Vee

While it might not yet be as visible as the str8 couples we've seen a lot more physical intimacy between Smitty and Martin lately vs. the first couple weeks. And I think the handling of the Chelsea situation has been very forthright. I don't see them hiding away their gays yet.

If Claybon is married to a woman I'm the Archduke Ferdinand.

I do think Ben should come back. I think Max Bowden is all wrong for Ben.

Ugh.

I think Neighbours was a perfect storm of many elements including everything listed above. But as I've said before, I just don't think streamers have been serious enough about understanding or committing to long-form serials themselves financially despite craving those endless years of sitcom, etc. archival content. When a team was in place at Amazon that wanted to try, it apparently got dumped and now we have the ongoing streaming crunch/crash. And yes, it's beyond me there aren't more homegrown streaming soaps.

I think a number of us have noticed from the start. A new or slightly different at least audience is there for BTG, which is very important. (Even if I'm behind again!) I've talked about it in the BTG thread but I think this is extremely accurate. The show as it is now is a strange but fascinating mix of very old-fashioned soap staples (right down to the OG product placement or heavy, clunky exposition and Bell-style grand pronouncements), and then other stories or dialogue that try very, very hard to be hip and fresh a la the Prospect Park soaps. With extremely variable success or failure. But that's me judging it from my POV, which is not negative per se. And what I think maybe resonates for this new audience is that strange mix itself - both of soapy staples and current issues. They're not necessarily as picky as us on here, and they seem to appreciate the use of, say, the Bell/B&B house style (perhaps as loyal CBS viewers) to tell them how to feel or what to focus on.

Do NOT jinx this year or next year.

Frank made time for Franco (Franco!) and little Jake singing at the Nurses Ball, IIRC. Just as a point of comparison.

Absolutely insane that Donna is still here, let alone thinks she should ever say Drake Hogestyn's name again.

I thought that might be it. Thanks.

I've said this before, but I strongly suspect Carlivati would've just... brought Duke back again if he'd stayed at the show long enough. They really fúcked up Duke's return leaving him moribund and pathetic after he returned, whereas Ian Buchanan IRL is anything but. I have no real interest in another return for him but honestly Zombie Duke Round 2, with a little life in him again, could not be worse than most of Anna's dreadful pairings since, and given Tristan and Robert are clearly not an option. But I do think she should have a new, better man.

Am I wrong or was Gail (and putting her with Lee) a Marland addition?

Marland killed them? I thought that was someone else.

Someone's gonna be pissed!

Dominic's been one of the show's best actors for the better part of 20 years.

I did not want Adamson to have the role but barring him from even auditioning after the many fill-ins only to hire his Y&R replacement is classic Frank petty lol. Cold as ice!

Whether he was directed to be loud or not, I don't know how much help he needs at this point. I think GM is pretty solid and has been for quite some time. His easy banter and chemistry with the Qs and vets spoke for itself last fall IMO; he was keeping that character afloat on sheer charisma alone at that time. I've said before the wide range of things I think you could do with Gio (and they won't) but it is nice to see GM could very likely play good boy Gio crashing out with money and bad choices after learning the truth.

I thought he did quite a good job. I just think it could've been quieter in delivery. He was far from 2000s Jacob Young though. (And before anyone tries it let's be clear: For years JY did not get better as an actor, he just got much Louder. He only improved further down the road.)

Michael should've been gone til at least November sweeps (if not longer). Let Willow and Drew's nonsense and schemes with/against? each other take on more of its own life on canvas. Rory Gibson seems lethargic, but maybe he'll surprise me. I def would not have picked Adamson, I would've gone entirely outside daytime.

I've always had faith in Mazza so I'm glad that was a bit rewarded. I think he could've been slightly less loud and I did think the whole bit with smashing the violin was a bit much. While Lulu being both brash and a busybody is 100% in character, I have suspected for some time that making her the well-intentioned but obnoxious heavy opposite Setton/BLQ is not a coincidence on FV's part. Nonetheless, Alexa is great.

From a sadly strongly paywalled story at Breaker Media:

Oh lord.

Several legends here. Like @DRW50 I grew up knowing Joe Don Baker first and best from Mitchell (and his other infamous MST3K appearance, the equally hilarious Season 10 episode Final Justice - there were funny rumors he wanted to beat up the MST gang after Mitchell, while others claimed he actually took it all in good fun). I only learned later what a great actor and personality he truly was in things like Cape Fear, The Living Daylights and the original, strange and mystical BBC miniseries Edge of Darkness, where he played a CIA operative laughing in the face of nuclear annihilation. There's nobody like him. Same goes for George Wendt. Norm speaks for himself, as does Cheers. He'll never be forgotten as long as there's still television.

Nina I can see it as the head of a fashion mag and local heiress, but Drew? No.

Why is a sitting Congressman running the red carpet at the Nurses Ball?