Manny

Not a daytime soap, but still soapy... Gilmore Girls... Stars Hallow looks like a charming little town, and people there are always fun, goofy and lovely.

So far seems good. I forgot that the storytelling flows much faster, so I assume that they have time to rotate every throughout the year. I want to catch up with current episodes of EE, so I will try to see another episode today 😀 B&B was always the worst soap to me.

Yes, indeed, I remember that there would be these story cycles (and they still do them), I just didn't remember the cast being so huge back when I used to watch But indeed, it can be good. Like my first week back, it was dominated by Freddie and Knight sister storylines. They are now no longer on and it felt good to take a break at that point. So I like it. Re: Stacey/Eve, I see. It makes sense. And nice of Stacey to do this. It is quite a big favor to do for someone, getting married to them. I have always liked Stacey from back in the day. Haven't yet read what she has been up to these years while I was away from the show. And reading a bunch of other characters' stories, I am worried I will end up hating her lol Seems like everyone just had some very dark periods. OMG, that's horrible (re: Ben). According to what is happening in August episodes, I would never have thought he was such a villain. Because now he is such a vulnerable guy, not knowing how to deal with the trauma he had and in desperate need for support from his loved ones. And not knowing his past, I would feel so bad for him (and I kind of still do, probably because I never watched all the bad things he did, so it is easier for me to forget it and get into the current story). But I would hate it if I had watched all of it. One of the reasons why I dropped GH back in the day was I could not keep watching the Sonny/Jason propping all the time. So I guess this is how it feels for Ben as well here. And it is sad. I really like Max Bowden and I am even starting to like Ben and Callum together after watching August 9 just now. Re Martin, this is why they should not let actors give suggestions for storylines I watched August 9 now and I really enjoyed the structure of this episode. It was a very understated episode, with several couples having important conversations about them/their relationships. I really enjoyed it. Whitney/Zack - don't really know him, but as I said before, I never really cared for Whitney. Always found her a bit whiny and boring. But I did enjoy their conversation. I think they both brought valid points about their view on adoption and fostering and now since they could not agree, I guess it is break up time, even if they agreed not to make this decision tonight. Patrick/Yolande - this was such a sweet couple. It brought such a smile to my face when Patrick took out his phone and played a song and they danced. So cute! Sonia/Reice - While I thought their conversation was important to have, I do not enjoy this couple and I still get a creepy vibe from him. I feel like he will snap any time now and just hurt Sonia. Ben/Callum - His history aside, I did enjoy their conversation. Ben apologizing for what he said earlier (which was really too much), and then tell Callum what has been happening to him. I did not realize his eating disorder has been happening for so long either. So I was like Callum, reacting to it in surprise lol I am curious where they go from here. Oh, I also really loved Kat/Ben scenes at the gym. I know I read Kat is married to Phil now, I cannot picture that since they did not yet have any scenes together, but that just seems weird to me.

OMG, so I watched August 8 and the scenes between Ben and Callum were very well acted. It started soft and then when Callum brought up Lewis (I was like: Who?, but then realized it was a guy that raped Ben.. I read something somewhere about it, so luckily I was able to figure it out). But my God, Ben said things in this fight! Wow.. It was sad. So I went to EE Fandom site and read Ben's history since he killed Heather. And OMG... He's a full on villain!! Now I have completely different perspective. He killed Heather and then upon being released, he just became straight on gangster! Kidnapping people and trying to kill people... wow! Horrible! And speaking of that, he got Martin involved.. I don't know why but I thought Martin was a good guy! I don't know Martin at all, since he was not there when I used to watch. But for some reason I thought he would be a good guy. I read some article where they say how EE used to be about every day life and grounded storylines, but if you only look at what happened to Ben in recent years, wow, not really everyday life stories at all lol Ben was never a "good guy" character, I get it. But I just didn't expect him to become all of this. I guess they made him into his dad. Sad.

I hope you all don't mind me just continuing blabbing my thoughts August 7 2023: So we finally move away from the Knight sisters and from Freddie's storyline (it was nice and I liked it, but it's nice to see other storylines a bit). So it is the court day for Jay to become a guardian of Lexi. It all happened so fast, but I could tell that something was wrong with Ben since the first time I saw him several episodes back. I had no idea it was the eating disorder 😮 They are really throwing everything at this character But earlier in the episode, Ben seems to not want to go to court to give Jay the guardianship role? Why would he not want that? From what I understand, Jay has been Lola's husband, so he was already in Lexi's life. And on top, Jay is like his brother, they grew up together. Obviously I don't know if they had some fall out during the years I didn't watch, but based on what happens later in the episode, it does not seem like it. So I was a bit confused about where the conflict is coming from with Ben's hesitation to go to court. And then they had Anna and Gina's dad give Ben advice and push him to go? Why would they choose him? From what I have see Knight family came to Walford in June, this is beginning of August. Does he even know Ben to be able to give him such advice? I guess this is one of the pacing issues I mentioned where UK soaps just go too quick and establish some character connections too fast. Anyway, Ben goes to court and Jay is the guardian, quick! Family celebration at the pub, I really loved those scenes. Ben's speech for Jay was lovely, I got teary eyed. I love Ben and Jay! And was good to see Phil, even though he barely said anything. Jay and Lexi's scene was hilarious, where she wants him to be the mommy in the relationship LOL And all the talk about her period And then Honey realizing Ben's eating disorder. I mean she explains how she got there, but that was some good catching on, because I noticed something was wrong, but she was able to catch it was an eating disorder. Good on you, Honey! It was nice the way she talked to Ben through the doors. The other storyline was Sonia and Reice (is that how you spell his name?) Anyway, she's not pregnant, but we learn he cannot have kids, which is why he was acting out and she concludes that he does want kids, but not with her. I hope they break up. I would like to see Sonia with someone else. She doesn't seem happy in this relationship. I am liking the show more and more as I get to know the characters again!!

