I think the pitfalls of Katie show how bad writing (that doesn’t play to the performer’s strengths) can undermine even the strongest actors. HT is great but Victoria was becoming damaged even before she left the role. She’d be more believable in the “take charge” moments where AH is less credible (like the arguments with Adam), but she’d still have to deal with the squishy wifey/mommy stuff because that’s what CBS wanted for that character. Certainly she likely wouldn’t have had the Billy romance (although, who knows? Maybe she would have sparked with Billy Miller), but she’d have had something else that would have sucked, and we’d be bemoaning her character in the same way we do for Ashley, et al (if HT didn’t leave on her own out of frustration—she seems like she’s happy to coast over at B&B, a more pleasant set).

Edited February 3, 20232 yr by Faulkner

Does she still direct at B&B?

12 minutes ago, titan1978 said:

Does she still direct at B&B?

Yup there was episode the other day that listed her as director

10 hours ago, Darn said:

Wait, they asked her to re-audition for the role while she was playing it?

That was the rumor back in 1997 and she quit.

Anyone at B&B has relative job security for daytime with the show's secure position internationally, and they allow HT to direct. I can't fault her for staying where she is, same as the very talented writers they have churning out that slop. I also think CBS or Sony would be very uncomfortable with HT back in the role as I think they would call her 'the wrong physical type' - as in, not hot enough. Which is ludicrous, but that's exactly how networks think and how they've come to think of Victoria.

On 2/1/2023 at 11:54 PM, SteelCity said:

I'm in love with the idea of Jamie Luner as Phyllis on YR. She's got that sexiness that Phyllis is supposed to have and plays the bitch well. 

 

She or Melinda Clarke were my choices for Phyllis before Gina was hired for the role. And I'm sure Jamie or Melinda wouldn't showcase how bored they're in scenes like a certain actress presently on screen. 

When Kassie DePaiva was playing Eve on DAYS, I thought in my opinion she would've been better suited as a recast Melissa Horton or even a recast Kristen Forrester-Dominguez on Bold and Beautiful. 

Edited February 4, 20232 yr by Forever8

15 hours ago, Broderick said:

I think he's a horrible excuse for Billy.  Not saying he's a bad actor -- he's good -- but he ain't Billy.  

In my opinion, the Billy character is due for a rest.  A lot of folks don't like a certain actor with a cheshire cat grin who once played Billy, I believe but he embodied the character as an adult better than anyone else has.  

Is Sandra Nelson not into doing soaps anymore?

There's dislike for him, but I would take Billy Miller in a second over Jason Thompson as Billy Abbott. Thompson is too brooding and serious. He was that exact same way in his last few years as GH's Patrick. Much like Y&R's Paul, you'd never realize Dr. Patrick was a playboy in his early days in the role, based on latter year performances.

Edited February 3, 20232 yr by ironlion

4 hours ago, Forever8 said:

She or Melinda Clarke were my choices for Phyllis before Gina was hired for the role. And I'm Jamie or Melinda wouldn't showcase how bored they're in scenes like a certain actress presently on screen. 

When Kassie DePaiva was playing Eve on DAYS, I thought in my opinion she would've been better suited as a recast Melissa Horton or even a recast Kristen Forrester-Dominguez on Bold and Beautiful. 

KDP would make a great Karen Spencer on B&B.

I know she's older but Heather Rattray as Victoria Newman.

Melanie Smith as Brenda Barrett 

2 minutes ago, Soapsuds said:

 

Melanie Smith as Brenda Barrett 

I always thought that Melanie Smith would make a great Macy on B&B.

22 hours ago, Soaplovers said:

That was the rumor back in 1997 and she quit.

Aldrich was absolutely dreadful in the role and once the show realized it she just faded away into the background until they simply wrote Victoria for like 2 months until HT returned. 

HT has also directed some episodes of Dynasty 2.0 before it ended I wonder if she has directed other primetime shows. 

I could easily see either Sarah Buxton or Jamie Luner as Phyllis. Buxton would’ve been entertaining in the role as Stafford pretty much stopped acting after 2006 or so lol.

Billy has pretty much become the Mike Horton or Tom Hughes of our time with so many recasts. I’m not sure who would make a good Billy besides bringing back David Tom because the writing for Billy has been bad for years now.

1 hour ago, soapfan770 said:

Aldrich was absolutely dreadful in the role and once the show realized it she just faded away into the background until they simply wrote Victoria for like 2 months until HT returned. 

HT has also directed some episodes of Dynasty 2.0 before it ended I wonder if she has directed other primetime shows. 

I could easily see either Sarah Buxton or Jamie Luner as Phyllis. Buxton would’ve been entertaining in the role as Stafford pretty much stopped acting after 2006 or so lol.

Billy has pretty much become the Mike Horton or Tom Hughes of our time with so many recasts. I’m not sure who would make a good Billy besides bringing back David Tom because the writing for Billy has been bad for years now.

Shame the show didn't do that with Heinle

On 2/3/2023 at 5:27 PM, Sapounopera said:

I always thought that Melanie Smith would make a great Macy on B&B.

Oh! That would be lovely! But I think the character of Macy itself is the problem, because Bobbie Eakes rocked her times on the canvas, but it seemed like Bradley Bell wanted her out.

It's funny that Heather Tom has played Katie longer than she played Victoria, but Victoria is her signature role. I think she's staying at B&B until it ends, plus she has her directing career going so she's prepared for post B&B life.

7 minutes ago, kalbir said:

It's funny that Heather Tom has played Katie longer than she played Victoria, but Victoria is her signature role. I think she's staying at B&B until it ends, plus she has her directing career going so she's prepared for post B&B life.

She can pop in and win a random Lead Actress Emmy for two weeks of work a year.