BTG: April 2025 Discussion Thread

6 minutes ago, MontyB said:

You are so right about show audience outside of this forum. People seem to be enjoying the show.

I agree; they absolutely are, and it's a nice refresh from this forum.

23 minutes ago, MontyB said:

I don't recall you saying anything super critical, if you did I probably didn't think it was. 

I've been pretty tough on the dialogue (in fact, I linked to it!) and some of the actors for a lotta weeks. I think Kat/Tomas is DOA regardless of the terrible actor playing Tomas. People are right there are no major new couples vs. established marriages. I also think the saga of Doug, Jon Lindstrom and the Golden Corral Casino is profoundly boring, though I do like Vanessa with Joey. I think Derek and Ashley are abominable. I could go on! But that's all typical soap fumbles, particularly a very new show.

I don't think there's anything wrong with being heavily or harshly critical of elements of the show, because I have been. But getting into a bubble where we think the sturm und drang around here reflect the larger audience response just isn't true, at least not in the case of BTG and not so far. If you lived by the extreme polarity in this thread and grand declarations in this thread all but titled "Breaking My Silence", you'd think the show has to shape up or ship out by June. That's not happening. Or you'd think a huge bulk of the audience also hates Dani. Not happening. I am not saying we can't or shouldn't critique it, but I think assuming the wildly divergent range of SON takes on here speaks to the larger audience isn't a wise barometer. My primary issues are the very volatile dialogue, a few bum stories or repetitive cycles (Dani's spirals) and some of the dreadful actors. But all that can fix itself up.

25 minutes ago, Paul Raven said:

Now that the first batch of shows have aired, hopefully they will take stock and make some tweaks.

That is what I am banking on, frankly. Though I also haven't seen anything apocalyptically bad in the last few weeks (barring Derek/Ashley, and Tomas).

Edited April 22Apr 22 by Vee

8 minutes ago, Vee said:

I've been pretty tough on the dialogue (in fact, I linked to it!) and some of the actors for a lotta weeks. I think Kat/Tomas is DOA regardless of the terrible actor playing Tomas. People are right there are no major new couples vs. established marriages. I also think the saga of Doug, Jon Lindstrom and the Golden Corral Casino is profoundly boring, though I do like Vanessa with Joey. I think Derek and Ashley are abominable. I could go on! But that's all typical soap fumbles, particularly a very new show.

I don't think there's anything wrong with being heavily or harshly critical of elements of the show, because I have been. But getting into a bubble where we think the sturm und drang around here reflect the larger audience response just isn't true, at least not in the case of BTG and not so far. If you lived by the extreme polarity in this thread and grand declarations in this thread all but titled "Breaking My Silence", you'd think the show has to shape up or shape out by June. That's not happening. Or you'd think a huge bulk of the audience also hates Dani. Not happening. I am not saying we can't or shouldn't critique it, but I think assuming the wildly divergent range of SON takes on here speaks to the larger audience isn't a wise barometer. My primary issues are the very volatile dialogue, a few bum stories or repetitive cycles (Dani's spirals) and some of the dreadful actors. But all that can fix itself up.

That is what I am banking on, frankly. Though I also haven't seen anything apocalyptically bad in the last few weeks (barring Derek/Ashley, and Tomas).

I definitely see your point. 

I will give some grace to Derek and Ashley because I'm think they must have some plan for them, otherwise what is their purpose. 

21 minutes ago, Liberty City said:

I agree; they absolutely are, and it's a nice refresh from this forum.

Some of these characters have some real stans online, but they be lighting up my girl Haley whom I like. 

2 minutes ago, MontyB said:

I will give some grace to Derek and Ashley because I'm think they must have some plan for them, otherwise what is their purpose. 

They feel like a horrific network note. And I get it. A show is going to need white faces on CBS Daytime. But there are so many better options on that front (starting with bringing on Pamela's family AFAIC, or Joey's). The instant Derek or Ashley turn up I start browsing online.

38 minutes ago, MontyB said:

Love your posts because like you, I just don't feel the need to complain about everything. I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the show.

As far as that slow burn, I don't know how long folks in here have been watching the soaps, but I started in 1974 when I was home from school one day when I was kid and I mother told me to turn to Channel 2(WCBS-NYC) at 2:30 when she was at work and watch her show. That was The Edge of Night. Ever since then I've been hooked. Anyone watched in the 70's and 80's knows those story lines went on for months and months, so yeah, I love it when they don't rush through, but move the story along with twists and turns.

Oh yeah, Dani/Andre.....

I didn't realize I said does. I meant doesn't ruffle feathers. My bad. lol. I understand that. I don't really have any complaints. YET. Any complaints I would have, the show IRT has heard and correct (re: the lights) to my knowledge. And it's not like Y&R where they benched their best current story out of the blue or GH where it's uneven in the worst ways possible IMHO.

 

One of these days I'm going to sit down and watch Edge of Night if it's available around when I do. From all of the comments, I've seen, it seems like it would be my kind of a soap to follow. And definitely have always love the name. 

 

Did you just shade Dani? 😜  

 

I happen to fall in line with what Vee and Ranger have said for the most part. But like I said before...some weeks (and scripts cuz I love Jazmen's scripts and Sara Bibel's backdown it seems) are better than others, but outside of the Martin's secret storyline and Anita's story, it does not feel like other soaps where there's clear stalling going on.

