edgeofnik

B&B's canvas is so stale, there's literally only three *shock* pairings possible: Hope/Finn, Brooke/Liam or Hope/Ridge (pukes). Now, if B&B had fluid characters, it'd open up more options, but they don't. The edge goes to Hinn simply because it reignites the Steffy/Hope drama. Thomas battles with his brother-in-law, Ridge/Brooke fight over it, etc. They could milk that for a few months, especially with the inevitable WTD story thrown in.

'Devon's world is shaken up by the sudden return of a lost lover....' Shaken up is a bit OTT. MM is only making a quick drop-by, so she has to be Amanda. @dragonflies exactly what I was going to write. OC, Brooke will have one, get high, forget she slept with someone and spend the next six months saying: 'Why did I ...?'

Exactly. And it'd be a return to *classic* B&B - borderline family relationships that are *OK* because of loopholes - Brooke and Taylor (Forrester + Marone brothers), Ridge/Bridget, Rick/Steffy. Finn and Poppy aren't *related* - Finn would've been an adult. Finn needs that halo knocked off for the character's own good. It's icky and really gross, but so was Brooke sleeping Deacon and Oliver. It's not like Steffy (Liam/Bill/Rick) or any of the Forresters could judge him - they've all done far worse! Fear not, B&B has been so bad the past 18 months, they won't go there. Just like the Taylor/Brooke and Brooke/Liam teases. Equally repulsive, but would've been must-watch trash TV. This is simply a PR drop to get the SINN stans feathers riled up.

Finally! I'm guessing this is the big story that's been hinted at for Sheila. B&B desperately needs new blood. It took them several years/attempts to get a new generation going until Steffy/Liam/Hope.

I do wonder if KA's Taylor was phased out because HT wants back in. Taylor is an essential character with Steffy/Thomas being prominent characters and with Ridge, Brooke still around. Brooke/Taylor scenes over Thomas/Hope are easy writes and certainly watchable. The whole recurring offer seems like a case where they knew KA wouldn't accept it. KA managed the tough balancing act of keeping the essential Taylor characteristic while adding a fresh spin to a 30-year character. It's a shame.

TPIR had significant drops (300K+), so it's not surprising the rest of the lineup dropped as well. The Talk - all you need to do is look at the audience spike LMAD 1 to see that it's a spectacular failure. It's got a solid and consistent lead-in B&B and leadout (LMAD). The show simply can't be that profitable with those numbers.

Thomas' downfall/reverting to psycho is a typical Brad move when the show is sliding hard. How many times did he do this with Sheila and, then, Quinn? After Thomas was kicked out of the Forrester family a year ago, Thomas underwent 3 weeks of intense therapy, was cured, went on apology tour, returned to the family+ FC, saved HFTF and won Hope over. None of this was plausible, but it was somewhat acceptable because there's no logical reason or explanation why Thomas was so awful. Thomas could've simply been a leading man with a dark/edge side like $B. Instead of writing the story we want - EviLiam - ratings continue sliding so it's *break glass in emergency* aka Thomas reverting into a psycho (Feb Sweeps). If this fails, Sheila (May), Deacon (July) and $B (Nov) will follow until the hemorrhaging stops.

@1974mdp Agreed on Sheila/Eric. Certainly, there could've been a scene between them. It wasn't that long ago when Eric/Sheila were reconnected and, ironically, Steffy shot Sheila. Has that even been mentioned since the Steffy/Finn shootings? In a perfect world, Sheila would've somehow been Eric's unofficial nurse - even for a short period of time. So much history that could've been mined - especially with years of relevant archival footage.

JMW for the WIN! Emmy winner, Baby #4 and even with Maternity Leave leads the year.

Yeah, it's icky, but it was 15 years ago - Rick is off-canvas, probably never to return, Phoebe sadly was killed off. The Ridge/Bridget thing was disgusting regardless because Ridge raised her as his own child for several years! But they went there anyway because B&B has always flirted with these types of familial taboos. Gosh, the way Brooke (Forrester/Marone), Taylor (Forrester/Marone), Eric (Logan), Bill (Logan), Steffy (Spencer) and Hope (Spencer) have climbed the different family trees is a B&B hallmark. Ridge being Eric's son and his children being full Forresters far outweighs the Rick thing. In fact, it'd actually be an interesting story if Rick came back and Rick/Steffy had to work through what this awful lie did to them. Fortunately, no children were involved.

