The Bold and the Beautiful

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The Bold and the Beautiful

Current B&B intertitle, used since July 2, 2004
Creator(s) William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell
Senior cast member(s) Susan Flannery
Katherine Kelly Lang
John McCook
Ronn Moss
Country of origin Flag of the United States United States
No. of episodes 5328 (as of June 6, 2008)
Production
Executive producer(s) Bradley Bell
Head writer(s) Bradley Bell
Distributor Bell-Philip Television
Running time 30 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel CBS
Premiere date March 23, 1987
Links
The Bold and the Beautiful Official Website
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

The Bold and the Beautiful (often called B&B or less commonly, Bold) is a popular American television soap opera, first broadcast on CBS on March 23, 1987. It was created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell as a sister show to their other soap opera The Young and the Restless. B&B centers around the Forrester family and their Los Angeles fashion house business Forrester Creations. The show is the only American daytime soap opera currently on the air that runs for 30 minutes (the other shows run for an hour), and the only one to simulcast in a Spanish language track for Hispanic viewers in the United States (under the title Belleza y poder).

B&B is also unique to other American soaps in that it has a very strong worldwide audience. it is estimated to be the most watched show in the world, with approximately 450 million viewers in 98 countries.[citation needed]

Contents

[edit] Background and history

[edit] The Forrester family

The Forrester family (l-r): Kristen (Tracy Melchior), Thorne (Winsor Harmon), Felicia (Lesli Kay), Eric (John McCook), Stephanie (Susan Flannery) and Ridge (Ronn Moss).
The Forrester family (l-r): Kristen (Tracy Melchior), Thorne (Winsor Harmon), Felicia (Lesli Kay), Eric (John McCook), Stephanie (Susan Flannery) and Ridge (Ronn Moss).

Stephanie Douglas (played by Susan Flannery), a strong-willed woman, daughter to a rich family, met her husband-to- be Eric Forrester (John McCook), a young talented guy that aspired to become a successful and famous fashion designer, while they both studied at the Northwestern University in Chicago. The young lovers hurried to get married after Stephanie became pregnant. In a certain stage they moved to live in Los Angeles and established a company focused on designing and producing dresses for rich women, which was mainly based on the designing talent of Eric, and on Stephanie's money. "Forrester Creations" has won a great success throughout the years. The couple won international recognition, fame and a lot of money. They managed to raise up their children in a happy and wealthy environment. Eric Forrester and Stephanie Douglas have three grown children: Thorne (Winsor Harmon), Kristen (Tracy Melchior) and Felicia (Lesli Kay). Their daughter Angela Forrester was born microcephalic and later died because of her condition. Eric also has two grown children: Rick (Kyle Lowder) and Bridget (Ashley Jones), from his marriage to Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang). Stephanie's eldest son, Ridge (Ronn Moss), was biologically fathered by Massimo Marone (Joseph Mascolo), but raised by Eric. Ridge is widely considered to be Eric and Stephanie's favorite son.

Stephanie is the daughter of John and Ann Douglas (Betty White) and sister of Pamela Douglas (Alley Mills). Growing up in Chicago, Stephanie was abused by her alcoholic father while her mother looked the other way. So when Stephanie started college, she couldn't run fast enough away from Chicago and never look back. Not until recently she had to confront her mother again. While Ann is remorseful for the past, she continues to be an overbearing mother of Stephanie and Pamela, who is struggling with mental problems and a crush on her sister's husband.

Eric and Stephanie's marriage has been on-and-off on the series since the premiere in 1987 and they have recently divorced for the third time.

[edit] The start of the series

The plot of the series begins in 1987 when the children of Stephanie and Eric are grown up. The first episodes of the series focus on the preparations of the wedding of their eldest son, Ridge, to Caroline Spencer (Joanna Johnson). At this time Ridge is already a fashion designer and vice president of "Forrester Creations". Caroline is the daughter of the media mogul Bill Spencer. Many media outlets throughout the world, from the big television networks to the most honorable newspapers, to the last gossip newspapers publicize their wedding. They declare it as "the wedding of the year in the fashion world". Thousands of women see the pictures of Ridge in the newspapers and speculate on the identity of the woman who has won the heart of the man who has, until recently, been a playboy, and who has refused to settle for one woman. One of these women is a chemistry student who comes from a working class family and who lives with her mother, brother, and sisters at a typical American home at the San Fernando Valley next to Los Angeles. That young woman is Brooke Logan. Another storyline was the troubled marriage of Eric and Stephanie, with Beth Logan coming back into Eric's life.

[edit] Ridge, Brooke and their ever changing love triangle

Another key plot element in the serial is the life of Brooke Logan Forrester. Brooke has been the main heroine of the show during the entire history of the serial. Originally from a middle-class background, her love affair with Ridge Forrester set up much of the storyline beginning in the first season. Every so often, Ridge and Brooke reunite only to break up due to circumstances, and Ridge invariably finds comfort (in most cases, this would lead to marriage) with another love of his life Dr. Taylor Hayes (Hunter Tylo). Ridge's mother, Stephanie, preferred Taylor over Brooke, as she felt Brooke had "loose morals" (although Stephanie's fear of Brooke is due to Stephanie seeing a lot of her former self in Brooke).

