DRW50

Not sure if this pilot has been available before, but if not, I decided to put it here. It's Gilded Lilys, a Shonda Rhimes pilot featuring, among others, Blythe Danner, John Barrowman, Madeline Zima, and Matt Lauria. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2240641/Gilded-Lilys-How-US-Downton-Abbey-ended-disaster.html

It's a shame Paul Rauch treated Robin so poorly because there's a real down-to-earth quality in Robin's performances and in Dorian in these years that I miss later on, when I think Robin felt she really had to prove herself (even moreso after JFP pushed her out).

Emily Symons and the woman who plays Heather did a great job in this story. You felt for Heather sometimes in spite of her wicked ways. I am sorry they made Heather a psycho (although I guess now Marilyn has a story to swap with John and Irene). I wonder if they may reveal down the line that she wasn't actually the real Heather. Speaking of cast tenures, I've seen a lot of fan criticism of the newcomers, but I like the band a lot more than most, it seems (I think Remi is turning into a very solid character and he and Eden are also played by strong actors - Kirby, who is just arm candy for the lead singer, deserves better though). I think the actress who plays Bree is very good and helping to make her seem real. I like Xander a lot too, he's the cutest guy on the show to me, although I would buy him more as gay. Rose suffered a great deal with all the pining after Cash, but she works well in a more supportive role of late. She and Xander are also very believable as siblings.

George Palermo (Tony, Loving/The City) seems to have started getting roles again, and has a (presumably) recent IMDB photo. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0657554/

I'm still confused about whether Marland wrote out Maggie. The character was rarely if ever mentioned during his tenure.

Noises Everywhere is an example for me of the perils of maybe giving actors too much say in an episode...

A claim from Cori Bush that she was nearly forced by doctors to have an abortion is going viral among the right wing. While I am in no position to argue that black women are not treated horribly by the medical profession, I had no idea just how long a history Bush has of questionable claims:

That interview is the epitome of British passive-aggressive entertainment. I love how she described a story she was clearly repulsed by as "brave."

I feel like Jaleesa would have been on the way out anyway, as the show was shifting toward a younger and younger focus (which is also why even Dwayne and Whitley end up feeling oddly out of place in season 6 at times, why Kim got less and less to do, etc.), but that marriage was just odd. Maybe one of the most random marriages I can remember on a TV show, especially one that wasn't meant to be random. I never believed Jaleesa would be interested in him.

So pathetic.

Another media darling down. You may remember him for grinning as Bill Maher spewed racial slurs, claiming to be against many things he then supported, or...this:

Until Kate Oates, among the most cynical and hollow producers on soaps, clears out, this isn't going to change. And even if she does, the worst, like Phil and Phil/Sharon, will never change. The stories are aimless and poorly put together, just don't make any sense - beyond the awful Janine story (so disappointing), I'd also ask why should we care about Keeble and her dead father, or the latest Phil arrest story that never goes anywhere? Why should we care about Freddie's paternity when we know Little Mo isn't coming back anything soon. Why should we care about the Panesars, with 5 characters added on, when I still don't even buy them as a family? Why should we care about Suki, a child abuser and child murderer, just because she is suddenly a lesbian? Worst of all, there remain no worthwhile couples or believable bonds.

@Vee I guess you were right. Musk must have known this was going to happen and only lied about wanting to buy it to get more publicity and distract from his Ukraine BS. And of course the media plays along.

More NYT propaganda, taking the side of toxic professors. I know the New York Post is trash, but I don't understand how the Washington Post (another trash paper) continues to not care about Taylor Lorenz being such a mess (and breaking their rules about getting into it with other employees online, surely).

@dc11786 Wonderful rundown. I have rarely watched this show as it doesn't appeal to me, but you make me curious.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. TK's stories have gone through lightning speed so far this year. Hard to believe he had cancer this year. I thought the woman he slept with might end up pregnant (she still could I guess). His sister seems to be there more for a rivalry with Esther and to bother Esther's love life. I have a feeling this church is going to be a big part of the Christmas finale - like some kind of suicide cult, I don't know.

That's interesting, as usually the person who is ganged up on and treated in an ugly way is less likely to win.

@AMCOLTLLover You should share some of your thoughts in the Shortland Street thread.

https://www.backtothebay.net/news/2022/09/29/channel-seven-announces-special-about-ray-meaghers-career/