Taoboi

VERY. ESPECIALLY in them slacks. And that ain't the ONLY thing he shows off in slacks, either.

While I agree with wait and see, hearing he or they went back and did rewrites on S2 makes me go hmmm

Lord...this woman. As someone that read her exit interview recently...yep, pretty much.

Too late. Hehe. Speaking of...are we getting Olympics hotties in here soon? My body is ready!

lol Or typical unbothered. lol. I agree. After all, didn't SB refuse at one point to not want to do scenes with the Qs and always blocked any attempt of Jason to get his Q memories back? Until BM came in and did all that as Jason/Drew and fans loved to see it. Same with Carly. I loved (and sidenote: love how it's been referenced on the show) how she shasayed into that mob meeting with that white suit and was a boss bitca. I remember saying THAT'S CARLY right then and there. And it was brief, but watching Carly in charge of the mob was so in keeping IMHO with who she was and was not implausible for me at all. And LW played it to the hilt.

Lol. Well it does help that it's on a day when nothing is really going on so I can ususally watch it live. NOW if Bravo would only put it on at 8pm so its rating can go up...cuz they are dangerously low... But yes, I enjoy the cast as a whole and this has been a great season so far. And I honestly what to see what caused the split between Ayan and Lesa. And I do love that even with the just-released mid-season trailer, we STILL don't know. Talk about building up the suspense. And I like that feuds aside, just about everyone *cough*Ayan*cough* have something going on that keeps my interest. And I do think Caroline and Michael are still good friends. Speaking of Caroline...you are going to like last night episode given all that you just wrote about Sergio. Just wait. While she really is too much, Brooks continues to be liked by me and an enigma due to what we don't know versus what she is showing. You and that wannabe. lol. I love you for it though.

So he's in Arkansas?

lol. #facts

I think this is a VERY good question. And to use SB as an example...well his character...I found it telling on his return story arc...that the writers were writing in how his absence has not only affected his kids and his babymamas, but they had all gotten to express it TO him...something the audience or us here have been saying about him for YEARS. The self-awareness of it all I guess you would call it. and goodness knows he looks...allegedly.

Anything to get him out of that suit with the right camera angles cuz we know how much I loooove those. 😜 But seriously...outside of the flashbacks of his affair to Faith...of all kids...it was done well. It's just soooo funny how much I disliked him up until 2007. And watching those flashbacks...well...at least I can say he could act...still don't care for young buck Nick lol. If anything I loved seeing young Sharon who I grew to like. I know I've mentioned that I didn't think the show would hold my interest post-Ashley going to rehab, but it kinda is. Or it depends on the characters. I think what's really getting me is watching Victor weave that web as only Victor can, anything with Diane, Sally/Audra friendship, Traci/Alan, Summer written correctly, and the un-merger. Basically little things. I'm a sucker for a good bubble. 😜 But seriously, I usually don't like the Y&R bottle episodes, but they did good with his. And also...unlike most of the Y&R bottle episodes...it didn't turn into some silly fantasy halfway through. Hate that.

Of course I did.

If I remember correctly from when it was reported. I also believe it was two weeks of not filming...not that you would see it on the show so...were they really punished? Always moving those goalposts. Which reminds me...I don't think I had time to reply about the BELOW DECK thing. Both of the main character chef stews for the flagship and spinoff MED were ran out of their respective shows by misogyny on one and shady/jealous tactics on the other. And BELOW DECK SAILING YACHT has been pushed back in Bravo's schedule due to one of the main characters being reported for SA by a female (or 3) on the technical crew. And then there was the guy who almost SA a drunken female cast member on BELOW DOWN UNDER...ON CAMERA. Thankfully, the camera crew (and the chef steward fan favorite) did the right thing and broke that 4th wall with the quickness. But even before those last two, Bravo has been maneuvering BD as the flagship show over the HW shows since roughly Original BELOW DECK S3/4/5 (it just finished S11 a few weeks ago). Great idea and show...didn't start to get toxic until the S7 I mentioned (for reference MED got toxic with S5, SY...its upcoming S5 because S4 was a hot but juicy mess, and BDU has not jumped the shark...yet...with only 2 seasons under its belt). And I haven't even touched on the racism some cast members have experienced. But in our ABC allegory, the show would be the game/cooking shows coming in to try to replace the soaps easy.

That also crossed my mind re: Quad on M2M given how silent Bravo (and Carlos King) is being as well. I think you are right.

