Anyone catch the preview of MyNetworkTV's novela (formerly titled Art of Betrayal) starting on (we finally got a firm start date!) Thursday, December 7 that aired tonight? It looks *insane*--or, more specifically, Tatum O'Neal looks insane, as in positively certifiable looney tunes batshit crazy. She has these psycho bug-eyes and clenched teeth in practically every shot of the preview as she slaps and slugs anyone who crosses her path. My favorite part of the spot is how, after all of Tatum's BSC madness, it proudly announces "Academy Award winner Tatum O'Neal." While I was inidially disappointed Sean Young was replaced in the role of the super psycho mom, from this early look it seems Tatum has the act down cold and then some--not to mention brings the schadenfraude of an Oscar winner sinking to such desperate camp depths. I may not miss Fashion House so much after all...

I'm annoyed that Wicked Games appears to be taking over the Desire spot instead of FH... this show looks like fun and my TiVo is already used to my 9 pm fix.

What is "BSC madness"?? From what I heard, Sean Young was replaced because she locked herself in her trailer for 6 hours and refused to come out while filming the pilot and generally was acting insane. Which I guess is only a good thing when on camera, not off!

Here's another trailer for WWGames that's even better than the one they showed on TV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgRwZuOUO8c...ted&search=

Okay, can we get another Wicked added to the thread title?

For those joining us really late: Wicked Wicked Games, premiering at 8pm EST on Wednesday, is the third of My Network TV's English-language telenovela experiments. It's an adaptation of a novela called Art of Betrayal, for whatever that's worth. Since the official MNTV site doesn't have a page up yet (though they are putting up little video prequel "confessions" now, like they did for its predecessors Desire and Fashion House), I had to go to IMDb for what appears to be an accurate main cast list:

Tatum O'Neal (Blythe Hunter)
Clive Robertson (Theodore Crawford)
Jessie Ward (Emma Crawford)
Kate French (Brooke Crawford)
Joan Severance (!!) (Anna)
Debbe Dunning (!) (Hope Lorca)
Serena Scott Thomas (!?!) (Madeleine)
Jack Krizmanich (Aaron Spencer)
David Smith (Josh Spencer)
LeAnna Campbell (Chelsea Reed)
Tim McElwee (Edward)

BSC = "Bat Shit Crazy"

So I guess that "BSC madness" is a bit redundant, but it helps to drive the point home, I think.

*Waves a hand in dismissal* Resume topic. ;)

I can't get over how old Tatum O'Neal looks in those promos! However, I am pleased to see her acting in something, anything after spending her adult years as a celebrity's daughter or wife. I bet Tatum jumped when they offered her the part after Sean couldn't do it!

Good for Tatum! I'm interested to see if she can still do some heavy acting! So far, the promos look fun. Tatum does look BSC in them! :D

And holy mackeral, Joan Severance is going to be in this too? I wonder how she looks now too......!

My inner pig is waiting to see who the resident stupid hot cheesecake (see also: Donna Feldman, Fashion House) will be. Or if there will even be one. But I'm so looking forward to the cheese factor...

Cut Tatum some slack. She won her Academy Award when she was like 8 years old. It's not as cheesy as some recent winner doing this.

Oh, I'm not hating on Tatum at all here, Milz. But the entire premise of the series is this: a woman who was dumped by her husband decides to destroy him--and part of her plan involves her children marrying his children. We're talking government cheese, baby.

Oh, BillC, do you really think anyone can top Stupid!HotGloria from Fashion House? She's in a class all her own. Everyone else can only dream.

Tatum's got some kids to co-support, so I'm not surprised she's doing this. I imagine the "name" actors probably get a decent chunk of change.

And yeah, her Oscar win was more than 30 years ago, so it's not as if it's Halle Berry in the starring role.

More like government industrial-sized cheese. ;-)

But I don't expect anything cerebral from these MYTV mini-soaps. This is sorta like Fashion House's Sophia plot: destroying Maria by making her fall in love with William, who's not only the son of her former lover, but also her own son's half-brother.

I mean, this isn't just cheese: this is one big gooey pot of fondue!

This show is going to force me to pull the trigger on my current HDTV PVR debate... I want to watch WWG like I've been watching FH, but there are too many shows that I adore opposite it when they come back in the New Year.

Actually, in an isolated way, I'm glad WWG will be the lead-in for this second go-round of novelas. It won't conflict with a single damn thing I watch.

