BTG: February 2025 Discussion Thread

[Paul Raven]

Already posted.

[Planet Soap]

I just don't see that. BTG's intro was okay.

I'm torn on this subject.  Cancelled soaps coming back is an understandable thought in this era of reboots.

On the other hand  old soaps have long-established plot lines and characters and new audiences may not be able to keep up with all of the past exposition (assuming  Soap audiences are growing, and it's not just the niche crowd who still watches).

Moreover, several of the actors and producers who made the soaps great have died.

Nothing lasts forever, even the greatest soaps grow stale after 30+ years.  Perhaps the best move is to start new soaps like BTG.

I read that Sheila was sent to B&B for that exact reason, because she had gone to far on Y&R to remain on canvas. IIRC Bell also was adamant about villains paying.

[Toups]

After week one, my favourite is Leslie.  I just love watching these type of characters who scheme to get what they want.  I really like the actress too.   I also like how this "mother" and "daughter" are scheming together and nobody knows they're going to be doing all these shady things.  Eva being Ted's daughter is a good twist.  Looking forward to this storyline the most. 

My second favourite is Kat and it's because of purely superficial reasons.  LOL  I just think she's really pretty and I love her cute outfits, and she has a great smile. 

Please register in order to view this content

  Plus, Colby Muhammad seems to be a decent actress.  She doesn't have any of the "new actor" ticks.  I just hope she's good when she gets her first dramatic scene.  

I do agree with those who say that there needs to be male Dupree out there to continue the family name.  I found it all that they're the main family but only two characters (maybe three? Did Dani drop Hamilton and went back to Durpee?) have that last name.  

Having multiple cliffhangers was great way to end the show's first ever week! I understand the show wanting to be fast paced early on.  I'm sure MVJ will slow it down a bit. 

 

 

 

[BetterForgotten]

MVJ and Tamara Tunie appear, in a segment, on this podcast - this episode focuses on black audiences and their daytime viewership.

 

[ReddFoxx]

The first week was quite good and it wouldn't surprising if the show was number one for the week just from the new engagement. The pace was very quick for a debut week but this is a time when you have to move fast to get viewers. It would have taken a month to get to the wedding at the pace of older soaps.

[Liberty City]

If not number one in ratings, I'd imagine at the very least number one in performing demos, which would be even more promising in the long term.

[Antoyne]

It absolutely does. Especially with what’s going on in this country. I think I don’t even sweat the small stuff some people are pointing out because I’m just so happy this show exists at all and is actually entertaining as hell. This show is so so important.

[All My Shadows]

I agree so strongly with everything in both of these paragraphs. I envision Leslie and Eva being somewhat like Angela and Lance on Falcon Crest, with Leslie constantly having to whip Eva into shape and keep her eyes on the prize.

Kat is a stand out in the sea of younger female characters. Really, she’s the only one (besides maybe Eva now) that has made me pay attention when she’s on screen. She just has a plucky, girls’ girl vibe about her. The comment she made about how it’s unusual for her to be the one to call it a night early was intriguing and now I def want to see some club night shenanigans with Kat and her friends.

Nicole’s family would be 100% solid if the Martin actor gets it together or they recast him. I feel like MM is good in his role, but it seems like he needs to play against better performers who can help elevate his own. Martin ain’t it.

[Vee]

Exactly. I had a feeling she would be on it. The other two young girls in the family, meh.

Martin is like a host from Westworld. Shape up or ship out!

[Soaplovers]

And I do believe we met Kat's love interest in episode 5, and she seems the most observant of the younger generation so I forsee her getting mixed up in a lot of stuff in the coming weeks.

[te.]

Derek is probably worse, but he's so marginal to the story that they can always end up underwriting him and then write the character out once his usefulness is done. Martin is more concerning because he's really a centerpiece character and needs to improve fast. As a character, Martin is clearly in this for the long haul. 

And yeah, I'm not putting him and Smitty's lack of chemistry on Manning - he's not giving him anything to work with unfortunately and there's only so much you can do if your scene partner is flat.

I'm hoping once the Bill / Hayley wedding drama dies down that Dani calms down a bit. They've clearly played her as a Woman on the Verge all week in order to lead up to the cliffhanger, but they need to tone her down a bit after all this otherwise it'd be inexplicable that she's not in the nuthouse. 

Edited March 1 by te.

[Vee]

I am catching up, but Thursday is pretty strong IMO. Naomi impressed me, the dialogue has improved considerably with less exposition, and KM projects a lot more authority and imperiousness than I previously thought she was capable of as the momager supreme. You understand the faith in her MVJ has here, it's giving Black Erica Kane. Yes, the character is outsize but that's the nature of the role. If she's divisive (as she clearly is here) that's part of the appeal.

Mona is very real. They should give her family ASAP.

This show is much easier to get through than hour upon hour of GH. And the lighting in Uptown and wardrobe/hair on Chelsea is phenomenal - she looks amazing even if her acting is neon green.

Ashley OTOH still comes off like they recruited someone from the crew.

Edited March 1 by Vee

[Antoyne]

I dunno why the Martin actor gets all the flack when the Chelsea actress sounds just as unnatural as he does. 

[Vee]

She's green but she hasn't gotten the kind of material he already has. Dude's delivery is like a video game NPC.

[Contessa Donatella]

Wow, that thought is so fresh & insightful & just hit me like the old cliche of a flash of lightning! Thank you for thinking it & sharing it. I did not come to it on my own but now that you say it, I do see it. I think I have met my new soap obsession: Dani, written by MVJ & played by KaMo. I wonder if Dani is short for Danielle. And, I wonder if she might end up being a one name persona. 

Personally I don't see a need to seriously drag either Martin or Chelsea. Do they have greater distances to grow than others, sure. But, it's Week 1, there's time. These people seem to be smart so maybe there's an acting coach. If so, Martin, Chelsea, Ashley, Ashley's bf, first cadre formed!

 

Edited March 1 by Contessa Donatella