7-3 Well...not COMPLETEY bored. lol. I know I'm biased, but I did like the Josh Morrow episode. That said...are they finally about to give Sharon a new storyline? And I'm not sure I like it. But I'm at least intrigued that she was spacing out. And I feel we were overdue some Cassie mentions so hmmm. I was about to say that whole Chancellor-Winters un-merger was going to be the same story with the IPO all over again until the reveal that Lily and Devon were doing a con on Billy. Which was clever. Soooo of course, Devon's ego has gotten in the way, and now Billy has figured it out. Ugh. I've enjoyed seeing Victor's continued weaving of his web. Especially since it gave us a Michael/Diane scene. And now Audra is circling Kyle AND Nate again. Go, Girl!!! And it's roping in Summer and she's being written to AL's strengths. YES, PLEASE. Because the brief taste of Summer vs Audra I saw...now that the actresses have been around a little longer than they were when they last had scenes...oh, YES. I still don't like this whole Kyle vs Diane story, but the last few scenes have been great. So much layering. And all because Victor wants to stick it to Jack. Again. Outside of that...yay!!! To the Traci/Alan kiss!!!! I knew it!!! About time Traci also got some loving. Oh...and I stay living for Audra/Sally scenes. Nice to see an organic friendship start. And speaking of Sally, also yes to see her doing fashion again. Warms my B&B heart.

7-4 I admit it...there's been a nice rhythm going on with the writing. And I've been liking it. There's been so false steps (rushing Thomas/Paris, Jack and Right Hand Bill Henchman as red herrings, Carter/Katie breakup off-screen, Hollis on screen-as I'm sure @Soapsuds would love his frequent presence over the last few weeks-but no storyline), but overall it really has picked up to hold my interest. Or it's the fact that people aren't just saying the same ole thing. Thomas's return. What a perfect little Friday cliffhanger that was. And not only was he back just as Hope was catching feelings for Finn, but he was back with PARIS as a fiancée. Lord...lol. I have always liked the idea of Paris with Thomas. Ever since the last thing Thomas's schemes got exposed...and there was chemistry. I also liked right before Hope/Thomas got together, that Paris was being Hope's confidante, teasing about how hot Thomas was before Hope got a clue. So it seemed a natural fit to me for them to get together at some point. Though I would have rather it happened a year or so ago when it was teased. Now...the whiplash is WOW. LOL!!! That said...I enjoyed Paris vs Hope after Hope pulled a Brooke on Thomas. And now Paris wants to rush the wedding. It screams mess, but it's not a boring mess. And speaking of cliffhanger and whiplash...this Luna story. I was worried once the WTD story was over, and Dollar Bill was revealed to be Luna's dad. I figured that would be it. I was also annoyed that Katie was butting in where it should be LI in her place. So...knowing that her and Carter broke up, yeeeah it makes more sense now why she would be sniffing around Bill again now that he has Poppy. A triangle with Bill in the middle? I would rather it be Li and Poppy, but I'm not against it. And then...the bombshell. Bill doesn't even seem to be Luna's Dad after all. Not the secret I was expecting from Tom when he saw Poppy last week. And I wish the writers had held the mystery a little bit longer. It screamed too soon. And they STILL haven't explained if Tom really is Luna's Dad. Besides, I just don't see Li messing with the test given how she dislikes her own sister. And before I could even dig into that nugget of potential drama, Tom is DEAD??? By who?? I do hope it is NOT Sheila. That would be the predictable route. I did like seeing Jack popping up for the first time in forever. And I loved seeing him mixing it up with Li. As I did love seeing Right Hand Man cuz 1) Barber and 2) did he and Bill even make up? That said...I hope those weren't just cameos and the writers do something with them. I won't hold my breath. Still...not bored.

I missed when Genoa City would acknowledge summer with the annual 4th of July pool party at the Newmans. I was just thinking that the other day in fact. Thanks to @Liberty City for the thread. It's been a busy work couple of weeks.

Hehe. I knew you would like starting the thread. Love it!

Well, I see @Faulkner is trying to give me a heart attack before my workout with all of those cakes cuz DAYYYYYYYY-uuuuum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woof!!!

