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Scott Clifton Reveals Theory On Why The Bold and The Beautiful's Love Triangles Are So Successful!

By Michael Fairman

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Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

This past Thursday at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, in the continued celebration of CBS Daytime’s 30 years at #1 and their exhibit on display through November 27th, stars of The Bold and the Beautiful, along with EP and head writer, Brad Bell participated in a panel moderated by TV Guide’s Michael Logan.

Participating in the panel event were: Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke), Heather Tom (Katie), Karla Mosley (Maya), Jacob Young (Rick), Scott Clifton (Liam), Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy), Darin Brooks (Wyatt), John McCook (Eric), Don Diamont (Bill) and Alley Mills (Pam).  At the beginning of the event a clip package was shown illustrating the love stories, triangles, and moments from the series, followed by a reading of the first episode of the series.  It was read on-stage with all the cast members and Brad Bell playing the parts.

During the Q&A session, Logan begun to touch upon the wildly popular success and soap staple of The Bold and the Beautiful; that of their storied love triangles.  From Bill/Brooke/Ridge, to Wyatt/Steffy/Liam, to Hope/Liam/Wyatt, and on and on, and on.   When the question of why this hallmark of the show continues to work so well, it was Scott Clifton who weighed-in on the topic and nailed it on the head.

Scott Clifton on the success of B&B love triangles: “You can almost pick any love triangle, and almost every time divide our entire audience in half in who they support, and now with social media it’s even easier to see.  We can see it from a birds-eye view.   You can have two fans who look at the exact same scene and in the same context, and come away with two wildly different interpretations.  I don’t think that is an accident.  There is a formula and a design that allows the audience to use their imaginations and fill in the blanks, and insert their own ethics, and their own morality, and their own spin on what they are seeing.  I think that contributes to the success of these triangles, and as Brad Bell was saying, ‘there is an inherent morality’ (to the characters), and I think that’s true.  You can watch any scene and you can see both characters as the good guy, and I think that’s rare.”

So, do you agree with Scott Clifton’s assesement of why B&B fans continually invest in the show’s triangles and are drawn in by them?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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I disagree, I thoroughly dislike the triangles. They would be interesting occassionally, but this thing of never, ever having a happy couple for more than a couple of weeks gets tiring. Just my opinion

I totally agree, these triangles get old. Same storyline over and over.

B & B is only known for love triangles and flashbacks every day. I’ve been watching for nine years now. Same repeated stories just a different day. How may times can Nicole go thru her gut-wrenching dilemma of having another baby for Maya and Rick?
How many times does Brooke & Bill dream about their romance which includes the balloon ride? How many times has Steffy been shown walking toward Liam in her gown and cowboy boots? Oh yeah, let’s not forget about the Quinn and Eric flashbacks. You can easily not watch it for a month or more and not miss much but the same repeated nonsense. All the soaps I have watched over the years, none has ever used used so many flashbacks as a waste of not using new dialogue in the show.

I’m with you. If I see Steffie in her wedding gown one more time I will be screaming from kingdom come. The flashbacks are such a waste. They have so many wonderful actors on that show that they push aside to show the same pointless nonsense with the same couples. I loved when Maya’s family was introduced. The change was so welcomed. Would love to seecmore of Caroline with the baby, and Thomas. Maya’s baby is barely out of the womb, they really have nerve to as Nicole to do it again. Give the girl a chance to give her body a chance to recuperate. And Brooke is never going to be happy unless she is with a man. Although I thought it was a stunning gown, I had a hard time keeping a straight face at seeing Brooke of all people wearing a white gown. To me right now, the only saving grace right now is the Eric and Quinn storyline. I want to see how it plays out. If I were Eric, I would kick all of those money grubbers to the curb. He doesn’t owe them a thing. Talk about a bunch of spoiled whiners!!

soapqueenforever…A-M-E-N!!!!! More and more, Ridge works my nerves THE MOST!!!!! At this point, Ridge is nothing but an out of control, bullying and arrogant CAVEMAN…BEYOND BLECH!!!!! GIMME A BREAK ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!

