If the comments sections on recent Beauty And The Beast posts here at KSiteTV are any indication, the show’s sizable fan base is a bit worried. The show will be leaving the network schedule between March and May, and the series’ titular couple doesn’t seem to be together, and they don’t look like they’re even close to being back together.
So, when we ran into BATB Executive Producer Brad Kern at a CBS event that is part of this year’s television critics’ press tour, we asked him flat out: Is there any encouraging news coming for those “VinCat” fans who are a little worried lately, especially with Tori hanging around?
“It’s something I’d said before; this season is a journey,” he told us. “It was always my feeling, and the writers when we got together at the beginning of season 2, [we] talked about that; that we felt that to give the series legs, Vincent and Cat had to split apart, to find themselves separately. It’s always painful to split apart, but the plan for that, the long-term plan, was for them to be able to come back together again, stronger and better than ever, individually, which would also make their relationship stronger. Obviously if you do the math on that, Tori would be the ‘odd man out’.”
So, it sounds good that things will get better for Jay Ryan’s beast and Kristin Kreuk’s beauty. But for those fans who don’t want to wait until the end of the season, might there be good things to come BEFORE the March hiatus? “Oh, definitely,” Kern assured. “Because The CW has changed the air order, and Episode 16 basically the last show that will air, to my understanding, before we find out if there is a Season 3, we’re building our show up to basically Episode 16 being our big season finale. So, our last episode we air in March before we go on hiatus will be a big one.”
Our conversation also covered the devotion and loyalty that we have seen between characters; specifically, the recent revelations of J.T.’s guilt over what happened to Vincent. “This season, its theme is ‘Who Am I?’ Its sub-theme is redemption and making amends. Much like Gabe’s been trying to make amends, certainly Vincent’s going to start trying to make amends for frankly, the poor choice he made in Episode 8. J.T. is trying to make amends, first by admitting what he did. Admitting what you did is only the first half of the journey. The se
cond half of the journey is trying to make living amends for what he did. So, his help for Vincent through his journey, certainly once he’s separated from Cat, is going to be part and parcel with him trying to make amends for what he feels very guilt-ridden about. We have a very important scene in Episode 12 that brings all that out,” Kern explained.
With “Who Am I” being a theme for Season 2, might Kern and the show’s writers have a plan for Season 3 if there should be one? “I have the question to ask, which is ‘Who Are We?’ Because if Season 2 was all about ‘Who Am I’ as far as separate individuals finding themselves separately and coming back together again: Look, it’s no big spoiler that Vincent and Cat get back together again. It’s called Beauty and the Beast. But the point was to take them apart to bring them back together again to make them stronger, separately as well as a couple. Therefore, Season 3 now becomes ‘Who Are We’,” he declared. (On the subject of “we”s, by the way, we asked if there’s a chance for J.T. and Tess as a couple. Kern replied with “I will say…. Yes.”)
In the end, the producers of Beauty and the Beast are aware that the fan base has their worries. “Obviously, we’re aware of their concerns. We’re aware that they don’t like Vincent and Cat separate, but I think the faith that we as writers and producers are asking them to take is that when you break something apart, you build it back together again, bigger and stronger and more romantic than ever, and that’s why we look at it as a season story. I mean, in this era of instant gratification, the challenge in doing a series is to make loyal audiences feel rewarded for their investment and their time, and you really can’t do that by giving the candy every week. You have to do it, again, thinking of the big picture: Grow with the characters, have faith that we’re going to reward you, the audience, with your patience and sharing the journey with us, and that’s a promise I can assure them that we will be keeping,” Kern said.
Encouraged? Disappointed? Leave your comments below! A new episode of Beauty and the Beast airs Monday, January 20 on The CW.
75 Comments
Thank you soooo much for this article. My hope has just been restored!
Brad kern I’m hoping ur long term plan for batb will be a success! Good luck to you! I’m tired if watching a show the theme is she love me she love me not!! Your rewards to ur loyal viewers might be too late brad kern! Ur show is sinking havent u check the USA rating lately?
That’s only semi-encouraging, honestly. I don’t think Mr. Kern gets *why* Beasties have been so upset. It isn’t the separation so much as *how* it has happened. They could still have done the amnesia route without Vincent ending up acting like a jerk a lot of time, and he has been recently. Beasties have also complained about there not being enough JT onscreen.
I don’t know how much Vincent remembers about himself. And if I’m right that he’s still missing a lot, they need to remind the audience that this is still the case. But it’s been hard to know – because sometimes he’s been acting like he still doesn’t remember a lot and sometimes he does, so his behavior is confusing and inconsistent.
Anger at all that’s happened to him is normal. The guy got screwed. Anger amplified by the animal instincts displaying as Beast rage is also to be expected. But none of his behavior with at least *partial memories* of who he is should happen in any way that makes once-loyal Beasties say “Good riddance and I never want him with Cat again.” It breaks my heart to see a fandom that was such a positive place last season become as unhappy and divided as it is now.
It’s very encouraging. I knew this season would be a journey and I know VinCat will find their way back to each other.
I hope Brad and the writers stop making Vincent a jerk. What attracted fans to the show wasn’t only a love story but the detective stories. If Brad wants another season for the fans they need to make a lot of changes and quick.
Search for “Letters to Brad Kern” tread on Google. Now I know how Charmed fans felt. It’s not even the ratings. I haven’t bought any episodes from itunes this season. Not one replay on the CW website.
I used to watch season 1 a lot on netflix but this season has tainting my view of season 1. Vincent is so creepy now.
Her apt had so much warmth in s1. Look at Return of Saturn. It was lovely with gold and clay colors. Cat glowed in her apt shots. Why did they make her apt so cold and barren. There’s absolutely no sanctuary in season 2. Roof, also tainted. Invansion of the body snatchers in season 2.
