YRBB

I believe Jean Hackney is season 8--all Latham lol Even though I'm not completely done with Season 5, I have to disagree that Peter Dunne was overrated. He wrote brilliantly developed and paced character and plot driven stories and really managed to glam it up without losing touch with reality (too much). Which is essential considering the show was heading to cancelationville and it helped it compete with the glossier DALLAS/DYNASTY/FALCON CREST trifecta. I don't know what he does in Season 6 (I am trying to remain unspoiled) but it seems to me that his male additions, from the very start (Mack, Chip, Ben, Greg) were all WONDERFUL male characters, with strong identities and personalities and all of them very different from each other. So it always confuses me when it is claimed that the men needed to become stronger (by both fans and David Paulsen). Having seen a fair amount of Paulsen's season, I do like it a lot, but I'm not sure about the Cathy/Ben affair thingy. It feels like the soapy thing to do, it didn't feel quite organic. I dunno, I am interested in seeing what I think of it once I watch the season in its proper order. I do, however, completely agree that it would have been brilliant if Paulsen had stayed... I guess that would never happen with Dunne bombing on DALLAS... I have a feeling he would develop more synergy with the characters and the show and do some great stuff because he was great on the other two soaps he worked on (and he had his fair share of brilliant moments on KL as well). What I don't get is, if Paulsen and Dunne switched, then why didn't they switch back? Was Dunne not trusted after what happened in DALLAS or is it that poison Latham, getting her grips on every show she works on? Ugh.

I never realized Vicki #2 and Faith/Grace were the same! You're right, the character(s) were actually fine, but she was horrible. She's worse. Not only is she flat, she is annoying, unable to emote and is especially grating when she tries to play sadness or fear. Which, for a heroine type of character (let alone TWO) is the kiss of death.

Have started watching the show and am up to episode 27. I'm not going to say it's brilliant but I am enjoying it immensely-it is very exciting and a LOT of fun. There are episodes were Tabitha and Timmy are actually hilarious and I can't help but enjoy all the wackiness. What has really struck me, however, is that the show does have moments were it clearly transcends the farcical element it is so intent on having and does pure, classic, soap opera. An example of one such scene is a 4-5min one between Ivy and Julian; I think they were discussing their marriage, their life together, what happens now... it was very well structured, very straight-soap. Of course, it was the more experienced actors playing them. For every Ivy you have Miguel, Charity, Faith/Grace.... but it's fun and I'm definitely planning to continue. Juliet Mills is a Goddess.

There was something always vaguely trashy about B&B, which was also the case for a lot of the ads. The first one or even the one above

How appropriate to start off the thread with that ad! It's a lot of fun. Sigh.... the show had its problems before but something seemed to break in 2003... and it got progressively worse, until we hit 2007. And, then, it was over.

Oh, I agree that it would be great if the music was allowed to speak for itself and the whole hype/promotion business was left behind. Adele is a singer with good songs and a great voice and I love her, but she's just one example, the exception really. Where would Rihanna, Britney, etc be without hype? It's almost synonymous with pop (a whole different discussion, this). Granted, GaGa has taken it much further than just hype. In all honesty, I enjoy her crazy appearances. I too think it's become too much and is drowning her credibility but she's exactly what pop is supposed to be: Over the top, of the moment, fun. Magnified, of course. I know that people would still not like her stuff even despite her gimmicks. However, there are a lot who claim her music is terrible because they really can't stand the persona. It's, literally, their only argument when asked. Which is interesting.

I liked the album. It is not the second coming of pop music but I like it; it's fun, entertaining, does some unexpected things. I'm not necessarily referring to people here but a little objectivity wouldn't hurt; some people hate her gimmicks/persona so much that it spills over to their judgment of her music. By all accounts, I have heard much, much worse than her, and better. Granted, she shouldn't have said that it's the best album of the decade but if she doesn't hype herself, then who will?

Would Cole have stayed if his relationship with Ashley had worked/if they could make it work with ED? And, would it have been ultimately better had Eve survived? It was a great storyline, but I always wondered why they felt the need to kill a legacy character off like that.

1.108.000 copies during the first week. I hardly think she gives a damn whether Judas is high on that list anymore.

I cannot believe we only have one more episode left! On a happier note, I started Book 1!

And, here: http://news-briefs.ew.com/2011/06/14/sean-bean-stabbed/ This doesn't help my crush on this man, despite being ridiculous.

I heard that as well! God, embarassed to say this, but I didn't think he could get any sexier. And he did. Here's a funny "article" on it: http://twitchfilm.com/news/2011/06/sean-bean-stabbed-in-bar-fight-orders-another-drink.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed:+TwitchEverything+(Twitch:+Everything) As for episode 9... wow. Too bad we couldn't see the fighting, but the twists were great: The arranged marriages for Aryan and Robb, capturing Jaime, Dany's labor, Drogo's life in danger. And the ending... wow, so wonderfully, greatly done. I kept thinking it can't be, he'll be saved, but no! Just wow.

All I've seen is that there is a very good response to the episode, will watch it soon! Absolutely cannot wait!!! Btw, I think LH's in the Lead Actress category because, let's face it, her chances of getting an Emmy in that category are much bigger than the other two. After all, she has been absolutely breathtaking in the part!

Do you think that the writing for it was good, however? Meaning, bad premise/story, but at least the writing was solid? And did the characters ever recover from it? It WAS pretty disgusting that Victor's sperm was making the rounds in Diane, Ashley and Nikki's purses, though.

