and just finished it. It was okay, not great. I enjoyed Alexandra Paul. The best thing is, the channel that uploaded it has tons of TV movies and mini series I’d wanted to see. I will be busy on there for awhile.

If the show was good prior to her return, this Diane return would be a huge flop. The way they’re presenting her as a dangerous super villain doesn’t fit any of the previous portrayals of Diane and that includes all three actors. The only reason this somewhat works is because the show was so damn boring and needed a character like this. It’s just a shame they can’t seem to get the character right.

I'm sorry for derailing things by mentioning the rumored estrangement. I have never heard anything negative about Susan Lucci (beyond the untrue SMG stuff) or Liza Huber and both have led very respectable public lives, so my intent wasn't to make either of them the villain. I just was hopeful it wasn't as it appeared to be or that they had mended fences. It's sad to see they haven't reconciled, but hopeful someway they can in the future.

I plan to have fun with these final four seasons, which I know will be different due to new staff and their various changes. Starting with season six, this is very fun to watch and I see why it worked at the time. On one hand it is extremely cheesy and dated with the synthesizer and ultra 80s fashion. I now get the Miami Vice reference. It’s very style over substance. All of the characters are written paper thin and whatever characteristic they’re going to show is dependent on the storyline. Melissa and Lance are soulless whores, Chase is a hot head bastard, Vicki pouts and Angela quips. With that said, it moves fast and is very amusing. I also really enjoy the Kim Novak mystery. It has no business working, but it’s fun for me as a big Hitchcock fan.

She is the reason I became an ATWT fan. As a child, she had such a striking look that I’d always be glued to the screen. Once I became a full time viewer I was still in love. Bob and Kim were one of the greatest soap couples and they never bored me.

@DRW50 I loved when Lilimae got put in a choke hold! My favorite thing is that we got rare interaction between Valene and Greg Sumner. William Devante and Jon Van Ark were *so* good the few times we got to see them together. I was devastated she left in season 14, right as a big story was beginning for them. I will say, I agree about the Cathy/Ben affair. It was sad to see Cathy burn out in that way. I wish she’d held on a little longer and she could’ve been integrated into stories with Paige.

They dumped Finn like he was a recurring day player, which is odd when you consider he’s dead and everybody is doing the bare minimum over Steffy because they know she’s gonna live. There are absolutely no stakes to this story. Even the Sheila element can only last so long because it should quickly become obvious she shot them.

I’m just glad she gave up the pretense that she doesn’t care and is somehow innocent. Lean into reality, Erika!

Y’all not gone lie on Miss Angela! I have been loving her fashions. I think she looks great most of the time and I’ve noticed she always has a nice pair of heels, which I’ve been noticing lately. I expected her to be in some old lady kitten heels, but she dresses great for her age. I also think Angela looks like old money, as opposed to the Dynasty try hards.

For a major character to be near death, the drama seems awfully mellow so far. I compare it to Storm’s death (which I consider some of the greatest soap episodes of all time) and this feels different. The acting for one is largely terrible. I believed they thought Katie was gonna die. Now I just see standard soap tears from Taylor and the typical shrug from Ridge.

That Beverly Hills trailer was genuinely good and I feel like we’re about to get an all star season! I see balance and multiple people bringing different things to the party which I have missed in these recent seasons. THANK YOU GARCELLE for finally speaking up against Erika. It seems like they will finally realize they don’t need to kiss her ass. I see Diana/Erika/Rinna/Dorit being a team of demons. I expected Rinna to have a quiet season with her mom dying, but she seems more evil than ever. She came off *so* bad that it’s even caused me to question if I believe all this bad press Kathy has gotten. Also? Whatever Kathy said about Kyle was probably true. Now I see why Kim said Andy called her and asked her to come back. Next season will 100% be Kathy/Kim vs Kyle.

Please don’t remind me! Such a fabulous character with the perfect actress in the role and they kill her off. Thornes only child!

Season five just gets worse and worse. The awful Jeff Wainwright rape story for Maggie has begun. I remember hating that on my first watch because it went on for so long. I feel the same now. It’s so obvious where it’s headed, so watching week after week as he prepares is just sick to me. I am not fond of rape stories on soaps in general, but this has to be one of the worst.

Yes, this is insane. I busted out laughing reading your post because it highlights just how ridiculous this is! You mean THIS is what makes Sheila go over the edge?! Come on! If we’re being real, all the soap vixens should be doing stuff like that to keep it interesting. To me that’s just so damn minor.

I think they had positioned her to a place where she can remain in the canvas long term, which I think is needed. She’s provided a jolt to the show. And yes, it looks like the big “twist” is Sheila accidentally shooting Finn, then shooting Steffy and I’m sure their excitement is from the Emmy reels once these two make it to the hospital. I still don’t find it believable that Sheila would do all this to cover such a minor secret. The problem with Brad is that his stories are so poorly planned that he couldn’t even give proper build up to such a huge event. I really don’t think Sheila will come back from this. It was too brutal.

So Sheila has shot and left Steffy and Finn for dead….this is just awful. Sheila wouldn’t do this. This is one step to far and she can’t return from this. You mean to tell me Sheila would kill Steffy because she knew she gave Brooke alcohol?! That is minor leagues! This is ridiculous and they aren’t even pulling me in with the drama. I am so upset that they’ve ruined Sheila in this way. They did a good job of redeeming her too.

Larsa was online complaining after the reunion and said she might not come back. I think it’s just like season one. She expects people to fall in line and she didn’t like that people didn’t defend her. She’s a weak housewife so I wouldn’t miss her. I thought it was silly how people acted like she got one over on Adriana, when she was the one being run out of events.

When you consider how late he joined the show, Doug Sheehan got really good screen time until he left.I also actually loved his exit espionage storyline. I know the writers tried to bring him back later, but said he wouldn’t even respond to the request. This explains why lol.

Season five I find is really dragging. I see why they made changes after this. This season has so many short term arcs and characters who go nowhere. The most enjoyable part I would say is the writing for Angels and Emma and I do love Peter, but the storylines aren’t doing anybody any favors.