Connect with us

News

40

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

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

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!

40 Comments

40 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

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

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’

Published

on

By

The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).

Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.

Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.

Photo: JPI

FOR LESLIE CHARLESON

Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”

Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).

Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.

“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”

Photo: JPI

SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?

During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.

Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.

You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.

Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Beyond the Gates

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series

Published

on

By

Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.

ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.

Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.

Photo: NATAS

THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …

The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.

This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.

Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.

Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.

Photo: ABC

DAYTIME TALK SERIES

In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.

“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”

The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.

So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Marks Unprecedented 16,000th Episode Milestone with New Cast Photo

Published

on

By

Today’s Monday, July 13 episode of General Hospital marks it 16,000 episode to air on the ABC television network. It is a remarkable milestone. The previous television record was held by Guiding Light which clocked in at 15,762 episodes before it went off the air on CBS in 2009.

To mark the occasion, the cast, crew and creative team of General Hospital celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony on the Prospect Studios lot in Los Angeles back on Monday, June 1, 2026.

In addition, GH has released a new cast photo taken the day of the on set celebration. Pictured in the photo are front row: Rory Gibson, Finn Carr, Kayden Brenna Tokarski, Asher Antonyzyn, Giovanni Mazza, Braedyn Bruner, Dean Geyer and Nathan Dean.

Featured in the back row are: Tabyana Ali, Eden McCoy, Josh Swickard, Kristen Vaganos, Rebecca Herbst, Dominic Zamprogna, Alexa Havins, Cameron Mathison, Brooke Kerr, Cynthia Watros, Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Jane Elliot, Maurice Benard, Laura Wright, Maura West, Donnell Turner, Nancy Lee Grahn, Tanisha Harper, Kelly Thiebaud, Kristina Wagner, Lynn Herring, Chris McKenna, Katelyn MacMullen and Sawandi Wilson.

In addition, the official GH social media handles shared these sentiments along with some other photos from the cake cutting: “Today’s episode of General Hospital is the 16,000th produced since the show’s inception in 1963. It’s a milestone we couldn’t let pass by without taking some time to celebrate as a family (and, of course… eating some cake). 🍰 We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we did making it.”

WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE 16,000th Episode?

The 16,000th episode will feature Jason Morgan returning to the town of Port Charles, Anna and Valentin (James Patrick Stewart) reuniting, and a new surgeon, Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) joining the staff of ‘General Hospital.’

GENERAL HOSPITAL HOLDS SEVERAL RECORDS

Now in its 64th year, Emmy Award-winning daytime drama General Hospital is currently both the longest-running scripted American drama and the longest-running American soap opera currently in production.

General Hospital holds the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the prestigious Daytime Emmy Award a record 18 times. Will they do it again and make it 19 in 2026? Stay tuned for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations tomorrow on Tuesday, July 14 to find out if GH will be going for gold in the category, once again.

The ABC daytime drama series was created by Frank and Doris Hursley and premiered back on April 1, 1963. Frank Valentini is the current executive producer with Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten are the show’s co-head writers.

General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC and streams on Hulu.

What do you think of the new cast photo marking General Hospital’s 16000th episode? What do you think of the accomplishment to have that many episodes of a television show and its still thriving and kicking? Share your thoughts and congrats for everyone in front of the camera and behind the scenes on this milestone airing.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

General Hospital

Airdate: 5-14-2026

Popular

40
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x