I think that's why I put off reading the book until after Season 1 was over. Once you've read them, you get into this whole "Oh, this didn't happen, or this happened THIS way and why hasn't this character shown up????!!!???" etc etc etc. Those are all valid questions, mind you, but the episodes might be perfectly great and still not enjoyed as much (or even at all) because of constant comparisons. I can't wait! I'm sure it'll be great!

I believe they were divorced around mid-99 or so? Really? It was... questionable but I thought it was a GREAT umbrella storyline, very well planned and executed.

I see.... I dunno, I guess it could be seen from another point of view if one has read the books. I guess I was just talking on a purely script level--after most of the episodes were written by the creators of the show, there may have been a slight downfall in quality (ever so slight), for me anyways. But I may need to rewatch it. However, what goes into the episodes I believe is sorely the headwriters's decision. So if they had decided that Roz needs to feature in the episode with this plot development or another, then he would have had to write her in I feel sorry for her, too. This is great character writing/development. She annoys you (in a good way) and, then, all of a sudden, you feel sorry for her!

I haven't been here for a couple of episodes! Episode 7's twists and turns were completely brilliant. Everything you thought would happen, happened--but in completely different ways than I thought. That ending was a brilliant cliffhanger. Episode 8 was great, too. Though, for the first time, I didn't get that feeling of awe for everything that happened; probably because George R. R. Martin was writing. Does he have other scriptwriting experience? I loved the chaotic feeling the opening scenes had--it was really sad to then see Ned locked up like that. Robb coming into his own and leading the army was great--Jon and Robb are so sexy, it hurts. Hodor's random penis was shocking. DAMN! I wasn't expecting that The part with the zombie was really unexpected and scary. Things are looking really bad. Uh-oh, Tyrion has to go into battle! Can he talk himself out of a battle? Well, you don't mess with Drogo, do you? I didn't like their storyline this episode as much as I did before. I'm guessing this witch may have some part to play in the future. And, finally, Sansa wins some like-ness points! It was sad seeing her go to battle for her dad. But I didn't like the way they ended the episode, didn't feel like a climax when it, quite obviously, was.

I'm glad to hear it's good! I'm waiting till Sunday!

Of course! Yes, that makes sense. How did I ever think a bastard could get the throne?

I just saw Episode 6... Loved it, as always. I see Robert so differently now that he revealed his backstory with the woman he loved. I had forgotten that scene in the first episode, where he visited her tomb. His behavior is still very reprehensible but I understand him more and, really, that's all one can ask for. The way Tyrion handled the situation was sublime and very funny. Man, does he rock. The Joffrey/Sansa story has got me very intrigued because you know sh*t is going down... I just can't figure out exactly what. What happened with Ned/The Mountain is interesting. Can't wait to see where they go with that. Also wondering what they're going to do with that woman that they didn't kill, the one who tried to kidnap Bran. OMG Ned's realization that Joffrey isn't Robert's real son! Now it makes sense why the bastards were being tracked down by Arryn. Maybe he was looking for a replacement heir, the Lannisters found out and got rid of him. Daenery's story continues to be my favorite and to evolve ever so greatly. Loved it when she touched the dragon egg and didn't burn and how she managed to keep that heart down. Disgusting, but fun! Nice how Viserys finally lost it. Such a stupid move but I knew it was going to get tasty as soon as he staggered into that tent. Nobody messes with that sexy man, Khal That ending was amazing, cliffhanger stuff... and Daenerys's realization that he wasn't a dragon. Can't wait for the next episode!

Her newest promo single, Hair. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okq8xHrIZ8I

I see... I kind of expected it would be 10 episodes anyway. Didn't GRRM himself make some comments about how he would suggest Books 3 and 4 would better be suited to 2 seasons each? It was in regards to HBO catching up with the books (he is obviously not planning to rush them out in order to provide plots for the show). I agree, it's way better if they use the source material for each season, I don't wanna think how bad it could be if they started making that stuff up by themselves.

Awesomeness. There's not much more to say. Lysa was such a shock. Disgusting, demented, and so much fun. Tyrion keeps finding himself in worse and worse situations! I was very pleasantly surprised with Loras and Renly. Maybe they hinted at them and I forgot, but it wasn't until the beginning of this episode that I realized they were doing a gay couple. And that shaving scene sure did set that in stone. Sansa sure knows how to pick them. Arya is love. Not much more to say there. "Good" to see Bran still suffering because of his paralysis. The guy that plays Theon... didn't like his looks at all last episode but, damn, did his one scene do wonders for him Amazingly sexy body, if I may say so. Was very surprised with the full frontal even though no-one looks like that right after ejaculating. Just saying. The scene between Cersei and Robert was very, very touching. Suddenly, Robert's behavior makes a lot of sense and the actor made it very heartbreaking. It also humanized Cersei a bit, with her admission that she once did feel something for Robert. Then, she asks if there was ever a moment that they truly had something and Robert tells her no. LH is one fantastic actress. The ending was yet another great one. Absolutely can't wait for next week! Halfway through, it doesn't feel like it's enough!

Thanks! I think that's what I'll do. When the season's over, I'll read the book. It'll give me something to keep me occupied until all the way to next April when I assume Season 2 will start. Btw--New episode tonight! I can't believe we're already half-way through the first season! What are the chances they increase the episode order for Season 2, maybe to 12 episodes? I'm probably dreaming, the show's really expensive to produce so...