Chris B

I can’t see it being as iconic as Johannesburg but the intro and tatlines seem more normal that most first season international HWs. It also gives me hope that I’d RHOJ does return the new production company seems more solid. This company with a mix of the two seasons cast could produce an iconic season.

Do soaps not do sweeps anymore because they’ve got to be kidding with this mess. Everything sounds like filler. Do they even have an A story to tie the show together? I feel like nothing has any stakes.

@TaoboiI Lee hearing rumblings about Dallas and I’m curious what is going on. They do a good job of keeping their stories hidden so I’m ready to be surprised. They’re having a fantastic season! I have no complaints or casting desires (even though I can’t stand Brandi) because they’re delivering. Jen finally won me over this week. She completely lost her mind and transitioned into a proper Real Housewives mega villain. To me episode 12 was one of the greatest HWs episodes of all time! It just never let us breathe and every scene and every supporting character from the Shah Squad to the hypnotist enhanced everything. The moment I completely turned around on Jen was when she was sitting in that couch and even after EVERYBODY expressed their issues clearly, she was still in denial. That was classic housewives! All while dressed like a guest star on Charlie’s Angels in the 70s! I am also happy that Queen Mary is finally leaving her closet next week! I am going to be so sad when Salt Lake City is over. These ladies were surprisingly golden. Whitney and Heather I thought would be filler housewives and here they are 10’s!

@TaoboiI will forever stan Kari and I’ve loved her pop ups. She was hilarious last season. It’s funny because I usually don’t like the one white girl (see: Kim Zolziac), but Kari I felt fit in and respected the other ladies. I think because she was an outsider being a Brit she didn’t have those same southern values that would “other” them.

I’ve been calling for this for two years and I hope Andy is serious. It’s time. I know everybody thinks the solution is to bring back Tamra, Heather and a slew of others and there may be a place for some of them, but I need a major change. I didn’t watch the season but watched the reunion and there are no redeeming factors. I’m not talking about one or two newbies, they need to take their time and come up with a fresh dynamic that works.

@TaoboiIve noticed on her YouTube page, as much as she doesn’t like Mariah personally, Heavenly has always said she’s vital to the show and should be there for the drama. I’ve always appreciated that because many HWs don’t see that when they dislike someone. The new cast member is such a blatant Mariah recast that I was pretty disgusted. Especially since they had an issue showcasing that side of Mariah’s life but bring on an Indian family was extremely shady. Beyond that I will say it looks like they deliver as always. I’m so excited by Kari and Lisa Nicole’s returns and I can even put up with Quad. After what Atlanta has been giving us I’m glad Married to Medicine is still in good shape.

May-June typically but we don’t know if ABC will pick the show up based on a script or ask for a pilot. Due to Covid it’s hard to put a time table, but at least at that time we should have an update if they decide to pick it up, dump it or redevelop for the following year.

These episodes were fantastic! Different from other 70s soap episodes I’ve seen. They seemed to have a style that worked for them and it makes the show stand out. It also felt very modern which I wasn’t expecting. I feel like the episodes moved fast, but they didn’t come off plot driven. There is also a lot of movement between scenes so it doesn’t feel repetitive. The biggest treat for me is finally getting to see the first two Dorian’s and finally being able to say I’ve seen them all. Clair Malis definitely seemed more similar to Robin Strasser and I can see that being an easy transition for viewers. Clair is VERY different from Nancy Pinkerton who had such a dominating presence. I’d love to see more of her in something. It’s always lovely seeing Ellen Holly, but it’s a shame we didn’t get to see her do more. Her exit and the fact that that wrong was never righted is the biggest missed opportunity for OLTL.

Jen was a full time HW, but her husband allegedly is a coke user and had a bit of a breakdown which led to a divorce which all ushered her off the show. She filmed almost the entire season, but this happened towards the end and she had to pull back.

I was happy to see Theo back and that Valerie is still around. I hope they do Jackee justice and I’m still hoping they give Vanessa Williams something worth her talent. She really sparkles in her scenes with what little they give her. Now that Elani is established as a solid couple they have gold if they choose to write for these black actors.

The spoilers for this week say Laura is back with news about Gwen, so she’s in the mix somehow. I don’t think she is the mother, but I do think Gwen doesn’t know the full story. I think there is a good chance that Gwen has a mother out there somewhere.

The longer season is because due to Covid they couldn’t do Celebrity Drag Race. They extended this season and added more queens for the upcoming All Stars season to make up for the four episodes lost. For me, season 13 has been difficult to get into. This four episode season premiere has been too long for me. I do like the black girls this season, but overall I’m bored. The styling of the girls is becoming too predictable, which makes sense now that Yvie had said that pretty much everybody uses the same 2-3 designers. I’d love a season with no NYC of Chicago queens. On the flip side Drag Race UK is absolutely amazing! They completely stepped it up this season. Each episode has flown by so far. Such a diversity in drag and the personalities are HUGE. You can tell Michelle and Ru are more invested. I also think Alan Carr and Graham Norton are better judges than their US counterparts. I was concerned with how I’d manage watching two series at once, but I think my focus will be more on UK and I’ll binge the US one later.

Well I wouldn’t blame Dansby because as Story Consultant she can only make suggestions. They don’t *have* to listen to her unless she’s shaping the show to take over as HW, which now I’m doubting will happen. @soapfan770 At the time I didn’t like the previous Abby’s, but I think they’d be better now that they’ve had time to grow as actors.

You were right! Personally if I were writing and this were the limited actress I had I’d probably have Abby sleeping around and turn her into a vixen or even full on crazy to see if that works for her. Nothing else has.