Brooke is the daughter of Beth Logan (Nancy Burnett), Eric's former college girlfriend with whom he later had an affair while married to Stephanie. The fights between Stephanie and Brooke have played a key role in the drama since its inception. Following one of her break ups with Ridge, Eric married Brooke after first divorcing from Stephanie. Brooke gave birth to two of Eric's children. They divorced and Eric eventually reconciled with Stephanie and the two have since remarried, divorced again, and remarried again in January 2006. Likewise, Brooke and Ridge resumed their pattern of an on-again-off-again relationship in between Brooke's relationships with other men and Forrester family members and Ridge's multiple reunions with Taylor Hayes.

One infamous incident of conflict between Ridge, Taylor and Brooke occurred in 1994. En route to a psychiatrists' conference in Egypt, Taylor's plane crashed in Morocco and she was presumed dead. Taylor was whisked away to Prince Omar's (Kabir Bedi) palace and since she had amnesia, she was led to believe that she was named Laila and was to marry the virgin prince so he could claim his right to the Moroccan throne. At home, Ridge grieved for Taylor but realizing Brooke was about to marry Dr. James Warwick (Ian Buchanan), he pursued Brooke and stopped her ceremony to James. Brooke and Ridge (known as Bridge to their fans) held a surprise wedding on the beach attended by both of their families. Taylor regained her memory and escaped the compound in Morocco, but she was too late. Ridge was once again conflicted, as he loved Brooke but their marriage was now invalid due to Taylor's presence. Ridge told Taylor he would divorce her and that he preferred Brooke over Taylor.

Ridge and the Forresters voted Brooke out of Forrester Creations when Brooke gave Deacon Sharpe's (Sean Kanan) son 2% to help Rick (played at the time by Justin Torkildsen) and Amber (Adrienne Frantz) keep the little boy. The Forresters took advantage and bought out Deacon's 2% which gave them the controlling interest. Ridge then proceeded to take over Spectra Fashions renaming it Logan Designs. Ridge took Brooke to Puerta Vista where they had a jungle book marriage. Unbeknownst to everyone Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) was on the loose and kidnapped Ridge. Nick (Jack Wagner) and Massimo arrived to save Ridge. There was a fight in the foundry where Sheila held Ridge captive. Ridge fell into a hot burning furnace where everyone thought he was dead. Nick and Brooke were in such devastating grief. Brooke went to the foundry and thinking she saw Ridge in the flames proceeded to follow him into the flames. Nick saved her life and in their horrible grief sought comfort with each other. All were overjoyed to learn that Ridge didn't die but Nick and Brooke were in shock. Nick wanted Brooke to keep silent but Brooke chose to tell Ridge the truth. Brooke learned she was pregnant and didn't know who the father was. The first test said it was Nick and then another test was done when Brooke had the baby after Nick learned from his mother that Deacon had performed a paternity test and Ridge was the father. Bridget returned from Copenhagen still harboring strong feelings for Ridge. Nick befriended her and they became involved. Nick believing his feelings for Brooke were over and Brooke was happy with Ridge asked Bridget to marry him. Knowing that Nick was still in love with Brooke proceeded with her relationship with Nick. When Bridget woke up to the fact that Nick and Brooke still had strong feelings for each other decided to inform Nick that the baby she was carrying was aborted. Nick so angry and hurt decided to leave but, Brooke stopped him by admitting she was in love with him. Nick was overjoyed to hear Brooke admit her feelings for him and planned a life together but, Bridget then informed the duo that she lied. Brooke broke it off with Nick informing he had to be with Bridget. Bridget lost the baby and then divorced Nick so he could be with the woman he loved, Brooke.

In 2002, when Taylor supposedly died after having been shot by Sheila Carter, Ridge and Brooke married again but not before Ridge and Brooke's daughter by Eric, Bridget (then played by Jennifer Finnigan), became sexually attracted to each other after it was discovered that Ridge's biological father was not Eric, but Massimo Marone (thus, Ridge and Bridget were not half-siblings after all).

