edgeofnik

The production schedule adjustment sounds like NBC/Sony simply hedging their bets. Until a renewal is reached, there's no point in continuing to bank episodes since they are good through July 2020. If it's renewed, they can easily go back to the old schedule because it sounds like this is the only way to keep it profitable, which is the point. If it's canceled, that gives them plenty of time and 20-30 episodes to wrap the series.  

I'm so glad I wasn't the only one who did a doubletake on Kneeling Lani. It was so uncomfortable I had to FF thorough all their scenes (not fun when you do it through streaming). What made it cringe-worthy was that self-righteous scene a few weeks ago where Lani was chiming in about Julie's 'racist' language, but now she's kneeling for a white dude's heart for the racist white lady. A better approach would've been for Lani to tell Gabi: "Sure I'll do it, but only if we have the entire Horton/Williams family in the room. So if you're comfortable with me begging for Stefan's heart in front of Julie's family, I'm down." 

I really like SS and I wish they would write Lani as well as they have done with Gabi during the past 6 months. I loathed Gabi and was happy the character was in prison, but shockingly I've become a fan. Lani could be an equally compelling character, but this storyline is awful - having her feel so guilty for defending herself against gun-toting maniac Vivian is wrong. 

A very boring week, except for a couple of unexpected scenes: Kristen/Jordan and Dorian/Blair. Even the Brady moving Kristen into the mansion was a huge letdown - Victor does his usual rant, threat to fire family member who disobeys and it's over in a couple of scenes thanks to doormat Maggie.  

14 hours ago, juppiter said:

 

Even so, I don’t get going through the motions of pretending a Dimera is dead at this point. It’s been done to death. 

Agreed. Plus, why kill Stefan even if the recast was a stop gap? Just send him away with Vivian and then bring him back with a proper recast if BB didn't work out. If DAYS is determined to keep the DiMera's on canvas, then stop it! Without Chad or EJ, the show clearly wanted a younger male DiMera (aka not Tony/Andre) to lead the family. The original problems with Stefan ended up being worked out some tweaks to the writing and an engaging actor. After all, EJ did rape Sami and he overcame that. 

I enjoyed the fast pace of the week. Just some funny oddities:

1. Dr. Sarah Horton blabbing about paternity test to Nicole. So much for doctor patient confidentiality.

2. Lani feeling guilty because a known felon, who's already shot someone, was ready to shoot her! Having Gabi harass Lani during the next episodes before the TJ is hollow.

3. Stefan's arching dive was so OTT - when I first saw a promo, I thought it was a parody. 

4. Jack/Eve - wish we'd have more chances to see KDP do less screeching. This seems to be a DAYS theme: Eve, Kristen, Vivian are given way too many scenes that are just unhinged and all three are played by actors who have the ability 

5. Vivian waving the gun at Kristen for the whole episode. C'mon.  Vivian could've conveyed the same threats without the gun - it's not like Kristen was going to kill her. It ruined a chance for two characters that actually could form an alliance. After all, Kristen did hide Vivian. 

6. Seeing the "Kristen as Nicole" scene with Brady only reaffirms that StepNicole has got to go.  

1 hour ago, Khan said:

Gary Tomlin made that promise when he was EP.  Obviously, it didn't stick. 

Thanks. It's too bad. And while having several of the characters back on canvas is good, they should've never been killed in first place. There's no audience investment in watching characters "fret" over potentially dying (Kate/Julie) or 'grieve' (the list is too long) after they are pronounced. It's wasted scenes/airtime that could be replaced by a lot of better stuff.

Oh, well, complaining about it isn't going to change it. I suppose the soap that has cheated death more than any other in the history of daytime, might as well reflect it on its canvas.

2 hours ago, Khan said:

 

Are you joking?  This is DAYS.  NO ONE STAYS DEAD ON DAYS.  NO ONE.

Seriously? My sarcasm wasn't clear?? LOL. Wasn't it just a couple of years ago that one of the head writers said no more deaths/resurrections? Or was I imagining that/wishful thinking? 

I'll be honest, I think I'm more hate-watching. When I decided to mega-binge last month, it was addictive - like how bad can this get? OC, there's enough likable/talented actors that I've watched over the years that I'm still hopeful it will get it together.

Bonnie/Susan - interchangeable and not really going anywhere. Even though I knew Eve was bye-bye, I kinda thought WK/KDP had an interesting spark. 

OMG - Adrienne is going to be killed off. This is so final and can't ever be undone! I wish DAYS would just have characters either disappear on canvas (like Adrienne) or send them to Europe or Nashville. In retrospect, B&B did a great job when RM left shortly after Brooke/Ridge got re-re-re-married. The character stayed behind in Paris for several months before the recast, while Brooke continued with life in LA. No death and miracle resurrection. 

2 hours ago, Soapsuds said:

So Stefan dies? Ridiculous when Rolf can bring him back to life yet somehow Julie gets his heart....hate this soap. It's so stupid.

Right? I guess the decision to 'kill' Stefan was made before the BB's scenes with Gabi actually aired - it was treated as an emergency recast.

