Vee

That's if a ton of classical soap fans are actually on the way out. I don't see much evidence of that yet, and I don't think it's that simple. And I am someone who thinks the day to day writing and pacing has a ton of issues lol. But the reality is that BTG's blended old/new audience isn't going away (probably) and they're going to have to find a way to handle both of them, or train one or the other to accept a modulated pacing. I don't think 'June works at Orphey Gene's' is an actual storyline. I think it's a place to give her a spot as a supporting character/talk-to. I would rather she be gone completely as I can't tolerate her lol, but I think it's a positioning thing. Other stories are far more sped up.

I could've sworn she played a hooker or something in the mid-90s.

I do think Gio will come around, but it still hurts given those incredible reveal scenes with them.

A legend and pioneer in more ways than one. RIP.

Shame we can't see it in the US.

I'm just glad she's well enough. Erika has stayed surprisingly busy in primetime, cable and film since coming out of retirement, and is in a Hugh Jackman film this winter. I had wondered if she would continue after her daughter's tragic death and I'm happy she's here.

Except I think they definitely have gathered that audience? And it's been very notable, particularly online and anecdotally IRL. That's why they're in a tricky spot re: how the storytelling is done - as Ducksworth has said, they are caught between classical pacing and writing for a new demographic unfamiliar with the rhythms of daytime and expecting something faster, trying to thread the needle, and it shows onscreen.

Pretty sure it's a mutual admiration society. Stephen is a fan of the show and FV enjoys having him, and it's a high-profile guest to have on. Fan or not, I still wouldn't use him again. I enjoy the Stephen Smith clips and memes online but it's ludicrous to have such a major meme-heavy celeb regularly recur in active story playing some enforcer in story we're supposed to take seriously, lol.

He's always been attractive to me, but they have improved his look overall.

I don't think the writing was any different for Ted before. It was frankly the exact same level of surface for him lol. Keith's Ted just projects weaker while the character is equally sad and pathetic.

I think you mean noted shrink(?) and sex addict Kelly Lee, the one Asian on canvas who happened to be a nymphomaniac!

I think the writing for Ashley could be a lot better. But it would take a lot at this point to make me want her around. I don't.

They haven't made up.

I enjoy Leslie for the most part. I'm not surprised sadsack Ted fell back in bed with her. Even if his read of the Duprees last week was spot-on.

I'm all for Ted clowning himself yet again lol. June remains unbearable.

More June?!

I will say Chris McKenna looks much hotter in recent days as they've gotten a handle on dressing and styling him, even if Brennan remains a lousy role and he's miscast. He is selling the authority at least.

I just think he's weaker period. But the writing for Ted has not helped, in part because I think they are simply not invested in Ted long-term. I think the reality is different people in the audience (all audiences) want or expect different things. I'm sure some are ready to check out, but for others it's just apples and oranges. The dialogue often vacillates between arch/expository or classical and hyper-modern, with only occasionally any nuance in between, which as a student of the genre is endlessly fascinating to me even when I groan. (Though some of it I do like) It's often like watching Irna Phillips or Bill Bell writing for Prospect Park. But a lot of audience members are either used to that from certain soaps (like B&B) or expect it, or just don't notice. I do, and it's one of many things I'd work on - including the hokey therapy-speak - but I think the bones of the show are good and it has made real improvements. And I think it will keep growing and improving. It's got a long way to go lol, but most soaps did in six months. As for Lindstrom, I didn't buy him at all early on and found him stiff and creaky in the role. I do now largely because of his heat with Lauren Bugliogi and her amazing performance, and I think he has settled in quite a bit and the puppet master stuff has largely worked for me even when other stories don't. Still, I think Joey will (and should) eventually meet his end while Vanessa takes his throne. Which I am all for. Her character is the most Guza-coded for me, but in a way I find complimentary.

I fully expect this to end the same as before with an even more GBCW exit lol.

I think they were just that desperate re: Jason, lol. I also think it doesn't hurt that FV gets to bring back and dive back into tedious characters, families, intrigues, etc. that he seems to prefer. But I think his loyalty is not to KT/Britt.

The bigger problem is when that KT tries to do conventional soapy pathos or reach deeper beyond snark she just... sucks at it. This was evident even early on when they tried to soften her up during the Ben/Rocco saga in the Carlivati years and have Britt display regret, heartbreak, etc. I used to name every reaction shot they'd have on her before a scene change: "Dull Surprise, Misty Nausea," etc. It was always the same weak, whiny shít. And I frankly don't think her snark is anything special. Emily O'Brien could definitely do something interesting with Britt, but I'd just as soon see her play anyone but Britt. Britt will always be disposable to me. But yes, Kelly does have real chemistry with Steve and is the first to wake him up in intimate scenes in many years.

Glad to hear Finn Carter is doing better. I always adored her in Tremors, but I've grown very fond of watching her on ATWT.

I think it was just about Gottlieb and how her attitude turned the industry off, really.

You need a strong actress to fill in the void in someone like Jason, who generally has about two speeds. Steve can do more but rarely cares to. Most of Jason's romantic partners have been strong enough to do that. For me, it's been less of an issue this go-round because Steve has been overall engaged, willing to work in scenes with the family, and his focus has been there because they've lacked any other coherent story for him lol. (The fumbling attempts at another disastrous round of Jason/Carly, likely a Korte pet project, ended with Mulcahey's brief reign - I suspect it was a preexisting brief he was given since Korte pushed it last time, and it would not surprise me if PM came in thinking he could remake the magic he created in the Steve/Sarah years happen again and then found there was nothing there with Steve and Laura.) KT isn't strong enough, but I've never liked Britt or the show's flopsweat attempts to reverse engineer this heterosexual paper-thin soap bitch into a 'gay icon' on a show often lacking major LGBT representation. Just on the page, Britt came in as nothing more than a two-dimensional foil for Sabrina (created on the same day) and she's rarely had enough to sustain her since. Occasionally one of Britt's jokes lands for me, but KT's offscreen antics, her weakness re: any real drama or depth onscreen and the disgusting way they've handled the Rocco stuff put me off even more. And I suspect they're alienating a lot of the larger general audience they want to feel for her with that story angle too - it has not played well online. So I just don't think it will last.

Not necessarily the case if not every actor was involved.