In May 2005, the audience learned Taylor's death had been staged by the prince and she was, in fact, very much alive. The Taylor/Ridge/Brooke triangle was revived but after divorcing Taylor again, Ridge found himself alone as Brooke had fallen in love with Ridge's half-brother, Nick, who was married to Bridget. Bridget and Nick divorced and Brooke and Nick finally married. Since Taylor was left alone after Ridge left her, she began to rely heavily on alcohol. While driving one night in the fog, Taylor's daughter, Phoebe (MacKenzie Mauzy), got a flat tire and pulled off to the side of the road to wait for Taylor to pick her up. Meanwhile, Taylor was drinking the final bottle of wine left in her home. After realizing that she had a problem with drinking, she dumped all the alcohol down the drain. While Phoebe was waiting for Taylor to pick her up, a mysterious man appeared and frightened Phoebe. In a panic, Phoebe called her aunt, Darla (Schae Harrison), who lived nearby, to help her. Darla showed up and started changing Phoebe's tire, claiming that Sally had taught her how to do so. Upon removing the final nut from the tire, Taylor hit her with her car. Darla was rushed to the hospital with many broken bones and a critical head injury. She died hours later. For weeks Taylor was pressured to keep the accident a secret due to Hector Ramirez (Lorenzo Lamas) and Phoebe's fears of Taylor facing a hefty prison sentence. Things only spiraled downward for the good doctor as the huge lie resulted in Hector losing his eyesight when his house caught on fire. Stephanie came to the rescue, but only if Taylor admitted she did indeed kill Stephanie's daughter-in-law. Now with Stephanie also knowing the truth, and wanting to keep it a secret, Taylor was forced to live with her guilt once again. When events couldn't get much worse a man by the name of Shane McGrath (Dax Griffin) arrived in town to blackmail Taylor, claiming he saw the accident. After Phoebe accidentally injured Shane's hand with a piece of gardening equipment, she invited him to move into the Forrester home. Thorne and Taylor began to develop an attraction towards each other ultimately leading to Taylor confessing to Thorne that she killed Darla. The Forrester family, along with Storm Logan (William deVry), helped prove Taylor's innocence by stating Darla fell into the way of the car. Thorne and Taylor became officially engaged, but called off plans for the wedding due to Alexandria's (Harley Graham) discovery of Taylor killing Darla. Taylor and Nick have begun to develop feelings for each other.

Even with Brooke and Nick married, Ridge still tried many schemes and tricks to win back the heart of his precious "Logan". A "fresh faced" Donna Logan (Jennifer Gareis), Brooke's younger sister, returned to LA and had a brief romance with Ridge. Ridge named her as the new head model of the "Brooke's Bedroom" line and Donna became an instant and controversial hit. Brooke's jealousy grew out of control which eventually put Nick back in the arms of Bridget for a one night stand. Brooke decided to divorce Nick which blew Nick's feud with the Forresters into full blown chaos. As of recently Nick has taken control of Forrester Creations twice (the second time made it official). After firing the Forresters from their own company, he lost any chance of Brooke possibly reuniting with him and she decided to go back to Ridge. The Forresters have started a new company called "Forrester Originals" and a fresh, new fashion war has begun between the Forresters and their old company Forrester Creations now being run by Nick, Jackie, Clarke Garrison, and a few of the Logan siblings (Donna and Storm).

After divorcing Nick, Brooke went back to Ridge, hoping to rekindle their romance. After they became engaged Ridge's daughter and Brooke's son began a romantic courtship. Ridge, greatly displeased, punched Brooke's son. Terrified and heartbroken that Ridge could treat her son this way, Brooke broke off their engagement and ran right back to Nick. Nick meanwhile had begun a relationship with Taylor, Ridge's ex-wife. Only when Taylor and Nick became engaged and decided to have a baby did Brooke back off. Her hopes to reunite with Ridge were dashed when he revealed a new relationship with Ashly Abbot, the rich daughter of Genoa City's John Abbot. Making his feelings for Ashley clear, Ridge told Brooke they would never be together again. Brooke's world began to fall apart at the prospect of being alone the rest of her life. She stayed out late at night and fell into a deep depression. After she was accused of neglecting her children, and lost custody, her life began to spiral out of control. Seeing that Brooke was vulnerable and an easy target, Stephanie convinced a sleazy lawyer to scare Brooke away from Ridge. However he did more than just 'scare' her. Breaking into Brooke's house one night the man raped Brooke. Depressed and completely alone Brooke turned to Ridge for comfort. However she was devastated to learn that he had planned on proposing to Ashley, who was jealous of the time Ridge was spending with a terrified Brooke. Unable to accept Ridge didn't want her back Brooke continued to meddle in his life. However Ashley told Brooke to back off and accused Brooke of using her rape and her and Ridge's son, RJ, to win Ridge back. Finally accepting that Ridge had moved on Brooke slowly began to put her life back together. After discussing the birth of Nick and Taylor's son Jack with Ridge, Brooke found that Ridge was still in love with her. He announced that she was the one for him and he was going to end his engagement with Ashley Abbot and remarry Brooke.

After the two were engaged again, Brooke discovered that her eggs were used for Nick and Taylor's invitro process instead of another woman's, making Brooke the biological mother. Brooke's inability to stay away from little Jack resulted in Nick and Taylor getting a divorce and Nick one again professing his love to Brooke causing her to prospone her wedding to Ridge.

