8 minutes ago, Taoboi said:

I admit that I really liked that with her and Jan today. And it felt natural given it was a wacky mama and a semi-wacky daughter. It could just be me.

❤️❤️

47 minutes ago, MontyB said:

When people say “it’s just a soap,” they may simply be expressing an understanding of the format, not a lack of respect for the genre.

Sounds like an excuse to have low expectations to me. So I don't mind if we disagree. But let me be clear -- I do have an understanding the format.

Would anyone ever say, "It's just a primetime drama?" Or "It's just a movie?" Or "it's just a Broadway play?" Frankly, I can't believe anyone would defend that sort of comment regarding soap operas.

Edited 5 hours ago5 hr by Tisy-Lish

4 minutes ago, Tisy-Lish said:

Sounds like an excuse to have low expectations to me. So I don't mind if we disagree. But let me be clear -- I do have an understanding the format.

Would anyone ever say, "It's just a primetime drama?" Or "It's just a movie?" Or "it's just a Broadway play?"

For me, different expectations aren’t about lowering the bar—they’re about recognizing different production realities. Soaps tell a marathon‑length story under constraints most other formats don’t, and acknowledging that is context, not an excuse.

I will agree to disagree.

10 minutes ago, MontyB said:

For me, different expectations aren’t about lowering the bar—they’re about recognizing different production realities. Soaps tell a marathon‑length story under constraints most other formats don’t, and acknowledging that is context, not an excuse.

I will agree to disagree.

Absolutely!!! This!! All of this!!!

35 minutes ago, Taoboi said:

But where is Febreze???

Hahaha, Febreze! I don't think there has been a Febreze sighting since maybe Thanksgiving or Christmas. The new holiday collection was being promoted then.

I will happily agree to disagree. I'm not a particularly argumentative person. But why avoid my question?

I'lll repeat: Would anyone ever say, "It's just a primetime drama?" Or "It's just a movie?" Or "it's just a Broadway play?"

So when someone says, "it's just a soap opera," are you are not offended by that?

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by Tisy-Lish

Although I found myself hoping Greyson would slowly bleed to death in the stairwell, and dimwitted Ashley would come RACING down the steps, slip in his blood, lose her footing, fall flat on her ass, crack her head wide open, and croak on the landing, I thought it was mighty clever of the writers to have Vernon reference Shawn Andre Cosby's Southern crime novels -- such as All the Sinners Bleed -- while Greyson was bleeding all over Ashley's apartment. It's little moments like that which really make me appreciate BTG's breakdown writers and dialogue writers.

16 minutes ago, Tisy-Lish said:

I will happily agree to disagree. I'm not a particularly argumentative person. But why avoid my question?

I'lll repeat: Would anyone ever say, "It's just a primetime drama?" Or "It's just a movie?" Or "it's just a Broadway play?"

So when someone says, "it's just a soap opera," are you are not offended by that?

I didn't avoid your question. I actually thought it was rhetorical.

In any case, people say “it’s just a movie” or “it’s just TV” all the time—especially after my co-workers and I chuckle about the Real Housewives.

And people say “it’s just a Broadway play” too… right before spending an absurd amount of money, crying in public, and clapping like they personally funded the production. I live in New York City. I see this up close and personal.

The funny thing is, “just” only comes out when something clearly wasn’t just anything. It’s less a real point and more a way of pretending we’re not as invested as we obviously are.

When someone says it's it just a soap, I don't have a care in the world. Let me tell you, The Edge of Night used to come on at 4:00pm in the 70's and early 80's you best believe after school my was butt perched in front of the TV. My friends used to say, "you watch soap operas" and didn't stop me from saying I'm coming outside at 4:30 see you then.

Sheesh, I've never written this much on this site, ever.

44 minutes ago, kalbir said:

Hahaha, Febreze! I don't think there has been a Febreze sighting since maybe Thanksgiving or Christmas. The new holiday collection was being promoted then.

In that case, it should be popping up next week then. ;P

1 hour ago, MontyB said:

❤️❤️

:)

In context, even if I knew it was product placement, it really worked with those two and never took me out of scene at all. If anything, I was wondering if Ashley truly had time to use Tide (sidenote: i use Tide) for that shirt/dress. Then I kinda giggled at the irony of her worrying about it not knowing that Grayson would be running late due to stabbing. smh only on a soap.

1 hour ago, Tisy-Lish said:

Would anyone ever say, "It's just a primetime drama?" Or "It's just a movie?" Or "it's just a Broadway play?" Frankly, I can't believe anyone would defend that sort of comment regarding soap operas.

I think we all know full well that depends on what material we're talking about. Primetime or certain movies may not do a lot of Melaswen Island storylines like DAYS, but they do tell political stories all the time without always accounting explicitly for who's in office at the time, or can eschew specific party details while exploring fictional narratives.

There's plenty to critique about BTG. But when it comes to certain story or plot elements, you're demanding a yardstick for this show that has never been applied to other shows in the same medium. And that seems like it's much more about an attitude re: BTG than anything else.

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by Vee

3 hours ago, ranger1rg said:

But I honestly don't want to see stories where obvious labels and realistic story elements are avoided. Running for statewide or national office makes it way too clear that these specifics are being avoided. Just write Martin as a member of Congress. Isn't that impressive enough?

I can understand the argument, but I like political stories on soaps when they're handled fairly well and service larger story. I thought for several years running Mayor Laura on GH worked because it made Genie Francis heavily central again. There was a long stretch of time where she was the axis of multiple stories around town and no one could wipe their ass without going to "Mayor Collins" to clear it lol. Was that realistic for the town mayor? Not necessarily, but it utilized Laura and her role in the larger canvas well.

I think Drew running for Congress also worked well for a while as he began to flex his power against his enemies. I don't love that both Drew and Willow's new position of power has since become subservient to the endless Sidwell saga, as has Laura's role on the show. It's become insubstantial because it's about keeping Carlo Rota around instead and the villain's endless machinations as opposed to the politicians in the mix on their own merits. The same happened with Kevin Buchanan's brief political career on OLTL, which became mired in the Santi mess when it could've been more lasting. The difference is the Drew, Willow and Laura political material can always be extricated from Sidwell.

I can't speak to how well political material like Ross on GL or Grant Harrison on AW, etc. worked. And no, I don't think it's realistic for Martin to run for POTUS and get past a primary. But can I see him being one of dozens of candidates in a soap opera primary race? Sure. Crazier dudes than Martin have run and failed IRL. Or a Senate or Congressional role or whatever. Or leave it vague if one must. But just running doesn't neuter the story IMO. All sorts of weird beard folks run these days, our century has proven it.

Watching a soap I don't expect a documentary type approach to depicting a profession. But I like to see some semblance of a realistic depiction.

But BTG misses on that score. We never see Nicole or Ted with a patient, Shanice and Ashley just gossip at the nurses station, Smitty as a reporter is either donning a cap to meet Jacob at the brick wall or typing away at his computer (about what?)

Martin is shown in a better light-at least there are references to clients and cases.

But Martin as a politician is a fail- no office or staff and never really dealing with the issues of his constituency. Just talking about running for President!

They definitely should show more of the actual storyline. Bill should be running against him.