Saw now August 3 2023 Oh poor guy, Freddie... It was really sad seeing him in his bed crying at the end of the episode. I really like the scene he had with Gina at the rooftop and their conversation. Are they setting the two of them up romantically so that's why they had this bonding scene? I hope not. I could like them as friends, but not as a couple. Maybe it was just again the juxtaposition of Gina getting the drugs and then not using it, and Freddie eying the dealer's door and maybe getting drugs? I hope not I like Anna and Gina's talk too. And Anna convincing Gina to dump the drugs into the toilet and then cancelling the mom search. However, I wonder what will now propel the storyline further if it won't be Anna who finds the mom. Is Ian just going to come back to town with Cindy one day? I suppose not... and I wonder if Gina is fully done with drugs. Another bonding conversation I liked was Anna and Bobby, where he talks about killing Lucy. What was actually the reason that Bobby killed his sister? Sonia's potential pregnancy... I don't really get what she sees in this guy. He's really creepy and disgusting. On a shallow note, who is the hunky car mechanic?

Oh a shame I missed Kim's storyline then. I really enjoy her! I am used to seeing her in usually funny storylines. This was quite different. But I am sure I was interesting. Oh yay, Fatboy might be back? Yay! Looking forward to it Saw August 2nd now. I am quite enjoying the Freddie storyline. The young actor is quite nice. I loved the look he had on his face when he met his dad and his whole face lighted up. I like that they didn't just immediately have this important conversation on the street and decided to meet up later. But uh-oh, now that Kat & gang told Freddie the truth, I am curious where it goes next. Is Freddie not going to believe them and still want to spend time with Graham? Btw, I was always fascinated by the difference in US and UK soaps in terms of speed at which the story is being told. I mean, in only two episodes, Freddie has found out who his dad is, met him and learned that he raped his mother. Sometimes this speed hurts the storyline, I feel, because you miss some beats, but sometimes it is quite good. US soaps really drag on for too long sometimes. There was a Jay sighting! Oh my he grew up! He was such a kid when I watched. lol Anyway, in order to not bother everyone with questions all the time, I looked it up and learned he was married to Lola (I know she died, I read that somewhere earlier this year). So I guess they are going with Jay and Gina romantically next? Is the guy that Gina visited her dealer? I guess so, she just got more news from Anna about their mother, so she must be stressed out. I wonder where this will go with her addiction. Ben is here, he looks different, but I am okay with this actor so far. And he's married? And raising Lexi? Okay.. Ben has changed quite a bit, I guess. Didn't he kill Heather? How is he out of prison? But I always liked Ben, so I hope I will like him now. I enjoyed Kat yelling at poor Bobby, trying to get him to tell her where Freddie is. I like Bobby and Freddie's friendship. This episode was alright. I am already warming up to these new characters!

I see. Seems like a lot of bad choices were made here.

Victoria and David??? I don't know if I would have liked that either. lol I better stay away from Emmerdale indeed hahaha

OMG, thank you so much @LondonScribe!! So kind of you!! I know I could just go to wikipedia, but I am trying to avoid spoilers, so thank you so much!! I realize now I don't know how to do this nice quoting of part of the response, so I will just reply here LOL Ok, Elaine, Linda's mother... got it! Makes sense that she would be running the pub. Last time I tuned in for a bit, the Carters were running the Queen Vic. (I was in London and I realized our TV had BBC, so I made sure to tune into EE at least once or twice hahahaha).... Ooh, so Cindy Beale is the mother in question!! Okay, that makes it interesting! Now I am interested in this very much so! Interesting that they made Bobby discover Islam! Hm, I like that. I always loved Jane, so I am curious to follow Bobby's story (even though I don't really know is character, I know Jane...) To be honest, I am glad that they didn't make Stacey gay, just because I've see Stacey with so many men, it would be hard for me to swallow that she's now suddenly a lesbian. Not that it does not happen in real life, but I just couldn't buy it with her. But they did an OnlyFans story with her?! Now that's a storyline I would not enjoy to watch for Stacey! Glad I missed that! I like her with Martin. I am rooting for them. I am sad I missed Lily pregnancy storyline.. Was Ryan there?? I loved Ryan back in the day... Oh Freddie storyline now also is more interesting!! I realized how many of my favorites are not on the show anymore... Max and his family... (I saw they killed Abi!! OMG!).. I loved all of them! Max, Tayna, Abi, Lauren...; I miss Dot (I know June died ), I miss Jane, I miss Masoods (they were so dramatic!! Zainab was awesome). I miss Carol.. I miss Fatboy!! Is Kim still around? Anyway, thanks a bunch for your answers!! Sorry for all of my questions!! After not watching for so long, I am confused haha Ooh thank you very much as well!! I did NOT get that vibe from Sonia storyline at all!! But it certainly sounds soapy. But he sounds like a horrible guy. Feel bad for Sonia I never really cared for Whitney. But it was nice seeing her still there, I guess.