[edit] The Logan Family

When the show first aired, the glamorous world of the Forresters was emphasized by the other original core family, the working-class Logan family. Eventually, the Logans were written out of the show, except for the oldest daughter, Brooke, who became embroiled in the Forrester family's affairs. In recent months, the other Logan siblings (Storm, Donna, and Katie) and their father, Stephen, have all returned to

[edit] Sally and Spectra Fashion

For many years "Spectra Fashions" (later Spectra "Couture") was Forrester's main rival, headed by Sally Spectra (played by the late Darlene Conley). Sally was usually helped by her daughter Macy (Bobbie Eakes), and Sally's receptionist, Darla. Also seen often was fashion designer Clarke Garrison (Daniel McVicar), who fathered C.J. (Mick Cain), Sally's son.

Sally, a larger-than-life character with outrageous clothes and a sizable red coiffure, helmed both comedic and dramatic storylines, with the help of ditzy receptionist Darla. Sally's competitions with Forrester Creations were both formidable (Sally successfully stole many Forrester family members to work for her), and laughable. Though at first Sally and Stephanie Forrester were bitter enemies, in later years they developed a friendship; Sally even went to work at Forrester Creations after she finally made the decision to shut down her own company.

[edit] Thorne and Macy

Sally's daughter Macy, a singer, underwent many traumas, most notably alcoholism. Macy had an on-again-off-again marriage to Thorne Forrester, who was the true love of her life. She eventually lost Thorne to Brooke, retriggering her alcoholism. Brooke tried to stop loony Macy from driving in anger and probably drunk, too but ended up as unwilling passenger in her car. Macy speeded the car up, and tried to kill both herself and Brooke. Macy lost control of the car. Brooke was rescued but, Macy was unable to escape and was presumed dead.

It later came to light that she was saved by her father, Adam Alexander (Michael Swan), and went into hiding with him abroad because Adam was wanted by the mob. After being discovered in Italy during a Forrester vs. Spectra "fashion showdown", Macy relocated back to Los Angeles where she reunited with Thorne Forrester. After a chain of events, Thorne and Macy divorced. Macy found interest in fellow recovering alcoholic and ex-husband of Bridget Forrester, Deacon Sharpe, and married him. Weeks later, Macy was gravely injured at a nightclub where she was headlining as a singer. Macy went into a coma and it was implied that her family pulled the plug off-camera.

[edit] Massimo Marone and his Family

In recent years, the Spectra family and friends have been supplanted by the introduction of Massimo Marone. Massimo Marone is a billionaire shipping magnate who was a childhood friend of Stephanie Douglas. When Stephanie and Massimo dated in college they slept together once just before Stephanie first slept with Eric Forrester.

After forty-something years, a medical crisis revealed that Eric could not be Ridge's biological father Massimo was. Shortly thereafter, Jacqueline Payne (Lesley-Anne Down), a former lover of Massimo, arrived on scene and announced that her son, Dominick "Nick" Payne a capitan at Marone Industries, was also fathered by Massimo. Unlike Ridge, Nick wasn't a businessman and also changed his name to Marone however Ridge was Massimo's favorite son. Massimo and Jackie have had an on-again-off-again marriage that ended in divorce due to Jackie's infidelity and concealment of the true paternity of Massimo's grandson R.J. Forrester.

[edit] Who is the father?

As with other soaps, on "The Bold and the Beautiful" with the arrival of a new baby there are often doubts as to who is the father. When Ridge delivered Brooke's daughter, Bridget, they believed Ridge was the father (and she was named for him). Eric revealed he had had sex with Brooke around the time of conception. A DNA test showed Ridge was the father, but it had been tampered with by Sheila Carter. It was not until Bridget was a young girl that her true paternity was revealed, making Ridge her half-brother. Ridge himself later discovered, to the shock of everyone, that Eric was not his biological father. It was revealed that around the time Stephanie and Eric began their relationship back in college, she had slept with Massimo Marone. Oddly, Ridge and Bridget, no longer related, developed feelings for each other and shared a brief flirtation. Massimo learned of another son he had not known about: Nick Payne, who took the name Marone.

In the later period of 2003 to the early segment of 2004, Brooke became pregnant - and so another paternal mystery was created. While Ridge was presumed dead, Nick had intercourse with Brooke. At this time Brooke was married to Ridge, who happens to be Nick’s half brother. Ridge later had intercourse with Brooke in a steam room. He believed that he had gotten Brooke pregnant then, and asked her to take a home pregnancy test. When she was proven pregnant - Brooke confessed everything to Ridge, who then took the story the wrong way, and believed that Nick took advantage of a mourning Brooke - he referred to it as a fashion of rape. One paternity test (that stated Nick was the father) was sabotaged by Sally; though the show made it uncertain of whether her tinkering was successful. The second test's results were unknown to the viewers, as the doctor (the only person who knew of the undocumented paternal results) died while trying to give Brooke, Ridge and Nick the results. Deacon Sharpe tried informing Brooke that the first paternal test may have been incorrect as may the unknown second one have been, but Jacqueline managed to convince Deacon to keep quiet - for the sake of her son, Nick. He has made many changes because of his child; he stopped smoking and finally stood up to Ridge - after allowing himself to be pushed around for months.

