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

[Vee]

Time for folks to start leaking!

I did notice another restaurant/club locale in the new video - apparently "Uptown" where some of the characters were dining, judging by the signage on the windows.

[janea4old]

[Maxim]

I'm buckling up and ready to go

Please register in order to view this content

[janea4old]

SCADfest is in Atlanta today.  Hopefully Jamey attended only because he lives in the Atlanta area and wanted to support friends and former coworkers.
I'd prefer that he not be on the staff of BTG.


https://x.com/Jamey_Giddens/status/1887278384289325559

 

Edited Thursday at 01:39 AM by janea4old

[NothinButAttitude]

If I am not mistaken, he is one of the top writers of Tyler Perry's "Sistas." I doubt he has to do BTG along with Sistas and DOOL. I don't think we have to worry about him for now. Plus, if he did join, I think the highest he'd be is a breakdown writer alongside Carlivati. 

[janea4old]

From an attendee at the SCADfest event/screening in Atlanta
https://x.com/TamNelson0024/status/1887302449716736266

Please register in order to view this content

[Maxim]

I'm ready to get fed!

[skiman12082004]

OMG, I am so jealous! I wish I could have been there. I hope someone comments on the opening theme music and title graphics.

[Alan]

Well I was tearing up by the time Clifton Davis started playing the piano.

Please register in order to view this content

In the first clip Sheila Ducksworth mentions that there are around 40 characters! I know many here prefer a small cast, but I love a big sprawling cast. When used properly, a big cast allows soaps to tell large scale, immersive stories about entire communities which are hard to replicate in other genres.

I also love that Ducksworth says BTG will last for 100 years. She spent 3 decades midwifing this show and she is going to fight for her show!

[vanguard]

40 characters? Hmmm. Well we know that 20 of them are series regulars, which means the remaining 20 are presumed to be guest and recurring  characters, I suppose?

Edited Thursday at 05:56 AM by vanguard

[Paul Raven]

i'm hoping those extra 20 characters will be servants, secretaries, co- workers etc to give the feel of a real community/universe. and some of them can step up to more important roles if need be, as things progress.

Seeing that foyer in the Dupree house, compared to the tiny spaces we see in other soap 'mansions', puts them to shame.

Everything looks so promising at this stage. Let's hope they hit the ground running.

[BetterForgotten]

There is a sense that both Sheila Ducksworth and Michele Val Jean consider this their life's work. It will certainly be their professional legacies. 

Sheila makes it very clear that MVJ is the driving creative force, and that Guza works as her Co-HW, helping her write the thrusts/long-story. I'd love a new interview with those two talking about their initial vision for the show and characters. Guza (rightfully) seems to be taking a very "silent partner" approach when it comes to publicity/press, but it would be good to understand how they work together and what MVJ thinks he brings to this project centered around people of colour (never a strong suit for Guza). 

[Vee]

I think what Guza brings first and foremost is adrenaline, and a sense of what events/sweeps months need. This show will need someone like that to amp it up out of the starting gate in a very difficult climate, and while competing for the loyal GH audience. For all his sins I won't lie and say I didn't wish he'd been somehow on hand in GH's recent somnambulant years, and I'm not the only one. He also can do very incisive character work - when he chooses to, and when it isn't lazy or misogynistic.

MVJ had a front row seat for the Guza years at GH, and knows what became of the Black canvas there. Yet she's remained close to him personally and professionally, and has often said online that he wasn't responsible for various unpopular choices in those years. Whether that's true or not, who knows. I think he was long past his best by the time he was fired and it was past time, but I do think he has real talent that can be brought to bear on BTG. We'll see what he has to offer today, and if her faith in him can prove out.

Edited Thursday at 07:45 AM by Vee

[Contessa Donatella]

About Sistas, you are correct!

One of the things I love most about Ducksworth is that she has a smile that would light up all of downtown! But reading about her background & long love for soaps is so refreshing! And, it's so funny that MVJ stated awhile back that when Ducksworth initially called her she thought that probably nothing would come of it but that was not a reason not to have the discussion. That this has been their baby for such a long time is really quite remarkable. And, also they both make me so hopeful that this is going to be a success!

[dragonflies]