I don't know how but I'm working: "Revenge is a dish best served crazy" into my daily conversations.

Not nearly as overtly soapy as I expected. More deadpan, so to speak. But still promising, though.

The one thing that sticks in my head is why Aaron's so completely willing to go along with Mom's scheme (screwing over his brother seems to just be SOP, judging from whatever happened with the offscreen Courtney). Okay, one of two things...Josh, obviously, is the one innocent in all of this. Which makes him the one most likely to get the happy ending--or die...

(All right, two of three things: Jessie Ward and Kate French are both gorgeous. Not stupid hot, but gorgeous.)

And as for Blythe doing the webcam-confessional thing...can't help but wonder how that will bite her in the ass in about eight weeks...

See, I'm hoping that she's communicating with someone, and who that is will be a shocking revelation.

The MyNetwork soaps have been soft on the deaths, so I think Josh will get a happy ending. What I don't understand is how he turned out so "functional" being raised by Blythe and living with Aaron. I think Aaron's just a deadbeat who lives off of mommy's money (and the fact she likes him better than his more succesful brother), and therefore, has to follow the plan. Plus, I think he likes seeing people suffer, just like Mom.

Hm, I wonder if I was the only one thinking of the camp classic BBC mini-series The Life and Loves of a She-Devil? Hearing O'Neil's raspy voice in those webcam confessionals certainly got me thinking about Julie T Davis' husky voice talking about her hatred of Mary Fisher.

This one's looking promising, the first episode has me wanting more in a way neither Desire or Fashion House managed in the first outing. Oddly, this show got me in the right mood for revising my resume.

Is it time to start playing "spot the recycled sets"? When Blythe walked into the hospital from her car, I almost expected her to travel past S!HG and the Doctor chatting in Alex's room. This is not a complaint, as I know they're doing this on the cheap.

It looks like the original concept of the story is going to start twisting earlier than FH... there's no way that Blythe can get rid of the boyfriend of the good daughter for Josh without revealing her hand. I say bring on the soapiness.

I completely loved that show! It was more than a few cuts above anything MNTV would ever do. (Based on a novel by a very classy British writer, Fay Weldon.)

To this day, I can still hear JTD:

I...hate...Mary...Fisher!!!"

Back on topic: WWG doesn't quite have me yet, I am struggling to resist further TV crack addiction. Also, I could definitely see Sean Young playing Blythe--what happened? Was she too BSC for TPTB? Tatum has potential, though.

Charlie Baker, I'm a big fan of Fay Weldon thanks to that BBC miniseries. Every so often I send an e-mail to BBC America telling them how I'd love to get that series on DVD. It's pretty frustrating that the Rosanne version can be purchased, but not the one that got the story right.

Pinwiz, I think "spot the recycled sets" started with the ads for WWG. I could see William & Sophia's balcony as well as Michelle & Lance's downstairs in the ads. I was a bit surprised it was so easy to spot, little can be done to change the view from that balcony but I probably would've taken longer to spot Lance & Michelle's pad if they gave the room a fresh coat of paint.

God, I hate to admit it but... I *loved* this show. I haven't laughed so hard in years. Tatum O'Neal had me absolutely *rolling* with that ending fingers-to-the-temple "migraine" of hers. I don't know when she forgot how to act and just said "Screw it. I'm going all-out for camp," but there's a whole new career waiting for her in John Waters films if she's willing to go full-on cheese. And my vote for Line of the Nite goes to her for that snarky "Well, you think about it but I need it so it's gonna happen" matter-of-fact thinking out loud reply to Josh when he said he'd "think" about calling his brother. Hee.

There's something vaguely icky about her relationship with her sons. She acted more like she was coming on to Josh at the hospital instead of visiting him like a mom would. Then again, IRL she probably was giving him a little wink-wink/nudge-nudge.

Speaking of Josh, I had no idea that Noah Wyle and John Mayer had a love child.

Anyone catch BSC Tatum on Jimmy Kimmel?

They played a clip from WWG that MNTV had totally not finished editing and she was mortified--I was like, watching through my fingers it was so cringey. It had people dancing to NO MUSIC while she and NotDanny talked in the forefround. It was really obvious & Jimmy commented on it while he set it up too. Whoops.

Oh, how the crazy have fallen.

On the other hand, I thought the pilot looked pretty slick. LOVE Clive Robertson.

rekkidbraka, I agree...I think there was an element of ick in Blythe's interaction with Josh at the hospital, but I think it was a little meta too (including her use of "Mrs. Robinson" as her fake name, etc.)

