Beyond the Gates: Premiere Date, Time Slot Set by CBS

[Liberty City]

So, is he doing double duty (Xavier)? Interesting who was photographed and who wasn't. Did notice one table off-to the side!

[Errol]

Here's another angle for the ribbon cutting:

[BetterForgotten]

I see director, Steve Williford, at the table read as well. 

[Liberty City]

Love love love love love love!!!!!

[Errol]

Why is CBS saying this in it's press releases for BTG?

Wasn't "Generations" the first-ever one-hour Black daytime soap? Or are they not classifying it as such? Is BTG "blacker" than "Generations"?

I'm being genuine with my question.

[BetterForgotten]

Generations was 30 minutes. 

Edited October 30, 2024 by BetterForgotten

[j swift]

Generations was a half hour soap (is my only answer)

[Errol]

 

Interesting. After all these years, I never knew that. 

Thanks!

[BetterForgotten]

But also, looking at the initial press materials for Generations, NBC seemed to shy away from saying it was specifically geared towards black viewers, and that it was the first soap with an “integrated black family “ from inception. They seemed to place more emphasis on “integration” vs. “predominately black” in their marketing materials. 

[Chris B]

Generations was half hour and also, much like Passions, it had a Black family, but I'd argue it was more of a diverse soap than it was just a Black soap. Similar to Passions which launched with a Black family, but also a Latino (granted, mostly played by white actors) and a white family.

[Errol]

 

Fascinating! I knew "Generations" was always touted as being groundbreaking with its predominantly Black cast, but as the comparisons start to build between it and BTG, I'm learning more and more about how much more impactful BTG is, especially in 2024. Mind you, this comment is in no way me taking anything away from what Generations did before it.

[Liberty City]

Agreed; from my reading, Generations is seen as "groundbreaking in that it was the first soap opera to feature an African-American family from its inception," as noted in The Encyclopedia of Daytime Television from 1997.

[BetterForgotten]

Also, BTG is coming from a black creator, which Generations can’t claim. It is a lot more significant for a lot of reasons.

 

[Vee]

I'm not going to freak out over Ron in a subordinate position. He was a very solid staff writer at OLTL for many years and his episodes surrounding Asa's death (right after he took over) remain well-regarded. I am surprised to see him working under MVJ and Guza, lol. With Guza especially it seems like oil and water to me.

I am not going to begrudge this show using a ton of skilled hands as writers or directors out of the gate (so to speak). You can't teach all this shít on the fly after almost 100 years on radio and TV.

[Liberty City]

OMG you can't? Why can't you? Shouldn't it be common-knowledge?! OMG explain why?! Let it be ON THE FLY!! The only way to do it!

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