Oh so icky! Was it a good storyline to watch at least? I mean, interesting and dramatic?

So I just finished watching August 1st episode. That's the first episode I found available for me. I last watched EE during the live episode during the Lucy storyline. Was that in 2014/2015? And even before that I had a long break of not watching. Looking at the cast list in wikipedia, it is so HUGE.. how do they juggle all these characters? How can they all have stories? I guess they don't.... Anyway tuning in now, I barely recognize anyone... Stacey and Jean are there, Kat too.. Jessie Wallace has not aged. Someone else seems to be running Queen Vic 😮 There is Bobby Beale, but he's a teen now. Didn't he kill Lucy? How was he punished for that? I know he was a kid, but still.. I'm sorry, Stacey is now married to a woman?! Whaat? Who is Sonia's boyfriend/husband? From the story perspective, I was bored, I must admit. This girl (Anna?) is searching for her mother. While her sister is doing drugs and boxing. And Anna is dating Bobby? And this other kid (Freddie?) is looking for his dad.. weird that they have two same storylines going on in parallel. A teen searching for a parent... anyway, why doesn't Kat want to tell him who his Dad is? And baby Tommy who has now grown since last I watched is here to reveal the truth! Ok, lets see who his Dad is and what this Graham guy is all about.... I think storywise, not else much happened... Stacey went football watching, got pestered by some drunk dude and "saved" by another guy.. don't know him. But I am still shocked Stacey has a wife now. Didn't really understand what's happening with Sonia... and Whitney...

I didn't even know that part. Considering I last watched in like 2014 or something lol That makes it even worse, I agree with you!

I mean, looking at actor's ages, she's 29, he's 21.. but back when I watched like 10+ years ago, Jacob was such a small kid and Victoria was already a young adult.. so it's icky lol I just never like when soaps do these kinds of relationships. I don't know if Jacob and Victoria even interacted through the years (back when I watched, I don't remember them ever interacting), but still... ick! THanks, I might have a look! Hope there is not a ton of new people I don't know haha

I was just about to come here and ask if there is any point to tune in Emmerdale or EastEnders maybe (after years of not watching), but I have no desire to watch David leave and Jacob and Victoria hooking up..

LOL Wow, Dena Higely... such a visionary.. who would've though?!

I stopped watching Y&R when the damn Chipmunk showed up. It was too much. Stopped watching DAYS during Tinda Lau storyline (don't remember anything else from that period, I just remember it was super boring).

For Y&R, it was the crazy Tricia and Matt Clark storylines (as well as Mac/Billy). For DAYS, what really got me hooked was the Coronation Massacre, as well as the Baby Switch and Salem Bombings. For GH it was the Metro Court Hostage Crisis. For AMC, it was the tornado of 1995 and Sarah Michelle Gellar.

I am sure this was already mentioned here, but I just recently started watching the reality show "Love Is Blind" on Netflix. And watching it, I thought it was really familiar to me in its concept and name. And then I remembered that waaaay back during the Last Blast teens, Belle, Mimi and Cassie participated on the reality show Love Is Blind where they competed for a guy without seeing his face! Who would have thought it would actually become a real reality show in 2020s?! I wonder if the creator of the LIB got inspiration from DAYS Maybe B&C (or was it Reilly?) should get some royalties hahah

Omg, I have chills and I am so sad right now. How shocking! RIP

I think some people here are overestimating the number of people that would be watching old soaps. As it was said here, this was attempted via SoapNet in the past, and it was shown as a non-profitable thing. Introducing One Tree Hill was probably done as a result of unsatisfactory ratings, in hope to gain young viewers who were watching OTH then. How are they doing it with BB Youtube thing, no clue. Maybe because BB is more international? But even their views are very low, from what I can see majority eps have around 30-35k views which seems very low. To invest money in digitalization and servers to keep all those thousands of episodes for shows, some which have been gone for more than 30 years? Seems like a bad idea to me, as much as I would personally watch (maybe) some of them. I started watching BB on Youtube and then I stopped after some time...

It is really sad what Y&R has become.

Wow, I would have expected a rise. But instead they fell from week before. I would have thought that the lead up to the wedding, which was Friday, I guess, would have gave the show a boost. And even in the subsequent weeks after the wedding, the ratings just kept going down. Oh I was about to ask what happened on DAYS! Salem Slasher climax, okay, nice!

Looking forward to seeing how premiere of Loving fared against other soaps that week in 1983!

Thank you, Jason!! Just for my records, do we have full 78 now? I am missing some weeks, but I don't know if those are generally missing or I missed to input them in my spreadsheet