RHoDubai Sorry for the absence. It's been a busy few weeks. And I think everyone knows I'm waaaaaay behind on NJ...not that it sounds like I need to catch up. lol. As for this episode...I thought it was another easy breezy episode to watch. The problem for me was that it was more like Episode 2 where it felt like something was off versus Episode 4 where I felt felt like an old school HW episode where you saw the housewives' lives, there was some fun shade, and then a group event. And I did not at all like that TBC which happened at the one moment of the episode that had any fire for me. If anything, it was an episode of subplots. My favorite being Ayan speaking up for Lesa with Sara, Brooks, Taleen, and Wannabe. That was sooo much foreshadowing. Which again wets the appetite for the main course...what happened between Ayan and Lesa that their friendship fell apart, and Ayan is no longer like this? I continued to like the other subplots. Taleen's husband's desire to have another baby. Brooks's continued attempts to be messy. The Continuing Dating Adventures of Sara. And all of that with richness and glamour. And Flexes cuz those sport cars...was THAT. But still...it just felt off to me. CAROLINE. Caroline continues her renaissance of a season. Having a party in the desert...with NO husbands. The sport cars...even though her friend arranged that...it's the connections. And her now calling Ayan a friend...awwww the growth. TALEEN. Hmmm. I feel like I like her. And for me, she is not doing anything tooooo wrong. As a Housewife, she is showing her life. And she's interacting with the girls. And while she is still having issues with Brooks now that she has let Beyoncegate go, I should be liking her. And YET...I didn't like that she was saying some things to Caroline about Brooks that I felt was not BFF like. Not that Brooks was making it easy, but the only way to resolve the issues between Caroline and Brooks is for THEM to talk to each other. Not a friend spilling info. Cuz that's your FRIEND. That rubbed me the wrong way. It simply felt like to me how I felt with Sara last season. I am clearly fascinated with her, but something kept me held back. Speaking of... SARA. LOL!!! Her dating adventures (and her scenes with her son) are just giving me giggles. Dare I say it...she's giving Housewife delusion. Why do I say that? It is so clear that she's fronting an image. And the audience is aware she is fronting an image whether it is because of the setting, how she has to represent her setting, her having a shy personality, or having a fake personality...or ALL OF THE ABOVE...it makes her just as fascinating to watch this season as it was to watch her last season. The only difference is that we did not know Sara last season. This season we have an idea so when she's being coy or even authentic, it got a bit of a giggle from me because I can't believe she said or did that. It's like being in on a joke. That said...Wannabe, Brooks, Taleen, and Ayan grilling her new man (and Sara's Confessional) was hilarious. AYAN. As has been said...Ayan has really been window dressing so far this season. And it was interesting to see Taleen starting to start drama about Lesa, and Ayan stood up for her BFF. As she should. Let's not talk about my best friend when she ain't here. And if we do, trust I will be a best friend by defending her. She does get the highlight of the episode with her coming to Caroline's event in a gown when Caroline specifically told her in the invite NOT to. And just as I saw Ayan in the gown and was about to say that Caroline said no gowns, there comes Production with the same. I hollered. BROOKS. Telephone. Nuff said. Still a Brooks fan cuz...I stay having her S1 tagline in my head...but she's doing too much. Cuz the game of telephone was crazy. And the rollback Production did on her to show Brooks has stirred the pot since S1, E1 was telling as well as a hoot to watch. LESA. Two things that Lesa will always bring. 1-shade, and 2-facts. She was giving shade all through the start of the trip to Caroline's event. And I like the fact that when the game of telephone was going on, Lesa simply said the truth...which she has been doing so far this season. I can't help, but feel that when the Ayan/Lesa fallout starts, people will be Team Lesa because of that. Ok episode, looking forward to tonight.

Well I can't speak for everyone else, but I've been busy with work, the new book, my birthday, and haters. lol. I was hoping for an overdue vaca, but alas...work politics I suspect. Well, I've also heard they might be able to salvage Kenya for the season and Bravo is being extremely coy with their wordplay in the press. Personally, if Kenya is truly gone, I will say what I said online last night. Just do the season like BH S9 when LVP left. Show EVERYTHING. Build to a midseason exit for Kenya (or do like LVP as well and don't film with the group post-midseason). And then the second half of the season can be the drama between Porsha vs Drew that's being talked about online. Heck, that can be a brewing subplot in the background of the first half of the season as Kenya deals with New Girl Ratchet Hoe. The fact that people STILL don't know what truly happened will bring the buzz for the season. No need for Shady Phae Phae. I love the fact that we STILL don't know the specifics of this fallout. That said...I was shocked to see that Taleen's hubby got into it with Lesa, too??? Ooooo. And LoL Caroline is TOTALLY back. Yay! And Brooks had me hollering.

