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On 1/17/2026 at 6:54 PM, Taoboi said:

Not that they ain't nice, but oh so true.

Oh, believe me, I can appreciate a pretty face and body as much as the next guy, but we can all agree that the more you come to appreciate the mind, heart and soul, the attraction to a person deepens significantly. I'd happily take the opportunity to explore all the attributes of Scott Hunter, inside and out, to see what develops!🙃

On 1/17/2026 at 6:54 PM, Taoboi said:

Exactly this! I am just done working on something explaining why people are discovering a long cancelled show and liking it when that was not the case when it was airing. Because the themes are universal. If anything, it is shocking me how people are having a negative reaction due to how puritanic the country has gone in the past short 4 years. Remember when the 90s was full of risqué sex scenes, saxophone music, and sizzle? Give me adult content with heart over soup-fed juvenile antics any day.

The tragic, destructive turn to puritanical, heartless and oppressive ideals is a major stain on the heart and soul of the country, that's for sure. A massive, overwhelming blue wave is needed to drain the swamp of its heavily-contaminated elements. Still, it will probably take years to undo all the damage.

On 1/17/2026 at 6:54 PM, Taoboi said:

Ryan's Hope was before my time, but I hear so much good stuff about it. And I feel like...as OLTL was my vibe...it would be one of those soaps that I would like if I ever sat down to watch it. And I've always been curious to see how cunning Ilene's Dalia truly was since I felt like her rep preceded her from what little I know of it. Awww that's how a lot of AMC fans heard felt about Lorraine Broderick coming back for AMC's final months as well. I was one of them since I follow writers to other soap shows more than I do actors/actresses.

Ryan's Hope was excellent; very heartfelt, human and humane, when Claire Labine was at the helm. Sadly, she came and went, and ABC suits did great damage to the show during her absences. (Not that she was 100% perfect; she did make missteps, like even the best writers do.)

I was thrilled that Lorraine Broderick returned to give AMC the closure it deserved. IMHO, Broderick, Agnes Nixon and Wisner Washam were the best scribes during the show's run.

I follow writers whom I respect from soap to soap, as well. I do find it...curious how certain writers produce brilliant material at one show, but much weaker material at another. I suspect network interference is the principle culprit.

On 1/17/2026 at 6:54 PM, Taoboi said:

Lord, ain't that the truth. One is hard-pressed to find a writer to like on the current soaps.

None of the current soaps have had good writing in decades. I think that's why Heated Rivalry has had such an impact on me (and other viewers who appreciate and long for intimate, well-written, adult drama): we've been mostly starved for it for years. Certainly on daytime TV.

On 1/17/2026 at 6:54 PM, Taoboi said:

OOooo ready!!!! That's good to hear. I do wonder how they will incorporate Scott and Kip in going forward though.

Yes, we will see when season two is released. My only quibble about HR's first year is how much the series skipped over Scott's emotional journey and growth. We went from him being highly repressed and closeted in episode three, to ready to come out (loud and proud) in episode five. I wish we had seen more of his transformation. But, of course, with only six measly hours, some elements had to be scaled back. I hope season two will have a higher episode count. I don't realistically expect 22, but 10 hours would be nice. Along with more Scott and Kip, I'd like to see more Hayden too. I find him endearing.

  • Member
On 1/20/2026 at 5:57 PM, Cat said:

HR is flawlessly put together and paced, nothing feels dragged out or rushed, just a seemingly effortless handling of story and human chemistry, which actually takes an enormous amount of skill and effort to perfect. A story about lust and love and a lot more besides. Is it fanfic? Yes, but the best kind -- thrilling and life-affirming.

Many years ago, on this very board, a bunch of us were bemoaning the fact that soaps no longer seemed to be able (or were unwilling) to write about that thrilling, slow-stomach-somersault moment when you fall in lust or in love with somebody. As if they were now embarrassed by the very virtues that made their shows magnificent. I can see reading this thread how Heated Rivalry has reawakened that 'remember when the soaps i loved made me feel the way HR does right now?' It certainly did for me watching it, and i haven't felt this electrified by a romantic drama in, possibly, decades.

I cannot speak to what a show like this means to its gay male fandom. But it has reminded a few people I know IRL that, in these dystopian times, perhaps attraction, physical connection and romance between two humans is not just possible, but actually sublime.

Every word you wrote in this post is brilliant! Bravo!

I think we all "get" why this show has become such a phenomenon.👍

  • Member
20 minutes ago, vetsoapfan said:

Now I am curious; the video you posted is blocked in my country (Canada). What was it about?