Have a good one.

You are absolutely right about the flashbacks. How many times have we seen Ridge fall out of the helicopter. Even when they were guests on the Talk they showed that clip. Or Steffy and Liam’s wedding.
. For a 1/2 hour soap there should be no flashbacks.

In agree with you with the same lame and tired flashback segments and what I see at the beginning of Monday Nov 7, 2016 show, flash backs of Liam and Steffy as well as Zende and Sasha. They are running out of stuff to write for B&B characters and have to use flash back stuff for fillers as well as they have to revert back to storylines they have already been their and did.

As I always say the beginning of the end of soaps are soon to be on their way and if not all B&B might be the first of the last 4 to go.

No B&B makes too much money overseas for them to canned it– they love it in other countries– the first soap of the last four soaps to go with be Days

I agree—the flash backs get old–the ones of Brooke & Bill and Eric and Quinn. I ‘m sorry, but I could watch Steffy & Liam all day

OMG they are so boring. In fact I can’t name one of the young couples that I want to watch for even 30 minutes. Eric and Quinn right now are the most interesting, and Bill and any woman is fun to watch, when he’s not acting like a jerk. No wonder they are talking about cancelling in 2017.

I love B&B. The only complaint is that the show is not an hour long so we could see more of the characters. Scott is exactly right. I know some people are for Liam, others for Wyatt. Some are for Quinn/Eric, while others hate it. Same for Bill/Brooke. But, the show is consistent with giving each character depth, especially Katie and Quinn. I look forward to watching every day. Katherine Kelly Lang and Heather Tom are amazing.

Successful? Are you kidding me? At least 90% of the comments I read online are NEGATIVE regarding the horrible “triangels'” and “quadrangle”!!!!!! I’d love to know the percentage of viewers that actually like these ridiculous, repetitive storylines!

Lol @scottclifton delusional much? I thought Quinn just did a number on only your character…obvious break from reality.

He is so wrong. If it wasn’t for the Quinn and Eric story I would be done with BB. I started watching when my ABC soaps were cancelled. Any more rinse/repeat/rinse love triangles and I am just about to call it quits with Bold and the Beautiful

I to would take a break if not for Eric and Quinn. And I have been a viewer on and off since day one.

I agree. I think they can only afford a small cast and have to keep using these same people over and over and showing these flashbacks every time someone has a thought in their head probably saves money too. I read that Ronn Moss asked Bill Bradley not (of all the nerve) to recast Ridge. I still think it was very pompous of him , but maybe he was right, because as much as I loved this Ridge, can’t think of his name right now, on AMC, I now feel he isn’t right for the role. He’s too gruff and unkempt and is just not Ridge, but a whole new character. If that’s what they intended, it worked, but has not made too many fans happy.

old days finagled were great now days who cares

I stopped watching. Same thing over and over. Brookso needy stupid smiles. Ridge a bully. Bill ego maniac. Stephie, all knowing. Liam too gowqodie. The whole Rick and Maya, etc.. So over it.

I agree with that

i agree too. i stopped watching it too. steffy had wyatt then she left him for liam again. and now she’s with liam again. quinn should stay out of this. and stop trying to get wyatt and steffy back together. steffy left wyatt because of quinn. wyatt should get his own girlfriends without quinn helping him. she babies wyatt alot if he doesn’t get the girl he wants he crys to his mom. liam should just go with ivy.

I’m tired of these love triangles as well, Let’s see… Who is married on the show? Rick and Maya, Eric and She devil ( Quinn).. Steffy and Wyatt is headed for divorce, and that’s it with a whole lot of infidelity to top it off…. B&B has a whole lot of sharing going on, and personally I’m tired of it… These are the same stories for all the characters, they don’t even have to run lines, because the stupid roles have already been played out writers, somebody need to hold a couple of job fairs, for new writers, because the ones that you have needs to fired. They can’t even think of new stories for these characters…. It’s pitiful writing at its worst…. Just saying!!

me too . i don’t watch it because of the love triangles and the drama between wyatt and quinn and steffy. she should just got back with wyatt and let liam move on with ivy. i think liam and ivy should be togther so won’t have to be in the drama between wyatt and quinn and steffy. leave liam alone and let him move on from you with ivy. give quinn what she wants. you and her son . steffy and liam had a long history together that was in the past . let the past go. move on from liam with wyatt . u married wyatt because u loved him steffy. in my opion u steffy should be with wyatt .