In 2007, The Bold and the Beautiful broke new ground with their 'who is the mother' storyline. After newly wed Taylor and Nick found out she could no longer have children they decided to use an egg donor. However, unbeknownst to them Nick's ex-wife Brooke, still had frozen eggs at the hospital under Nick's surname, Marone. After Taylor became pregnant, a nosy janitor pointed out that Brooke's eggs may have been mistakenly used instead of the egg donor's. It wasn't until after the birth of Taylor and Nick's son, Jack, that a genetic disorder revealed Brooke was his mother.

[edit] Back from the dead

In The Bold and the Beautiful just like other soap operas, there is a disputable phenomenon of characters that have "died," but later on, they have "returned" to life and once again returned to the series.

  • Taylor Hayes has returned twice from the underworld. After she traveled to Egypt, her airplane crashed, and she was presumed dead. The second time, she was shot to the "death" by the insane Sheila Carter. In both times, the Prince Faa from Morocco rescued Taylor and kept her for years in his palace as part of his kabahnah. In the second case, Taylor returns after a few years and invalidates the marriage between Brooke and Ridge just like in 1994. On her second return, she actually returns to her three children who lost their mother when they were still infants and got their mother back towards the end of their adolescence (due to SORAS).
  • Macy Alexander was supposedly burnt completely in a car accident in the mountains, but retrospectively, she was saved at the last moment by her father, Adam Alexander.
  • Ridge Forrester also returned after everybody thought he died after he fell into a hot burning furnace while fighting his abductors.
  • Sheila Carter's initial appearance came off the heels of her "death" on Y&R, while she later survived two attempts at suicide.

[edit] Theme song and title sequence

The theme song of B&B, "High Upon This Love," was written by Jack Allocco and David Kurtz. A saxophone is played by well known saxophonist Eric Marienthal. From November 1998 to July 1999 in the United States, a vocal version of the theme song performed by Dionne Warwick was played during the end credits.

The title sequence for the first seventeen years featured still photos of the show's current cast members interspersed with photos from fashion shoots. The sequence ends with a spool of pink fabric unrolling while the title "THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL" in black 1920's style Huxley Vertical font zooms out the white area revealed by the roll (with the letters being from in a disarranged to a rearranged order). The theme tune was tweaked slightly through the years, and the cast photos were replaced occasionally.

On July 2, 2004, the theme was revamped to go along with a completely revamped title sequence, featuring a "B&B" monogram logo above the show's title and video headshots of the current contract players (accompanied by the character name and since 2005, the actor's name). Recurring actors are rarely added to the opening, with the exceptions of William deVry (Storm Logan) and Daniel McVicar (Clarke Garrison), who are often added back in as fillers. All of the cast members are dressed in either black or gray in these opening shots. Four versions are used, the full open with the cast video headshots, a shortened open with the cast video headshots, and two without the cast video headshots. Three out of the four title sequences open with a mock magazine cover which morphs into a photo shoot. The fourth open was added in December 2005 and is the shortest opener currently on B&B.

[edit] Ratings history

When it debuted, The Bold and the Beautiful replaced Capitol in the CBS Daytime lineup and also took its eighth place in the final year ratings (oddly enough, .4 ratings points ahead of Capitol, which it had replaced). However, B&B aired at 1:30 p.m. ET following The Young and the Restless, while Capitol had aired an hour later at 2:30 pm ET. Initially CBS' lowest-rated soap, its numbers were still respectable (reflecting the strength and consistency of the CBS daytime lineup) and began to climb. By 1993, after a successful crossover involving villain Sheila Carter from Y&R, it had climbed to third. By the mid-to-late 1990s, following yet another crossover (this time involving Sheila's nemesis Lauren Fenmore) it moved up to second and since has consistently remained there.

The series reached a record low of 3,048,000 viewers on Friday, August 3, 2007. (Nielsen Media Research)

[edit] Latest Ratings

Week of April 28- May 2, 2008 (Compared To Last WK/Compared To Last YR)

  • 1. Y&R 5,305,000 (-28,000/-99,000)
  • 2. B&B 3,977,000 (+197,000/+238,000)
  • 3. ATWT 2,949,000 (+33,000/+105,000)
  • 4. GH 2,896,000 (-132,000/-642,000)
  • 5. DOOL 2,699,000 (-185,000/+183,000)
  • 6. OLTL 2,590,000 (-71,000/-486,000)
  • 7. AMC 2,468,000 (+2,000/-562,000)
  • 8. GL 2,352,000 (-22,000/-212,000)

[edit] Criticisms

The show has enjoyed success by focusing on telling stories involving the core Forrester family, in particular sticking to a core group of characters: Eric, Stephanie, Ridge, Taylor, Brooke, Thorne, and Macy. However, the show has been criticized at times for not having a well-developed "B" storyline and for, at times, overexposing the core characters. Unlike other US soaps currently on the air, it is not uncommon for B&B to devote entire shows or even a week's worth of shows to a single storyline.