It is SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE here parodying both HARRY POTTER and HEATED RIVALRY.

  • Member
30 minutes ago, vetsoapfan said:

Oh, believe me, I can appreciate a pretty face and body as much as the next guy, but we can all agree that the more you come to appreciate the mind, heart and soul, the attraction to a person deepens significantly. I'd happily take the opportunity to explore all the attributes of Scott Hunter, inside and out, to see what develops!🙃

The tragic, destructive turn to puritanical, heartless and oppressive ideals is a major stain on the heart and soul of the country, that's for sure. A massive, overwhelming blue wave is needed to drain the swamp of its heavily-contaminated elements. Still, it will probably take years to undo all the damage.

Ryan's Hope was excellent; very heartfelt, human and humane, when Claire Labine was at the helm. Sadly, she came and went, and ABC suits did great damage to the show during her absences. (Not that she was 100% perfect; she did make missteps, like even the best writers do.)

I was thrilled that Lorraine Broderick returned to give AMC the closure it deserved. IMHO, Broderick, Agnes Nixon and Wisner Washam were the best scribes during the show's run.

I follow writers whom I respect from soap to soap, as well. I do find it...curious how certain writers produce brilliant material at one show, but much weaker material at another. I suspect network interference is the principle culprit.

None of the current soaps have had good writing in decades. I think that's why Heated Rivalry has had such an impact on me (and other viewers who appreciate and long for intimate, well-written, adult drama): we've been mostly starved for it for years. Certainly on daytime TV.

Yes, we will see when season two is released. My only quibble about HR's first year is how much the series skipped over Scott's emotional journey and growth. We went from him being highly repressed and closeted in episode three, to ready to come out (loud and proud) in episode five. I wish we had seen more of his transformation. But, of course, with only six measly hours, some elements had to be scaled back. I hope season two will have a higher episode count. I don't realistically expect 22, but 10 hours would be nice. Along with more Scott and Kip, I'd like to see more Hayden too. I find him endearing.

I totally agree. If it was truly just about how someone looked, I would have been pursued quite a few people. I want more. But...don't we all?

Sad, but true re: blue wave needed. Like I like to say...I like to read and write dystopian, I don't want to be living in a dystopia. lol. But I am afraid that the damage is going to be done before all is said and done and there will be nothing to do about it.

Ha! It sounds like what executives have been trying to do to Y&R for decades. And I finally had to drop it as a regular viewer last summer cuz killing two (or three) legacy characters in the same period of time...one who was at the center of one of the show's longest feuds as well as a connection to one of the first families as well as introducing an actual new character...a black man that could act and had charisma at all...was just too much for me. I've always had respect and liked Labine so her name was one I followed from soap to soap as well. Perhaps me and Ryan's Hope some day...

Oh, you are talking to the choir on Borderick. I think the times I've been a consistent AMC viewer outside of my mother having it on was when she was there. Happy she was allowed to come back to write out the tv end. If it wasn't for her, I would have never discovered ATWT, Maury West, and turned into a Carjacker (I'm a sucker for bad person/good person couples). lol. I loved her brief time there and discovering a new soap world.

Same. I find it very fascinating as well. I used to be a major fan of RC for example. And that's just a storm of great ideas, bad execution more often than not. I am happy he was able to redeem himself somewhat for me as just a breakdown writer on BTG. His first breakdown was awful, but over the past year, one cannot deny he can't do a soapy breakdown that moves plot.

That's something that me and my co-worker discuss all the time. We used to have so many shows that we watched at the same time. Now not so much. And if I want a good show with some depth and character development, it is sad to me that I can only find it on streaming systems or places I shouldn't have to look. :) I mean...these days one would be hard pressed to find teen tv shows that are actually on tv and come out consistently yearly. I can at least count of MISS SCARLETT to come out in January here in the States (and currently airing) and of course THE BEAR in June. But that's pretty much it with me outside of HW shows and soaps.

But back on topic lol...I feel Francis sold Scott's loneliness being at the top without Kip throughout so that what happened at the end of Episode 5 was not jarring. At least for me. Moreso because he finally had his dream. And he wanted both parts of it.

  • Member
11 minutes ago, vetsoapfan said:

Thank you for the info!

YW. Like most things with the show...it blew up online. Perhaps you can find a unblocked one on Twitter?

  • Member
1 hour ago, vetsoapfan said:

Now I am curious; the video you posted is blocked in my country (Canada). What was it about?

1 hour ago, Taoboi said:

It is SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE here parodying both HARRY POTTER and HEATED RIVALRY.

