GLATWT88

Derek needs to propose to Shanice and Andre drops Ashley for Dani (gets her pregnant) leading Ashley to spiral and do some unhinged stuff at the hospital to get back at Shanice and Dani like stealing a baby for Hayley and finding ways to make Shanice look bad on the job. Ultimately Ashley loses her job for whatever stunt she pulls on Shanice (but the baby stealing isn't uncovered) pushing her to escort at her daddy Joey's other business. Ashley gets taken by some shady character who gets really rough and she is found dead.

That was my thought too. Especially, when he texted Martin to meet him at Orphey's apparently. Someone clearly wants you dead and you're just out at the park playing chess and now you're at a very popular establishment. Sure being around others might keep you alive for a minute, but where you going to next once everyone knows your whereabouts.

Now, what in the stranger danger...what 16 year old is inviting a 30-something stranger into their home like that? Also, if Kenny is so dangerous why wouldn't Martin just tell his son about it. I think as a parent, your child's safety supersedes keeping some vague secret you barely even know about. Also, he is old enough to understand and it's not like Martin knows enough details to get Tyrell entangled in any of it. Ashley has some nerve. Girl is out here on a date with the man she told Derek he had nothing to worry about when it was clear she had these feelings for him, yet she wants to get touchy that Derek is on a date as well. Sorry, not sorry. Shanice actually made Derek tolerable. Meanwhile, Ashley is still 😴 and ewww at Andre blowing smoke up his own ass...there's many surprises or whatever he had to say after Ashley patted him on the back for donating the money from his paintings in honor of his parents who are funding his carefree lifestyle. No wonder he loves Ashley...they are both in the running for Sainthood. The cringe factor is high with this one. "Sometimes you just got to splurge...budget be damned. Am I right?" Martin strutting across Orphey Gene's....yaaassssss. This man loves to strut and chase after his Kenny!!! First at the country club and now at Orphey's. A few more of these, and I'm going to need someone to create a gif stringing all of these together...with the caption "Gay Men Lesuirely Walking Anywhere." I hope Dani really lets Andre have it. He deserves it. How's he going to beg for Dani to be open about their relationship to take Ambien out on a date. Neither one is young enough to believe that if you are telling people about your relationship, especially family, that you are still open.

I haven't watched today's episode yet, but I never understood it to be that Andre lost his parents at a young age. My take away was that he was older, but Nicole and Ted were there for him and almost took on that parental role in some capacity, but not in raising him because he was already grown.

Yesterday's return was fine. I feel that the week-long wait built some anticipation, but the episode didn't meet that expectation or deliver anything too exciting. Not that it wasn't a decent episode, but it might have felt different had we not waited so long. Waiting to see what plays out today.

I will have to respectfully disagree and say that IMO those are the things that are definitely not working on this soap. Nonetheless, I agree that BTG is it's own soap and should be able to create its own identity. Making the majority of the cast family was also a misstep. Unfortunately, her role has been to pout to her man about the women Duprees and how she isn't welcome in the community or love scenes with Bill. That might change with the baby situation.

I can't imagine what CBS would want from a new soap. Did it believe BTG would be closer to BB and YR's numbers out the gate? I highly doubt they were that delusional. BTG has remained pretty stable since week 3. It would be silly to assume that numbers wouldn't drop off a bit from a big premiere, but it has been hovering at that 1.5 mil range. Obviously, the scary thing with soaps is when they begin to seep....drop and drop steadily over time. I just want BTG to show some growth. I also wish we knew what CBS was thinking.

So how would a week of repeats remedy this situation?

I'm more pissed that a proper explanation wasn't given. It was such a sloppy move all around. From not warning viewers, airing the premiere week which was a bad move IMO, to keeping mute on the reason. Even if it was a BTS issue give a fake excuse and say we are airing the first week for those who missed it. To my point of reairing premiere week, it is already the most watched week, why air it again. It received the most promotion out of any other week with months of aniticipation. Anyone that REALLY wanted to tune in did or has made the effort to at least stream somewhere. If they aren't watching or still watching it's for other reasons. Doesn't help that the first episode was pretty slow for a premiere and the first week was filled with production flaws. Honestly, they should have aired key episodes to help those not fully invested get hooked and understand the main plot points so they could continue on next week knowing what was going on. Also, if this has to do with a BTS issue than great. I'm all for not airing all the dirty laundry and causing uproar where there need not be, but don't blindside the viewer and not acknowledge or inform them ahead of time. This was just so poorly done and it only harms the show.