 

I am aware that it's a new soap. As well of my own perspective on it and mindful of others' opinions around it. Personally...and I have said it before, I am sure I will feel a different way at 1) end of May Sweeps, 2) end of summer, and definitely 3) end of year. I watch day to day and some stories are working for me more than others, but I don't outright hate anyone/anything on the show. YET. There's definitely room to grow and a willingness from production to grow. I really can't wait until we get to the episodes that were filmed after MVJ and Co. got to hear feedback from online and elsewhere to see how they adjust. Until then, I'm enjoying the ride. And if today's cliffhanger is any sign...we are about to get our second full climax (or first depending on how you look at it) to a main plot in the Nicole/Ted/SilkPress Sheila storyline.

Nothing personal... I'm still gonna watch the show and enjoy it when I enjoy it... and NOT enjoy it when I not enjoy it... Period. And I'll talk about it... even if anyone wants to discourage me... Not gonna happen. I'm a very persistent person and I don't let others influence me easily. Aaaaand I am here for the show first and foremost. I focus my energy primarily on commenting the actual show and not what other posters think of it. If anyone is annoyed or irritated by my critical opinions, I can just... offer my emotional support in wishing you to move on. I'm not gonna stop sharing them or being honest. 

I also don't think that this forum (SON) has an overly negative audience. In SON... I've stumbled upon the smartest and sharpest takes so far. No other site has that diverse-in-opinions group of posters (in my opinion). That's why I love SON and prefer it to any other forum.  

And for a final word, I would add that... even though the show is experiencing growing pains right now... it has amazing potential, amazing cast (with a few exceptions) and just... a soapy spark to it that a few shows have. That's why I'm here. ❤️

Quite frankly the first month I was sooo overly positive that now... when I go back... I cringe at how happy I was with everything. But that initial high has passed and now I'm watching with more sober eyes. Aaand the material has also shifted. 

 

You want to watch a show that repeats its exposition and story points repeatedly? Watch Edge of Night, lol. Those folks love to sit around talking about the prophetic dreams April Scott had last month. I am enjoying EON 1980 immensely and it's a great show, but classical and at times awkward recapping was Henry Slesar's best friend some weeks.

Seeing you all mention positive outside perspectives and the show performing well, what is it that we know about the shows performance through the network's eyes?

One thing I was curious about before the show premiered was how its success would be measured. Obviously with anything money is usually the bottom line and that would mean outperforming its previous time slot holder to start, which as far as I'm aware it is. Also, I doubt many people who didn't watch The Talk live were streaming later on in the day unless there was someone on that day they really wanted to see. So in that respect, BTG has the advantage in that people are more likely to stream it. The big difference between The Talk and BTG is cost of production. I can't imagine BTG is cheap to produce even though they've taken some measures to ensure its a bit more cost effective like shooting in a market that isn't typical for soap opera production. 

I mostly stream BTG on Paramount+. I show hasn't really been on their Top Shows list and personally I don't think they did much to promote it on the platform. If you watch CBS/CBS Daytime you would know about it, but if you were exclusive to the platform there wasn't much push on there. I actually saw an ad on Peacock, which was interesting. 

3 minutes ago, Vee said:

You want to watch a show that repeats its exposition and story points repeatedly? Watch Edge of Night, lol. Those folks love to sit around talking about the prophetic dreams April Scott had last month. I am enjoying EON 1980 immensely and it's a great show, but classical and at times awkward recapping was Henry Slesar's best friend some weeks.

LOL! I don't remember it doing that, but it was a long time ago. 

On that note, Slesar knew how to weave a story. It really worked for Edge, not so much when he wrote for OLTL simply because it's not that type of show. If he were alive today, I think he'd work miracles on GH. Right now that show is hard to get through. 

Liking all the Edge of Night comments all the same.

14 minutes ago, Taoboi said:

 

 

Did you just shade Dani? 😜  

 

She's lovely, but he's.......... 😏

A little random, but it just came to me. Ted has more of a father/son relationship with Andre than with his own son. I mean when I think about it even Nicole has more of a connection with Andre than Martin. Part of it is because storyline has dictated that Andre have more scenes with Ted and Nicole, but it still feels off. They really need to have Martin interact with his parents a little more. During yesterday's episode, I got a little confused when Martin walked into Uptown and greeted Dani as Aunt Dani...I was like sister?...oh wait, right that's his aunt. Doesn't help that the the actors that play Dani and Martin are only like 7 years apart. 

Also, Martin tends to rely heavily on his grandparents for advice. They also seem more invested in whatever he's hiding. Do we know if Ted and Nicole know what this secret might be? 

7 minutes ago, MontyB said:

She's lovely, but he's.......... 😏

LMFAO!!! Can't they just be fun together for a lil bit?

2 minutes ago, GLATWT88 said:

Martin tends to rely heavily on his grandparents for advice. They also seem more invested in whatever he's hiding. Do we know if Ted and Nicole know what this secret might be? 

Good question.

I actually like the Martin/Dani bond. I think they could play it more because he comes off like the straight (don't!) man to her antics and has kind of a droll, amused reaction to her business while she gets to be kooky but fun with him. It helps that BC has seriously improved.