49 minutes ago, Taoboi said:

YW. Like most things with the show...it blew up online. Perhaps you can find a unblocked one on Twitter?


Yes here it is, with a guest actor from Stranger Things playing one of the roles in this SNL skit.

Edited by janea4old

  • Member
8 minutes ago, Taoboi said:

I totally agree. If it was truly just about how someone looked, I would have been pursued quite a few people. I want more. But...don't we all?

Many years ago, I met a man who was stunningly attractive, physically. Everybody was ga-ga over him. But during one of our first dates, he laughed about how he and his buddies went to bars, sought out the "homeliest," most nervous-looking girl there, and see who could make her cry and run out of the bar first. It was a competition for them. UGH! He instantly became so repulsive to me, I had to leave.

8 minutes ago, Taoboi said:

Sad, but true re: blue wave needed. Like I like to say...I like to read and write dystopian, I don't want to be living in a dystopia. lol. But I am afraid that the damage is going to be done before all is said and done and there will be nothing to do about it.

That's what many people are predicting. It's all a nightmare. And the orange felon thinks he's going to take over Canada to acquiesce, LOL. 🙄

8 minutes ago, Taoboi said:

Ha! It sounds like what executives have been trying to do to Y&R for decades. And I finally had to drop it as a regular viewer last summer cuz killing two (or three) legacy characters in the same period of time...one who was at the center of one of the show's longest feuds as well as a connection to one of the first families as well as introducing an actual new character...a black man that could act and had charisma at all...was just too much for me. I've always had respect and liked Labine so her name was one I followed from soap to soap as well. Perhaps me and Ryan's Hope some day...

Labine did have her flaws at RH. She wrote an idiotic story about a gorilla who fell in love with Delia Ryan and kidnapped her, a la King Kong. It was painfully stupid to those of us who were watching the show because we respected the nuanced characters and slice-of-life realism. Later, Labine introduced a bunch of newbies who were fighting rent increases in their tenement apartment building. They talked about it endlessly. A core principle of soaps, IMHO, is never introduce a bunch of strangers and immediately focus on them...particularly in a plot that is soooooooooo booooooooring. I must say, however, Labine was brilliant and Love of Life, Where the Heart Is and General Hospital.

8 minutes ago, Taoboi said:

Oh, you are talking to the choir on Borderick. I think the times I've been a consistent AMC viewer outside of my mother having it on was when she was there. Happy she was allowed to come back to write out the tv end. If it wasn't for her, I would have never discovered ATWT, Maury West, and turned into a Carjacker (I'm a sucker for bad person/good person couples). lol. I loved her brief time there and discovering a new soap world.

New soaps are fun to explore, when you realize they are so good.

8 minutes ago, Taoboi said:

Same. I find it very fascinating as well. I used to be a major fan of RC for example. And that's just a storm of great ideas, bad execution more often than not. I am happy he was able to redeem himself somewhat for me as just a breakdown writer on BTG. His first breakdown was awful, but over the past year, one cannot deny he can't do a soapy breakdown that moves plot.

I've never been able to warm up to RC's work. Like James Reilly, Charles Pratt, Jean Passanante, Hogan Sheffer and Thom Racina, I avoid him.

8 minutes ago, Taoboi said:

That's something that me and my co-worker discuss all the time. We used to have so many shows that we watched at the same time. Now not so much. And if I want a good show with some depth and character development, it is sad to me that I can only find it on streaming systems or places I shouldn't have to look. :) I mean...these days one would be hard pressed to find teen tv shows that are actually on tv and come out consistently yearly. I can at least count of MISS SCARLETT to come out in January here in the States (and currently airing) and of course THE BEAR in June. But that's pretty much it with me outside of HW shows and soaps.

One teen show that is very good, and which Jacob Tierney applauded enthusiastically, is Royal Royals. It's a gay romance and lasted three seasons. It's still available on Netflix (well, in Canada at least; I don't know about the US).

8 minutes ago, Taoboi said:

But back on topic lol...I feel Francis sold Scott's loneliness being at the top without Kip throughout so that what happened at the end of Episode 5 was not jarring. At least for me. Moreso because he finally had his dream. And he wanted both parts of it.

Don't get me wrong. I was able to stitch the pieces together and make the emotional/psychological leap with Scott too. I just wish we had been able to see all the beats.

  • Member
1 hour ago, janea4old said:


Yes here it is, with a guest actor from Stranger Things playing one of the roles in this SNL skit.

