edgeofnik

As annoying as Liam has been, the reality is that Liam was the center of the B&B finally launching a new generation triangle that propped the show for a decade. If Tridgooke is still playing on our screens 30 years after it started... The best outcome here would be for Liam to finally turn dark now that Thomas is *good* and Finn is sainted. The problem: there isn't a logical romantic alternative on the show now. Liam is stuck between Steffy and Hope. Where's Amber when you need her!

JMcC has earned a proper exit. He's 79 years old so this shouldn't be surprising. On the other hand, knowing the way B&B promises big things only to backtrack, I'd be more surprised if they went through with it.

JMW's post-birth recoveries - both her body and how quickly she returns to work - simply mindblowing. If B&B was smart they'd have KKL and JMW fighting for control over FC. JMW is the heir apparent to KKL. There's so much history and great story between Brooke and Steffy that can be built on for years. Frankly, it'd be a lot more interesting that 90% of what we've been given during the past 18 months - the SINN shooting was a shockingly bad plot and the show has never really recovered.

JMcC is almost 80. If he's exiting and Eric is dying for real, it's absolutely his choice. He may have decided that getting a meaty final exit story was better than simply popping up for 10 episodes a year until he passes. OC, as @dragonflies notes, he can still do that as a ghost.

Somehow I doubt that Tracey would hate the storyline that not only pretty much guaranteed her a spot on Y&R for life, but also produced scenes that rank right up there with Y&R's most iconic moments. Now whether she wants to revisit it is an entirely different matter. Shifting Liam to his dark side makes sense - he can't be the good guy anymore, especially with Dr. Feelgood on canvas. It's overdue. Plus, it'll give Brad the excuse to finally do Looke.

And Sheila rushes to the stage screaming 'I'm a NURSE!' Lauren and Ester groan: 'Of course'

Three years in the making. Ever since Sally2 fake illness + pandemic break, there's been almost nothing for DB.

Exactly! Li's *reason* for hating her sister made zero sense. Clearly a *Fi-Core* placeholder for the real secret, which, of course, Brad hasn't thought of yet! 🤣

Says Hope, who just bedded St. Thomas.... ugh. This is where B&B's writing is completely counterproductive. On the one hand, they want us to root for Sheacon, but are doing nothing to soften the other characters on the canvas. Not one person is supportingDeacon or Sheila's attempt to reform. It's all lecturing from a bunch of sanctimonious hypocrites. It'd be a lot more interesting if someone else stepped up and gave Sheila the benefit of the doubt or at least was open-minded. She did save a baby from drowning 2 months ago! lol As always, B&B's writing needs a lot more balance and nuance instead of the same ol' lecturing and badgering.

About time. Still a travesty that KKL doesn't get either the opening shot or the final shot. I'd be fine with JMcC opening and KKL closing, but it's not right that KKL is still in second position to him. Other than Sheila (haha), is there really a debate that Brooke, not Eric, would be the defining actor during B&B's run? OC, if Moss and Flannery were around, it'd probably be a real debate. Another reason why I'd like to see Brooke lead FC with Steffy(!) Honestly, Brooke is more of a Forrester than Ridge!

Now that Steffy has been 'Hoped' - sainted, declawed, pure, it make sense that Hope would snag Dr. Bibberty. Hope gets her revenge on Steffy for being a constant presence during the entire time of her Lame relationship. If Steffy + Finn are going to be a long-term couple, they have to divorce and then pine away for each other. Most people tune in for drama, not months of sanitized bliss. This is the reason why the genre has been around for 70 years. Seriously, is there another long-term soap couple that hasn't endured a cheating scandal/divorce, etc.?

Gosh, this is really heartbreaking. So damn young. He certainly brought a huge spark to Y&R as Billy Abbott. Figured he'd eventually return to the role.

Has Paramount+/CBS ever discussed Y&R/B&B streaming? NBC regularly touted DAYS performance on streaming before it moved to Peacock exclusively. I'd imagine GH does well on Hulu. I've only caught soaps on streaming for the past 6 years since I cut the cord - no DVR. Soaps are not only the ultimate binge-worthy programming. Since they have new content daily that also serves as a gateway to a streamer entire library.

