Aback

It’s funny they should rerun the first week as if it helped introduce new viewers to the show when in fact that first batch of episodes was so exposition-heavy and IMHO ill-conceived that it was almost like starting a soap midway 😂

Same. I don’t care to see the actors thrown into a parking lot. Outdoor shots should be contextualized and useful to the plot. Those scenes in the first week were not - they were random and uncomfortable (I’m thinking of the Nicole and Ted shoot with Andre especially) One day they should have taped outdoor was when Ted followed Leslie to her apartment. A little bit of context and mystery there would have been nice.

And in the meantime: Nicole has 2 offices, Ted has one office at the hospital yet the job he always talks about is at the 'clinic'. Make it make sense. I love they're giving her layers. And yes that also means being hypocritical or judgemental at times. Same. Been saying that from day 1, re: Dani's accusations. But MVJ likes to reassure us she has a plan, so... ROTFL! BTW Chelsea and Madison are the new Derek and Ashley. They're equally boring. This ordeal with Kenneth makes me wonder: will BTG be a constant turnaround of villains threatening the Duprees clan? In 4 months we've had Hayley, Leslie, now Kenneth and possibly Madison/Alison...

I wonder if there is an objective way to do that. We know fanbases can make more noise than necessary, so it's hard to understand exactly what the overwhelming feedback is really. Precisely. For instance: does Dani still have a drinking habit? lol Was it dropped or is it just 'rotating'? It'd help if they at least showed the secondary characters (ie Marcel) in the weeks where their story is not frontburner. We hadn't seen the guy in months. Huh? I don't understand your criticism. That was supposed to be a hint that Kenny is a racist. Further comments on this week: - every episode was sleep-inducing except Friday; - I think the plotting of Martin's secret has been a complete mess, with people still unsure who between Martin, Vernon and Anita knows what and how. - Copaganda Jacob and his constant chip-on-shoulder, holier-than-thou attitude is obnoxious. Plus he's such a useless detective, he gets out-detected by all of his family. - I zone out every time Haley is on. I swear she's had the same scenes since the start of the show. Please get her out of that tacky living room. - Madison must be mentally unstable.

I find that post really crass. I wouldn’t have that much time to deal with online ‘haters’ (and I’m not sure that’s the right definition). But oh well.

This week was a complete snooze fest. Sorry, but if this is what BTG is turning into, I’m worried. Kat is way overexposed, and the actress just isn’t bringing any layers to the role (much like her OG father, honestly). She’s playing everything for comedy, even in scenes where she should be terrified of a potential killer. It just doesn’t work. Leslie has gone full cartoon villain. The actress is phenomenal, but the writing isn’t doing her any favors. Such a wasted opportunity. Dani lusting after every man in sight is borderline MeToo material. And I don’t even see the supposed “high stakes” around people finding out about her and André. The reactions will just be a collective “oh well.” Dr. Madison is ridiculous, and Chelsea is straight-up toxic. The busboy spying on Martin? Embarrassingly dumb. Why does that country club keep hiring the most suspicious people imaginable? The Articulettes’ insta-reunion was rushed and completely forced. Yet another missed opportunity. And can we talk about the constant bar-hopping? I’ve had ENOUGH. Build some damn offices Sorry for the rant, but the show is starting to feel off. Yes, it still has that wholesome vibe, but it’s veering into safe and lazy territory. Worst of all, it’s not taking any risks. Everything feels half-baked. Bill felt sick—oh wait, never mind, it’s nothing serious. There’s a literal criminal wandering around town—but it’s all played for laughs. A man slept with a woman under false pretenses—but hey, it’s just about laundering money for her business, no big deal. Something is really off.

I think they’re desperately trying to cover his awful tattoos. But anyway them being unable to style short kings properly has been a major pet peeve of mine for a while now. I honestly don’t understand what some people expect from actors to even begin considering them for recognition. Let’s be real—awards mostly mean that an actor is respected by their peers and has some level of cultural relevance. Actual judgment on the acting itself? That’s often secondary—highly subjective and shaped by the times. I completely agree on both points. If you’re an actor or a dancer you shouldn’t get any tattoos (sorry not sorry). Tomas’ tattoos are ugly too. And regarding the couples- you’re completely right. These writers are unable to write romance. Further comments: - Kat cannot be this dumb to keep tampering with evidence over and over again. And I’m officially not a fan of the actress—every time she’s in a scene with Leslie, she doesn’t seem intimidated at all. She plays it like comic relief, which is just too much, especially when paired with Leslie’s histrionics and over-the-top antics. Leslie is older, dangerous, and has literally been portrayed as homicidal—Kat should be at least a little scared. • I also didn’t like Kat playing damsel in distress with the hotel manager. It gave off the same weird energy as Dani with the cop. I would’ve much preferred the version Paul Raven suggested, with her sneaking in through housekeeping. • And yes, Dani again accused Hayley of faking the pregnancy—this time even specifying she might be using a pillow under her shirt. (No fake miscarriage being mentioned) I stand by my take: this is ridiculous writing. No one in the real world—except us, the chronically online soap watchers—would even think of such a conspiracy theory. Haley is no Beyoncé. • What in the world was Chelsea wearing in her hair the other day? And this whole thing with Madison is beyond cringe. Chelsea’s coming off as needy and toxic—basically like every other Dupree. • I’m glad the casino storyline is moving forward, but it’s still boring as hell. Honestly, I’d be so here for a plot twist where Vanessa and Doug take Joey out. • The direction and editing lately have been rough. Abrupt cuts, weird pacing… something just feels off overall. There’s a strange uneasiness to how it’s all coming together. • And finally: Tomas is too much of a saint. Where are the messy sluts when you need them? (Vanessa doesn’t count.)

