Um, so we have that ever lengthy thread on classic Y&R articles and discussion, I was wondering if we could do one for B&B? I mean the whole show is a hot mess and has been well at least since 2007/2008 and unwatchable but I'd like to think back to when I loved the show 1991ish-2006. A lot of stories liked and/or remember well have now been long forgotten like Ivana's murder and the mystery around it, Macy vs. Karen, Connor(someone mentioned him recently!) Dylan and Michael, CJ/Becky, Sly, Grant. Hell Macy was my favorite character right after Sally of course.

Edited June 27, 201114 yr by soapfan770

@slick jonesand all trivia lovers:

 

Did we know that Eddie Cibrian (nowadays best known for being LeAnn Rimes' husband, I guess) got his start on B&B before being hired for Y&R as Matt Clarke (after unsuccessfully auditoning for Nick Newman)!?

 

Haven't seen his dayplayer episode yet, but he is credited in #1813 as "Dave"

 

Edited January 2, 20232 yr by sheilaforever

Totally random observation:

The Morocco storyline suddenly and unexpectedly got 100% better when James met Ahmed! I can't believe how well they play off each other! I could easily watch an entire spinoff where these two gentlemen doctors solve cozy mysteries together in the Moroccan desert while drinking tea, discussing philosophy, and having silly interactions with bellydancers. Ahmed gives me Dr Watson vibes.

12 hours ago, Videnbas said:

Totally random observation:

The Morocco storyline suddenly and unexpectedly got 100% better when James met Ahmed! I can't believe how well they play off each other! I could easily watch an entire spinoff where these two gentlemen doctors solve cozy mysteries together in the Moroccan desert while drinking tea, discussing philosophy, and having silly interactions with bellydancers. Ahmed gives me Dr Watson vibes.

Isn't this when James poses as "Brewster Mackenzay"? I loved it back then - and Ahmed is indeed fabulous. He is one of those classic Bell show sidekicks which add a lot of layer to storylines...

57 minutes ago, sheilaforever said:

Isn't this when James poses as "Brewster Mackenzay"? I loved it back then - and Ahmed is indeed fabulous. He is one of those classic Bell show sidekicks which add a lot of layer to storylines...

Yes, exactly! I think inserting James undercover in this storyline really vitalized it (just watching Taylor completely isolated as Leila wasn't very interesting).

And Ahmed is the single most redeeming thing about this entire storyline. He is just charming. (He also reminds me of an uncle who was an important part of my life when I was growing up.)

1 hour ago, Videnbas said:

Yes, exactly! I think inserting James undercover in this storyline really vitalized it (just watching Taylor completely isolated as Leila wasn't very interesting).

James' undercover mission also ended those Connor/James scenes in an office which aired for months (at least in my memory...) and made them look like the original desperate housewives.

In germany they cancelled B&B again. They were showing episodes 7800-7979.

Last episode 7979 will air next friday January 13th.

The channel WarnerTV says it is because of low rating. What were they expecting? It is pay-tv 😶‍🌫️

And in Poland it is likely to be back on tv but on some unpopular, very much unknown tv channel. Right now episodes are streamed on a paid streaming platform. Episodes 8200 are being streamed. 

5 hours ago, rsclassicfanforever said:

In germany they cancelled B&B again. They were showing episodes 7800-7979.

Last episode 7979 will air next friday January 13th.

The channel WarnerTV says it is because of low rating. What were they expecting? It is pay-tv 😶‍🌫️

Already?? Wow! Haha

In Australia, Bold is the #1 show on the broadcasters streaming service, 10play. Data is measured in three ways: overnight, +7 days and +28 days. 10play episodes are same pace as the US.

Edited January 6, 20232 yr by boldau

Does anybody know how I can pay for a subscription to Videoland from the U.S.?? I have NordVPN and they're letting me get as far as putting my payment info in, but when I try and put it through, it says the payment failed. I hope someone can help!! I'm trying to open up my own account.

Edited January 7, 20232 yr by ltm1997

30 minutes ago, ltm1997 said:

Does anybody know how I can pay for a subscription to Videoland from the U.S.?? I have NordVPN and they're letting me get as far as putting my payment info in, but when I try and put it through, it says the payment failed. I hope someone can help!! I'm trying to open up my own account.