I've watched every day since BTG premiered. I am invested and I want this soap to succeed if not simply for my love of this genre. This is the first time in close to 20 years that I have watched a soap this consistently. Maybe the sets don't bother me much, because it's already an improvement over what I was seeing in the final years of GL. Overall, I agree that the pacing of the stories, the decision to rotate stories in and out, the lack of more classic soap elements like music cues and cuts to commercial have been a challenge. Like you I don't necessarily dislike this rotation of stories, but it can feel strange when it seems like something has been dropped. The big one for me right now is does or doesn't Dani have a drinking problem? Has this been dropped or is it a case of a story that will come up again soon. I don't mind the complaining, probably because I am critical myself and it seems like yours comes from a genuine place.

I think the urgency and stakes for stories are my biggest issue as well right now. Personally, it doesn't bother me that they're always at Orphey Gene's or Uptown and while it would be nice to have more sets I know that this isn't always possible with budget constraints, but it isn't distracting to me either...at least not yet.

Since y'all brought generations up, I watched the premiere yesterday because of a conversation on this forum about how well soaps that premiered post-B&B have faired and failed. Now, I didn't know what to expect but I was stunned when that lady came rolling down the stairs like that. It looked so dumb, but I was invested and then the gag was that it was a soap within a soap. 😃 I bust out laughing. As for BTG's longevity, who's to really say at this point. It is extremely early to tell, but it sure was a dumb move to air repeats this week. It's not only the airing of repeats, but the blatant disrespect for viewers that tune in regularly and not to even run promos letting fans know. Compound that with the fact the other two soaps on the network are still airing new episodes.

I'm not being completely serious. I was just shocked when I saw the bag. It felt very dated and out of character for two young stylish entrepreneurs. I work with teen girls and I couldn't imagine them thinking that bag was it. Trends come and go and they come back around, but that just doesn't feel now nor does it feel like a bag I would want to design a whole company around. I keep calling it an 80s prom clutch or purse, because it just feels old and not in a classic way and deifnitely not an innovative way. Like the chain strap with the sequins and the bow didn't feel fresh. If they changed the strap or even the shape, but I was shocked to see it when the fashion show came around. Maybe I was just expecting something less formal and more atheleisure and they came out in dresses and that underwhelming bag. But I mean here's a 1987 prom catalog with a sequin bag and metallic strap.

Look, I wasn't impressed at the time. I'm not going to lie. However, with the right budget and some proper creative tooling, it can be a great way to have an outdoor space. Okay, I'm just gonna take it back. The gala I let slide, but that fashion show took me completely out of the fantasy. There wasn't enough extras, the show was literally two seconds long and showcased well a bag...or a prototype. I was shocked honey, I was in tears almost...not a single 80s prom purse.

We've already seen Nicole's award gala and the fashion show...the track record isn't looking good.

I don't agree with all of it, but not annoying at all. I actually prefer to hear real opinions (whether I agree with them or not) rather than pretending everything is perfect. A young congressman doesn't bother me. There have been so many real life Representatives that are much younger than Martin (while young Senators are less common than Representatives, it's not rare by any means). However, the running for president thing was completely ridiculous and not only because the soap wouldn't have a means to properly deliver such a story, but just because of Martin's age, the fact that there are millions that go into such a campaign, the influence and what is actually required to run such a campaign successfully. I mean Martin is a gay married man with adopted children - not too long ago that wouldn't be a possibility. His cousin is also queer. Couldn't Martin be advocating for trans rights possibly with his cousin Naomi who could be counseling a trans person - not that a soap would probably want to touch such a story at this point. Chelsea having a million followers doesn't bother me. There are many people I know on insta that do [!@#$%^&*] all and have a million followers just for looking pretty. If she was even a semi recognizable model, I can see that for her. Although, I don't know if her portrayl on BTG matches what these girls actually do. I guess they really should have toned down the success of The Articulettes. Maybe they could have been a one hit wonder with a few other minor hits. How random...just popped over on X and this came up:

Yes, I still think the premiere was such a missed opportunity. There should have been something explosive to hook viewers. Imagine Dani in the car driving up to the country club and as Best of My Love is playing, she pulls out the gun on Haley and Bill at their wedding. From there we could have flashed back to what built up to that point. Also, why repeat the first week? The premiere is the most watched episode to date and the premiere week is still the most watched week. Let's be real, a hoard of people aren't just randomly tuning in especially since there was no promo about this week's change. Similarly, if anyone is watching that doesn't normally already, it's those that were curious and have probably already watched the first week and tune in from time to time or those that on occasion leave their TVs on after YR and BB. I feel it would have been wiser to play some of the more entertaining episodes such as Leslie and Eva's reveal at Ted and Nicole's anniversary. Laid out all together like this, this is actually so funny. 😃