The show has also been criticized for the sometimes breakneck speed in which it changes storylines, in particular with changes in romantic pairings. It is important to note that although the show is sometimes criticized for rapid changes, several leading soap critics, including Carolyn Hinsey, have lauded the show for knowing when a story isn't working, and changing or ending the story as a result (such as the 2005 romantic story involving Bridget and Ridge). It is, however, disconcerting that storylines are sometimes dropped without any kind of resolution.

Recasting is also a controversial, yet ongoing, fixture on the show. In the show's 20 year history, many characters have been played by two or more actors, often leading to a viewer backlash. One such instance was the 2004 recast of Bridget Forrester from Emmy-winner Jennifer Finnigan to relative newcomer Emily Harrison. Viewers did not adjust well to the new Bridget and Harrison was soon downgraded to recurring status. The mistake was rectified later that year when former The Young and the Restless star Ashley Jones stepped into the role. Jones has consistently remained with the show since. B&B has also had many other successful recasts, such as Winsor Harmon's Thorne Forrester, Lesli Kay's Felicia Forrester and Patrick Duffy's Stephen Logan. The recast of Rick Forrester from Emmy-winning Justin Torkildsen to ex-Days of our Lives star Kyle Lowder in 2007 met a mixed reaction from fans. It was announced in July 2007 that three-time Emmy winner Heather Tom, famous for portraying Victoria Newman on Y&R from 1991 to 2003, would join the cast of B&B as Katie, the younger sister of Brooke and Donna Logan, a role previously played by Nancy Sloan. Tom first aired on August 30, 2007. In December 2007, Tom, who had only signed a three-month deal initially, renewed her contract through 2011.

Finally, the relatively small cast has led to many romantic pairings and love triangles involving family members and in-laws. Some of the most controversial ones have been the romantic attraction shared between Ridge and his former half-sister/stepdaughter Bridget, as well as the recent attraction shared by Rick and his much younger step-niece Phoebe. Though the characters were not biologically related, this had not been established on the show until the 2002 reveal of Massimo being Ridge's biological father. Additionally, many of the show's storylines have featured siblings or a parent/child in love with and/or competing for the affections of the same character. The character of Brooke has been famously married to several members of the same family: Besides once being married to Nick, she has also had a long-running romance with Nick's half-brother Ridge, which has led to several marriages and a child. She was also previously married to Ridge's half-brother Thorne and Thorne's father Eric, with whom she also has two children. Finally, she had an affair with her daughter Bridget's husband Deacon, which resulted in yet another child. Notably, Nick was also recently married to Bridget for a while. A saving point for many viewers with respect to Brooke's romantic pairings has been Katherine Kelly Lang's notable chemistry with most of her male co-stars.

[edit] Cast

For a full list of cast members, past and present, see List of cast members of The Bold and the Beautiful.
For a list of characters, see List of The Bold and the Beautiful characters.

[edit] Current cast members

Further information: Current characters of The Bold and the Beautiful
Actor Character Duration
Texas Battle Marcus Walton 2008-
Eileen Davidson Ashley Abbott 2007-
Lesley-Anne Down Jacqueline Marone 2003-
Susan Flannery Stephanie Forrester 1987-
Jennifer Gareis Donna Logan Forrester (#2) 2006-
Winsor Harmon Thorne Forrester (#3) 1996-
Ashley Jones Dr. Bridget Forrester (#4) 2004-
Lesli Kay Felicia Forrester (#2) 2005-
Katherine Kelly Lang Brooke Logan 1987-
Kyle Lowder Rick Forrester (#3) 2007-
MacKenzie Mauzy Phoebe Forrester (#2) 2006-
John McCook Eric Forrester 1987-
Ronn Moss Ridge Forrester 1987-
Heather Tom Katie Logan (#2) 2007-
Hunter Tylo Dr. Taylor Hayes Marone 1990-1994, 1994-2002, 2004, 2005-
Jack Wagner Dominick Marone 2003-
Jacqueline MacInnes Wood Steffy Forrester (#2) 2008-

[edit] Recurring cast members

Actor Character
Darcy Rose Byrnes Abby Carlton
Cameron and McKenzie Carr Jack Marone
Harley Graham Alexandria Forrester
Daniel McVicar Clarke Garrison
Alley Mills Pamela Douglas
Amanda and Rachel Pace Hope Logan
Ridge Perkett R.J. Forrester
Eric and Jacob Steinberger Dominick "Dino" Damiano

[edit] Upcoming cast members

Actor Character Status
Robin Riker Beth Logan Debuts June 18th[1]
Patrick Duffy Stephen Logan Returns June 20th
Brandon Beemer Owen Knight Debuts July 2nd [2]

[edit] Deceased cast members

Actor Character Date of death
Michael Fox Saul Feinberg June 1, 1996
Lesley Woods Helen Logan August 2, 2003
Tim Choate Tommy Bayland September 24, 2004
James Doohan Damon Warwick July 20, 2005
Darlene Conley Sally Spectra January 14, 2007

