Liberty City

NGL, I notice this, too. She got herself a nice fresh manicure yet is still houseless. It's those kind of details I really wish were not overlooked, unless they're hinting that June is:

Everyone kept saying that, and I truly did not see it at all; even when I tried, I just did not see it. He read "teen" to me. My guess is Tristian Riggs read too young and "on the nose" for a gay teen. Sad, but true. Whereas Cassidy does not, although Riggs did mirror that of Jason David, who was the first Aiden to be placed into the storyline. And my other guess⏤again, with no verifiable proof⏤is that Enzo De Angelis (while 16) was not who they envisioned playing the Tobias/Aiden storyline, or that his own parents weren't openly ready to take it beyond the fact Aiden had a crush on Tobias. Again, no verifiable proof, just my suspicions of what could have been a factor in recasting. As Charlie Besso (Tobias) is 22 years old, so that is what's making me think casting older was for the potential to tell stories you wouldn't necessarily want a 16 year old playing on daytime television. The biggest mistake I do think American soaps make is using the summertime as a way to lure teens into watching with a teen/younger set, and it just... comes off really forced and unnatural to me.

date: Thursday, June 19 | Sara A. Bibel, Lynn Martin | Michael V. Pomarico Deadbeat is the definition of "I always feel like somebody's watching me", and it reads all over his damn face. I think it's sweet to see Bradley and Tyrell spending time together; at least one parent is present in the lives of Samantha and Tyrell. Katherine calling out Chelsea on how fast she's moving with Madison feels real; she's recognising just how fast she's moving, etc. And they're getting sued already? We knew fashion/branding was a major industry, and it's fast. Uh-oh, the child bride knows about the insurance policy. And now she's worried he's ditching her ass. He will, just not right now. If Kenny is going to continue watching Deadbeat, then he's got to make it less obvious because it keeps getting caught. Do better, "Kenneth". Vernon continues to be level-headed and headstrong where his family is concerned, and I love that about him. A true patriarch who wants to protect his family. It sounds like Marcel has Elon and the P.D. by the balls, and he'll take them down with him if he goes down. ELON WAS PART OF THAT NIGHT, TOO?! How many more people are going to be involved?! We're unraveling this story at warp speed now, and I am here for it. So the child bride does not like her reality? Honey, maybe you should've kept your legs closed to married men, and then you would not be in the situations you're presently in. Child bride's reaction to Chelsea being sued by this other company makes it seem as if she knows what is going on... could she be behind the copyright infringement? I appreciate that Tomas continues to respect Katherine's boundaries as a virgin (it's so refreshing), but I also appreciate him questioning what it is she may be waiting for. June's emotions regarding the image felt so real. I'm happy she was able to get her photograph back once and for all. It truly means something to her. Marcel is funneling money through accounts and reaping the benefits... two years ago? The $500k from Deadbeat, maybe? Is that how Bill made it go away? He paid off Marcel (and possibly Elon and Kenny)? Vernon in command mode? I love it. Things are heating UP UP UP! Notes: A real trivial thing, but "Elon" needs to be renamed immediately; we don't even need to acknowledge it in the script. Just change the name, please. I appreciate the shift back to some storylines that were developing pre-May Sweeps but got sidelined. It's a nice change of pace and shows there is intent with how things are being executed. Take me along for the ride. While Brandon Claybon (Martin) is slowly improving, it is still a role I would recast for someone with a bit more... depth and conviction in their acting. Jason Vendryes (Kenny) is a natural find; it's kind of a shame he wasn't cast in Ben Gavin's role of Derek. It'd be a vast improvement. June is houseless (a term I prefer as opposed to homeless), and yet she's got her nails freshly done. This kind of detail should not be overlooked. Jasmine Burke (June) is another one of those rare finds this soap has truly brought to the forefront. I adore seeing her work.

