BTG: History, Behind the Scenes Articles & Photos

[Liberty City]

No.

[1974mdp]

I'm intrigued by the shooting of the show in Atlanta. Hopefully, as others have mentioned, it will hopefully allow for more SPACE: bigger sets and more outdoor shooting. The shows airing now feel soooo claustrophobic. B&B basically has two sets now...the two FC offices where people do anything but work. And, the homes are sooooo tiny. Bill's "mansion" is about six feet wide.

Those GA tax credits and lower cost of living for cast and crew have to help the budget, too.

I can understand why MVJ wants to surround herself with people who've done this before. It's a HUGE undertaking that hasn't happened in 25 years. That being said, I REALLY hope she hires some younger, fresh script writers (who can later promote) and who can add a different perspective on what can make a soap POP in the modern age. They can't just court the 60+ year old viewer who's been watching soaps for decades. I've been watching for soaps for decades myself! There's no long-term investment there, and it's not advertiser friendly unless you're selling Colonial Penn Life Insurance policies or Jitterbugs! Catching some of those all important younger viewers is going to take some fresh approaches.

I do hope they get a BIG name for the cast...Victoria Rowell, Vivica, etc. It's be awesome if they were able to land an actor with a name who HASN'T done soaps, too.

I'm excited to find out about more characters and the younger generation. I hope there's a least some LGBT visibility.

I wonder (but doubt) if the premiere of this show, especially if it's a success, will finally force Y&R and B&B to step up their game.

[te.]

Vivica still does a lot of movies... she might do a guest stint because she seems to be friends with Val Jean, but casting her in a regular part wouldn't be smart because she'd quickly be out of there even if she did agree to do it.

[Chris B]

I don't know that Vivica wouldn't stay long term. She's already acknowledged she's interested in appearing on the show. I think it would be nice for her to have a long term regular gig that pays well. She would still have time to do some tv movies and outside projects much like Jackee on Days.

[AllMyDaysatGH]

Hearing Bob Guza & JHC in the same sentence, EP'ing on the same show is just crazy to me - like this would be unheard of & complete madness if it happened on any show 15 yrs ago. Ppl would be SHOOK. I loved her AMC thru thick & thin. Super eager to see how everything turns out, I'm all in

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[ReddFoxx]

Georgia gives some good tax credits for filming so budget wise it was an obvious choice and production may have cut a deal to use Tyler Perry Studios which is huge.

Vivica Fox a strong businessperson and if she can get a regular gig as opposed to doing just Lifetime movies she will take it. And from a legacy standpoint it's a golden opportunity.

[NothinButAttitude]

I don't foresee Viv sticking around long-term either. I think she loves having creative control and having a partnership with Lifetime. 

VR would be the most logical choice on this show seeing as fans tuned out of Y&R in droves when Dru was killed. Also, with the right promo of her return to daytime, CBS would instantly get eyes on the show. 

[BetterForgotten]

I would be pleasantly surprised if VR ever gets a regular network gig again. It’s been almost 20 years since her Y&R exit and she hasn’t landed a regular network gig since. Obviously, I’d love to her see on a regular basis again, but I don’t think she’s at the top of anyone’s list right now unfortunately.

I think Vivica gets a mention because she’s close personal friends with MVJ, and obviously someone like Debbi Morgan and her reputation speaks for itself. 
 

Who knows though - they could very well cast a bunch of unknowns in the leading roles. The Soaphub article did say a focus was on local talent based in Atlanta - and ATL isn’t called the “black Hollywood” for nothing. 

[Vee]

I'd be surprised not to see Debbi tbqh.

[Liberty City]

Same. I feel like both Val Jean & Hanan Carruthers could be the ones to bring her on board.

[ranger1rg]

I trust that MVJ knows what she's doing. Still, I admit I pause when I hear the names of longtime daytime writers and producers joining the show.

Maybe it'll work out. I just know I'd be more excited to hear new names and faces.

[BetterForgotten]

Ah, yes, totally forgot MVJ wrote for Debbi on Generations and obviously JHC was the AMC EP when Debbi returned there.

I’ve said it before, but Debbi has more than earned the right to be a soap opera matriarch at this stage of her career and this is a good legacy piece as @ReddFoxx said. She could be to this show what Susan Flannery was to B&B when leveraged at her best. 

[Liberty City]

Oh, absolutely. But I also feel like, after All My Children ended (TWICE!!) and she was treated so poorly by The Young and the Restless (in the ABC vs. CBS casting wars) that it might've left a sour taste in her mouth.

[ReddFoxx]

Being there at day one for a soap is a rare opportunity now so I think Debbi Morgan would take it. Granted she has experienced that via "The City", but this would be a new character with a strong leading presence.

And it's possible that this show could utilize guest stints like never before for actors and actresses who didn't want to be permanent.

Edited August 4, 2024 by ReddFoxx

[Sapounopera]

I can't wait to see how the other soaps will try to compete with the newcomer. Well, mostly GH, since the Bell soaps are on CBS and Days is on Peacock and will react to the Gates in 2034. 
I expect a stronger black presence, perhaps a name actor joining?