Doing God's work. ;) Thank you. :)

  • Member
1 hour ago, vetsoapfan said:

Many years ago, I met a man who was stunningly attractive, physically. Everybody was ga-ga over him. But during one of our first dates, he laughed about how he and his buddies went to bars, sought out the "homeliest," most nervous-looking girl there, and see who could make her cry and run out of the bar first. It was a competition for them. UGH! He instantly became so repulsive to me, I had to leave.

That's what many people are predicting. It's all a nightmare. And the orange felon thinks he's going to take over Canada to acquiesce, LOL. 🙄

Labine did have her flaws at RH. She wrote an idiotic story about a gorilla who fell in love with Delia Ryan and kidnapped her, a la King Kong. It was painfully stupid to those of us who were watching the show because we respected the nuanced characters and slice-of-life realism. Later, Labine introduced a bunch of newbies who were fighting rent increases in their tenement apartment building. They talked about it endlessly. A core principle of soaps, IMHO, is never introduce a bunch of strangers and immediately focus on them...particularly in a plot that is soooooooooo booooooooring. I must say, however, Labine was brilliant and Love of Life, Where the Heart Is and General Hospital.

New soaps are fun to explore, when you realize they are so good.

I've never been able to warm up to RC's work. Like James Reilly, Charles Pratt, Jean Passanante, Hogan Sheffer and Thom Racina, I avoid him.

One teen show that is very good, and which Jacob Tierney applauded enthusiastically, is Royal Royals. It's a gay romance and lasted three seasons. It's still available on Netflix (well, in Canada at least; I don't know about the US).

Don't get me wrong. I was able to stitch the pieces together and make the emotional/psychological leap with Scott too. I just wish we had been able to see all the beats.

I feel that. I once met a nice attractive DC lawyer who I figured I never had a chance with...only to find out I did. Then I found out that he had been in town for Pride and apparently the thing to do was a friend group would find unsuspecting black boy for a fling to say they had been with a black person and you had the pleasure of being with someone non-black. That stuff like that STILL happens to this day (as I have found) really makes a person really question humanity...that people would take all that energy to make a person feel other or less than...when they could use that energy for a better world.

He is the very definition of delusion. I don't want to speak ill, but... :)

Now Labine knows better. lol. No introducing new characters and immediately writing for them. lol. Still, thank you for the info. And I do think one of these days I will watch her GH with adult eyes because as a kid, I remember some of it and love it. And of course, I love it when I see clips and the dialogue and the acting. And I can go on about Nurse Balls forever. But it would be nice to get full context.

Totally agree on new soaps. Now some of those writers...lol. I have mixed feelings, but can understand someone else wanting to avoid them. Even RC can split a board here still. One thing good I can always say for him...when he takes over a show, that first year of his writing is guaranteed to not be boring. He can wrap up other people's stories pretty well.

I know of that show. But that goes back to my comment about not having access when if it was on normal tv...but I miss normal tv.

Ah! I see. It's kinda like how I feel about the main couple sometimes.

  • Member
4 hours ago, Taoboi said:

I feel that. I once met a nice attractive DC lawyer who I figured I never had a chance with...only to find out I did. Then I found out that he had been in town for Pride and apparently the thing to do was a friend group would find unsuspecting black boy for a fling to say they had been with a black person and you had the pleasure of being with someone non-black. That stuff like that STILL happens to this day (as I have found) really makes a person really question humanity...that people would take all that energy to make a person feel other or less than...when they could use that energy for a better world.

Sometimes I must admit, that I find animals more humane and better companions than people.

4 hours ago, Taoboi said:

He is the very definition of delusion. I don't want to speak ill, but...

But we must acknowledge the simple reality, alas.

4 hours ago, Taoboi said:

Now Labine knows better. lol. No introducing new characters and immediately writing for them. lol. Still, thank you for the info. And I do think one of these days I will watch her GH with adult eyes because as a kid, I remember some of it and love it. And of course, I love it when I see clips and the dialogue and the acting. And I can go on about Nurse Balls forever. But it would be nice to get full context.

Labine's two best stories on GH were about A) a child needing a heart transplant, and B) a young man succumbing to AIDS. Poignant, devastating stuff. That was the last year on any soap which moved me enough to tears.

4 hours ago, Taoboi said:

I know of that show. But that goes back to my comment about not having access when if it was on normal tv...but I miss normal tv.

So you don't have access to Netflix? That's a shame.

4 hours ago, Taoboi said:

Ah! I see. It's kinda like how I feel about the main couple sometimes.

That's why the episode count for season two of HR must be longer than just six installments, so we can savor all the beats.

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