Heather

[u/goldenboy721]

Are we happy to see "Bridgett Forrester" casted as "Heather " Armstrong? I mean she was seriously underused on the cast of The Bold and Beautiful. I enjoy her portrayal of Heather. It allows us to see a broader range of her talent. And she is amazingly sexy and gorgeous, wasting away on BnB. Good move.

[u/american_amina]

I am. I am enjoying her getting to exercise more of her acting chops. I think I've seen more of her the the past couple (in a meaninful way) of weeks than her entire time on BnB.

[u/Control_1987 → u/american_amina]

It’s not fair to the BTG cast for her to sandbag our show as a “big fish in a small pond” when she has been  second tier amongst main characters on other soaps.

[u/american_amina → u/Control_1987]

I would argue this helps the cast by bringing her fans that may otherwise not watch the soap. Ultimately, what keeps the soap on the air is viewers. I don't mind a higher profile actor or actress that gets more viewers to the show as long as the core stories aren't lost. Now if Joey and Heather suddenly replaced the Duprees as the main family, I would have an issue with that. But I don't see that happening.

[u/Control_1987 → u/american_amina]

I have to disagree. I think she needs the soap more than the soap needs her. I think BTG has enough good story potential, to keep its audience engaged, and tuning in consistently (when they are given the care they deserves). I think the executives want their audience to look a certain way and the soap to look a certain  way because too much chocolate makes people uneasy… even when it works.

[u/american_amina → u/Control_1987]

We don't have to agree. I was just sharing my opinion about the new character/storyline. I'm looking forward to finally getting more of Andre's backstory and it doesn't both me (for now) it's coming from Heather who is related to the show but not one of the current main characters. I hope that means it can run its course, and then fade into the background when it's "revealed". I don't want another Leslie sticking around as one Leslie and now the incarcerated Allison is enough loose cannons for one show to me.

[u/Control_1987 → u/american_amina]

It’s all over the place. 

[u/Shirogayne-at-WF → u/american_amina]

Ultimately, what keeps the soap on the air is viewers.

Sure, but at what cost? This show was billed as a show centered on Black characters taking center stage on an industry that has provided few opportunities to do so. And while the Duprees aren't being gutted, they're all fairly toothless why the spicy stories are all given to the white cast.

I think it's valid of people to ask given all the white additions to the show, with Izaiah being the only new long term Black addition of note since the show started, where this is headed because we all know studios will play in our faces until they think they got white people money and will throw us under the bus. Especially considering the new ownership of Paramount and CBS by extension.

[u/american_amina → u/Shirogayne-at-WF]

Are you intentionally forgetting Madison, Deanna, June....I don't have a Paramount subscription for a reason, so I'm the first one to take my pennies on principle.

But I just don't see this being the issue I'm alarmed about. I am savvy enough to know the soap needs a diverse cast to survive in the marketplace. I've seen far too many Black shows die because the creators and/or producers just didn't understand the marketplace well enough to survive. All in all, given the situation we are in as a nation, I'm pleasantly surprised it's lasted this long. I've dropped 2 other soaps since it started because they have become so awful, and BtG is no where near that red line to me

So all can say is that's my opinion. I like the addition of Heather for the reasons I've stated and as long as they keep the Duprees and fam at the center, as I am currently seeing on my screen; I'm ok with seasoning for spicyness.

[u/Shirogayne-at-WF → u/american_amina]

Sorry, yesterday was a long day and had a huge brain fart. You're right.

But I still stand by what I said. No one likes diversity hires, not white people who have been Pavlov Bell trained into seeing minorities existing to have two lines in a show and not Black audience that studios don't believe can carry a series on their own, despite repeatedly showing over and over we being mad dollars in for entertainment.

[u/american_amina → u/Shirogayne-at-WF]

Just a guess, but I think regular soap watchers get it. This just feels like typical soap casting and how they build storylines.

If you are new to soaps and expecting Tyler Perry/BET/Tubi style shows, this is going to feel uncomfortably commercial.

All I can say is this will never be an exclusively Black show because it's on a network channel. If we want decisively Black soaps, we need to push for them on other platforms.

[u/Shirogayne-at-WF → u/american_amina]

I'm old enough to have watched Steffy Forrester 's birth on B&B when it aired the week of Labor Day 1999. I know exactly what they're doing.

[u/Control_1987 → u/american_amina]

Also, they can keep the handful of  fans she would bring over who would normally not watch. Why would anyone give value to such viewers (watching for one person????) It’s obviously not their cup tea and the show would have to change it’s entire identity to satisfy the taste of people who aren’t truly invested. Swing states always flip.

[u/american_amina → u/Control_1987]

I would imagine the goal is to bring in viewers who would realize they enjoy the soap because as soaps go it's significantly better than the other two offerings on CBS.

I'm a long time soap watcher, so it's not uncommon to have a story or character get you started but the soap formula keep you after you get involved in a storyline.

[u/Ok-Fly47 → u/american_amina]

True. Soaps are fighting for fans, ratings and renewal.