RHoDubai It was a low key episode. Definitely better than Episode 2. Very easy breezy which is how I like my HW shows. It was basically a 'follow the housewife around in their day-to-day' kinda of episode. And there was some gems. There were also some interesting stories for some of them, too (I'm talking about YOU, Caroline Stanbury). And then the episode ended at an event that went left quick. Taleen vs Lesa was so left field. Lesa simply said what everyone was thinking. Then...she did move on. Taleen tried to make it about the usage (not the use) of the word bitch. And Lesa started to gather because they moved on. I felt Taleen was just starting a fight to cover up from the fact that her with Caroline might definitely make Brooks look a way. CAROLINE. Continuing to give. In fact, I felt that she gave the most out of all the Housewives in term of day-to-day. We continued to see the comedy of her living situation...and the end of it as she and Sergio moved into the new house. Meanwhile, we continued to see the drama in her relationship. I was Team Stanbury on that. It even gave me memories of my Russian ex. Cuz Sergio...sweetie...everything is in HER name and Mama gotta pay bills. Please go and do something while I boss bitca up. lol. I did like that they showed Sergio hanging with ALL the husbands (without it getting a whole plotline a la NJ) so he has some support. And interesting tea on Caroline's daughter trolling him. Meanwhile, Caroline's dry humor was on display (cuz her driver? I hollered) and I was living for it. And that whole fight at the Ayan's event, she was in her LoL element...watching ladies fight over her while she sits back and looks pretty. So enjoying her this season. TALEEN. I feel like I have to put a disclaimer up because I geniunely like her. Her beginning scene with her boot camp job was enlightening and inspiring to me. Her Gemini hubby wanting a boy was a hoot (and good luck with that, gal!). And she continues to interact with everyone nicely almost liked she has always been there. That said...I didn't like her coming for Lesa for a simply question and being extra so I didn't mind Lesa gathering her. SARA. I admit that I forgot that Sara meets a hot German a la the S2 trailer. Lol. So her personal life could be her storyline. And I don't mind that. And for @Cat yes, I did like Saba more this episode looking younger and flawless so...there is hope. AYAN. Outside of the event and being herself...didn't really do anything. I hate to say it, but compared to S1, she's background. BROOKS. Didn't really do anything this episode except be a diva with her assistant and son which I found hilarious. And almost brought back Beyoncegate hehe. But she needed a break after last episode. LESA. QUEEN. Sad to see her mom go, but really glad we got to see her. And I enjoyed her gathering Taleen cuz surely Taleen had to see how her walking off with Caroline would look to Brooks. And more foreshadowing of the Lesa/Ayan fallout. And I will never not find it weird when she and Caroline have scenes alone cuz it looks funny, but fascinating. Early apologies for editing. Internet connection issues cut into my posting time this busy morning. Hope to be back later.

Yeah, it's a little late for Abby to have self-awareness. That said...it wouldn't be the first soap writer to have a running joke going on...won't be the last. Yeah, the scene with Victoria introducing her kids to Claire was good EXCEPT for that. It was sooo distracting.

6-21 Well, that was a pretty good cliffhanger. Tracy is at her best when she's scheming. And even if this is well intention scheming, she was pulling it together. I honestly can't believe the writers put a kid who was already traumatized over her dear grandfather dying in a position to walk in on her passed-out father, but it does give the dramatic-ness of the situation. Finn's story keeps getting juicer. And I must admit it's nice to see Chase/BLQ as a united (if conflicted) front. And then this cat and mouse game with Anna and Valentin. That whole conversation felt like we were heading to Val's end honestly. And it was the prelude to that with them discussing their relationship. It was interesting to see them put on the appearance of putting their cards on the table while we the audience knew they were doing anything but. And now Carly knows what Wagger has over Jason's head. I mentioned it before, but I love how something that happened before the writing team came on has been used to build this whole Jason return/Pikeman story. But oh, lord...you know Carly is about to do what Carly does...smh. So...A EK story then? lol. On a whole trivial note...Chase in that shirt and those jeans...WOOF. He's looked good enough to eat all week. And this has been a great week from start to finish. Like I said a few pages back, we are hitting the middle of the stories. And this week's promo I hope means this current week is going to keep the momentum.

If anything Jason's return...BTS manipulation or not...should be a lesson to use when they get to Lucky's return. No stalling. No detours cuz it might make FV's Friend look funny. Just tell the tale. I agree. I think it is totally possible to get the ratings back up. Just focus on the characters viewers want to see. Or write the ones they don't better...which PM proved with his brief run. But the former now methinks, not the latter. Yep. Ready for that change as well. Speak it out and shame the devil.

Oooo I can see that. Yeah. I believe he did. And also someone mentioned that MW was being very tight-lipped on her latest Zoom (versus her Zoom from a year ago) like there was a form of lockdown going on over at GH right now. What's going on over there?