You shouldn’t need your vpn turned on when you’re signing up to VL. Try PayPal as the payment option if credit card doesn’t work.

1 hour ago, boldau said:

You shouldn’t need your vpn turned on when you’re signing up to VL. Try PayPal as the payment option if credit card doesn’t work.

I made a Videoland account last year and only used the 14 day trial and then didn’t renew the subscription. Now that I’m trying to get the subscription, it won’t let me even go through with picking a plan because it says you can only do it in the Netherlands. Then when I turn on the VPN and it lets me pick my subscription, it doesn’t even allow PayPal as an option, and it won’t let any card of mine go through.

Yes, I have tried to pay for videoland subscription and my credit cards were not accepted. I wrote to them why paypal payment is not available and they said it is because of them at paypal.  And yes, it is impossible to do anything on videoland without good VPN

Edited January 7, 20232 yr by Pedro

I have to say that 1995 was good in the middle but started getting really boring towards the end. The Eric Taylor forbidden love was disgusting and went for like 100 episodes. I was so bored and thankful that Taylor said No in the end.

Eric proposing to Sally was a joke and not in a good way. I get it was a set up but it was way too over the top. Now at episode 2190 and with Sheila out of the asylum it's getting interesting.

Wow let me say after the amazing consistent 1987 to 1993...

The last 2 years have been a mess. I would have never started watching the show if I was seeing this. I understand now why a lot of people dropped out of watching in my country in this period and always talked about the past.

Bradley Bell didn't have the talent and the experience to write this show. If Bill Bell was still on as a writing lead... we would have had many more wonderful years.

When I think of 1988 to 1993 especially I am so in love with the series... 1987 too.

The stakes were high, people had so many layers and dialogue was like a fine fine movie that kept you guessing and in awe of the manipulation and sharpness of the characters.

1994 and 1995 have been like a Sims simulation of the original series.

1 dimensional, teenage style of thinking and writing, cartoonish plot twists, laughable evil villains, repetitive dialogue and absurd melodramatic opera monologues. It has left me with a bad feeling. 

I will say it's improved for couple of months and at one time I was sure it was back but it isn't. We had to endure Eric proposing Taylor for the 89th time.

I liked Sheila's madhouse storyline at least. And I hope the future is better.

Edited January 7, 20232 yr by divinemotion

#1809 – here is it: the one event that probably kept me watching this soap as young teen: the end of Jay Garvin. In retrospect I would have expected much more build up because it happened all so fast. James is suddenly on Sheila’s trail. The motivations remain sketchy; the writers claim that James is digging deep because Sheila is Brooke’s assistant. Dear James: Stephanie and Brooke both have some skeletons in their closets, too. But maybe this turned him on? ALL of James’ lovers on this show were rather complex (read: devious, crazy or off-the-rails) women at one point or another if I think about it… LOL

Anyway: the first of many balcony falls in B&B history (is anyone counting???) was just great TV with Sheila being cornered and well Jay taking a deep fall. To my utmost surprise the rest of the episode had some super boring stuff: Eric and Stephanie have lunch and discuss basically nothing. Jessica speaks with Ridge about his skimpy swimwear and is then introduced to Brooke. Talk about nail-biter material. NOT

There are some things that are definitely working really well in Summer 1994: the acting of Ian Buchanan and Kimberlin Brown. The wonderful conversations between Sheila and Mike – and basically every scene featuring Sheila. I have only seen Ivana’s first episode in which she bantered with Dylan – and it was GOOD. The Spectras are losing steam and my best guess is that Sally and Macy will soon make up after suffering a nasty fall-out due to Anthony. The story was a lot better than I remembered it. Now it is time to move on quickly, though, ‘cause Sally and Macy have to be at good terms – they have such a sincere relationship, IMO. 

 

 

@ Divinemotion: 1996 is good in a way that it features a broad variety of stories and characters. And most storylines work really well. I re-watched it in 2021. IMO, it is losing considersable steam in the fall with Brooke/Ridge/Grant because the writing is not doing any character favors, but apart from that there is lots to like - and actually most stories are cut too short (for my taste) instead of being dragged out...