edgeofnik

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!

BTW - I saw Monday (US) episode. CZ looks great and kills it. You'd never guess it's been 13 years since she was on ATWT. Yes, Jordan is obviously an OTT character, but her command was impressive - little things like her facial expressions, hand movements and timing. CZ was always underrated as an actor. It's wonderful to hear how happy she is about working again.

Poetic that Victoria now has a devil child aka her very own *Adam*! Perhaps, Victoria will develop some empathy and understand why Victor could never give up on Adam. Zero issue with making Eve alive. For soaps, this is less retcon and more like the original writers left that door open intentionally. Victoria told Nikki she never held her baby. The baby was born alive on screen and *died* off-screen. The Newman family really needed a shake up. Let's see if they can actually *deliver*

Very clever Colleen using Bette Davis = All About EVE. Now that we know Cole Howard is returning ... it all makes sense. Speculation that Claire is really 'Eve' - Cole/Victoria's baby that didn't survive.

The real question: Why are the writers are making Liam so unlikable? Maybe it's because this soften the blow-back when Looke happens. At this point, why not? Brooke is far overdue for a scandal. Frankly, this would be a perfect way to transform Liam into $B.

Watching B&B Season 8 (1994-95) - I've started hate-watching the Princess Leyla (Taylor) scenes - I was skipping at the beginning, but it's so bad, I'm compelled to watch now The entire premise - that Taylor would voluntarily stay in Morocco and let everyone, including her father and brother think she was dead - is beyond ridiculous. The bad sets, supporting characters, fake accents, etc. I get that killing off Taylor was done because HT left to do other things. If she came back sooner than they expected and they threw together this mess for a 4-6 week story, that's acceptable. So far it's been 4 months ... with probably a few more to go. What's interesting is the near complete isolation of Taylor's story. Except for the 2 episodes where Brooke/Ridge are in the palace, you literally could remove every scene until James' arrival and it wouldn't impact the show at all. It's as if it's a show within the show. HT actually looks great dressed in the colorful Kaftans and because her hair is hidden underneath a veil, it really highlights her stunning looks.

Has everyone forgotten Maya/Myron? That disaster should bar B&B from ever attempting to write for a LGBTQ+ character.

Eric is *dying* and not one of his FIVE biological children has been a mainstay on canvas for years: Thorne, Kristen, Felicia, Rick and Bridget. You'd think when the Honeydrippers reunited, Marcus - Eric's adopted son would at least show up every now and then. Further proof changing Ridge's paternity was a massive mistake that should've been quickly corrected via Sheila.

@1974mdp Unfortunately, B&B's track record of incorporating and fleshing out new characters is abysmal. Case in point: So Li's big secret over why she *really* hates/resents Poppy is that Li didn't carry a baby and Poppy did? That's it? C'mon, I thought for sure they'd take the easy route and make John Luna's father, giving Finn an on-canvas sibling. Hard to believe Finn has 4 siblings - none of which are mentioned. At a minimum, Diana and Mary are B&B kids.