Jump to content

B&B Thom Bierdz could save the show!


Recommended Posts

  • Members

So, someone here postulated the brilliant idea that one way to save B&B is to rebuild the House of Spectra. They briefly toyed with Jackie Payne doing this...but obviously have decided against it.

The proposal was made (I forget by who...sorry) that one possibility would be to have CJ Garrison realize (while off canvas) that the reason none of his relationships with women worked out was because...he was not that into them. That he was gay.

The idea was that CJ would return as a gay male fashion diva, and restore camp and rivalry to the show. I think this is very promising.

But then, this weekend, I saw (the always sexy, amazing) Thom Bierdz (ex-Phillip III) in SID magazine. Tom works mostly as an artist now, and in the SID picture he was dark, unshaven, beautiful, and staring hauntingly at the camera.

In that shot, he suddenly reminded me SO MUCH of Tom Ford. You know Ford...the fashion icon, ruggedly handsome (always unshaven), with model boys always at his side. Tom Ford is NOT a camp queen. But he still has attitude and sex appeal...and he runs a fashion company.

It struck me that recasting CJ with Bierdz (who would infuse the role with his sexuality and with his soulful artistic sensibility) could really give us that Tom Ford vibe. Masculine and sexy (not effeminite camp queen), but still dripping with the kind of attitude and zest to succeed and weakness for big-jawed men that Sally would have had.

It could work!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 27
  • Created
  • Last Reply
  • Members

I'm all for Thom Bierdz joining B&B, but...

1. Why recast CJ? Mick Cain was a great CJ.

2. Bierdz is WAY too old to play CJ (Bierdz is 46; Cain is 30).

3. If B&B ever does a gay storyline, the less "camp" it is, the better. It promotes bad stereotypes (like when ATWT hired the most effeminate actor they could possibly find to play Luke <_<). However I doubt B&B would ever do a gay storyline - there are too many single women on the show.

4. According to the October spoilers,

.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Same here. Mick Cain's CJ struck me as boyish, defensive but always with a biting sense of humor and self-deprecation, a twinkle in his eye -- and very, very straight. LOL, the way he used to check out Amber, Kimberly and Becky when they weren't looking!

I wouldn't mind the beautiful and lovely Thom Bierdz returning to the show as another Garrison or even a Spectra nephew -- or possibly related to Owen Knight (they share a similar coloring).

I am intrigued by the possibilities of TB playing a Tom Ford-type character. I have to admit, I find Ford rather camp at the moment. Maybe it's because he is no longer at Gucci and has been flailing around looking for another project in recent years (which he now has -- bespoke men's tailoring and dressing Daniel Craig exclusively for James Bond).

Ford at Gucci was a slightly different figure than he is now. For a start, he was a raging workaholic and his intensity and commitment was very relatable and attractive. Secondly, he was a BIG flirt -- with both men and women. I saw it with my own eyes when he launched some perfume. Watching him undress the fashion press with his eyes in one-on-one interviews... he had those old biddies purring like kittens! His whole attitude at the time "Obviously I'm gay... but I like what I'm seeing in front of me, sexy lady." In fact, I am convinced his success was predicated in part on walking that fine, flirty line.

Thom Bierdz's work on Y&R suggests he could walk that fine line on B&B, sending some of the female as well as male characters a-flutterin'. And win over a lot of new fans in the process.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I haven't hidden my dislike of Ford, but I agree I find him VERY camp. No, not in a Nathan Lane/Birdcage type of way of course, but it's almso tlike he wears his masculinity as a sort of drag--if that makes *any* sense. But I agree both with part of his appeal being that he did flirt with both sexes--and it would make an interesting character especially for the fashion world of the show (which recently is such a wasted opportunity)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Okay, I loved Mick Cain too...so you have all convinced me that CJ should return, and we should find our Thom Bierdz/Tom Ford character some other plausible role at Spectra. I want this person biologically related to Sally...just because I want that bloodline to continue. But there is no reason that Sally couldn't have had a gaggle of nieces and nephews never mentioned. A minor retcon for the sake of story.

Is Bierdz REALLY 46. I'm thinking he could actually be around 40...but I will scan that SID picture. The man is BEAUTIFUL and looks not a day over 30. So, if there is a "Dorian Gray" vibe, even better!

My one hesitation now is that Bierdz has this soulful vulnerability. I wonder if he could pull of the "bastard" thing.