[edit] Notable former cast members

Actor Character Duration
Agnes Bruckner Bridget Forrester (#1) 1997-1999
Jennifer Finnigan Bridget Forrester (#2) 2000-2004
Lindsay Price Michael Lai 1995-1997
Maitland Ward Jessica Forrester 1994-1996
Lark Voorhies Jasmine Malone 1995-1996

[edit] Notable celebrities who have appeared

[edit] Crossovers

The Bold And The Beautiful and Young and the Restless

There have been several crossovers between The Bold And The Beautiful and sister show The Young And The Restless:


  • 1992
    • The Bold And The Beautiful: Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) was the first major character to cross over to The Bold And The Beautiful. Sheila appeared on Young and the Restless from 1990-1992 (returning as a guest in 1993, 1994 and 1995), and again in 2005-2006. She was on The Bold And The Beautiful from 1992-1998, with shorter-lived stints in 2002 and 2003.


    • The Bold And The Beautiful: Molly Carter (Marilyn Alex) appeared several times after her daughter, Sheila, was revealed to be living in Los Angeles.


  • 1993
    • The Bold And The Beautiful: Brad Carlton (Don Diamont) crossed over to confront Sheila Carter about the photos of his tryst with Lauren Fenmore (Tracey E. Bregman), fearing that he would lose custody of his daughter, Colleen, if they became public. Although Brad's threats were enough to make Sheila give up the photos, Lauren later discovered that there was still more evidence proving their affair.
    • The Bold And The Beautiful: Dr. Scott Grainger (Peter Barton) and Lauren Fenmore were vacationing on Catalina Island where they were shocked to find Eric Forrester and Sheila Carter also on a romantic retreat. The character Scott Grainger died during this crossover, but not before he forgave Sheila for her past and begged Lauren not to reveal their history to Eric.


  • 1995
    • The Bold And The Beautiful: Lauren Fenmore (Tracey E. Bregman) crossed over to The Bold And The Beautiful, where she stayed until 1999, and briefly returned in 2002 and 2004. She had already appeared on the show several times prior to her becoming an actual cast member, mostly due to Sheila's crossover in 1992.
    • The Bold And The Beautiful: Brad Carlton made another brief crossover when James Warwick (Ian Buchanan) called Lauren from Sheila's dungeon.


  • 1998


  • 1999


  • 2000-2001


  • 2003


  • 2004
    • The Bold And The Beautiful: Lauren Fenmore (Tracey E. Bregman) received an angered phone call from the husband of her employee Jacqueline Payne Marone, who demanded to know if the two had really gone out drinking the night before like he was being told. Although she was caught off-guard, Lauren said they had, assuming Jacquie had a good reason for lying to her huband. In truth, Jacquie had told her husband this to help cover up her one night stand with Deacon Sharpe Sean Kanan.


  • 2005
    • Lauren's mother, Joanna Manning (Susan Seaforth Hayes), appeared on both The Bold And The Beautiful and Young and the Restless (the latter in December to attend her daughter's wedding to Michael Baldwin).


  • 2006


  • 2007
    • The Bold And The Beautiful: Traci (Beth Maitland), Ashley Abbott's sister, also appeared in March, while talking to her sister on the telephone.


  • 2008


  • Possible Connection
    • The actor Robert Clary played Pierre Roulland on Young and the Restless from 1973-1974 before playing Pierre Jourdan on The Bold And The Beautiful from 1990-1992. Whether or not the two characters are related is unknown.

[edit] Writing and producing team

Executive Producers

Head Writers

Current Writing Team: Michael Minnis, Tracey Ann Kelly, Kay Alden, Janice Ferri Esser, Elizabeth Snyder, Jerry Birn, Patrick Mulcahey, John F. Smith, Lee Phillip Bell (Long Term Story Adviser)

Current Producing/Directing Team: B. Bell (Executive Producer), Ron Weaver, Rhonda Friedman, Cynthia J. Popp, Adam Dusevoir, Deveney Kelly, David Shaughnessy, Jennifer Howard, and Michael Stich, Christy Dooley (Casting Director)