Wonderful news from JMW! She'll probably be filming within a month!

If RM wasn't considered an asset to B&B, he would've been recast during the early seasons the same way Judith Baldwin (Beth), Clayton Norcross (Thorne) and Ethan Wayne (Storm). B&B was hardly timid about recasting during the early season or simply shipping off characters that didn't work as planned (Donna, Katie, Felicia). The show could use a major creative reboot. For example, Brooke should be more like Stephanie at this point. She should take over FC and have a few kids living with her. Almost a recreation of the original Forrester household, except with Ridge and Brooke in the roles of Eric/Stephanie. The show's strength was built on everyone living and working together. It was unrealistic even back then that adult kids would live in the mansion, but it worked. Maybe give JMcC a dignified final exit like SF. The show needs something because it has been a terrible mess since the ill-conceived Finn/Steffy shooting. Except for a few moments like the Monaco reunion, the show has been largely unwatchable.

Absolutely. DAYS streaming numbers are what kept it alive at NBC for years and, ultimately, saved it at Peacock. I have no doubt the 3 remaining soaps do quite well on streaming. Separately I'm pretty sure B&B's YouTube channel, where they're uploading previous season episodes, is quite popular both domestically and WW. B&B is likely the safest of all soaps - it's 18 minutes, rarely does special effects, has used the same sets for years, LA remotes are cheap and the other remotes often tied to some other promotional effort aka they're subsidized.

Daniel revisiting his feelings for Heather while CK is away is a smart way to avoid putting Daniel in purgatory for several months and automatically brings an active storyline when Lily returns.

Does Liam know that Hope and Thomas did more than kiss? It's been unclear from the few scenes I've watched.

Can we finally get Danny and Cricket back together? A Christmas wedding would be nice.

@DramatistDreamer Yes on Daniel/Mariah - so many angles there! When Mariah came to town, I believe Daniel was off-canvas. I know there were a couple of brief scenes squeezed in during one of MG's visits. The aftermath changed Daniel's life and, deep down Mariah must resent Daniel because of the way she lost the twin she never met. Throw in Summer, Sharon AND Phyllis, who got Nick in the Cassie aftermath. With MG back, a Daniel/Mariah link could be an incredibly compelling story based on real history. People claim CG has been challenging to pair with male actors, which is what's been said about ED. Right now, CG has excellent chemistry with two actors on canvas - MG + MM. Maybe after CG's maternity leave, she'll be given better opportunities.

@1974mdp She's definitely been Cassified. It's a real shame because Mariah's backstory, her sexuality and that she didn't grow up surrounded by rich folks make her an interesting outlier to the rest of GC. It's disappointing that Terriah is in the forced bubble because somehow they aren't like real couples - that cheat, betray, etc. It'd be far better if, say, Mariah had a fling with Kyle. With AL as Summer, the Mariah/Summer rivalry could be reignited on a whole new level. Even Mariah/Devon, etc. CG is utterly wasted.

Finally, she's been sorely missed. Is this just a brief drop-by or will she be around for a few months?

@Sapounopera Jerry Douglas was 50 when he joined Y&R as 'old' patriarch John Abbott. Jack, Ashley and Traci drove the Abbott stories. John had adult stories because of Jill. While Kyle, Abby and dearly departed Colleen have all had materials, nothing comes close to what their parents had. As you note, the Newman grandkids have not fared well at all. Noah, Mariah, Reed, Faith, Connor and Christian should driving that generation, the same way their parents did 30(!) years ago.

B&B's ratings have been trending down for several months now - seemingly after the 'Bunhead' reveal. One really bad week is likely an anomaly. B&B is also the show that pivots far more quickly than any other in modern history. It's always found a way to bounce back.

Yeah, EOB is excellent. Too bad Gwen got really boxed in with the whole miscarriage + Laura mess. I just don't quite see this, but I'll keep an open mind.