@Taoboi The only reason I believe Braunwyn isn’t returning is because it’s leaked why Shannon is so mad at her at the reunion...Braunwyn allegedly offered Shannon’s 14 year old daughter coke. Even worse, Braunwyn isn’t denying it, instead claiming she doesn’t remember. I don’t see how you can come back from that. On the subject of production companies, they do impact the quality of the show. You can tell just looking at how some have handled Covid compared to others. New Jersey looks like a regular season and although it’s mostly home based, Dallas is pretty seamless as well. ATL on the other hand can’t even get their cast in the room together and they’ve clearly let Covid take over the show. I’m very curious how NYC and BH will handle it. Also, we see Salt Lake City had to switch production companies and the original didn’t see the value in keeping Mary despite her being central to the drama. Imagine how the season would’ve went if they edited her out as intended? A good production company can do a lot with the same footage. ATL is in DIRE need of someone with a vision. A vision for casting and the overall chemistry of a group that works. Perhaps they people who do Married to Medicine could help them. That show even on a bad year is entertaining.

I’m catching up with December and January, finally in that first week of January. The show is still fantastic with the exception of this bizarre rape story. We all predicted that Charlie was the real rapist, but what is the point of this? He’s a good actor that fits in well and he’s Ava’s son. It just seems like a waste for a story that never should’ve been told in the first place. I’m just happy it looks like it’ll be over soon. One major unpopular opinion I have is that I *love* Kate with Jake. This is her best pairing since Roman and I don’t mind the age gap. I’m sick of older men with younger women on soaps, but I don’t mind the reverse because soaps are so quick to minimize the sexuality of older women. I also think Lauren Koslow reads much younger and is still one of the more sexy women on Days. I’ll be sad when this is ended to throw him back with Gabby. They struck gold here IMO. Also this Gwen story was perfectly done. I didn’t feel like they dumbed down the characters or stretched it out too long. The Chad you could argue is coming off dumb, but I put that more on the acting. I do think him sleeping with her makes sense. I’m hoping to get caught up before Monday because I want to see the secret reveal with everyone else. Lastly, Cady McClain has made me forget there was another Jennifer. They need to go ahead and recast Hope if they can do as well as they did with Jennifer. Melissa Reeves (and Kristen Alfonso) was checked out for years. It’s so strange how quickly she fit in which isn’t easy for a legacy role like this. I find myself looking forward to her scenes and actually paying attention. I hope this becomes permanent.

Have y’all been paying attention to LVP? She isn’t letting the Vanderpump Rules delay slow her down at all. As we know, she has Vanderpump Dogs coming to Peacock and she recently got announced as a judge on Rebel Wilson’s dog grooming show for ABC. Then today people figured out she has yet another show, a talk show it seems coming to E! It’ll be a collection of dinner parties with different themes and a group of celebrity guests invited to Villa Rosa.

That RHOA trailer says a lot. For one, I think we’re in for a much shorter season that we are used to. They have already cut so much footage to get to the group scenes and excitement, plus how u gonna release essentially a mid season promo after 5 episodes? If they don’t give us a retool for RHOA and OC I’m going to be furious. They have to get better with casting. I also think this is why Married to Medicine is being held so it can replace RHOA and keep sundays going until Potomac is ready.

@Gray BunnyI believe they filled last Thursday or Friday and we have 13 regular episodes. Andy said this was the longest first season reunion. Heather also said she went crazy at the reunion and also that Mary talks a lot and they explain why she went MIA.

Wendy should be on New York. If she’s willing to accept Miami as a friend, I’d offer her M O N E Y to be full time on New York. Great first reunion looks! Meredith is the only miss for me.

Paris is such a bright spot of the show. I go out of my way to watch the episodes if I notice she’s in it. She reminds me of the original Felicia with the short hair and over the top fashion. I would love to see her on a soap that would really dig in and give her something meaty because she is so watchable! This is the type of fun newbie that you want.

The RHONY with Covid I feel has to be Leah. I haven’t seen her with the ladies. Sonja, Luann and Ramona just filmed an event last week (which may have included others) and Ramona is filming today. Sonja is traveling so I don’t see it being her. RHONJ looks AMAZING! I had no intentions of watching, knew nothing about filming and hey blew me away! I cannot wait! Also, similar to Dallas it looks like they’ll handle Covid very well. RHOD - I was shocked that it’s only week two and the ladies seem to be souring on Tiffany so quick. I feel like with Stephanie and Kameron I sense some jealousy. Yes both of them are rich, but Tiffany’s husband is worth more than them combined. I feel the same with Kary. Also, I know everybody hates Kary, but I think she is just the perfect messy housewife. She isn’t likable to me as a person, but I just love her in the mix because she is so messy. To me she carries the villain torch better than Leanne. I look forward to what she will bring. D’Andra remains a star and I just love her progression as a HW. She truly is a soap character. D’Andra and Tiffany are my dream team.

Any interviewer should do basic research so you have questions to ask. You could also post places like here and Daytime Royalty (or social media) asking for questions. It’s always annoying when he interviews people he isn’t familiar with bc he goes through the motions and doesn’t do follow up because he doesn’t care.

A B&B/Y&R crossover should be more meaningful and high stakes than this. I’m just gonna say it: Summer and Kyle are boring characters. The show has pushed them, but they are both dull. In addition, Sally is the last B&B character that makes sense to cross over. There is no need for her type on the show so she’s coming in as an unnecessary addition from the jump. So many B&B characters I could see making sense in Genoa City and having an impact, but Sally? On what planet? The best case for crossover was when Sheila returned to B&B. They could’ve gotten a lot of mileage out of that.

Angie and Jesse’s return to AMC has to be one of the greatest of all time. To be gone for so long and fall back in so seamlessly was impressive. The promotional campaign, music used, location shooting and everything was fantastic. AMC was lucky to have them from that point on.