14 minutes ago, Melroser said:

You know the show is going downhill when a topic of discussion is a fictional scene about mac-n-cheese.

LOL! You know folks like to nit-pick. As someone whose mother is African American, I can tell you with utmost certainty, we are not a monolith.

I've served macaroni and cheese as a main dish because it can be filling and my family didn't mind. When I did this for a friend from Texas though he was like, "you didn't fix any meat to go with it".

5 minutes ago, ReddFoxx said:

I've served macaroni and cheese as a main dish because it can be filling and my family didn't mind. When I did this for a friend from Texas though he was like, "you didn't fix any meat to go with it".

It absolutely is and can be a main dish, especially when made right.

Writers:
Natalie Minardi Slater
Cheryl L. Davis

Director:
Anthony Pascarelli

The blue collar Midwest thing (white culture) is beanie weenie mac & cheese.. with mac & cheese served with Pork & beans and cut up hot dogs. Sometimes side by side on a plate, or mixed. The ultimate struggle meal (and what I was raised with during very lean times).

So I'm always intrigued with how mac & cheese is done in other families.

original release date: Monday, May 18, 2026 | writers: Natalie Minardi Slater, Cheryl L. Davis | director: Anthony Pascarelli

Thoughts:

• We have made it to the cotillion! I am so excited for this!

• I am going to need Katherine to tone down the bulls**t against Eva. It is nice seeing Nicole be kind to her. For once.

• Anita! Woo-hoo! Looks like a goddess in her gown and her very gorgeous hairdo.

• Jacob really needs to learn to keep his mouth shut where questions are concerned; I doubt Ren is going to be nice and patient for much longer.

• Not Grayson making Ashley an unofficial beneficiary and proxy of his 'estate' information.

• Oh my! June looks absolutely stunning! I love that she embraced this for Samantha's benefit.

• Hayley continues to be petty and judgmental. She really needs to rein it in and focus on a fake backstory to appease Bill.

• I get that Tyrell is really into Jessica, but he can definitely attend Banneker without her.

• Lia meeting Derek outside of Garland feels like she is trying to cover her tracks from being traced.

• Not Dani teasing Nicole about her sex daydreaming about Ted. That is hilarious to me.

• Hayley is dumb as rocks, just poisoning Bill's drink right there at Uptown's bar where anyone could see her... plus, security cameras? For someone who has conned multiple people, she sucks at her profession.

• I like when Eva can rise above Katherine's nastiness, but I would really love for her to ball her fist and just sock her in the face. It is what she deserves. I am sure "our father" stung enough for her.

• I feel bad. Andre is taking photographs of all of the men of the Dupree family, and none of them include him, even though he is presently part of the family.

• Damn. Derek is really keeping his eye on Grayson. He is ridiculous. And damn, Grayson, not you just dropping the bomb that the police know. Oh, this cannot be good.

Notes:

• Starting off the week strong with scriptwork by Slater and Davis. A classic, easy-moving soap script. Perfect way to begin a week of cotillion action! And Pascarelli brought some amazing camera work. Especially shooting down from the top of the staircase. Brilliant work. And again, the lighting on this soap is absolutely stunning.

• Woo-hoo! More flashbacks of Bill and Dani's past! I love when we get moments like this! And I appreciate how the looks of the past feel authentic to the times, but also somewhat outdated for today.

• Seeing the cotillion be celebrated by the Dupree family feels special. As someone who has never experienced something like this, it is very eye-opening, and I have learned so much every step along the way through this storyline.

• Jeresa Featherstone did outstanding work with the costuming for the cotillion. Everyone looks beyond incredible. Very well-tailored and the colours on the women are stunning.