BTG: History, Behind the Scenes Articles & Photos

[Chris B]

You can tell they have Black hair and makeup people. I'm so excited to see how everybody looks on screen. Victoria Rowell spoiled us because she paid for her own hair and as a result was able to show us many styles. The typical daytime way is to slap a shake and go wig on an actor and their look can't really evolve. It'll be nice to see Black beauty celebrated and handled with care.

[Liberty City]

I am excited for that, as well. I noticed in other BTS video that there were several wigs in the hair/makeup room, so that's exciting, and they all looked like quality!

[detroitpiston]

Glad they’re doing cliffhangers week one. B&B is probably the only show that still knows how to end an episode making me want to tune in the next day even when the story is ridiculous 

Or the men walking around either bald or unkept fros with no line up or taper  

Still hoping Vicki Rowell ends up involved with the show somehow

[Chris B]

Me too. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw her directing at some point.

[janea4old]

[Contessa Donatella]

I'm so excited! Not only is MVJ there but Eric Braeden just showed up there, too!!! He had said he was leaving BUT going to Threads. I posted, without much hope, trying to get him to consider BlueSky!! 

[Contessa Donatella]

My favorite writers are Lemay, Labine, Curlee, Swajeski, Hurst, Mulcahey, the Dobsons, Marland, Val Jean, CCulliton, Falken Smith, Bell, Nixon & Phillips. That's 15. I like writers. Michele Val Jean has the newest of new gigs possible! BTG Headwriter & Show Creator & EP 

Edited November 11, 2024 by Contessa Donatella

[BetterForgotten]

It’s pathetic that at the age of 73, MVJ is becoming the first black creator of a network soap opera. Given how much of the daytime audience over-indexes for African American viewership, this is a very long time coming. 

But I am happy for her that at what’s likely the last stage of her career, MVJ gets to solidify her daytime legacy in this way. 

[Contessa Donatella]

Well, I wasn't at all sure where you were headed at first, but, you ended up with some very nice words!!! 

[Liberty City]

I wouldn't necessarily call it pathetic. More-so extremely disheartening and disappointing. But I am thankful she's succeeded in launching Beyond the Gates.

[Maxim]

All I know is... she is making history... And part of the re-birth of the greatest genre known to mankind - the daytime drama. 

Please register in order to view this content

[SteelCity]

I renews my hope for creating and writing a soap one day. I guess I can dust off some old notebooks!

[ReddFoxx]

It just became acceptable in the past decade for Black writers to create anything other than comedy. Pathetic is a strong word but it is reflective of the structure of every industry that has the unwritten that Black people need to do twice or triple the work to see success. Then again Michele Val Jean is getting a chance most soap writers never get so she really is reaping the rewards of her hard work.

[YRBB]

That sounds lovely - my ideal would be an evolved look that also retains some of the classic soap aesthetic. 

[vanguard]

Either this or she could very well still be a character on the show. How about "Cissie Hawthorne" (I have a way with names

Please register in order to view this content

), Jacob's fiery Drucilla-like mother and Naomi's mother-in-law.