LOL, I can't believe they would do this to her! They finally send someone to do promo and can't even put a proper clip? That's not going to get people watching. Damn I hate I missed this!

Two episodes in and I'm 100% hooked on this show. It's completely different from Fashion House, but fits nicely under the Secret Obsessions umbrella. The cast and writing as a whole feels better, especially with Tatum O'Neal as Blythe. She couldn't possibly be more insane and I often wonder if she's playing herself.

I hope that Blythe's insane metaphors become a regular thing on this show. "Tonight, I'll be having a banquet. A BANQUET OF DESTRUCTION!!! WITH A SIDE ORDER OF CURLY FRIES!!! MWAHAHAHAHA!!!"

I'm wondering if those webcam confessions are going to the same penpal as Serena Scott Thomas's character (still learning names).

I think there was a shot of Tatum in a bikini in one of the promos. That's all I want to see! She's a hot broad. How sad am I?

I hope that Blythe's insane metaphors become a regular thing on this show. "Tonight, I'll be having a banquet. A BANQUET OF DESTRUCTION!!! WITH A SIDE ORDER OF CURLY FRIES!!! MWAHAHAHAHA!!!"

I'm wondering if those webcam confessions are going to the same penpal as Serena Scott Thomas's character (still learning names).

I think there was a shot of Tatum in a bikini in one of the promos. That's all I want to see! She's a hot broad. How sad am I?

PREACH! Blythe rules, baby!

It's just been so long since someone was able to pull off those kind of campy lines and, oddly enough, make them sound *believable*. LORD, how I've missed this kind of full-on cheese on soap opera since everything now has to have "heart" and a sense of "social awareness." I love that on WWG, the only social awareness comes in the form of "Does this dress make my ass crack look fat?"

Could someone please direct me to where I can sign up for a Josh of my own in time for the Holidays?

I have to say the acting on this show is holding its own thus far comared to "FH" and "Desire." I buy the relationships between all the characters, which is amazing considering the cheese factor and how BSC Blythe is.

The line for Tickle-Me-Joshes here at Hunks 'R' Us starts way way WAY in back of *me*. No breaking. ;-)

From the "We Get It. And We Get It. And We GET It." Dept: Listen, WWG writers - this thing where Emma keeps telling hot guys "Let's get some FOOD"? We Get It. Emma eats food. Brooke eats men. Point taken.

WTF is going on with Tatum O'Neal!?!?!?! She's nuts!!!

Why does Blythe even need Josh in the plan if Brooke's getting nothing? I assumed the plan worked under the assumption that the daughters were getting half the fortune each. That's why the switch was needed at the end of the Pilot. I'm chalking this up to BSC.

Of course, I'm glad Josh is still in the plan because I'm nearly giddy at the prospect of shirtless!Josh in the previews for tomorrow.

Not sure that was Tatum, I think it was Emma (Jessie Ward). They have their hair done the same way from the side and back, for some reason.

I think having each son marry each daughter just ups the ridoc humiliation/revenge factor.

This show is INSANE. I'm finding myself digging it despite my best intentions.

Loved this: "pockets.....pockets!"...

And that painted on lipstick blotch on Theo's cheek which Hope oh-so-sadly ignored. I'm confused about Debbe Dunning's (and her free-standing ta-tas) role in the family. Is she the girlfriend? The mistress? The maid? When first introduced Theo said she "runs the house"

Noticed a Kim Porter in the credits. Is this P-Diddy's babymama Kim Porter?

Ok. I clearly need a hobby, but the chronology is bothering me. If Theo left Blythe 25 years ago, then how can Emma (or the boys for that matter) be 25 years old? Hmmm??

That is all.

*goes to hide head in shame*

Hope used to be the girls' nanny, and over the years developed into Theo's love interest. That's what he meant by "runs the house". She's friends with Serena Scott Thomas' character (Maddy), who is also Theo's sister.
Hope didn't ignore the lipstick; she saw it........it was obvious she knew the implications, but because she just got done asking Theo a bunch of questions, just resigned herself to it without pointing it out.
The thing I thought was MUCH stranger was Theo asking Aaron (Daniel) why he didn't "take a lady's coat" when he walked in on him and Brooke. Of course, WE know why she had a trench coat on in San Diego when she just got done sunbathing, but shouldn't he have asked why she had a coat on in the first place??