Please give us some better storylines us old soap watchers have seen these same scences repeated with different people. Although i will still watch, just fast forward the scene s i ihave seen over and over.

I have been fast forwarding through most episodes these days as you can pretty much tell what is coming out of everyone’s mouths and everything is so predictable. I am enjoying the Quinn and Eric story but everything else seems so repetitive. Looking forward to some new and exciting story lines that don’t involve the triangles.

I am agreeing with the not keeping a couple together for more than a week is getting tiresome. Brook/Ridge is so outdated. They are friends. Leave it there.

Love that Nicole changed her mind.
Quinn and Eric? Hmmmm

LOL– is there any story on this show not based on a triangle– even the corporate stuff is all triangles — who should Eric put in charge Ridge or Rick? — who should run the company now that Eric is on leave– Quinn or Ridge? Who should Nicole put first Zende or Maya— I think it is the only soap formula poor Brad knows how to write—

I only like romance triangles when as a viewer I am equally torn between the two choices– but with B&B the triangles are done to death, and characters go back and forth so many times that I stopped caring. Both Liam and Wyatt should grow a pair and tell Steffy to take a hike, she ain’t worth it guys— right now Liamt has “won” but give it enough time Steffy with be with Wyatt again– or Hope will come back and Liam will drop Steffy to be with Hope— and the fact Brad is trying to create a love triangle between Brooke/Bill and Ridge is beyond laughable— B&B is the soap version of junk food– a little at a time is okay, but a steady meal of it will make you ill..– which is why I never watch this show everyday

I agree with you. Its getting boring.

I can’t get on the Ridge/Brooke/Bill triangle. There is huge chemistry between Brooke and Bill. No chemistry between Brooke and Ridge. Ridge always looks like he’s living under the 105 flyover. Wears the same clothes, never shaves, never washes his greasy hair which looks like it was cut by another homeless person with a dull knife.
I love Liam and Steffy. Do not like Wyatt anymore – hook him up the Aussie from down under. I’m tired of the Rick and Maya storyline – the surrogate storyline is awful. Bring Amber back – Rick and Amber sizzled. Recast Ridge and bring back Taylor. I prefer Bill and Katie.
Worst couple – Eric and Quinn

What a good idea about Amber! Bring her back, yes. Seeing as how they love triangles so much, it might be fun to see her try to split Ric and Myah up. Love it!

Triangles… the same ones over and over again.. are the reason I quit watching this soap. B O R I N G

I am backing off this show recently for the reasons Scott thinks it is successful! Maybe it worked for awhile, but now it’s just too much of the same old same old. The characters are too narcissistic and lacking in morals. I wish they had not done the second go round if Nicole, Zende and Sacha. I think I am done with this now !!

Liem and Stephy, Eric and Quinn, Thomas and Shasha, Brook and whoever, need I say more?

What a load of crap. B&B started to slowly die the day Liam arrived and the show started to revolve around his love triangles, I don’t care about 90% of this show anymore. If they were really paying attention to fans on social media, Scott would’ve been off the show years ago and the triangles would be long ago ended.