Writers: Sara A. Bibel Lynn Martin Director: Michael V. Pomarico

Credits for Thursday, June 19, 2025: Created by: Frank & Doris Hursley Executive producer: Frank Valentini Head writers: Chris Van Etten, Elizabeth Korte Writers: Suzanne Flynn, Scott Sickles, Cathy Lepard Director: Rory Kramer

Well, the O.G. years, they looked older, especially in comparison to the later years (simply Degrassi and Next Class). But producers were adamant: they cast real-aged actors to play the ages of the roles they needed. So, in their case, the actors did appear visibly younger than those from the original Next Generation and even the iterations that came before. But it is a prime example of real-life teens appearing younger [today] in comparison to [yesteryear]. 🤷🏻‍♂️

True. Older-looking teens don't bother me, either. I love watching Grease, and the casting was clearly... apparent in what they were doing. Hence why when Colin Cassidy came in as nüAiden, I was fine with it; yes, he looked older, but it worked for me. And trust me, I was pissed there was no Dylan McKay, Brandon Walsh, etc., at my high school... not that I stood a chance. Not even a Marco DelRossi or Sean (Degrassi: the Next Generation).

It's a no-win with teens from my perspective, especially in regards to American soaps. We have teens playing teens (for the most part) on GH, while we have older playing teens on DAYS, etc. It's a no-win situation. I think it's because it's easier to watch "older play younger" because of the stories they could be telling.

Well, a lot of teens nowadays do look a bit young; I remember how my older cousins looked during their high school years, then how people looked during my years, and now how they look now. It tracks. I, too, am one that isn't overly in love with "teen stories", especially when it comes to American daytime. Australian/British soaps do it better.

Rocco is a teen, though; it's a matter of Elizabeth Korte, Chris Van Etten, and Frank Valentini pursuing those stories, etc. They sort of began that with the drinking story (blah, boring!).

I need me some more Rocco! He's a doll (despite his unfortunate name).

Too many children right now, and most of them will amount to nothing. Only child I have hopes for is James.

Then he should've wrapped it TF up, or these women should be on birth control.

date: Wednesday, June 18 | Ron Carlivati, Cheryl L. Davis | Steven Williford Ashley? Andre? YES! But alas, it's a dream because now the lug is at the front door. Ugh. Dani has taken her "HAPPY PILLS" today because she is on LVL 100 of excitement! Is Derek incapable of listening to Ashley? Her reasons for not accepting are valid and sound; if he can't handle that, then that is on him. Not her. Nicole's reaction to Chelsea and Madison is hilarious; she's at a loss for words. The stuttering was brilliant. I love that Ashley is twice as hungover as Naomi; one can hold their tequila, while one cannot. I don't drink, so I know I'd probably be worse than Ashley. I love how playful and loving Jacob and Naomi are with each other! Young love. Not the child bride feeding Bill a salad; he wants his steak and fixings. I know he does. Well, look here, Shanice is officially in the gates of Fairmont Crest. Nice to see her outside of the hospital. I love Vernon seeming to be the "official" interrogator of all grandchildren's partners. It's refreshing. Dani being so detailed and "in the know" about Bill's recovery shows she is invested. So, she outright is telling Nicole, who is visibly pissed off... as she should be; she confronted Dani and Andre about it before, and now she's getting the confirmation she's asked for multiple times. I appreciate that Vernon wants Chelsea to cut through the B.S. right now. Well, Ashley and Derek are done and over with. Thank frick. Now Ashley, GO GET YOUR MAN ANDRE! And Derek, go back to your ugly-ass chair and Moosehead and never be seen again! Oh, Nicole is pissed off. She finds Dani's relationship with Andre inappropriate, and I completely see her feelings as valid, because they absolutely are. Wow... so Madison gets to call Vernon by his first name? That's impressive. June! Happy to see her pop up again. Oh damn... she was targeted by a group? That's not promising. Bill, what the hell are you up to? $10 million life insurance policy going directly to the child bride? Are we about to get an episode of Snapped up in here? Or is he setting her up? Notes: So we go from Tomas' too-tight fashions to Ted's too-big fashions? Too much inconsistency here. And Andre's hat? Ugly as frick. News interruption where I am; thank goodness for secondary feeds! Makes me happy to see the writing for the character of Shanice mellow out from those beginning weeks. The exercise they have Bill doing looks familiar to one I did, albeit a bit different, but familiar. And he's got a cane and no foot cast. That's a good sign. The continued mention of "HIPAA" makes me happy, especially when so many other soap characters flat-out ignore it. That sitting area in the Dupree home is super cute and feels very natural, especially with the light coming in from the outside. Based on this episode and some social media posts, we are still three months tape-to-air, which is a bit more than the CBS standard, but not at the near one-year mark DAYS holds. That's a healthy place to be. So, we are officially entering into a "post-premiere" era.