Is nobody going to mention the cringefest that is 'Carl Ivati'?

👏👏👏👏

Like I said I wasn’t talking about characterization. It makes sense that Dani is in denial. However literally no one in the real world would accuse someone of faking a pregnancy. Why? Because it’s just not feasible. What is Dani supposed to expect from Hayley—that she’ll be hiding a pillow under her shirt 24/7? Come on. The accusation has no legs, and that’s exactly why nobody would ever go there. A far more plausible accusation—one that actually has been made for centuries—is that someone might lie about who the father is. Dani only vaguely hinted at that, but at least that angle would make some narrative sense. I’d go for a coworking space that would be home to these small businesses like Kat and Chelsea’s bag startup (the whole police station trope feels like copaganda to me)

Random takes: - What was even the point of that jeweler guy? Also—Dani was borderline harassing him. - I know I’m probably in the minority here, but I want Jacob and Kat to happen. I need something messy to completely dismantle the Duprees—and Katomas just isn’t cutting it. - I officially can’t stand Jacob and his wife. Same goes for Anita and Vernon. - Hayley’s corset was just as ugly as it looked uncomfortable. - I genuinely don’t remember when or how Derek and Ashley reconciled—and I’m someone who didn’t even mind their storyline! LMAO. - Tuesday’s episode was a mess. - Dani finding out about Hayley’s pregnancy and immediately thinking, “She’s faking it”—huh?! What writer thought that was a realistic reaction? I get denial, but that leap was absurd. I agree the ‘Leslie Victorious’ moment was way OTT. But hey, at least I wasn’t yawning. The following episode, where she handed over her daughter’s last few belongings was much better. - I can’t with the constant back-and-forth between Orphey Gene’s and the Country Club. I forgot this was such a soap trope, but even back in my loyal viewer days (late ‘90s, early 2000s), it wasn’t this bad. While GH has a ton of beautiful sets, we’re stuck with the same three—and half of them are ugly. Also: it’s been way too long since we had a party, gala, or any kind of event. I know the Richardsons’ anniversary gala (back in late April) has had a big ripple effect, but I was kinda getting used to those large-scale episodes. Fingers crossed they don’t go with Guza.

I actually love the new fashion.

Please let the mob and the casino go with him.

The more I think about it, the more this feels like a slow-motion gravestone for DAYS. Sure, it’s doing fine right now, but without proper promotion or any real path to gaining new viewers, the audience is bound to shrink over time. At least with broadcast TV, people could stumble onto the show while channel surfing. Now? The best-case scenario is that a random Peacock subscriber happens to click on a thumbnail.

Am I correct in assuming that DAYS does not drive new subscribers (since it’s not promoted outside Peacock) but it helps retain the current ones (most of which where acquired when DAYS transitioned to Peacock)?

Also - if they're happy with the result, why would they want to invest further? The formula is working the way it is for now, so I don't see anything changing budget-wise, unfortunately. I'm just trying to unspin these disingenuous press releases.

Gasp! But that’s impossible! Don’t you remember we have that insider on the board who claims that there’s no ‘proof’ linking P&G or CBS to any kind of homophobia? 🧐

Weird question: is anyone - ahem - archiving the show? We all know how disrespectful networks can be towards soaps runs so I’m hoping that some gentle soul will make sure that BTG will be available to masses forever…

Genuine question: how is 600.000 viewers on streaming considered more successful than 2 million people watching on television? I don’t understand it and the whole ‘6 billion minutes watched’ sounds like a really pointless metric to me.

And yet somehow - not sure why - we know for certain he would have never named a character 'Mariah'.