I agree that B&B may never do a gay story...not just because of all the women, but because of "Bell distaste" AND because I do think it could cost them viewership in their mediterranean, south american and middle eastern markets. Sigh.

The spoilers make me cringe. I want the characters you mention OFF THE SCREEN.

See, how you describe Ford just TOTALLY works for me. If the character HAS that sensual potential--he was once ON TOP of the fashion world--but NOW he has lost some of that "mojo", and has clearly seen better days...he has something to PROVE. So, he takes a failed fashion house, and he uses that as his 'canvas' to restore both the fashion house AND his reputation. That is classic Spectra, IMO.

I can't stand that so many of us see the need for a Spectra-style arc, with a fashion basis, on this show, but the creative team apparently doesn't.

Yes, yes, yes...there is that aggressively masculine gay archetype (wasn't "Brian" on Queer as Folk in that mood)...so beautiful, so strong, so predatory, AND SO ULTIMATELY EMOTIONALLY UNAVAILABLE...that he is totally compelling to all. They WANT to get past his beautiful shell...but he won't let them in.

I see no problem with a soap lead like that...no problem at all. But I am frustrating myself, because Brad Bell will NEVER have the ba... -- err -- guts to do that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

OK I agree there, (though I got tired of Brian's lack of growth on QAF--I agree with Russell Davies of the original UK version who said after 5 years of being that much of an [!@#$%^&*] he owuldn't have friends left...) and you've sold me :P

Bierdz has a more vulnerable side--at least since his memoir about his mentally ill brother and his murder of his mom--that's the last I saw him in the press a lot. He has a website--you should send him an email :Phttp://www.thombierdz.com/html/main.html

As for the Bell's--si there a distate against gay stories? I thought Bill woulda always been open to it--or am I wrong? (I know of the Katherine story in hte 70s of course). You're right it could upset their more conservative foreign market--but on the other hand in many of its other markets I can't help thinking th elack of gay characters on the soap feels even more out of touch than it does here.

Did Tom have bad blood with the Bells? Didn't he complain that "Cricket" was taking away screen time from him? Or was that one of the other now openly gay actors who left Y&R in the late 80s...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

^^ That was Terry Lester (Jack), who was replaced with Peter Bergman.

I honestly think that this "gay SLs wouldn't wash in foreign countries" excuse is just plain wrong. Yeah, maybe ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia and Iran would have a problem with it (where B&B doesn't even air). But the UK? France? Italy? South America? Israel? Greece? Australia? :lol: Please! The most politically squeamish country with regards to gay characters on Daytime is the good ole US of A.

If B&B could outright avoid any hint of arch camp with this character (and that's a HUGE "if"), than Thom Bierdz would be perfect. TB was such a subtle, warm, soulful presence on Y&R. I don't need to see Mark from Ugly Betty recreated on daytime. I need some layered, sexy, intriguing characters I can invest in. Something plot-driven B&B is failing at right now.

For YEARS (decades, it feels like), Brad Bell credited the Taylor/Ridge/Brooke triangle as having powered B&B to the near-top of the ratings heap. I honestly believe that if Sally and Spectra hadn't been the eternal B-story during those years, people would have seriously lost the will to watch. I used to joke with a friend that there should also be an alternative-reality B&B involving the Spectras, CJ, the lovely Grant, troubled Morgan, Whip, James, Deacon, Becky and myriad other characters Bell never cared about because I would have watched that show in a jiffy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

How about this scenario which would bring back Mick as CJ and bring on Thom in a way that connects him with Sally and doesn't even have to throw out the current status quo of Spectra as owned by Nick and Jackie, as well as tie in with a dropped plot thread thread? Jackie's just not cutting it at Spectra, since she hasn't been able to rip off any more designs from Forrester with security so tight after Stephanie's shooting, Eric's heart attack, Pam still at large etc. Moreover, her boutiques are suffering because her high priced Beverly Hills clients don't want to be associating with a knock-off queen. Jackie and Nick are desperate, since Nick spread himself thin acquiring all those distributors, and he can't afford to pump any more money from his sale of Forrester to Eric into Spectra without compromising his other holdings. But they get an out when Harvey Golden, the mystery man who sold Nick the east coast distribution chain in return for a favor to be named later, calls in his favor. He'll make it easy for Nick; turn over his and Jackie's stake in Spectra and they're even. Nick tells a reluctant Jackie to do it; he's tired of throwing good money after bad. But Jackie stalls too long and CJ is ready to take Spectra back. Golden sends his right hand man, played by Thom, to step in and he turns out to be the son of Sally's estranged sister, who turned her back on Sally when Sal was forced to become a knockoff queen to scrape by after Adam abandoned her. CJ tells Thom's character he's too late; Spectra is back in his family's hands, but Thom says his boss dealt in good faith. When all is said and done, CJ and his newfound cousin wind up co-owning Spectra and are at odd with both each other and with the Forresters, including CJ's once best buddy Rick. And Thom's character could be gay and ruthless to buck the expected stereotype of a gay character.