We’re tards, minus Jt. They’ve all acted like tards. Vincent is the King of tard.
All the people killed and shipped off from season 1, Joe, Heather etc are on better shows. They dodged a bullet.
Thanks for the article. I have to agree with others here that the problem was never the separation of VinCat it’s HOW they did it. By utterly destroying just about everything we loved about the characters and the relationship between VinCat. They essentially said, forget about Season 1 and everything you loved about it. Mr. Kern may have had good intentions for longevity for the show but he totally destroyed the very essence of what most fans loved about it in the first place. Vincent is a big jerk who doesn’t deserve Catherine. The strong willed Catherine is now a shell of herself. Tess is barely around and has no story line to speak of and JT is hardly there and even when he is, why the heck haven’t they even touched up on the JT/Vincent bromance yet. Where is the romance? Vincat’s relationship is a toxic mess with all the violence, lies, and cheating. Bringing in worthless characters like Tori did nothing but drive viewers away. I don’t think there will be a season 3 and that’s a shame because this show had so much potential. There is no way the ratings will improve dramatically from now until Episode 16. It’s way too late. The changes they made were too dramatic and pushed many fans and potential new viewers away. Sad.
I trust the writers and producers, they need to create drama in order to hold the audience, but we had so few VinCat moments this season and it looks like they only getting back together in ep16, I just hope they have a lot more special moments for VinCat in this season, miss that
OVERWHELMINGLY happy about what he had to say! and may I shout THANK YOU for asking! for being so wonderful to our beloved show! Wow, did you just make my night, my week, my month. Thank you so incredibly much for sharing this. I am happy!
But I have to ask…..What does your wife think about this news? Is she happy? Still mad about the storyline? Willing to have faith? OMG I will not sleep tonight! LOL!
Love sesaon1 ur right brad kern kill charmed before now his tryiNg to kill beauty and beast !! Dear Brad,
I just to enjoy Charmed, even looked forward to the new episodes. But no, you had to ruin it. By letting the show stagger to a weak ending, you have totally killed it. Thanks, Loser. Now instead of a great plot, interesting characters, and cool music, we get Titties! and Bimbo the Supertard! and Demon of the Week! and a Doltsicle! – none of which I actually care about.
Loser. Get a spine. Kill the show.
Spitefully yours,
pengbear
These comments are LAUGHABLE to me; the fact that some CLEARLY don’t like the show anymore, and STILL feel the need to talk about it…SMH. I LOVE this show, Jay Ryan and Kristin Kreuk’s chemistry is ON POINT even when they are at odds with each other! Brad Kern BRING IT!
Larissa love and watch ur show now! Cuz we know soon will laugh at u if breatty and the beast will killed off on air by cw also!! For now they keep you hanging they don’t want to announce it yet but to us who watch charmed for long time we know the tactics of cw!! So by that time were even laughing what brad kern did to ur show batb!!!
Thank you for this article.
Personally S2 of Beauty and the Beast is amazing. I have enjoyed every episode and cannot wait for episode 10.
I have faith in the writers and producers and they are doing an amazing job. I think the ratings have nothing to do with the quality of the show. I know for sure been a huge fan of the show its the lack of promotion and allocated slot that’s not helping.
To blame Vincent for all the wrong doings and accuse his character for been this & that is totally unfair. His actions are totally justifiable considering what he has been through. I love and support the show 100% and I just wish fans would keep an open and be patient as our VinCat will get back together.
Mr Kern is not saying anything different from what he’s been saying, really. His new direction was a mistep & gr8ly wounded this show and I sense arrogance and lack of responsibility. Glad episode b/f next hiatus is written as a season finale. It may very well b series finale. At least they care enough 2 give fans that.
Those who know me will know that from the beginning of Season 2 I have loved the writing. Whilst I don’t like to see Vincat apart, I have always understood and fought hard with other Beasties to explain for the LONGEVITY of the show there needs to be drama and that Vincat needed to separate to appreciate what they have and like Brad says come back STRONGER together. I’m THANKFUL that the new writing team have had the GUTS to do this and leave the show with a good place to go for Season 3. If everything had stayed “nicey nice” we would be in no position for a Season 3 at all. Real life is a rollercoaster with ups and downs and I have enjoyed the ride in both S1 and S2 for different reasons. My only HOPE is that CBS/The CW give the writers the chance to see through their long term plan and give us a Season 3.
Those who know me will know that from the beginning of Season 2 I have loved the writing. Whilst I don’t like to see Vincat apart, I have always understood and fought hard with other Beasties to explain for the LONGEVITY of the show there needs to be drama and that Vincat needed to separate to appreciate what they have and like Brad says come back STRONGER together. I’m THANKFUL that the new writing team have had the GUTS to do this and leave the show with a good place to go for Season 3. If everything had stayed “nicey nice” we would be in no position for a Season 3 at all. Real life is a rollercoaster with ups and downs and I have enjoyed the ride in both S1 and S2 for different reasons. My only HOPE is that CBS/The CW give the writers the chance to see through their long term plan and give us a Season 3″ On a final note: I understand people want Vincat together but if they want ALL romance they need to start watching Hallmark – this is The CW! Apologies if I’ve offended anyone.
I like the new direction of story I hope to have a 3rd season. The nielsen ratings have many gaps and they are not the absolute true! #BATB likes and it has many fans especially outside I live in Italy and we are in many people that watching this amazing show so Spain, France, UK ecc.
this is nearly certainly the last season of the show. i am glad there will be closure. there are plenty of episodes left to bring back the magic and i think they will now start doing that – episode 10 onwards. people talk about character assassination. Both characters have been through so much that naturally this will affect how they feel and act towards each other. the journey to rediscover themselves and their connection will start now and provided it is done well and by the end of it i am convinced about their growth individually and as a couple i am happy.
I am very happy and I really like the TV series BATB and hope to see even the 3 season, the actors are very good, and Jay Ryan is very good and sexy
thanks for the article! I’m sure there will be a great end to the season vincat! but we want the third season!! please do it for us fans!!!
we want the third season!! please do it for us fans!!!Please don’t stop our dream!!!!<3 love #BATB
I don’t get the negativity at all!! I adored the first Season of #BATB it captured my heart completely and utterly! Season 2 is yes entirely different in feel from the first BUT it needed to be in order for it to give it LONGEVITY (which is surely what the ultimate aim is for everyone!) I DO have FAITH in the writers and Brad Kern! I firmly believe that they will deliver on their promise of VinCat back together and STRONGER than ever!I hope that The CW /CBS have the Faith and Belief in #BATB to give it it’s third season it deserves. Going on what Brad says in this interview S3 would be ALL about VinCat TOGETHER! and that is what ALL #Beasties WANT!
I made the mistake of reading comments posted by ‘fans’ on IMDb and almost didn’t watch ‘Don’t Die on Me’ because the comments were so negative. I decided to watch the episode all the same and did not regret it a bit. It was really good! I understand that this is meant to be a journey and we all do and say stupid things when we are in love and hurt. I do not have any problems with the separation and cannot think how else the writers could have kept them apart in order to explore the theme ‘Who am I?’ if VinCat were still together. We all know that Catherine would invest a lot of her time in Vincent rather than herself if there were still the emotional ties from season 1 which would make this a very one-sided relationship IMO.
Romance? Really guys? This guy has lost his memory and cannot remember this girl who claims their love is ‘meant to be’ – he does not even know who she is! Imagine a stranger coming to you and telling you that you are the love of their life but you just don’t remember it! Yes, as viewers we remember their journey, their amazing love in season 1 but Vincent DOESN’T. Maybe once he gets that time to sit down since Muirfield is out of the picture and think, then his heart will guide him. I believe his heart knows Cat but we need to give him that space and time to get to that realization on his own.
Speaking for myself of course – I LOVE season 2 and what the writers have done with it. Each episode is just a piece of the puzzle which will give us a full picture in due course if we have the patience to ride this out. As Brad Kern said, it is a journey so BRING IT!
Ridiculous. Basically he said nothing and he still doesn’t understand why the fans are leaving the show. It was never about splitting VinCat, but how low they stoop to do so. It’s about the characters’ assassination this season so amazingly gifted us. It’s about making Vincent lose his memories and tell us he’ll never have it back. It’s about making JT a dispensable character with no screentime. It’s about transforming Catherine in a weak and easily mislead character. It’s about making Vincent a cheating and abusive jerk. Obviously, Kern doesn’t know a thing about his own fanbase to still have this arrogant position even facing an early cancellation. Now, he says episode 16 will be written like a season finale. So there’s your answer about the show’s faith, beasties. The show will be cancelled and our great reward for all our loyalty and hard work is having VinCat back together in the last episode. Pathetic.
ADOROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ESTA SERIE, BASICAMENTE APAIXONEIMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE POR VINCAT estes 2 têm uma quimca de meter inveja :) espero ansionsamente que decidam uma 3 temporada , vou torcer por isso ;)
Season1 gained momentum with fans at Saturn Returns. SIMPLE story lines like Cat’s birthday party, her father’s wedding, Valentines day, meeting Family for dinner and celebrating an anniversary all came with their own difficulties that were amazing to watch but most importantly RELATEABLE. Vincent trying to do simple normal things become extraordinary. I was hoping to get to know more of each character with flashbacks? S2 could have been back stories to enrich each beloved character. Vincent would be then reaching out to family and contemplating independence. cat would still have been dealing with balancing her life. Separating them, sure, but then JT And Tess were to be the ones to provide their support respectfully and lovingly! I guess I am still stuck at what happened in the missing 3 months Vincent was gone. I am sticking with BATB thru and thru but dissappointed they came to an identity crises with what this show is about.
They didn’t leave space for Evan to come back….Disappointed…:(
I’m one who is disappointed in the dark direction of Vincent in S2. Separation and self discovery is fine. Violence and a cold hearted Vincent is not. His treatment of Cat is unforgivable. The demotion of JT and Tess to minor characters is sad. I personally did not like the memory loss idea. My preference is to have Vincent remember his best friend, JT, and of course, Catherine. I don’t think the first 8 episodes got us anywhere. It was “beast of the week”. Hopefully, the story will improve going forward. Of critical importance is promotion of the show by CW. The ratings and timeslot are very bad. There is little advertising of the show, the mythology and the adventure to come. Do you think beasties can really recruit enough viwers? I’m not hopeful of a renewal based on ratings and hiatus plans. Sincerely hope that this show can resurrect itself in the coming episodes and that CW will give this show a fighting chance by teasing the adventure and redemption to come.
I have to say, I’m enjoying too much this second season. It is true that it’s darker, but we need to see the ugly parts of the personality of each character that we see the nice ones. Also, the actors’ growth has been in a spectacular pogresion, every week better than the last.
I just don’t understand why people don’t watch show live.
After reading this interview, Mr. Kern not has encouraged me very much, on the contrary. Because all I see is that we will be lucky if we manage to finish with 22 episodes.
I agree with Laura. Beauty And The Beast was and is a beautiful fairy tale…abt the magic of love, that scoops us away from everyday reality routine. And it’s absolutely right that the show wasn’t about VinCat only. The remarkable ensemble of characters/actors in season 1,a colorful storyline and a good deal of humor drove the audience to the series. Now…it’s ALL GONE.
Only splits, splits,splits as Bred said…Splits in everything! I am disappointed.And it burns my heart… because I LOVE Beauty And The Beast! And want it to be the BEST SHOW!I wish the writers/directors/producers would have listened to us, the audience, abt what we want to see in BATB!
Thank you for a great article & I love Brad Kern’s thought process on keeping our beloved show going.For those doubters – first of all I loved Charmed & I know it had its ups & downs but I understood. Yes Beauty and the Beast is the original Disney love story & in true Disney fashion – that’s all it ever was. Because I loved S1 I wondered how they were going to keep the story going when we got S2 – it couldn’t keep going as a soppy love story – there would be no legs. So it was a real shocker but wow has it opened up so much – I can’t wait for the next episode & I watch each episode over & over because you can’t take it all in the first time. To me as a viewer the fact that Brad Kern & the writers are keeping me enthralled & looking long term is fantastic news. Bring on Episode 10 & 11 & 12 …….. on & on. One thing that does amaze me – to all those negative & anti posters – why – if you hate this show BATB & the writers so much, do you keep posting on every article that is written about Beauty and the Beast? It wouldn’t be by chance that something keeps pulling you back to the show? After all the opposite of hate is love isn’t it?
On the subject of Man or Beast, they had already introduced the idea that Vincent was degenerating in DNA in S1. Rather than memory lost, Vincent struggling with a slow burn of losing control in ordinary life would have been more heartbreaking. Cat and JT would have still had to watch Vincent SLOWLY lose his memory of both of them and the race against time would be the drama. I had mentioned before of the symbolic red rose and it’s falling petals, one theme in the original fairytale was time ticking away.
Nicely said, Bailey! While I am looking forward to the upcoming episodes, I too felt the show has gone too dark..BUT am keeping faith for what is to come. And yes what is so critical for us is the promotion of the episodes and the show in general. We need that to move on to Season 3!! Which is ultimately the goal!! Encouraged we will now see C&V moving back together! THANKS!
I’ve watched S2 eps several times just to be clear & fair about my comments. First, thank you Mr. Brad Kern for understanding that you have to give what little fans you have left what they want. We’ve lost a lot of viewers primarily because BeautyandtheBeast is not your Typical show that the couple can bounce around and break up. Sorry, this couple has to stay together or show is ruined. Problems yes, solving them together is what we expect. However, since they are apart it’s critical they continue to interact the majority of every episode. This is what pulled your audience in. If this show was titled anything else huh we could care less how often they broke up. The matter of fact we’ll rush back the next week to see who the new man/woman will be this time.. I love that you & your crew quickly changed some of the scripts to fix this.. Thank You again.. in all due honesty.
Once again thank you Craig for your seeking out information on our beloved show. I really enjoyed the last episode and felt like I crossed over a mountaintop of sorts. I think the point BK misses is as some of the above have mentioned- There are many ways to have cause a split between Vincent and Catherine without going so unhealthy in the relationship. They could have had Vincent shove JT instead of Catherine–it would have been horrible and shocking but not crossed a line that should not be crossed by the hero of a story geared toward women. That said I love the cast and crew of this show and feel excited about the next episodes. I trust the cast to bring performances that make us all believe again and stronger–I see a light at the end of this tunnel and it is looking very good to me. Hang in there beasties.
Ditto Dickens on all your thoughts. ..I too would have liked the split to have gone a little differently! I understand & appreciate everyone’s point of view….and we all have some different perspectives..Of course, normal, there too, if we all liked or viewed things the same way that would be very uninteresting!!
To reiterate our common goal is supporting these incredible actors, writers, crew! And YES Season 3!!! We do have an amazing show, even with the times I know I am sad, confused, heartbroken. It would not be such an AMAZING show without evoking all these emotional. We do have controversy, action, fun, suspense, romance, and always the epic love! ..
Thanks!
Dashing CRAIG!! YOU ARE THE MAN! YOU ROCK the #Beasties World! THANK you very much for cornering Kern and asking all these questions!
Okay here I go again. This is the second attempt to post a comment first one kind of disappeared into cyber space. I really poured my heart out here and I admit it felt good to share all the emotions that have been building up.
I relate to and appreciate the disappointment and almost agony I feel expressed by some fans who feel betrayed by the shows direction. I too felt real pain at the disappearance of some the beautiful “MOMENTS” in season one. I was shocked and recoiled at some of the characters choices and actions in season two. It was uncomfortable and really unfamiliar. We as fans saw many of our beloved characters and familiar places disappear and I know I started to feel uneasy and hurt. But I never thought of not watching. In fact the more I watched the more I realized that this new journey had positive direction and if I really wanted to see my beloved show grow and flourish then this was the correct path to take. Watching the events of season two I saw the growth and the opening up of so many avenues. Improvement YES! Excitement YES! Did I enjoy VINCAT apart NO! But I saw the potential of what was to come.
I have to admit I have never ever been so attached to a TV show before, I have never been part of a FANDOM and I have never been on TWITTER! BATB just connected with me in a way NO OTHER SHOW EVER HAS!
When the threat of cancellation started to be mentioned I have to admit I actually felt physical pain and I started to feel depressed and felt this agonizing sense of loss. This show and it’s characters have such an unusual grip on me.
I will NEVER EVER give up on BATB and I will fight for it. I’m hoping that the fans that felt such disappointment will please give BATB another chance. PLEASE come back with an open mind and maybe just maybe we will win you back! Don’t give up on us we will never give up on you.
I enjoyed reading this article, I am very hopeful. I love BATB and the direction the writers and producers have taken this season. Life is full of ups and downs, it’s not romance 24/7, so no one can expect them to do that with BATB, especially in regards to what Vincent has been through and Catherine too. I love the show and love season 2 just as much as season 1 and will keep watching because I’ve always understood the story the writers and producers were and are trying to tell. I know it’s hard for some fans to watch, but you just have to be patient and keep the faith. All the shows on the CW and other networks don’t have the romance all the time, there needs to be drama in order to keep the show interesting. Keeping the faith for a season 3!!!
I love this series, there is everything you need
suspense thriller mythology adventure and friendship above all love
I hope in series 3
I agree with Laura, in that Mr Kern is still not addressing r even realizing why so many fans left. It was not the fact of struggle nor separation of VinCat. It was abt the low level these characters and this show which was so beautiful STOOPED 2. The lines that were crossed that were totally unnecessary and even distasteful especially to females….physical abuse, trite male fantasies and disrespect. Somehow I hope after all this damage the love once recaptured will feel genuine and as beautiful as it was and it’s characters were in S1. What VinCat had was so unique to tv and it was trashed and made into every other bad show on tv. I fell in love with them and this show but I’m realistic. The writing is on the wall. And so many r in my opinion now just living in denial, holding on when it’s probably already to late to save it.
Brad Kern’s comments sound great if the show doesn’t get cancelled.If it does,then he is directly responsible for ruining a great show.I don’t really even like the characters anymore,the things they do to each other.This show is suppose to be romance and mythology,but it is not.
I truly believe that if Jennifer Levin and Sherri Cooper were the showrunners this season, we would not be in this horrible predicament. Yes Monday night did not help, but a fan of #BATB would watch any night any time b/c of r passion and love for r beloved story and characters. These ladies truly know the heart of a #Beastie and I believe genuinely care and love the fanbase. Mr. Kern it seems still hasn’t got a clue. And now it’s like cleaning up debris after a storm and trying to make it nice and pretty again b/f time runs out.
Every time Brad Kern opens his mouth, I get angry! He doesn’t have a clue why people are upset and have stopped watching the show!!! It’s NOT that VinCat are not together, but because of:
-the drastic changes in the show
-drastic changes in their characters; that is, character assassination, thereby making Vincent and Cat so unlikeable and unrecognizable!
-going way too far; that is, Vincent pushing Cat, Gabriella sex scene, kissing Tori and the list keeps getting bigger!
-VinCAt already have so many obstacles to have tension, more than any other couple in the history of television shows, so why have love triangles?!?!?
-and now they’re not together, the things they’ll be doing (with other people) while they’re apart. I’ve seen the promo for next episode and it looks horrendous with Vincent kissing some woman and Cat kissing about 2 men!! They obviously haven’t learnt from fans’ outrage over the Alex mess!
So far, from many comments, people want to see a show in which the couple is ‘safe’ from love triangles, in which they couple stays true to each other no matter what. Brad Kern and others have tarnished a love story that started out so good and pure and had substance and quality….integrity and so on. For me, there’s NOTHING there anymore.
One of the reasons why ratings are so low, is because we heard about the Tori arc in the summer and turned people off, especially after the Alex story. I know people who were NOT one bit interested in watching after hearing the news about Tori. BatB is no longer that special and unique show about loving someone and accepting that person beyond the physical, but it’s the inner beauty that counts. It should have been a lesson for young men and women about what love truly is and how to treat each other. Now, BatB is like other shows …..cheap, common and tasteless, in my opinion. Brad Kern and others OBVIOUSLY don’t have a clue!
Mr Kern….I amazes me that you took the most ageless, timeless, epic love story and completely destroyed it. The show was called Beauty and the Beast…it is and always was about star-crossed, undying love against all odds….all odds. Your have destroyed the heart and soul of the show…Vincent…you took his signature scar, his “lost boy” hair, his innocence and nobility….everything that was loved about him. You made Vincent the bad guy and that creepy, stalker Gabe the good guy…he should have stayed dead…he serves no purpose in the show…except to stalk Cat. You took the love of Vincent and Catherine…who would do anything for each other and always save each other and would never do the brutal things to each other that season 2 brought…never. Of course, there has to be conflict for a show to survive…but you went beyond conflict to brutality, meanness and stupidity. You made Catherine and especially Vincent into people they would never have become…not ever. On top of the inconsistencies and flaws in the story we also have the CW network not airing any reruns for the entire months of Aug and Sept…and then not giving the show a decent amount of promos. I have to wonder why….Beauty and the Beast would have been a winner if it was just given a fair chance. Instead it was destroyed from within. Jennifer and Sherri …how could you let this happen.
I don’t find these words encouraging. And Brad Kern still doesn’t seem to understand how much he has hurt the show, so much that I am really scared about a S3. Fans loved S1 Vincent and Cat , the way they loved each other and their personalities . Brad changed both of them comepletely , a bad change. He transformed them into cold mean people. And again we got love triangles . And we got Gabe back , the mean Gabe , suddenly being a nice guy , creeping us out watching him smiling at Cat in each single episode.
Sadly if the show doesn’t survive we can blame Brad and his great new ideas. Of course he will probably get a new job for the CW , so no big deal for him. But Beasties will lost their show forever. I still hope this doesn’t happen, I hope all the PCA voting helps and that CW gives a S3 with the writers moving the show back into the right direction. If we get back the love and sweetness of S1 , we can get a stronger S3. Still can happen, if Brad ” gets it”.
I am truly amazed with all the negative answers to this article. If anything is hurting the show it’s all these people pulling it apart, and turning everyone away from watching it. Personally I think moving it to Mondays was the worst thing the CW could do. Mondays has not been good for any of their shows for a couple of years now, its getting to be like Fridays. As far as season 2 is concerned I’m more than willing to follow Vincat’s struggles to find their way back to each other, no matter what they may be. I have loved this show since day one and will continue to do so . I don’t find Vincent to be a jerk, he’s been changed, he’s still the victim here no matter what. It would have got somewhat boring without problems between them, true love never runs smooth, making up is always the best, and it can be fun seeing their jealous reactions to others in their lives. I look forward to future episodes, hopefully more J.T and Tess too. I am and will always be a true fan, complaining only hurts this wonderful show.
My heart is breaking! I fought so hard to get a S/2 (Tweeted, petitioned, voted, purchased). I Hosted a BATB party @ my house when S/2 premiered and invited my non-Beastie friends, Mr. Kern’s words are not encouraging. To say epi 16 is being built up as if it were the season finally makes me want to cry. The action and special effects this year are definitely better, I’m even okay with the “trouble in paradise” scenario (but not Tori). Cat, was somewhat fractured(emotionally) b4 Vin, but he helped her learn how to love unconditionally “fanatically, like us”. To say that they will get back together, EVENTUALLY, stronger & better sounds good but when one person has a very clear memory of what they shared and all they went thru/for each other, and the other basically is starting from scratch, i can’t see that. He can’t possible understand what she feels. With all the choices he’s made because of these lapses, as a woman(and that’s what most of the fans are), there is no way he would be back in my life any time soon.There isn’t enough empathy in the world to put myself in that position again at-least maybe not for years. Once trust is broken it takes time to be regained. There isn’t that much time btwn now and March. You’re gonna have to pull off a miracle and promote it heavily. I will continue to love, support and rally for my favorite show for a season 3. Thank You Mr. Byrne for this post. Let’s get the word out.
Look, I don’t mind the negativity. Being a true fan doesn’t mean we have to like everything the show is doing. I’m a fan of the show even if I’m unhappy with a lot of what is going on with Season 2 and feel like what Brad Kern and Co. have done to the show is destroy it thereby guaranteeing we are most certainly cancelled. I don’t get why those of us who are expressing dissatisfaction with the show are accused of not being “true fans”. A lot of us expressing our concerns on blogs or articles means we DO CARE about the show or we wouldn’t be taking the time to post our thoughts. There is nothing wrong with people expressing their concerns about the show, it’s healthy to disagree and I think helpful for TPTB to see what a lot of fans are feeling. I don’t agree with what everyone has to say, but I appreciate their comments and it helps me to see the other side sometimes.
Thanks Craig for getting Mr. Kern to answer a few questions. You are one of the few entertainment media outlets talking ‘Beauty and the Beast’ despite its recent 2 PCA award win. It’s quite sad, really. Anyway, thanks you’re the BEST!
I’m ready to let bygones be bygones. Yes, I agree, this season has been hit & miss and I’m pretty sure by now ‘The Powers That Be’ know it so, I’m ready to just put it all behind me and move forward. I can’t wait to watch this seasons’ remaining ‘BATB’ episodes and I’m going to savor every moment these wonderful actors, cast, & crew create. I’m sure that if some of that ‘magic spark’ which made us Beasites so passionate about this show ignites once again, ‘fans will come’. I don’t know if it will be too late or not but, then again, I didn’t think this show would win 2 “Peoples Choice Awards” this year so…’Fairytales’ can come true ;)
I love show to BATB….. I hope so if get 3 season try keep up ratting. They will back together cat/vin
I really love that Brad took the time to answer these questions. I have been a huge fan from the promotion of season 1. But I really think season 2 has raised the bar to 10. Do I miss them romantically in love and together yes but the depth of the character development has been amazing.Vincent has gone thrkugh something life changing again, been there my self, and he needs to come out the other end. He will find himself again and he, along with them will be 10x stronger. Season one by the end was getting a little repetative and i am glad they mixed it up. I watch tv for drama, romance and fantacy. This sbow now has all of it and much more than season one. Great job BATB staff and Brad Kern. n’t wait for some seriously make up “””””””. It will be EPIC I am sure.
We are still being fed that storyline is for LONGEVITY of show? Yet 16 not 22 is being written as the finale now. GROW with the characters? Yet characters have literally been assassinated. SEASON 3 becomes “Who Are We”? Short of a miracle or act of Congress…thus giving false hope to fans who have given their hearts to this show to only have theirs broken. I can’t listen to this BS anymore. All u can do now Mr. Kern is scramble as quickly as u can back to what we fell in love with so we fans have some type of closure.
Closure as in healing after a traumatic event. #BATB
Ditto, Charity!
Great interview. I love romance and BATB is it. Today, I don’t see shows with this approach. Thanks, this will reducing my anxiety to next episodes.
Thanks Charity for comment above. The misconceptions continue:
a ) Unhappy does NOT mean we do not care, we care sooo much
b) true fans do not just want kissing scenes, I would believe we are much more intelligent than that
c) S1 only introduced the characters, we know Cat ‘s story but I hardly know Vincent , JT and Tess
d) you build on first foundation and build from it, add to it in wonderful layers, not destroy it
e) this show can really lead in setting better examples of how we should be. No other show goes there. We are there to be inspired. That is why this show does well internationally. If the changes represent USA mindset, pls leave it behind.
a proud Canadian fan
Does this mean they were gonnna go there with Tori but since the series is pretty much cancelled, they had to cut it short? Was Tori going to be his short term, much younger girl friend for most of season 2? Inquiring minds wanna know.
Ratings started dropping a year ago because fans couldn’t handle the Alex arc. To be fair, it was very badly written and Alex’ character was nothing short of stupid creepy. The biggest mistake The CW made was to listen to the fans too much, drop all developing story not related to Vincat and go full steam ahead with the lead couple. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out the network mandated this. Everything was building up nicely, it took half a season for THE kiss, then suddenly a complete change of direction. Evan was killed and Vincat were romping between the sheets two episodes later. Ratings have been steadily dropping ever since.
Season 2 is a huge improvement over Season 1, but it’s not without poignant flaws. The budget is obviously bigger. Vincent finally got a haircut. The Frankenstein prosthetics have been replaced with CGI. I haven’t decided about the scar. Catherine is finally drawing the line, no longer giving up her entire life and all non-Beast relationships to support Vincent’s drama. Good thing too, because Vincent has become a borderline abusive, self-absorbed, ass. Did they wipe his personality when they erased his memory? I’m glad he is more confident and less mopey, but he treats Catherine like a piece of ass now, instead of his true love. Where did the respect go?