What makes it more bizarre is that Rolf gave 'no chance' Kate a quick shot and boom - from coma/vital internal organs damaged from bullet to chatting away with Will as she woke up from a massage! So Rolf saves Kate because she was married to Stefano, but won't save Stefan O? Ugh! 

BTW - WTH is that dive? It's looks like something from a sketch comedy! 

RS could actually work as Vivian - she's kinda getting in a groove in only a few appearances. LS is still bar none, but if Vivian has to be on canvas, give it to RS.  

Does SONY/DAYS have some type of union room cleaning contract? I ask because Kristen tossed her very basic hotel room for at least the 3rd time on Friday's episode. And as we all concur, the OTT is completely on the writers because WHY would Kristen throw a childish tantrum at Dr. Rolf about no sex for next few months after she got the ultimate news - that she's not only pregnant - thanks to Dr. Rolf's 'fertility treatments' - but also with Brady's baby.  

This was another missed chance where the writers could show Kristen's heart/warmth with 2 ro 3 lines:  'You're right, Dr. Rolf, nothing is more important than this precious life growing inside me. I'm finally going to have my own child and with the man I love. Thank you Dr. Rolf for giving me the miracle I've always wanted."   

2 hours ago, Soapsuds said:

I liked her better as Lauren's meddling mother, Joanna Manning. 

Now that was a great role for SSH! Lauren was a force and somehow Joanna was able to match that intensity. I wonder if TEB/SSH shared scenes on DAYS? 

And, yes, I can see why you feel her intonation may be offensive and insensitive. It was good they had Eli raise it with her - but it was so rushed: raising it, acknowledging, attempted apology to heart attack. It would've had more impact if it was been spread out over a few episodes - like Eli mentioning it, then Julie thinks it over, reconvenes with Eli/Lani, etc. It ended up having the opposite effect: Julie trying to apology and Gabi left her to die - aka see Julie's behavior/attitude against Gabi was justified. But the writers needed another reason to prop Ben. 

1 hour ago, jam6242 said:

I actually think Ron likes writing for Julie too but he likes her acting crazy.  It's like having a doppelganger for her without having to write one in, lol. 

That's the perfect analogy! SSH runs circles around most of the cast. I never liked (cared about) Julie back in the day, but as she aged I really appreciate her ability to just nail it. Plus Julie ripping into the "Herndendi" is so refreshing because most people really don't get over it. It's so OTT that it's worth watching. 

Fan IS short for FANATIC - kind word for cray-cray. As others have mentioned, it's not limited to soaps or TV, but film, gaming and, of course, music. I thought CH handled that exceptionally well. I do wonder how long it will be before certain social media platforms will only admit verified users. On the other hand, anonymous users who provide provocative and inflammatory messages definitely drive engagement (revenue).

Anyway, during the past month I binged DAYS from end of April - coincidentally when AZ arrived - to present. Am I the only one who prefers AZ as "Kristen as Nicole" (as per closed caption, lol) than the 'real' Nicole? AZ seemed far more into the material as Kristen than she is now. Perhaps AZ intentionally over-soften Nicole so that non-regular viewers would know it's really her, but still.  

While I do like SH, I hope the writers find a way to bring it down a few notches. As many have noted, Kristen was sophisticated, clever and more insidious, not so OTT and screeching. I know SH has the range after YR (Patty/Emily), but somebody needs to get a clue. If they intend on keeping Kristen around, she needs to be likable and she's not. Same goes for Susan, tone it down just a bit. 

The obvious baby switch and Princess Gina are about the only things I'm banking on. Everything else will basically be rearranging couples - like soaps have always done. I'm sure they'll have a couple of left-field headscratchers (Stefan/Susan - lol) and attempt to take us back through very contrived way that they got together. If DAYS wasn't so ultraconservative, we'd see Xander giving Eric first rites. 

1. If this bombs, DAYS will go to it's usual cop-off aka Melaswen. 

2. Death on DAYS is emotionally meaningless for the audience. Think of the rumored one that coming very soon, while word has leaked that the actor is back filming. A 'death' that wouldn't have happened because of the production schedule - the actor proved to be an unexpected hit with the audience. 

3. Steve/Kate - no, no, no. Give me something like Kate/Xander

4. Will/Ben as prison 'buddies' - Ben is a character that could easily be Pan/Fluid. Daytime really needs to create more character like that. Xander/Sarah also would be believable fluid characters. 

5 hours ago, Khan said:

Trust me: by this time next year, if she isn't really Hilary, she'll be Hilary in every way except her name.

Cassiah, anyone? Though as CG has shown, despite the writers best efforts to revert to the original character, a skilled actor (like MM), has the ability to turn those same words/actions/situations into something fresh.

Plus, it's not like the soap landscape hasn't been populated by dozens of Hilary-like characters - magnetic, sensual, intelligent, scheming with a good heart, etc. It all started with Lisa Miller 50 years ago.  