Credits for Wednesday, June 18, 2025: Created by: Frank & Doris Hursley Executive producer: Frank Valentini Head writers: Elizabeth Korte, Chris Van Etten Writers: Ryan Quan, Charlotte Gibson, Cathy Lepard Director: Allison Reames Smith

Writers: Ron Carlivati Cheryl L. Davis Director: Steven Williford

So far, Ben Wadey's tenure is off to a solid start; still holding out to see once we truly get into it, but I do feel like he inherited a soap in better shape than Chris Clenshaw inherited.

Chelsea was absolutely eating it up, and right when Dani thought she'd avoided the topic, Chelsea brought it right back up. 🤣

Congratulations to Y&R, and am happy to see BTG continuing to be steady!! That's fantastic.

I wouldn't say so; I'd wager it may be a seasonal contract thing. I mean, per Brown's Linkedin, he's got his development with Lionsgate, so that could have easily played into it; or, like Guza Jnr, they came in to help lift the soap off the ground and were not meant to be longterm stays.

I AM GUTTED! I ADORED HER!

Nor should it lead to a retcon of Rocco actually being Britt's son, Ben. At all.

date: Tuesday, June 17 | Ron Carlivati, Jazmen Darnell Brown | Sonia Blangiardo-Goins "What's gay sex like?" Samantha, honey, you've got to warn us all before you blurt out such a question. Because I was not expecting that. Intimate interludes? You're both sex with some slight emotional attachments. You're both adults. Get over it. Dani, you and Andre both forget that Nicole has questioned the both of you regarding what may/may not be going on with the both of you. I agree, Ashley: Naomi, this is not the time for that kind of humour, especially when your bestie is on the verge of breakdown. Uh-oh, here comes Douglas walking in on Joey and Vanessa post-agreement sex. The room must smell of success. Think so, Dougie? This vulnerability in Dani is beautiful; her admitting she's afraid of being blindsided again. That's real. And I am sure it's a weight that has been weighing on her shoulders for far too long. And not the "trashy pregnant ho" comment. Deadbeat is a deer lost in headlights right now. DEER! The post-sex glow of Chelsea and Madison is there. I can sense it and see it. Dani is about to admit what's going on... and Chelsea is in love? Oh, this is totally puppy love. And that is natural. I've been there, done that and all of that stuff. OH SNAP! Marcel is involved with Deadbeat's secret? And connected with Kenny, too?! Oh, this just got JUICY!!! I love that both Dani and Naomi have asked Andre and Ashley, respectively, if there is "someone else" on their part. Ella Mai, SZA and Beyoncé? Damn. Three amazing musicians. And I love that we acknowledge Dani's been in the modeling world, where it isn't strictly heterosexual. That's refreshing. A certain soap, set in the fashion world, should absolutely do the damn same. 👀 Bradley, you deserve better than Deadbeat; stop trying to be the husband he does not deserve, because he is giving you nothing in return. Vanessa is fully in control of the situation with Douglas and Joey. And Vanessa's balled-up fist to keep from swinging at someone is brilliant. And, just like that, Dani thought the Andre subject had been avoided. But nope! Notes: "What's gay sex like?" ⏤ BRILLIANT QUESTION FOR AMERICAN DAYTIME TELEVISION! You don't even get "What's sex like?" as a question, so this is another brilliant leap forward. New drinking game: anytime someone asks, "What colour's your money?" we take a drink of something. I've found the first consistency problem: Jen Jacob's (Ashley) hair changed over the past three episodes; the parting/styling has slowly just transitioned away, and yet we're meant to still be on the same night of Friday's episode. No one else has had this issue. I want to know what's done on this soap that the other four cannot manage when it comes to dropping real-life names of social media, celebrities, etc. We have Faceplace on one soap, but on this we have Facebook, etc.

I agree: she said, "This is the time you have and I'm out". She did it on her terms, on her accord, and it showed.