I have been thinking the SAME thing and it gives me nasty little *cold* chills. If Emma turns out to be related to the boys - meaning Theo was Blythe's babies' daddy - then EW! EW! EW! EW! EW! Because that's just flat-out gross and also, I really want Emma and Josh to end up together. Maybe he can do something about that mole of hers that distracts the #$&@ out of me whenever she's onscreen.

From now on, Edward is "Pockets" to me. That's his name. Hee. Pockets! Pockets!

Oh, and the sooner Blythe can dispatch Hope to Whiny Poor Poor Pitiful Me Land the better. Go cry away from us, Hope, while we have eeeeevil bad fun with Blythe.

I hate Hope. She's crying over nothing, and she's taking time away from BSC Blythe and the young hotties.

I can't wait to see the Brooke/Emma catfight. Aaron/Dan is going to have tough time explaining to Emma that he's not a player. His interception of Josh's roses was just a little contrived for my tastes, even by soap standards. They're really going to have a tough time convincing Josh to date Brooke, especially when he's accused of stealing the horse. Poor Josh, his mother and brother just keep screwing the him over. It's a good thing the actor is charming or the character could easily slide into sad sack that we don't care for.

I want Aaron to get socked in the face. He has exactly the same air of assholishness as Louis from Desire did.

On the other hand:



OMFG.

I must work this into the conversation whenever appropriate (and maybe even when it's not). Too awesome!

He sure does. Particularly when he told Emma that his brother was a "player" and she shouldn't believe anything Josh tells her, that his intentions are not what they seem, bla bla bla. That's exactly Louis!

I KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was like, up there with banquet of destruction and curly fries and that was from TWOP!!!

So delicious.

Oh, chezadmin, I meant that Hope *deliberately* ignored the lipstick in her sadsack little way, sniff sniff....she totally saw it. Yeah, forget the emotion, more BSC, please!!

And as far as the mini-trench on Brooke, it's actually not all that bizarre for Del Mar--it does get cool there by the water w/ the "marine layer" and the fog and what not. I mean, not by normal people standards, but here on the left coast we get chilly and break out the sweaters when it dips below 68, so her wearing a coat at the track wouldn't be so strange.

Re: the age thing again. Even though it is feasible to have an MD by 25--just BARELY--you wouldn't be successfully practicing, you'd be, like an intern or a resident. But then again, this is WWG. Why should details bother me. As long as Theo isn't the boys' baby daddy. I just can't get over Aaron/Danny's MASSIVE HEAD. It is seriously such a huge skull it is totally distracting. Maybe Josh can do his residency in Derm and burn off Emma's mole.

Do we know that he is NOT a resident? Don't residents and interns work in the ER as well? Did I miss Josh's age being said as 25? Maybe he's older......We know Emma is 25 because she just had a birthday party and Theo said Brooke is "22 going on 16", but I don't remember hearing Josh's or Aaron's ages.....just that Josh is one minute older than Aaron. I don't know......but I don't think Theo is the boys' father because if that was the case, Blythe's plan would not work and she wouldn't get what she wants. The girls would not be able to legally marry their brothers, which means Blythe wouldn't get her hands on Theo's money. Blythe is crazy but not stupid.

Aw, bad time for us to lose a month of posts, there was some good conversation there.

That said, how 'bout Lani showing some spine to the security guard (quickly followed by that meek "Thank you.") Yeah, she's gonna snap and pop BSB by WWG's end.

I had to laugh at that, Lyle Lyle. Oooh, she's telling the big bad security guard what's what. Yeah, nice spine, Lani.

Actually, the episode was full of chuckles: Theo lunging for BSB; Moonbeam and Not!TheMaid are calmly drinking tea while discussing Theo's empire crumbling; Pockets getting shown the door; etc.

What was up with the very long, passionate kiss between BSB and her lawyer? I was on the phone and had the sound muted.

I can't believe an entire month of posts was lost! We'll have to start all over again.

How utterly ironic, I suppose, that tonight's episode is a from-the-beginning recap.

*calmly looks up from a cup of tea while the last month's worth of posts crumbles around us*

What?

Quiet, you. Are we going to have to start calling you alt.moonbeam?

Does Theo's downfall mean that NotTheMaid is actually going to now have to get a job? No more fun filled days of lying by the pool and hand wringing waiting for her man to come home. And surprise, Phillipe has gone silent.

Actually Pockets and Jennifer will fit in perfectly as employees for Blythe.

are all the posts really GONE?!!!

NO WAY! Can't TWoP get them back up?