BTG: History, Behind the Scenes Articles & Photos

[Maxim]

I didn't want to say anything, but... why not. I just had a gin and tonic. Listen, sweetheart... your comment is full of contradictions. Read it yourself out loud and you'll cringe too. I'm not sure if this is some kind of trolling attempt... or you are just... clueless. The most disturbing aspect of it... is that you seem like you are rooting for the show to fail... also... your whole analysis of it and it's origin is completely out of touch with reality. You act like you are some kind of CBS secretary... but you clearly don't know ANYTHING about CBS and how things are done. 

[Slutty Shauna Fan]

You're 100% right about International viewers not just solely being about Europe or Western countries. I only focused on them due to CBS owning stations and having the ability to receive Paramount+. Plus I would assume European and Western countries would have more money thus potentially be able to make them more money.

Sorry but I don't think you get international viewership at all. CBS is already airing their current shows now often hours or days after the US airing and that includes the soaps. They aren't waiting to see if they are proven hits, they are airing their content immediately because if they wait there is a great chance it ends up being pirated. Plus due to the expense of creating new content most other countries are scaling back their own productions and buying US shows is cheaper than creating their own. 

[All My Shadows]

I've had this exact thought so many times over, yes, the last five years lol Whooooo the hell is these people, lord.

Re: soaps catering to a minority audience. I mean, I really don't care, and I feel as though TPTB have been doing their jobs long enough to know what to expect out of any show in regards to reach, but I'm thinking about how the BBC produces a soap in Wales, set in Wales, featuring a Welsh cast, speaking Welsh, that's been on the air for 50 years and is basically unheard of outside of Wales. Not every soap has to be a worldwide phenomenon. I feel as though most of ours really haven't been?

[Slutty Shauna Fan]

Okay thanks for your opinion. I guess too much gin has clouded your critical thinking ability. Sorry about that.

I have said I don't want the show to fail at all. Anyway I've listened and I'll be dipping out of the conversation. 

[Chris B]

I'm not giving that troll any attention, but I will say that I have faith that this show will be good. We have a new producing partner in the NAACP, we have someone who is experienced in soaps at the helm who has a history of producing good work. MVJ also had recent experience working on a primetime show and based on that I do feel that she knows what's going to work for a Black audience in 2025. She also had Guza on hand who we know can create a ratings grabbing stunt like no other. I also think the fact that they're filming in Atlanta is smart because they'll have better access to Black actors and their budget won't be eaten up by the high rent of a studio in LA.

Until they give me a reason to worry, I'm not worried and so far they've done everything right, down to when they've made announcements about the show. We've gotten a steady stream of information as we head into filming within the next two weeks. It's only up from here and I'm excited for what's to come.

[Maxim]

No, sweety, the gin just sharpened my sense of smell for fake-profile trolls. Now please jump into my ignore list and disappear.  

[dc11786]

I wish I could access the source article, but the internal link is dead. Soap Opera Confidential (not my favorite source) states there was a Conde Nast Portfolio article discussing that the largest audience for soaps is older African American women. 

If they were focusing on eyeing on international markets, wouldn't they have gone with a half-hour? Of all the concerns, I am surprised you didn't comment on the length of the show because, to me, that would be the gravest concern. To me, an hour long length works better for the U.S. market. 

The international market has slowly been closing in since the mid to late 1990s when local television industries developed enough to produce their own homegrown soaps. I'd be more concerned about a focus on international markets over local. 

[Liberty City]

Haha. It's clearly one person's M.O.

[j swift]

Yeah, unfortunately Portfolio went belly up, and their archives are no longer online.  But, here's an interesting idea from the book The Survival of Soaps, published in 2010

Constructing the Older Audience: Age and Aging in Soaps

Abstract

This chapter examines age and aging in the soaps, drawing on interview/survey data with long-term viewers, veteran soap actors, and other industry experts. It looks at an aging U.S. audience base and the subsequent rise in purchasing power among elders. The chapter argues that soap operas should be focusing on narratives—and advertising—that target this underserved market.

I also agree that arguing with trolls is a waste of time.  As the old Twain saying goes, “Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference”.

Edited October 28, 2024 by j swift

[j swift]

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BTW, scrolling Facebook and came by a pic of Monti Sharp (aka David Grant - GL), totally underrated and might be good casting.

Edited October 28, 2024 by j swift

[Paul Raven]

Monti Sharp is unrecognizable in that pic. Years go by...

I think with the established soaps in the doldrums, CBS decided to take a gamble on BTG.

It will be interesting to see how many markets go with it.

What was the % reach for The Talk?

As for the older demo, there seems to be a group think that they are all super conservative and set in their ways. Hence the stale storytelling.

But I believe that's not the case, and a well told story that confronts 'issues' might be accepted and intriguing for many in that demographic.

 

[Liberty City]

He was also the second Justus Ward... whew... but I have a feeling Réal Andrews [might] get the role Sharp would have been pin-pointed for.

[Maxim]

I can't wait for the announcement of the premiere date... and then the countdown can begin. 

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[ReddFoxx]

I understand how international distribution works and most shows don't get an international release right away. Regardless I still don't understand what makes a show with a mostly Black cast not marketable overseas.

[vanguard]

Oh my he looks sooooo different but in a good "senior citizen" kind of way. Lol.