BTG: History, Behind the Scenes Articles & Photos

[Errol]

Exactly why I said the above. Regardless of one's politics, some extremists will see the summary of the show with the phrase "Black soap" in it and believe that the show isn't for them and that it is a DEI project, this can be said whether one is politically left or politically right, hence what I said about media and politicians.

I want BTG to be a huge success for CBS, not just because they are highlighting an underrepresented demographic, but because it is a new soap opera in an era where soaps are "dying." I don't want B&B, GH, or Y&R added Black characters just because it's the "in" thing. I want them to add them and UTILIZE them because they have great characters with great storylines. The cynic in me is prepared for ABC/Hulu (and Peacock) seeing how BTG performs and thinking they must have a "Black soap" on their lineup/platform, too. Unfortunately, they will think it's just about the race bait and not the characters themselves, and ultimately ruin it with their potentially less-than-quality product.

[Soapsuds]

But it is a black soap that's what others say on here. You can only post the black characters pics and such.

[Errol]

Ignore them. Until we get to the February Discussion thread in 2025, this is the default thread for the show. With the full contract cast fleshed out, all characters/cast members can be discussed, have pictures shown, retweets, Instagrams, etc. Beyond the Gates is for all viewers,. not just one demographic. If it were, it'll fail.

Exactly this.

Until writing the ratings post I did earlier, I didn't think of anything else, but the more I see that phrase in PRs, the more it annoys me.

[Liberty City]

[All My Shadows]

IMO, it being the first new soap since before Y2K (I feel like I keep coming back to that) should take precedence over it being a “black soap,” but I think for history’s sake, it’s notable for having a predominantly black cast. Yet, it’s not even the first soap to do that.

Another point not being made enough is that, when it premieres, it’ll be the first new CBS soap in nearly 38 years. Everyone knows that the Eye’s daytime audience is notoriously loyal and that in the south, watching “the stories” means watching CBS soaps and nothing else. It’ll be interesting to see how a new soap, regardless of its casts’ ethnicity, fits into that. It’ll be on by default in many a doctor’s waiting area, student union, and retail break room. It’s basically coming in with a built-in audience that will not change the channel after B&B goes off.

[Alan]

Given the political climate, I imagine that CBS will downplay the "historic first" nature of BTG in its promotional materials, similar to the strategy of the Harris campaign.

[Taoboi]

And as someone raised in the South...I can concur, and it really has not changed at all even though I've been out here on the West Coast for a good portion of my adult life. My classmates always get tickled online whenever I posted about soaps post-HS. And we all remember the Clarence Update on Y&R.

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[Vee]

I did not know that. I'm not disputing it, it's just interesting.

Edited November 19, 2024 by Vee

[Taoboi]

Facts.

 

 

[ReddFoxx]

I'm so tired of hearing about the right-wing noise machine and at this point they can go straight to hell. You have decades of soaps that have been nearly all White with a few Black characters who gained supporting status, but where generally used as the best friend to the White leads. It's not even about having a Black soap opera, but a soap opera where Black actors can have a chance to do what their White counterparts do.

[Khan]

Oh, no.  I got enough of Black women lying about the identity of their babies' fathers on "Maury."  I don't want to see them do it on BTG, too.

[DRW50]

Sadly, we learned how much of a different that makes to a racist public.

[Aback]

Did Generations or more recently the Tyler Perry shows raise many eyebrows in the right wing media? As racist as they can be I doubt they’d care about a soap opera…

[Wendy]

But is it really an historic first when Generations already did it 35 years ago? (Not saying Beyond The Gates doesn't deserve recognition for trying again AT ALL. Just saying, it was not the first, strictly speaking.)

[Chris B]

The Tyler Perry and 50 Cent shows aren't on a major network like CBS. But, I think what will help this show is that they already have a big Black following. CBS has shows in primetime with Black leads as well. I'm sure they'll find the right balance when promoting the show.