Soaplovers

I loved Karla as Maya... but I just can't get behind her on BTG.. probably because she's better as support vs as a lead.

I wonder if we're coming to an end to the outlines that the new writers were sort of using to tie up some of his threads.. and that's why the Ari/Holly kidnapping was wrapped up pretty fast (because it was the last thing on his outlines for these particular characters). I'm interested to see what the head-writers will be like now that they're nearing the end of Ron C's outlines (which someone had previously mentioned were in effect until October when the last episodes using his outlines were coming to an end).

My late mom was a GL fan in the 80s and she was the age group that I think these beautiful pieces of eye candy were meant to appeal to... and her favorite was Terrell as Rusty (she liked a man in tight blue jeans with a rugged swagger). Looking at 80s GL from my modern day lenses, I didn't find any of the men attractive except if they were a priceless work of art to admire (i.e. GA as Phillip, Terrell as Rusty, etc). I guess P & G men didn't appeal me (I found myself drawn to the NBC daytime type of individual).

One thing Eileen said in her foundations Emmy interview that I agree with was when she said 'You can't refuse to say a line that you don't agree with because you're the actor and you have to say a line.'. She instead said to come with a suggestion on modifying the line so that it fits with the character. Shame that most younger performers don't understand that actors have to recite the lines as written unless you approach things from a more collaborative way (and once you've had a few years playing the character under your belt).

It seemed like Jack and Stacey were end game because the show needed an end game couple as opposed to the two characters actually being compatible with one another. I do think a Jack/Lily/Stacey triangle in 1987/1988 was a smart idea to do in terms of character because Lily was Jack's first love and their relationship had ended due to circumstances beyond either of their control.. so having Lily coming back into the picture would throw Jack off because she was the one that got away and they never had any closure. However, I think the recast playing Lily wasn't the strongest of actresses.. and the show really slanted the writing to be Jack/Stacey instead of showing Jack being torn between two women (his current wife and the one that got away)

Oddly Ron C wasn't too much of an issue in his position of being a breakdown writer because he wasn't the main decision maker.. he was just implementing the decisions/plot points set forth by the head-writers. I'll be interested to hear who the replacements will be for these positions in the coming weeks/months since the other two leaving were pretty good in their positions.

I was watching the Locher Room episode where the actress playing Chelsea was one of the guests. After being able to solider through the awkwardness of Alan's interview skills, there was one statement from the actress describing Chelsea as being more like her mother Dani and I was baffled by that statement since Chelsea is almost the complete opposite of her mother Dani. So it's either the writing has changed to suit the actress and her strengths, or the actress isn't strong enough to convey that Chelsea is supposed to be a mini Dani. If I were to make any cuts to the Dupree brood, I would probably write out Chelsea since her character doesn't seem to fit on the show.. and based on her being such a successful influencer.. she should be globe trotting instead of staying in the area.

RHOC needs a cast change next season because this current cast configuration will become toxic quickly.

She lived a full and wonderful life on screen and off screen. She was one of a kind. RIP

Jacob and Smitty are both married to intolerable Dupree grandchildren and both of them are much better spouses to Martin and Naomi then they deserve.

Based on what I've read about Cathy, it seemed as though when Dorrie was playing Cathy... her take on Cathy was more of a feminist/focused on her career.. while Harmon's take on Cathy was more passive/desperate.

Oddly Nicole and her family seem more interesting to write, yet the writers seem intent on not featuring the clan as an actual family unit.. unless the lack of family scenes is actually to show that they're not a close knit family except on the surface? Her family is vastly more interesting than Dani's family.

Vernon and Anita probably wanted to have a son, and I think there was some disappointment when Dani ended up not being a son. And their grandchildren were mostly female instead of male.. so Martin became their de facto son.

When the creator is one of the show runners/head writers... bias and favoritism is more likely a thing. Especially if said creator has indicated that the characters have been playing in her mind for years.

I think there has been long standing tensions between Smitty and Martin that span back long before the event of two years happened. I also know that we've seen the ways that Martin has dismissed Smitty, even trying to sabotage a job opportunity for Smitty. Lord knows what else has happened between them in the past that we didn't see so I think Smitty made the right call asking Martin to move out

I'm curious to see who they opt to replace the departing writers with. Some new blood, or other veteran script writers/breakdown writers.

Budig is kind of fake so maybe Deirdre sensed that. I'm all for a Soap Podcast.. but Budig and Rikaart are just annoying horrible people that I can't stomach watching for too long.

The Martin reveal was just so predictable and it just shows that the Duprees are just as corrupt as any other powerful family. Nicole's reaction will be epic once she finds out about this.. but of course, the show will find yet another opportunity to feature Dani (a one note character) The one thing I noticed about the show is the rotating of characters in and out of focus.. with the majority of characters not being seen for several episodes. The only character constantly shown, even though the majority of her appearances are basically a waste, is Dani. Yesterday and today.. there wasn't any reason for her to be on.

I'll be honest... the show was just fine without Anita so either the writers get to work on making her character more interesting.. or maybe it's best to write her out and let Vernon lead the family instead.

The break out character for me in today's episode was Vanessa. She made Dani likable, she had a good rapport with Vernon, and her scenes with Joey are still a winner in my book. Even though she wasn't the lead character in today's episode, she added so much to each and every scene she was in.. and I hope to see how she continues to fit onto the canvas. I have a feeling she grew up with Nicole and Dani since it was mentioned in the past that she grew up with money and that marrying Doug was her first taste of being rebellious against her upbringing.

The only thing that would make this interesting is if Martin was going to whereever he was going to meet up with a hook up and/or a male escort from Joey's business... and Kenny was either the escort that attacked Martin for being gay and Martin defended himself. The only way that this would look bad on Martin was if he's trying to portray himself as a gay male that is about family values... and didn't want it to get out that he actually was hooking up behind the scenes. However... that would be just another affair story when the show already has those in droves with Dani/Bill, Ted/Nicole, and Vanessa/Doug.

While not a huge day for plot movement, there were some good 1:1 scenes today between Smitty/Jacob, Bill/Vernon, Hayley/Ashley, and also a bit more light being shed on the newest obstacle in Chelsea's quest for love.

An interesting twist would be Hayley has been faking a pregnancy, but turns out to actually be pregnant. I've been satisified with the Hayley/Ashley scenes... something I've waited for since the early episodes wondering the backstory on Ashley's thoughts on Hayley pre Naomi/Hayley friendship breakdown.

Why?

How MVJ writes/presents the Duprees is exhibit A on how working for years under Brad Bell's B & B can dilute the talent of a good writer since her structure of the Duprees as being in the center without a strong 2nd family is quite like B & B's continual reliance on the Forresters without a strong 2nd family that isn't ultra tied to the Forresters. Difference though is that B & B is a half hour show so that structure can sort of work on that show.. but BTG is an hour show so there should be a 2nd family that isn't related to the Duprees. Also... The Duprees are as delulu as the Forresters.