He played an abusive boyfriend on Melrose Place and its Models, Inc. spin-off in the 90s, so I think he could do it.

It probably would depend on how strong their viewership is in that region.

I can live with them, although I can see why many want them gone. But either way, I think they would have to be involved in some way, at least at the beginning, since they are part of the current status quo for the story your idea revolves around.

Amen to that. What's really said is that the generic description of B&B in cable viewing guides (which gets replaced by the daily previews each day) talks about the fashion house rivalry and we haven't seen a fashion show or storyline in almost a year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.



  • Recent Posts

    • To me, that made no difference. The point stands whether Eva wants to be a Dupree or not. Anita was 110% on top of things. Also it's a logical inference that Eva might be interested in having a place in her supposedly real family. Frankly though I wonder if Eva knows how to feel ... yet. She could really be confused.
    • Does Jack ever dress in drag during that early '00s period where he was trying to get Jennifer back...or does he just fake being gay around then?
    • Here you go, by special request! https://www.instagram.com/p/DJlXDnWJImW/ DAYS 9-26-90 Matt Ashford as Jack Deveraux in drag
    • Concluding 1976... Raymond Schafer arrives in Springfield and begins an extensive probe into Malcolm’s death, puzzling Ed, who wonders why most of Schafer’s question sessions keep turning back to Rita’s involvement with Malcolm. Ed assures the man that Rita’s only connection with Malcolm was as his nurse; he is unaware that Schafer knows a great deal more about Rita than he does. Just to protect Rita, Ed has Mike check on Schafer’s credentials, and learns that he’s a  well-respected criminal attorney. The waitress at the restaurant where Malcolm suffered his stroke tells Schafer that the woman who was with him reacted very professionally to the sudden emergency, as if she were a nurse. Realizing that her little sister has fallen hard for Tim, Rita warns him that she’s very vulnerable and innocent, but Tim tells Rita her advice isn’t necessary. But Tim then receives a plum job offer to be chief neurological resident at a prestigious Philadelphia hospital and can’t pass up the opportunity. Evie is crushed by the news and spends the next several days at home crying. Joe Werner, fully recovered, has accepted a post as a medical aide in a destitute village in India and leaves alone, with Sarah to follow him later. Justin asks Sarah to consider a partnership with him in private practice, but she explains that she thrives on the hospital atmosphere. When a call comes from India that Joe has had another massive attack, Sarah leaves on the next available flight and arrives only moments before he dies. The painful news is relayed back to Cedars at once. Sara returns from India a heartbroken woman, but the day-to-day involvement of raising T.J. and of her career seem to be her salvation. Justin shows a surprisingly compassionate and understanding side to Sara, but, ironically, Justin’s ex-wife, Jackie, arrives in Springfield with her diabetic father, who is suffering from a heart attack. In the process of consulting with Justin on her father’s condition, Jackie comes face to face with Sara for the first time since their college days. Evie’s heartbreak at Tim’s departure turns to fury and hatred when she inadvertently discovers a letter which Tim wrote to Rita just after he left. In it he concedes that Rita was right about Evie’s vulnerability where he was concerned but reminds Rita that he badly hurt her in the same way she feared Evie would suffer. Evie is now sure that Rita somehow forced Tim to leave town and is livid at the idea that Tim was Rita’s lover. She insists she’s cutting off her relationship with Rita and will pay her back for any help she’s received in the past. Ben and Hope’s wedding plans are off, as Ben, while still insisting he’s innocent, won’t explain why the robbery evidence points to him. Hope feels his unwillingness to tell her the truth makes marriage to him impossible, but confides to Ann that she is miserable without him. Ben has echoed these sentiments to Mike but won’t confide in him, either as Hope’s father or as an attorney.   Holly is trying very hard to build a life without Ed, but since she sees him virtually every day at work,she’s unable to put him out of her mind. She accepts a date with a member of the hospital administration staff but is unable to avoid making comparisons between Ed and this young man and winds up alone, sadly holding Ed’s picture and recalling how much she loves him. Believing that the hospital board’s conclusions on Grainger’s death have settled the question once and for all, Rita has regained her self-confidence, and her romance with Ed is growing daily. They admit their love for each other, and Ed confides that he intentionally  held back with Rita for fear of making another mistake. Rita then tells Ed she has never married because for her marriage must be forever. Rita’s mother realizes that Rita is truly in love when she confides in her that she doesn’t understand why she’s been so lucky in having him love her and how she wants to be the very best person she can be for him. Ed proposes marriage to Rita and gives her time to think about it before answering. Rita painfully realizes that her past could, if it rose again against her, make a life with Ed a lost dream. But Raymond Shaefer has been quietly but efficiently carrying on his investigation and has learned that Grainger argued with Rita at her apartment. He presents the evidence he’s compiled to District Attorney Eric Van Gelder, who decides the case warrants further investigation. Rita goes to Ed’s office to tell him she loves him but can’t marry him, that she doesn’t deserve him and “can’t do it to him.” As she turns from a confused Ed to leave, she finds the district attorney and a police officer outside Ed’s door, waiting to arrest her. Ed, insisting that a serious mistake has been made, calls Mike to help her as Rita, shocked and humiliated, is taken under arrest through the hallways of the hospital in which she works. Mike manages Rita’s release on bail only after she has had to submit to the degrading booking procedure. Mike sees her alone at her apartment, explaining he can help her only if she tells him the whole truth. Rita equivocates until Mike mentions Texas, indicating to Rita that he knows at least some of the story. Van Gelder has, in fact, let Mike see the bulk of evidence in the case against Rita, to convince him her arrest wasn’t a capricious whim. Rita explains to Mike that Malcolm believed she intentionally vilified him to his father, to do him out of his rightful inheritance, and then wanted his father dead to collect her money. Mike expresses his appreciation of Rita’s honesty, promising to help her. But Rita’s tormented dreams confirm that she hasn’t yet told all the truth, and after Peggy visits, expressing firm support, Rita tells Roger she has to reveal his part in the story. Roger painfully tells Rita about his being Christina’s father to show her that if Ed knew, it would end Rita’s chances with him forever. Rita, who was ready to tell Ed the whole story, now realizes how risky that would be. Adding to Rita’s pain is her forced leave of absence from the hospital until she’s cleared and the embarrassment of seeing her name in the headlines.
    • Please register in order to view this content

