edgeofnik

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.

10 hours ago, dragonflies said:

Well if we had any type of LGBTQ+ character or couple we know Brad would drop the ball or he'd write them like ReRon does Leo on DAYS

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. 

5 hours ago, Cruising Soaps said:

The thing is Liam getting advice from Ridge is perfect.  I mean Ridge has spent his whole life dangling between at first Caroline and Brooke.  Then Brooke and Taylor forever.  Liam has been going through Hope and Steffy forever.  Ridge and Liam were made for each other! lol

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. 

4 hours ago, AbcNbc247 said:

Li, I think you really needed to reach out to your hospital’s HR department instead of just being salty at your sister, just sayin

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.  

23 hours ago, janea4old said:

And this new opening finally removes Rena Sofer and,  interestingly, the new B&B opening debuts the same week of Rena's return airdate on GH.

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.?