Ever since they made the massive mistake of having Sheila shoot Finn/Steffy, it feels like the show is constantly trying to do reboots ala 'The NEW Plan to SAVE DAYS!' How many whiplashes have we been through during the past 18 months? Finn alive, Sheila *faking* her death, Ridge/Taylor, Thomas insta-reformed, Sheila/Bill, Taylor/Brooke, Bill/Ridge, Brooke dating, Thomas/Hope, Eric dying, etc. All of these stories has come literally out of nowhere and every one has been a disorganized mess. The execution has been abysmal. B&B has always been quick to abandon bad stories on a dime. Far faster than any modern soap. Historically, B&B has pivoted to something good enough to make you forget these bad stories, which, of course, are never mentioned again anyway. The show is in a very bad place. Strangely the only story that's managed to work: Deacon/Sheila and that's probably based on KB/SK ability to sell it. We need a Brooke scandal with Liam! Have Sheila discover via Diana that Mossimo altered the Ridge DNA test.

Thanks @soapfan770 ! Wishing you a prosperous, healthy and safe 2024!

I abandoned AMC as soon as I saw the beginning of that scene until the Prospect Park version. AMC was my first soap and it while it had up-and-downs, it was never extreme or vile. Absolutely shameful.

Definitely. Here's the fundamental difference between B&B and the 3 other soaps - those other shows produce twice the content. Therefore, recurring on an hour show means a lot more possibilities for getting incorporated into episodes and minor storylines. In fact, those recurring players are essential to those shows business model. Those established characters have so much history and connections to their respective canvases that they could be pulled into major stories easily. Not so on B&B. Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe) on Y&R, she's been recurring for years, but she's still on and even in the opening credits. Ironically, as a fashion designer, she's been long erased on B&B.

I already mentioned being bummed about KA earlier on her, but that's show business. Almost immediately after the strikes ended several shows have been canceled/ending and several prime time actors who've been cut. The new contracts changed the economics for scripted fare significantly. I'm certain there's also cuts in crews, etc. However, those behind-the-scenes folks don't have the same visibility as the actors. KA sounds like a very healthy, put-together person. She'll be fine.

Even JMcC acknowledges one of the many reasons why Eric has never been a likeable character: Eric not marrying Donna. It's part of why so many are completely indifferent about whether Eric lives or dies. No matter how much they've tried to push this retcon of Eric being the paragon of virtue, class and dignity, the audience has 37 years of Eric neglecting or mistreating the women as the rule. So not marrying Donna is typical Eric. The ultimate irony here is that B&B's characters primary purpose in life is to get married. If this S/L were given to Brooke, Bill, Ridge, Steffy or Liam, you can bet they'd be rushing to the altar before death.

Never heard of her - saw the picture and headline on Deadline. Assumed Abby recast - angelic sealed it for me.

@titan1978 Ah, thanks for elaborating. The media and fans have been saying daytime has been in a *decline* literally for the past 40 years. As you note, if he thought things were bad when he left ...

I'm pretty certain that *politics* push SF to leave B&B, she would've picked up other gigs. As far as I can tell, she really did retire from acting. Anyone who believes that SF couldn't a land even a guest/recurring spot on another soap, an episode or two on a prime time series or an independent film is delusional. I'm glad I've only kept up with reading the episode synopses during the past few months. This Eric faux dying story is just too much - and not in the B&B campy good way. Sad.

KA had the nearly impossible job of stepping in to a role that had been associated with an iconic soap actor for almost 30 years. KA did it thought. She captured the essence of Taylor in a short period of time while still giving the role a fresh take. Unless, Tylo has asked to return, I seriously don't get this at all. A true shame, but that's why it's call show *business* - it's ruthless.

B&B: Quinn absolutely filled the void for Sheila. On most scripts, you could even strike Quinn and insert Sheila and no one would've questioned it.

I believe everyone appreciates and recognizes the contributions JMcC has made to B&B. That completely separate from pointing out that Eric is an awful character. He treated every single woman he was with terribly - a serial cheater, dismissive and thoughtless. This whole underlying narrative that Eric was wise, the epitome of class, etc. is a retcon because there's years of evidence to the contrary. My new favorite since I'm watching Season 8: Hours after Ridge was nearly killed by an explosion in *his* lab, he's giving Lauren Fenmore a private fashion show - flirting and witty banter included. Narcissist. We can loathe Eric, but still recognize JMcC's work on the show.

Eric makes a final speech. Promises, promises. Skipping B&B until Eric's funeral. Watching Season 5 - 8 during the past year revealed what a despicable and cold character. My *favorite* scene: Hours after Ridge was take to hospital from the FC lab explosion, Eric hosts a private fashion showcase for Lauren. He's bantering and flirting as if nothing happened earlier that day. It's surreal.

@ranger1rg 100%. Honestly, Eric is the least likeable major B&B character. People trash Brooke for 'following her heart', but Eric is far worse. The way he's treated his wives/lovers over the years is appalling. Case in point: he's *dying* and allegedly loves Donna so why wouldn't he want to get married? Eric always has been a selfish, cold, childish and judgmental character. I have no idea why the writers chose to make him so vapid. Maybe it started as a way to show that Stephanie was the real brains behind FC? Obviously, she was!

Eh, just a scratch. C'mon Jordan, do better!