         
    • Yes, but the stories are all pretty awful Seeing Victor rehashing his hatred of the Abbotts  when he married one of them and has a daughter that is half Abbott as well as walking around with Traci's daughter's heart keeping him alive makes him look worse than he already is. And I remember he and Jack chatting amicably in the past few years. Victor interfering in Kyle/Claire is just repeat of Billy/Victoria. Sharon, Nick,Phyllis etc are around but again the stories are lacking.
    • I think Kevin's 1996 Emmy was fair enough. He barely appeared for his second. I don't think anyone else on the list is that deserving but I might have gone with Moore as he did try with the whole Keesha AIDS story. @alwaysAMC Thanks to slick jones' cast list I was able to see that Nikki Rene played Tina. Not much on her, as you mentioned. Tap and a few Broadway listings (it doesn't help that a younger actress with a similar name is in a lot of roles). Nikki Rene: Credits, Bio, News & More | Broadway World https://onceonthisisland.fandom.com/wiki/Nikki_Rene Nikki Rene - IMDb
    • Thank you. That does ring a bell. I remember Theresa and Julian's drunk, giggly fake wedding (with Julian asking "Whassup?" to the minister). Was Bruce tricking the pair as a prank, or did somebody put him up to it? I especially liked Katherine recalling how dashing young Alistair was when he'd pick up Rachel for dates, and how she wished she could be her sister, then feeling guilty once Rachel had her boating accident ...
    • And Kevin Mambo beat Shemar Moore for those two Emmys. I chalk up the wins to the voters not wanting Jonathan Jackson to eventually end up with a five peat (he won 1995, 1998, 1999). These were the 1996 and 1997 Younger Actor races. 1996: Nathan Fillion, Jonathan Jackson, Kevin Mambo (winner), Shemar Moore, Joshua Morrow 1997: Steve Burton, Jonathan Jackson, Kevin Mambo (winner), Shemar Moore, Joshua Morrow
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy