Bright Eyes

Dotty? How could the writers not have named her Ashley, after the father she'll never know. I'm not crazy for thinking that should have been the only option, right?

Thanks for posting this on SON. I would have never seen it otherwise. EON was before my time (I was born in '89), but I've always loved whatever I could find of the show and consider it my favourite soap opera of all time. I will certainly start from the beginning of your fan-fiction. I've already read the very first two chapters. So many wonderful things. Queen Raven having a very prominent role due to now being a matriarch to a bunch of grown children with a bevy of dramas of their own. Following in her footsteps, they really didn't have choice in the matter. Charlotte especially, with the first episode having her cheat on her husband. I had to laugh with glee. Reading the character bios to help familiarize myself with some characters, it was fascinating that you creating children from different soaps, like ATWT or SFT, and brought them to Monticello. It really opens up the world building and the potential to bring on a number of fantastic characters from soap history. I'm also happy you're addressing the cliffhangers from the finale. Making the street mystery an infamous cold case was a brilliant idea. And, of course, the first murder was so exciting. A day is never dull in Monticello, that's for sure. My only gripe (and I've only read the first two chapters remember) is that I didn't feel Mike and Nancy had enough prominence at their own celebration.

The only entertaining thing about James was that Bill Ward walks with his crotch out first. This is a perfect choice for an exit. No one will miss him and it will give the rest of his great family, especially Emma, something great to do. Bye!

Ari is obsessed with Steph's ex Belinda and has targeted Steph for breaking Belinda's heart.

I already watch the 4 UK shows, Shortland Street, and Red Rock, so it would be insane of me to try and fit in the AUS shows. However, like the US soaps, I do keep up with them. I wouldn't bother with Home and Away at the moment. I watch it/keep up with it out of loyalty but that's it. Neighbours actually is good at the moment, certainly better than Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, how can you watch Hollyoaks over Neighbours seriously Just kidding. I just feel less of a connection to the AUS soaps, so it's easier to stay away. Plus, Home and Away is basically Hollyoaks, but less impressive and Neighbours can be too schmaltzy for me. Of the UK soaps, Emmerdale has been the best since 2012, and Hollyoaks has been better, for the most part, than Corrie and EE since late 2014. But I am aware the current producer of Neighbours has really revitalized the show, and if time management wasn't an issue I'd certainly be watching both Aussie shows as well.

Wow, what random, but very exciting news. The Veils have been a favourite of mine since since high school. Finn Andrews is .

It was so nice to see Cindy and Tom acknowledging each other's existence again. We don't get it nearly often enough. Kirkwood and genuine relationships that aren't connected to plot have always been an issue for him, but man I wish we could see more of them together. I can't wait for that one quick scene they'll show us of Tom meeting Jude for the first time, probably months after she's arrived.

I already watch the 4 UK shows, Shortland Street, and Red Rock, so it would be insane of me to try and fit in the AUS shows. However, like the US soaps, I do keep up with them.

What was the reason for all these one hour Tuesday episodes anyway? I'm so confused as to why they've lasted so long. Still, if this were any other soap, I would probably dread it, just like I am for Corrie having six episodes, but for some reason Emmerdale never feels like too much of a slog to get through. Maybe because, even though Hollyoaks was the first foreign soap I watched, Emmerdale has always felt like home to me. Another reason is definitely that the strength of their great cast is embarrassingly better than the mediocrity monopolizing the other shows. I was happy to see Rakesh fight back. Bocarie is great at genuinely making you feel Rakesh's remorse as well. Like you, I didn't understand why Chrissie continued snivelling afterwards. Mostly because I'm itching for Fiona Wade to get something to do, I really hope Priya gets the chance to go up against Chrissie. And if Leyla isn't getting a story anytime soon, at least have her be a supporting player in Priya and Carly's stories as their friend. You can also use her as a comedy/side plot, visiting Doug in the B&B. Have her be a third wheel to him and Diane, so Diane tries to set her up with someone. #moreforLeyla I can see this story leading to Dan's exit, potentially, if him and Kerry split up for good. Of course, I've felt that way about practically every story they've given Lisa since I've started watching, so what do I know.

A baby can't don't donate a liver to a grown man, right?

It didn't bother me when Chas was chastising Charity for trying to break up Cain and Moira, but this was absolute dreck for her. Just "pee on the stick, bitch" Chas is truly dead and gone, but at least she got rid of those ugly bangs. And it may seem strange to say, but Aaron shouldn't have been giving any attitude towards Charity. She is his elder, he needs to get in line and let the adults deal with it, at not judge her to her face. Though I am liking that they are letting Lisa be the one to rail Charity and Jermaine over the coals. She usually has to be the peacemaker when she's the one that deserves to be the most angry. Still, this is an exact reason why when I spew my wish to rid the show of the Dingles, I always spare Charity. She doesn't need them, and has always soared without them anyway. I'd love her to run the Pub on her own, hire some hunky playboy piece of ass as a new barman, another hot totty for a bar maid who she barbs with, but also finds herself caring for and mentoring, and someone older/wiser who she leans on to take care of business while she slacks, while Marlon can scoff at it all. Though he's another I couldn't stand for a long time after the awful Laurel/Marlon travesty, the Donna/alcoholic Laurel storylines, and now his pairing with Carly, have revived him back in to my good graces. Plus, I always feel it comes off so forced when he's made to be part of the Dingle circle jerk. I do, however, am dreading the return of Paddy.

That's really unfortunate and quite a puzzler to understand, actually. This will be one of the few times I'm all for Danny Dyer going off on Twitter. There's such a long line of axings that should have happened before he was an option. The saving grace is that Danny has expressed interest at leaving sooner than later. With his talents, I have no doubt he'll find himself on the West End and/or Broadway if he so chooses. What happens with Whitney now could be interesting, but they could have been a tentpole couple, along with Martin/Stacey. And I don't really need another reason to see Mick's man pain. Since I like to play who to axe, too, here is my list: Ian - For a couple of years at least. Move Martin/Stacey into the house Phil, Louise - Ben and Jay move in together/run the Arches, Billy runs the funeral home. Abi - I was a fan of hers more than most until she got with Ben. Lorna Fitzgerald just can't measure up anymore. Recast in a couple of years if Max is still around. Jane, Tina, Johnny (I just will never like the actor), Babe, Kush/Carmel/Shakil (the latter speaks for himself, albeit unintelligently, but the first two, who started out great, have ruined all chances of likability for me), Claudette, Mick/Linda, and since I've never liked her, Shirley, too. Lee and Whitney could have flourished without them with ease. I also wouldn't be too sad to see the back of Kim, Vincent, Donna, Lauren (who has been flat lining since her return), or Kyle, but they don't scream for dismissal as much to me. Hopefully Lauren perks up when Max returns, if not, I'll happily see her go.

Kevin Sacre is an absolute honourable mention for me, too. I don't expect much of my favourites to even place, so the results will be interesting. Glad to see we're both Emmerdale heavy. Not a surprise there.

That second clip was mesmerizing. I've never seen the actress in anything, but she certainly sounds superb. Those vitriolic joyful screams about seemingly killing Mary and her unborn baby made her sound like a demon possessed. Amazing.

I'm use to the large casts myself, but your question made me do a tally between all 4 shows. Hollyoaks: 52, EastEnders: 44, Emmerdale: 59, Coronation Street: 57. Based on episode quantity these numbers (give or take some guest/supporting characters and some children) seem to make sense. Personally, I would love all the soaps to only be two episodes a week with much smaller casts, so I can see how you would be overwhelmed.

Carl, are you voting in the Walford Web favourite soap hunks (UK only). It is quite the undertaking to decipher. I feel so guilty for leaving others out, but you're only allowed 10/20, when I could have added tons more. Anyway, after much debate with myself here is who I finally settled on. 1. Ashley Taylor Dawson (Darren Osborne, Hollyoaks) 2. Matthew Wolfenden (David Metcalfe, Emmerdale) 3. James Sutton (John Paul McQueen, Hollyoaks/Ryan Lamb, Emmerdale) 4. Ben Freeman (Scott Windsor, Emmerdale) 5. Ryan Hawley (Robert Sugden, Emmerdale) 6. Tom Lister (Carl King, Emmerdale) 7. Rik Makarem (Nikhil Sharma, Emmerdale) 8. Bruno Langley (Todd Grimshaw, Coronation Street) 9. Mikey North (Gary Windass, Coronation Street) 10. Qasim Akhtar (Zeedan Nazir, Coronation Street) -- 11. Jeremy Edwards (Kurt Benson, Hollyoaks) 12. Michael Parr (Ross Barton, Emmerdale) 13. Aaron Fontaine (Sonny Valentine, Hollyoaks) 14. Sam Strike (Johnny Carter, EastEnders) 15. Ayden Callaghan (Miles de Souza, Emmerdale/Joe Roscoe, Hollyoaks) 16. Ben Hardy (Peter Beale, EastEnders) 17. Cameron Moore (Cameron Campbell, Hollyoaks) 18. David Witts (Joey Branning, EastEnders) 19. Chris Fountain (Justin Burton, Hollyoaks/Tommy Duckworth, Coronation Street) 20. Aaron Sidwell (Steven Beale, EastEnders)

Hollyoaks is a crazy beast, but it's consistent in its way. For the most part, and I have said this before, the show has been on fire since Mercedes "died" and they fixed Grace into the great A list character she is today. I wonder if Joel will mention Bart at all upon his return. Kirkwood must have really hated him a lot to get rid of a McQueen, so I doubt it. I hope with his return, albeit recast, that means the awful creation of Spencer has basically been swept from existence. The only good scene he ever had is when Clare met him and asked aloud "What is actually wrong with you?" RIP Clare. I'll miss you always.

This may be a minority opinion, but I will definitely miss Roxy. Whenever she got to be around other characters away from Ronnie I found her so likable, fun, and fascinating. She was never allowed to meet her true potential because they only ever saw her as a plot device for Ronnie. She's kind of how US soaps, DAYS in particular, think characters that are part of "supercouples" are useless without their other half and must be thrown out if the other one isn't around. If they had actually let her have her own life, independent of Ronnie and the Mitchells, she could have been fantastic. I'll miss her. As for Ronnie, the baby switch story was must see for me because of Sam Womack and her impressive must see performances. That made me love wacked out Ronnie more than most, and when DTC said that he would make her a full villain, I was ready to get my life. I loved her killing Carl, I loved her and Charlie together, both being upfront about their actions to each other and still standing by the other. She was one of the best things about the show at this point, and then it all went terribly wrong, along with the rest of the show. If they're going out together, I hope that doesn't mean Ronnie gets off scot free for her actions and they literally leave town together. Roxy deserves to not be tethered to her any longer. I also don't understand how exit announcements for Babe and Claudette have not yet been made. I fear for SOC's vision if he thinks any time and effort on them is worth any energy at all.

Hopefully this works for you guys. https://uk.proxfree.com/permalink.php?url=s54aaHA%2FaGsaD5vHs0QZLcUclS%2FcUxrnNZwEMCiA0I9aeXwYKakXOV%2BaKYcXfY20GTrk1eWfdc05HAd%2FWXT29w%3D%3D&bit=1

Amy is finally back where she belongs. Those little glimpses we've gotten of her for the past few years were crumbs I ate up hungrily. It's too bad Michaela isn't back in town to welcome back her best friend and make a pass at Barnesy.

I can't help it; I'm totally excited for this surprise sister revelation. Amy Walsh was great yet again tonight. She's very good at bringing across how pained her life has been. Even those light scenes where she had no clue what a wedding portfolio was, had a glimpse of sorrow to it, knowing she never had someone in her life to let her in on something that most little girls take for granted. It was a bit of a hell yeah moment that Andy plead not guilty, but then I was met with instant dread knowing what that could mean for Rakesh. I look forward to when Chrissie starts to show more of her true colours. I hope Priya gets a chance to claw her eyes out.

Two Hollyoaks legends. Come back home boys. Anytime.

The current series producer, Emily Gascoyne, made a short film last year with him as the lead and I've been waiting ever since for his return announcement. I can see the show wanting to wait a few more years, until Charlie is a teenager, but I do hope his return is inevitable at some point. He's a legendary character for the show and rightly so, being he's the only male performer to ever win Best Actor for the show at the BSA's.

Actors or people in the entertainment world having a responsibility for other people's actions has always befuddled me. It's a scapegoat for stupid people. It's just a sad world we live in where said stupid people tend to scream loudest. And scream they must, because they're banshees. On-screen, Joanne's continued existence is most puzzling. Shoe-horning her into being a bunny boiler again for another couple, when it actually seemed like she had learned from her mistakes somewhat is just strange. Maybe the show will surprise me, but she just seems like a supporting character who they're hanging onto for reasons unknown. Liam is such a p*ssy. Who is that afraid of a chicken? I hate birds and think they all look shade as, but that was embarrassing. Oh, Hollyoaks!