[edit] Broadcasts outside the United States

  • Flag of Australia In Australia, B&B airs at 4.30pm weekdays on Network Ten and is the most popular daytime soap. It is also timeshifted on the network's High Definition channel at 5pm. Episodes are 3 months behind those being shown in the U.S.
Main article: Screening of daytime soap operas in Australia
  • Flag of Austria In Austria, B&B airs in double episodes and German synchronization from 6.25pm to 7.20pm weekdays on ATV.
  • Flag of Belgium In Belgium, B&B airs in on weekdays at 6.00pm on VijfTV. It is also available through Video On Demand, a world premiere, because of the popularity of the show in Flanders.
  • Flag of Botswana In Botswana, B&B airs an episode from 10.20pm to 10.50pm weekdays on BTV.
  • Flag of Bulgaria In Bulgaria, B&B airs in double episodes from 10.15 am to 11.00 am weekdays on Channel 1.The episodes are 4 years behind the USA.
  • Flag of Canada In Canada, B&B airs from 1:30pm to 2:00pm ET weekdays on CTV, simultaneously with CBS. It also airs in double episodes from 4.00pm to 5.00pm ET on weekdays in French on TVA, with the title Top modèles. The French episodes are 3-5 years behind the US.
  • Flag of Egypt In Egypt, B&B airs on Dream 1 at 21:00, 3 years behind USA
  • Flag of Estonia In Estonia, B&B airs from 18.25 pm to 18.55 pm weekdays on TV3.
  • Flag of Finland In Finland, B&B airs an episode from 5.00pm to 5.30pm weekdays on MTV3.
  • Flag of France In France, B&B airs an episode from 9.30am to 10.00am weekdays on France 2.
  • Flag of Germany In Germany, B&B airs an episode from 11.15am to 11.35am weekdays on ZDF. Episodes are 10 months behind the US.
  • Flag of Greece In Greece, B&B airs in double episodes from 2.30pm to 3.30pm weekdays on ERT3. Episodes are 2 years behind the US.
  • Flag of Iceland In Iceland, B&B airs everyday at 09:00 and 17:28hrs and on Saturdays 12:30 to 13:50hrs on Stöð 2
  • Flag of India In India, B&B airs an episode from 3.00 pm to 3.30 pm weekdays on Star World.
  • Flag of Israel In Israel, B&B airs at 6.10pm Sunday to on Yes Stars 3. Due to a change in the broadcasting network, episodes are currently 5 months behind the US.
  • Flag of Italy In Italy, B&B airs from 1.40pm to 2.10pm weekdays on Canale 5. Episodes are 6 months behind the US. The title for the Italian edition is simply "Beautiful".
  • Flag of Kenya In Kenya, B&B airs an episode from 10.20pm to 10.50pm weekdays on KBC.
  • Flag of Latvia In Latvia, B&B airs from 6.30pm to 7.00pm weekdays on LTV1.
  • Flag of Luxembourg In Luxembourg, B&B airs from 6.05pm to 6.30pm weekdays on RTL9.
  • Flag of the Netherlands In the Netherlands, B&B airs an episode from 6.00pm to 6.25pm weekdays on SBS6.
  • Flag of Poland In Poland, B&B currently airs in double episodes from 4.05pm to 5.00pm weekdays on TVP1. During the two-months of holidays airs in double episodes also in weekends. The show started to run in Poland in 1994 since episode 216 and is at the moment the only American daytime soap opera on Polish TV. The chronology of the episodes' numbers is misled. Since the 216th episode have started the series, TVP1 considered it as the very first. The mistake still hasn't been corrected. Polish fans still send petitions to TVP1 to correct the mistake, unfortunately without any success. The episodes are 5 years behind the premiere ones.
  • Flag of Serbia In Serbia, B&B airs in double episodes from 6pm to 7pm weekdays on FOX.
  • Flag of Sweden In Sweden, B&B airs in double episodes from 5.35 pm to 6.35 pm weekdays on TV4 Plus.
  • Flag of the United Kingdom In the United Kingdom, B&B airs in double episodes from 7am to 8am Repeated at 11.00am to 12.00pm and 23.00-00.00 on weekdays. Also there is a weekend onubus on Saturdays from 11.00am to 12.30pm and Sundays 11.00am to 13.30 on Diva TV. Episodes currently showing are from 2004. The UK is roughly 4 years behind the USA, However this gap will reduce due to the double episodes.

[edit] B&B in other languages

  • Flag of Egypt Arabic الجرئ و الجميلات
  • Flag of the Netherlands Dutch The Bold and the Beautiful (Netherlands) / Mooi en Meedogenloos (Beautiful and Relentless) (Belgium)
  • Flag of the United Kingdom English The Bold and the Beautiful (In the USA, Australia, Canada, the UK and New Zealand)
  • Flag of France French Amour, Gloire et Beauté (France) / Top Models (Belgium & Luxembourg & Switzerland) / Top Modèles (Quebec)
  • Flag of Germany German Reich und Schön (Rich and Beautiful)
  • Flag of Greece Greek Τόλμη και Γοητεία (Boldness and Charm)
  • Flag of Israel Hebrew היפים והאמיצים
  • Flag of Latvia Latvian Hameleonu rotaļas (Chameleon's plays)
  • Flag of Poland Polish Moda na sukces (Success is Trendy / Fashion for Success)
  • Flag of Russia Russian Дерзкие и красивые / Audacious and Beautiful
  • Flag of Serbia Serbian Одважни и лепи

[edit] Awards

[edit] Emmy Awards

[edit] TV Soap Golden Boomerang Awards

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Casting News
  2. ^ Casting News

[edit] External links

v • d • e
The Bold and the Beautiful
Current characters
Current cast
Recurring characters
Notable previous characters
Related articles
v • d • e
U.S. daytime soap operas currently on the air