It's hard to really say what CBS is looking for or what it expected from a new soap opera in 2025. I just checked and the total viewers numbers aren't horrible, but obviously lagging behind the other 3 broadcast soaps. The demos are better than GH which is a win IMO. We also have very little info on how these soaps perform on streaming and whether or not that even matters to CBS. I don't think a week of repeats is some sign of trouble. CBS renewed BTG with their current numbers so they know what they're working with. I honestly think it had to do with budgets and contracts.

I've heard that said a few times before, but do we have any evidence of that post-BB? I know since there's been Generations, The City, PC, Sunset Beach, and Passions. While I don't know their numbers well, I don't think any of those were able to increase their numbers over time. They kinda just remained stagnant for a while and then dropped.

I didn't care much for the outdoor shots they did week 1. It just looked like outdoor space of an office park. Those concrete common areas between buildings with a bit of greenery. I'm not sure what they wanted us to think that was exactly, but either way it was nice to see them outside. I know this won't be popular, but I wouldn't mind a town square set with some greenery and benches and maybe an outdoor cafe with seating. I've been to shops in NYC and Philly that you just order outside at the window. Maybe a few other places that can line the squars to change up meet up points for characters. Heck...add a food truck, too. Sorta like what GL had at the end, but much better. Yes, they spent a bit of dialogue making the cane a thing and how Chelsea could zhuzh it up by adding a panther or lions head. Then from one day to the next, he's walking around like nothing happened.

Oh absolutely. Ashley's set isn't the best, but at least she doesn't need to be in bed to have a conversation in her home.

Speaking of sets, how did Ashley get a better set than Naomi and Jacob?

Someone mentioned on reddit that one of the actors said they were going to start filming season 2 in September. Considering the roughly 4 months from film to air, that would make sense that seasons for BTG run yearly...as those episodes would likely air in Jan.

As for the week of repeats next week could it be a contractual or budgeting issue? I don't know how seasons for soap operas run. If it's September-August or year by year. But if it's a yearly thing, that would mean that BTG's first season would run Feb. 24 - Dec. 31. It was also mentioned that CBS ordered 200 episodes for season 1. There are 223 weekdays in that timeperiod. Meaning 23 possible airdates that would not be filled with that previous order. I'm assuming Thanksgiving and Christmas will be preempted - so that's 2 less days. We had 4 day of soccer preemptions? Memorial Day was preempted (1). Also, now we know all of next week will be preempted so that's 5 more days. That's 12 days. Meaning, they would need to fill 11 days still. I am sure that contractually there may be some issues that would prevent BTG from airing season 2 episodes earlier, because of whatever negotiations took place. CBS may also not want to renegotiate more episodes for season 1 at the higher rate either. I may very well be over thinking this, but considering that this was done at the top...it is likely a cost saving measure, but not necessarily in a ominous way. If that is the case, they can always preempt Labor Day and then leave off on a huge cliffhanger Friday, December 19 and preempt the weeks of Christmas and New Years and come back Jan. 5 and that would cover those 11 days. Thank you. Do we know if the demos have been what CBS was hoping?

This is a question that I had before the soap premiered. By which metrics will the success of BTG be measured? Do we finally know the answer to this? I remember when I first brought this up, some claimed that as long as BTG performed better than The Talk, CBS would be pleased. I found that to be completely unrealistic considering that the production costs of a talk show vs that of a soap are drastically different. Why would CBS be pleased if BTG slightly outperforms The Talk if they're spending multiple times over to produce it. Money is always the bottom line. Others said as long as it did better than GH. Honestly, I haven't followed the ratings much for the show besides the first two weeks and I believe the demos were outperforming those of GH, but lagging behind its CBS sister soaps. Whether that is enough or not, I don't know. I do know that GH and DAYS seem to do pretty well on their streaming platforms. They are consistently on the top watched shows, but that isn't the case for BTG on Paramount+. In fact, I don't think I have ever seen a CBS soap on the most watched list on Paramount+ as that is where I usually watch BTG. I think it would only help BTG case if it was at least performing well on streaming. I also didn't love that Paramount+ did very little to showcase the soaps on their platform. There was no spotlighting at the top of their platform or anything.