Tori has been an amazing addition to the show and kudos to Amber Skye Noyes for bringing her to life. However, casting deserves a spanking for going with red hair again. It didn’t occur to anyone that hiring another actress with long red hair would bring back bad Alex memories? Tori is so much more interesting, written and acted so much better, but some traumatized fans didn’t stick around to see it.
Gabe is Evan reincarnate, minus the sexy accent. It’s so obvious that he’s been given Evan’s story, he’s even repeating some of Evan’s lines from Season 1. Evan was the man side of the man vs. beast conflict that was in development before The CW ordered full steam Vincat. They can’t give that role to Gabe because he was, and I’m still not convinced that he isn’t still, a beast. One of the best scenes in Season 1, Emmy worthy in my opinion, was the confrontation between Vincent and Evan on the subway train. Give Gabe the non-recycled story that he deserves and bring Evan back to explore his.
Tess has become a shell of herself since breaking up with cheater Joe. What exactly is the message there? She needs her own story and maybe a little JT on the side to keep us laughing.
Finally, fix the damn plot holes! Asking us to ignore little things is one thing, but when the hole is big enough to threaten Earth’s gravity, it becomes insulting. Beasties are devoted, but they’re not stupid.
I have faith in the writers and I like where Season 2 is going but there’s still a lot of room for improvement. This article gave me hope, so thank you for posting it. I’m a true fan. I’m not going anywhere.
What happened Vincent and Tori’s animal attraction while still in human form? I love how Tori was kneading Vincents wrist area like it was a piece of dough. So unintentionally funny.
I think there is no doubt that anyone who watches this show gets caught! I am like many others who have watched tv for years but never really got invested in a show like BATB. I too joined twitter just so I could get more involved! I can spend hours on twitter talking to random people all over the world who share the same love and devotion to this show. I too am committed to the end, no matter what has been thrown at us.
In saying that however, I too am disappointed, not in the overall vision, as I think that the vision was good and had a lot of merit. I think on paper the vision for this season and for seasons after convinced many people that it could and Should have worked. So much so that the budget for the show was increased. The fatal flaw I think was an assumption that no matter what the writer’s threw at the fans, we would take it as long as we kept being told, as we are now, that Vincent and Catherine will be together in the end, and it would be better and stronger and come along for the ride, they are destined by more than just love. Once the episodes started airing, then it was evident by episode 2 of this season, that many fans were not responding. It was after that episode that many, many fans started commenting on every site the unhappiness and wrongness they were feeling, not about the vision but about the delivery. I think the writers did not respect what the fans were feelling and the ratings continued to get decline. There have been many good things about this season. I personally love the who am I and each character having to develop who they are, but again the delivery has left so many fans unsatisfied and upset. Again with the love triangles; does discovering who you really are come with love triangles? We should not be where we are right now; fear of having an amazing show cancelled.
Everyone attached to this show has talent, in my view, but to really see that talent, we need to have a show that respects what the fans are feeling and respect the essence of the show. Somewhere along the lines, that essence has been lost, even though we know that we will see the return of the epic love. We should have been able to see that amazing vision happen in a natural, evolving way that would have left everyone satisfied, like they were last year. Everything that happened this year could have been done without the extremes that we have seen. People can do change, but small gradual changes over time is what works.
I appreciate what Brad Kerns had to say as I appreciate his vision-I think finally we are getting back to what made this show such a success last year and that is an appreciation of the fans-not that fans get everything they want-but a consideration of how passionate and committed we are to the show. Making assumptions make an ASS out of U and Me.
Thank u for giving a half encouraging words mr kern! Show business is business right? In the end ratings will be the factor on how cw decide! If I were u give the candy now to the beaties specially watching live!! After ur hiatus do really beleive that mark p will give the rest of the season if ur rating is .03 ? You might be too late for the race to push the rating if u will be thinking when ur gonna give ur candy!!
To be honest the only reason I watch now is because im curious 2 see how the magic of VinCat will return. Hope that’s not an epic fail 2. Mr Kern take a hint serve up the candy by Valentine’s Day. Ur plan wasn’t problem, delivery was. U’ve effectively caused the demise of a wonderful show. It saddens alll who loved it.
Love my show….
I love all the comments. I’m mostly thankful that as this classic show near it’s end, the showrunner will give the fans a little of what we want. That is for Vincent and Catherine to reconnect and be the perfect example of Love. I look at BATB as a franchise. For example, you can’t open a new Mcdonalds and start serving pizza. There are franchise guidelines to follow. You can’t remake Superman or Batman & remove all the elements that fans loved about it. You have to change the name. Not being critical but S2 took a “Tale as old as time” and turned it into Jerry Springer or should I say that Jersey Shore reality show. I’ve exaggerated a bit but I think you get the point. Vincent has had more women than a lot of these trashy shows I’ve heard about.. He’s had at least 5 in a 1.5yr period. He’s Epic alright. Mr Epic Casanova.. However, I love my show. don’t get me wrong. I will forever cherish both seasons. Oh just so you’ll know, when they added Tori in for Vincent to play around with. I begged for a cancellation of Beauty and the Beast. It was just down right scandalous at that point. To give Vincent so young chick that’s 6yrs younger than Catherine & 8yrs younger than him. I said this cannot be aired. Never in all human history has a BATB been made and the beauty was done that way. But fortunately there’s only a few more eps with her. Amber is a sweet actress, this has zero to do with her. We’re talking characters. Had to get that out..
Love my show…. hope to get all 22 Episodes because I’m paid up. Bought the Pass.