Despite them trying to Cassify Mariah,  allowing CG to play a new character with A LOT of baggage and darkness in her past (unlike St. Cassie) definitely gave her more acting choices and stories.

I believe the same will be true for MiM - Hilary was a great character, but giving her a blank slate as a new character will provide her with more opportunities and stories - like filling in her background, new connections, romances, etc. And like CG, Mishael is a return the audience wants. 

I read somewhere that she's being filming in secret for past 2 months - I wonder if that's true and if it's scenes that will fill-in her ties to Adam, etc.  

NOW, I can return to streaming Y&R regularly. The loss of MiM even surprised me - I suddenly didn't care about Y&R at all. She really has a certain presence that always made me want to watch.

As I said a few weeks ago, the best course is to avoid an instant return to Devon because that's an instant dead end. Obviously, as a deadringer for Hilary, there will be plenty of scenes with Bryton. Pairing her with Adam (or Chance) would allow her to interact with a lot of different actors and that's a good thing. Honestly, it doesn't matter because she's one of those actors who outshines terrible scripts/stories. 

5 minutes ago, dragonflies said:

No offense, but can I have some of what you are clearly smoking? TK has always been great with kids. The kids who played Spike on AMC adored him. 

 

Oh and please stop with the constant character bashing nicknames in every single post, it gets old and annoying after so long...

First, unlike many here, I actually like TK. He comes across in his interviews as solid, likable and professional.K's awkwardness on-screen are my observation.

he nicknames are not intended to be mean - it's all in good fun. Based on the feedback I've received over the years, the ones I created are not offensive - see Bad Santa, Gomer Pyle, Ct Wynot, etc.  Plus, Widge, Lame and Dope were long in existence before I started using them. B&B won't have another post-worthy story for at least 1 or 2 years, so not to worry about me. B&B threads will back to 10 replies every month. 

To be clear, I like all B&B's cast. Many B&B actors are severely underrated because of the continually repetitive dialogue/mostly subpar stories. Jacob Young, such a waste of talent and just unceremoniously dumped! Same with Reign Edwards a complete natural with real screen presence. 

18 hours ago, crc said:

True.  LOL!

I'm surprised at how fast Steffy came to the realization that Beth should be with Hope.  I thought there was going to be a custody battle.  Not that I wanted there to be one.  Maybe there will be one over Douglas?

Total Emmy-bait that's why! Since TK isn't great with children (and that's OK), I imagine Widge and Craylor will ship Douglas off to be with Karen in NY. That's the best solution. I've hated everything that lead to Douglas' conception to killing off C2, so I'd be quite happy if we never see that child again, though I do like the actor. 

The last thing I want is an instant Hevon reunited S/L. How boring and limiting is that? It might be better to go the Cassiah route- doppelganger that they'll eventually turn into Hil. I honestly don't care, I just want her back on the show.  

I could see "Hillary" married to or involved with Chance - at least that would be a big 'boom' to launch her return and CI. 

Actually, here's an except of CBS Chicago's ratings during the week in this thread, which was first week of blackout:

"Nielsen household ratings dropped an average of 28 percent around the clock last week, with some time periods (including CBS 2’s 10 p.m. newscast) down as much as 33 percent."

2 hours ago, sheilaforever said:

Judging by his instagram Don Diamont was on vacation in Italy recently. Maybe that's why Bill has been off-screen. 

Ah, that makes sense. I was shocked when I saw that DD didn't appear in July. Considering how budgets go/vet salaries, B&B with its singular storytelling has the ability to 'rest' contract characters rather than having them appear in 2-4 random episodes a month doing nothing just for sake of meeting contract minimums.  

2 hours ago, AbcNbc247 said:

We should take bets as to whether or not Brooke is gonna go back to Bill lol

I'll bet a $B. While normally $B is a huge Stuffy supporter, I can see where he would choose Lope's side here because of Lame. This will lead to lots of Brooke/$B encounters rehashing that PhoeBeth belongs with Lope. 

At first I thought it was going to say: "Wedding of the Summer." Figuring they were being clever and snarky. When I say "Year," I just laughed. Seriously? Who cares? I just wish Kyle and Mariah would get bombed and give in to the chemistry that just screams.  And I'd want Summer to find them. 

I streamed W-F episodes because they looked the best. In what seems like a first for B&B - effective, emotional and significant fallout after a major story. Too often B&B has the big build-up for weeks/months and then the story is gone in like 2 episodes - rarely to be spoken of again. 

But I'm realistic, how many times next week will we hear:

Stuffy: "This is the ONLY home she's ever known/She's MY daughter!"

Widge: "Don't forget, Stuffy is the real victim here."

Brooke: "Beth belongs with Dope."

Dope: "Her name is BETH!"

Flo/Zoe: "I wanted to tell the truth/My father did it to protect me/Reese lied."

Lame: "Um, Um, yeah, OK."

I don't mind AN as an actor - considering how heavy and dark Dope's stories have been since she arrived. I do wonder how Kim Matula would've handled this storyline. I always thought she was extremely underrated - and based on her post-B&B work - I think I'm right.