The Duh-prees - Count me in as someone who cannot stand Kat’s fashion. No one walks around town dressed like that. And those wigs? Completely immovable. We have incredible wig technology these days—can’t the show find something better? - Vernon’s sermons are total FF material. - It looks like they’re setting up a past drinking habit for Anita (with all the “drowning” references), and maybe even a rape/child plot? Also—remember when Dani was an alcoholic? Lol. Ted / Nicole / Leslie - Some people are projecting way too much onto OG Ted. Sure, he had screen presence, but his line delivery was pure caricature. He wasn’t menacing or threatening—he was a joke. NuTed may be meek, a bit one-note, and smaller in stature, but his confrontation with Leslie on Friday worked. Also, let’s be real—Bill’s not scary either. Total softie. Couldn’t scare a fly. - The ATWT reference was cute, but wasn’t the Duncan storyline from the ‘80s? Are we supposed to believe Nicole was already practicing back then? Since she said it was her patients who watched… like others pointed out, God forbid she watched herself! - Also: I stand corrected on Leslie. I think she’s starting to make more sense as a character. She’s fearless and provocative—that’s what drives her. I actually loved her mirror scene where Nicole 2.0 made her debut. The non-Dupree characters - You guys were a bit dramatic about Monday’s show. It just had too many unlikeable storylines crammed into one. That’s all. Also, I stand by what I said about Derek and Ashley—their storyline is totally rom-com coded, and I’m into it. - I’ve developed a soft spot for Doug!! 🥰 And I thought that Vanessa ripping into Ted had a subtle layer of self-reprimand to it - I officially can’t stand André. I don’t buy him as a playboy at all. Same goes for Pamela with her transatlantic accent. It’s such a shame that this is the first character CML had to create… and this is what we got?

Characterization: - I realized I have PTSD from Ted #1’s constant swaying. The moment I saw NuTed, I actually caught myself thinking, “Why isn’t he rocking?” - Leslie makes very little sense from a storytelling perspective unless she’s completely psychotic. What was she hoping to achieve with all her dramatic reveals and aliases? Also… who wouldn’t put two and two together after Laura’s accident? - Anita and Dani come across as mean-spirited, and honestly, the Duprees should just be portrayed as full-on villains. Been saying this since day one—remember when Dani punched Haley and the whole Dupree clan just walked away from her with that “shame on you” look? Wrong on so many levels. Glad others are finally seeing it too. - Mona is sanctimonious and I can’t stand her. She’s the worst kind of person: lower-to-middle class but constantly making excuses for the rich. - Call me crazy, but I’m actually enjoying Ashley and Derek’s storyline. I’ll take this neurotic OCD queen over the sanctimonious, multi-talented nurse any day. Plus, soap couples are usually so plastic. They deal with insane drama but never go to the bathroom, never plan a weekend away. Look at Kat and Tomas—every scene is just them planning lunch or dinner…! - Btw by now André seems bored af by Ashley. WTF Moments: - No young woman would be even remotely interested in going to a casino (looking at Eva). And it’s wild how the show is treating gambling like it’s some kind of therapeutic hobby—like retail therapy or something. - What are they doing with Smitty’s eyebrows… and more importantly, why? Parallels with Other Soaps: - I like Nicole, but she reinforces my belief that soaps should never include psychiatrists. If they’re portrayed accurately, they ruin the fun by rationalizing everyone’s childish and selfish behavior. If they’re portrayed inaccurately (hi Taylor from B&B), it’s equally bad. - Anita’s story is giving major SSM vibes from 2017‘s Y&R, when Victor got Nikki to start playing the piano again. - Karla played a model on B&B too… 🙄 Direction & Continuity: - Pascarelli is hands down the worst director this show has. - Wednesday’s episode started with a nighttime establishing shot of Orphey Gene’s… but all the scenes that followed were clearly set in daytime—until halfway through the episode, when it suddenly switched back to night. - The picture on the piano at the Duprees’ house shows two little girls and two little boys. Who are the boys? One could be Martin (or Tyrell?), but who’s the other kid? 😂😅 (And speaking of pictures… no one under 50 is walking around with a printed photo in their pocket. But I digress.) - I love catching the time on the phones when they pop up onscreen. Friday’s episode was supposedly set before lunch, but Vernon’s phone said 3:15 in one scene and 3:50 in the next. A few scenes later, Kat is playing Leslie’s audio for Jacob and her phone shows 10:40. Cool.

LMAO this is the funniest hill I'll die on. Here is what I'm saying ⬇ The shoulders and sleeves are too tight. He'd benefit from a larger size. The yellow arrows show where the shoulder cut should actually be placed in my opinion. I don't mind the granpa fashion per se, I just have an OCD with sizes LOL

Dear God in Heaven (/KatherineChancellor), maybe blazer is the wrong word - I’m just saying André needs to wear baggy clothes or larger sizes cause he’s a short king and the sizes they’ve chosen for him make him look smaller and shorter than necessary 😭 btw he’s not even that young, must be around Martin’s age…

Well, no turtleneck for him!