CA, good point above about consistency and continuity. Gradual change is good for growth, but You can’t pull the carpet underneath you and expect to stand on stronger legs. I feel lost and can ‘t find something to hold on to! Memory lost means you are asking us to forget all before? The longevity you wish is based on a stronger foundation. All you can do here is start again?
I join in on the tweeting, watch live on both Sundays and Mondays, follow writers, cast and crew, then download each ep. So as a true active fan, I can still speak to unhappiness and worry. As mentioned before I am sticking to BATB thru and thru but saddened if it ends due confidence and conviction issues of who you are.
Vincent and Tori, obviously FWB. They sure acted like F-Buddies. Cat kissing Gabe was obviously a thank you kiss.
Vincent is a happy murderer now. Hes so gross. Thank you Brad Kern for ruining this fairy-tale. Don’t you wish Charmed was on now so he can keep ruining that show instead of this?
Please send Vincent to Jersey Shore to live out his days, fist pumping, bedding all woman that crosses his path. I hear there are lots of gyms. He looked especially orange on the view. Easy on the spray tan buddy.
Thank you Craig Byrne for publishing this story. And thank you Anita, Chairy, Maureen and Paints for your so true comments. I am so disapointed in the story line. Two weeks in a row where the story lines are so detached. Vincent announces he’s back on TV and all the ladies can talk about is how handsome he is??? that was crap – family, friends – I am back, help me with my memory! – maybe that was a route to go. And this whole VinCat story line is so off the rails. Who am I? is all over the place. At this point, I would think, Cat would never want this guy back. Losing his memory has made him an ass – his comments to Cat are ones that you can’t take back and think that you will get back together. I miss the love so much – BATB is becoming just another cop show on TV that I don’t watch in the first place. I need love and romance, not killings and mayhem. I can get that on all the other channels.
Vincent is looking more and more like a used car salesman. He looks too bulky and extra slimy. Weired tan? What happened to him? Cheesy goon slime look doesn’t suit our serial murderer. I mean the guy has to end up with Catherine. Anybody but Gabe and him, right? They literally had to shit on all the characters from season 1.
Fell in love with Vin & Cat and their story in Season 1 and fought hard with the fans to get a Season 2 but so far find myself very frustrated with their relationship! I also do not like Gabe at all, he’s slimy and I am sure he has an agenda. Tori & Vincent obviously have something in common, them both being beasts but they are NOT a couple! Please, please for the sake of all us older female fans who want to see the romance and passion back between Vin & Cat. Their chemistry is so right on the mark and I for one really do miss it very much. I hope the writers pay attention to the fans as we helped save this show based on last Season (I feel anyway). I realize also that it can’t be all lovy dovy all the time but its not the same anymore and I’m fearful that it won’t survive. Think on writers PLEASE!
Mr. Kern still doesn’t seem to get it that most fans are little by little dropping by the wayside.I find his comments insulting to people’s intelligence.Just let the other writers finish the season with their writing.The fans want this couple together and that is all that should matter.I do like the action scenes,Vincent’s new look,however the fans are having a problem with the characters.Catherine and Vincent aren’t even the same one’s we loved,not even close.Last night’s episode was pretty great,except the Gabe part,but I will bet Mr.Kern did not write it.Sorry,but the fans really want a season 3.
I get what Brad is saying and it is half encourging. I think trying to paint this storyline as Vincent and Catherine trying to find themselves as inviduals was a big mistake. First of all, they could of done that with Vincent memory loss, which it seems to that they aren’t going to address ever again. Which to me hurts the character of vincent, what was done to him shouldn’t be scrapped under the rug, how vincent is was the result of what was done to him. They should of taken that arc and bulit an emotional arc of how it could of broken Vincat part. I think They added too much to an already complicated storyline and that is why many are tuning out, not to mention Vincent acting like he is doesnt sit well with especially when he has shown remorse for how he treats Cat or JT for that matter.
I think they believe using Gabe and Tori as obstactles is a way for the viewers to keep watching. But no its going to make those tune out even more.
Dumb reboot, juvenile ‘state the obvious’ lines, lobotimized leads.
Nooooooooo… not this 4th rate mythos of gaudy jewels, musty grampa bones, dumb bewbs n baddies. I hope Brad Kern brings in rest of his M.O. consisting of leprechauns, lucky charms, and trolls. I can only hope they turn vincat into mermaids/merman for season 2.2. Oh joy.
y a-til un site ou voter pour une saison 3 mreci
Vincent have changed a lot but not because he chooses to and secondly Catherine isn’t even innocent in all this mess of a show. Thirdly Catherine New the risk and what she have to give up in order to be with Vincent because of what her father and the rest of merfield people did to him and she made the choice to basically give up everything to be with Vincent and she could have leave Vincent anytime she wants but she chooses to be with Vincent so Catherine and her fanbase doesn’t have the right to bitch about Vincent when she and you guys was warned by Vincent himself even after he pushed her away for her safety about the danger of being in a relationship with him and the danger when being hunted down by merfield people so Catherine loses all rights of being angry with Vincent when Vincent himself warned her to the point that his constant repeat dialogs end up become annoying. Fourthly Vincent wouldn’t have end up being caught by her own father if she had listened to Vincent when he said that gabe can’t be trusted and that she should keep her distance from gabe but she listened to Vincent and trusted Vincent no Catherine didn’t trust or have faith in Vincent because if she did then she wouldn’t have trusted gabe and Vincent wouldn’t end being kidnapped because he was too busy saving her ass from gabe and even after what gabe did to her and Vincent , she still decided to trust gabe again. Catherine father tries more than once to kill Vincent and tori and when they decided to take her father out before her father takes them out , she gets angry at them for keeping themselves alive from her sycophantic father but some how they becomes the bad guy and then she tries to make it looked like Vincent went go look an unwarranted fight with her father and also tries to make the situation all about herself which has nothing to do with her.