I don’t mind the triangles, but I have to agree with the poster who thought the writers should let coupled up be happy for more than a couple of weeks. Why can’t Steffy & Liam be the “power couple”?? Maya & Rick are absolutely horrible human beings, never having to answer for anything they’ve done. I am a die-hard fan of Liam & Steffy. I read the daily re-caps, and if they are not in it, I skip it. Brooke,Katie, and Bill— in my opinion that is disgusting, and I have no interest in that triangle.
They are sisters, and your sisters husband or ex-husband is just morally wrong. When a new couple comes on, then the writers mess it up. Deacon & Quinn were perfect together. There were no surprises–they knew the worst & the best of each other
and accepted each other. What in the cows hill happened to the sweet romance between Ridge & Caroline?? It is crazy. Everyone knows Steffy & Liam are soul mates. They always come back together. Steffy came from Paris to reunite with Liam. Let them be happy for awhile. Maya and Rick are the only happy couple, and they deserve it the least.

Triangles are a proven soap staple and more soaps should utilize them to maximum effect. That said, B&B overdoses on the triangle formula and for me never plays them to maximum effect (the object of everyone’s affection just ping-pongs back and forth between their two suitors and never settles long enough for you to invest in either coupling).

B&B lost its appeal for me the second Sheila Carter left town for the last time (every soap needs a bad girl to stir the pot — another soap staple that all the current shows seem to have forgotten).

That’s why I said above to bring Amber back, she’s always good for stirring the pot, and where is Deacon when you need him?

They mentioned Deacon on Y&R and said he left L.A. for some reason, makes me wonder what’s going on. I would love to see Amber start a rival fashion house.

Are you kidding me?!?!? I don’t think that that Scott Clifton dude has a CLUE as to how love triangles WORK on a soap PERIOD!!!!! Example: At this point, his B&B character (Liam) is nothing but an annoying and lovesick CHEESEHEAD!!!!! And that Liam/Steffy/Wyatt CRAP-FEST of a love triangle is EVEN WORSE!!!!! NO, NO AND MORE N-O!!!!!

Later.

I’m glad I don’t even have to write what I think because most of you feel the same way I do. I can’t stand ANY of the triangles that Liam is in and while I love Scott Clifton, I adored Hope and Liam together but that was constantly interrupted by Quinn, Wyatt, Ivy, and Steffy so that in the end they were never happy. As a result I’m no longer invested in Liam as a character because seeing him with Steffy is just ill gotten gains on her part. They keep showing her getting married to him and ignoring the part where she had Bill trap Hope on a gondola while Liam and Steffy got married, or Hope marrying that dunderhead Wyatt because Liam was two seconds late in Paris, or Hope and Liam getting married in Mexico in a wedding so beautiful in still makes me cry, and the marriage never being made legal because of Hope’s stupid whining about Steffy. They tried to use the younger generation to imitate the Brooke/Ridge/Taylor triangle which worked because it unfolded slowly and you could see why he loved both of them, and I loved Brooke and Taylor too (I just love Brooke more though;), so you could root for each side. The new generation lacks any subtlety or substance so I can’t care because I never fully liked Steffy unless she was with Bill, because he was on her level, even though he too was stolen from Katie. It’s hard to like this show period when they focus on stupid characters like Quinn and put her with Eric and no one in the universe asked for that. Yet when I beg to see characters I miss like Thorne, Taylor, Donna, Amber, Deacon, Bridget and Jackie, they are either never shown or mentioned or they show them for two seconds and they disappear. Donna was there for Brooke’s wedding after being missing for a year and a half for no good reason, pops up again and now KATIE is in a triangle with Eric and Quinn and not Donna? Wtf? That is why I don’t watch the show as passionately as I used to watch the show. I have enough disappointment in this last election that I don’t have to add on my favorite shows being unwatchable.

Please Writer leave Eric and Quinn together and let’s start Putting people together for more then 3 weeks and let’s stop The love triangle Between Sasha and Nichole

Days Of Our Lives

‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast

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After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.

Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.

The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

Photo: NBC

There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.

The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.

In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.

Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.

Photo: NBC

Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”

As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”

The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.

So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’

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Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.

Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.

The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark

Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”

In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.

It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.

Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.

You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.

So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.

 

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?

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On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.

As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.

Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?

Courtesy/ABC

Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.

BROTHERLY LOVE?

Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”

With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”

BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE

Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”

So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.

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