DRW50

From what people are saying at Digital Spy, the episodes are being changed again. The E4 episode that was supposed to have stuff like instead had...Lee trying to sleep.

Don't you remember the critics list last year that had Roxy Mitchell as one of the show's best ever female characters. I'm not that surprised with the results so far, as they are mainly going to focus on more recent characters, and it's also one of those where you rank people from 1 to 10, which means characters who are presented as more friendly and likeable might get more votes. I'm surprised in some ways that Steve was even on the list, as he's been completely forgotten over the years.

From the September 1978 Digest (SOD Publishing Inc).

http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/s2/eastenders/interviews/a299235/ricky-norwood-fatboy-eastenders.html http://www.walfordweb.co.uk/item.php?id=2803

I wanted to put the recap in the thread Paul Raven already created. Here's the link. Most of it is familiar but I had never heard of Linda or Larry (good thing they weren't in any scenes with Lance, Lorie, Lucas, or Leslie!).

It looks like one of the Youtube Emmerdale uploaders is going to stop, because of Youtube being slow and also because he is tired of the Aaron story (if you can even call it a story).

I love this type of thing. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. It's great to hear some critical pieces from that era. I think he was right about no weak links in the cast then - I do wish they'd been given better material, mostly because I don't have a lot of patience for the "evil Delia schemes" type of stuff. "Don Hale".

I think bellcurve means the Clegg mansion. Photo #3, it just pops out at you when you don't necessarily think, "This is only from Capitol." It reminds me of some photos of the Forrester living room I remember from an interview with Thomashoff about designing for B&B. I like some of what I've seen of Capitol - there's a certain dullness to it, although I do like the concept and a lot of the cast. I think they just needed a stronger producer and stronger focus. It sounds like Conboy loved the show, but I have to wonder if he loved his own idea a little too much, instead of thinking of what was best.

I think you're right - that set does remind me of the Forrester living room. I hadn't noticed until you pointed it out. Do you watch Capitol very often? I have to admit I haven't as much as I want...I'm still trying to get through 3-4 other soaps on Youtube.

Thanks so much for sharing this with us. I love the photo of Brenda - she has matronly hair, but she's busting out all over. This is fascinating. I never knew Bill Bell almost took Y&R off. I wonder why he chose to have a rape story start early in B&B too since clearly that was not a ratings grabber for Y&R. I keep forgetting Peggy was the youngest, and not Chris. Your scans are so neat and clean. I have a September 78 Digest recap I am going to put up later, but if it's already up or you've already seen it, let me know and I won't.

When did he say that? He's totally right.

From the April 30, 1991 Digest, actors talk about the last day of their show.

The storyline with the babies makes no sense. How many times in recent years have characters had children only for these kids to then vanish or be forgotten? Tony, Mandy, Nancy (nephew), among others. If it's to cause problems for Nancy and Darren...they just got together, shouldn't that be dramatic enough? It just seems bizarre. So is it true that Gaz is going to be a part of Guy Candy? I liked Gaz more than a lot of fans did but that seems odd to me. I don't understand why any band which is supposed to be about wanting PR would have a white supremacist.

Yeah I liked hearing the quad version, although at first I thought it just meant the uploading splicing together so many different clips, which I enjoyed.

Carmen was a temp Lisa for a few days in 2004 or 2005. Jane Powell was a film star in the 40s and 50s, through MGM. Her biggest movie was Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. In the late 80s she had a run playing "witchy" Rebekka Beecham on Loving.

Eileen Fulton had some surgery or illness during this time and Jane Powell filled in for her. I had forgotten about that. I have a tough time picturing Jane Powell as Lisa. Carmen Duncan played Iris from mid 1988 to fall 1994.

Do you know anything about a Lisa...Loughtron, or something, who replaced Judi Evans as Beth Raines for 5 weeks in spring 1986 when Judi was filming a TV-movie?

Finally watched Tuesday's episode. I haven't been watching as much lately because I was so annoyed at the hysteria about the baby swap. This one I heard such praise over I wanted to see, and it definitely lived up to the praise. Really strong, every scene - the first time in a long time I can say that. Only with Billie's death. The Brannings are Eastenders most underrated family. What a powerhouse group they are. The scenes with Max and Carol were fantastic, as he tore into her, yet obviously was worried about her. Carol's moral dilemma and confusion over this is fascinating psychological drama, and is one of the reasons why I wanted to see more of Carol/Connor. The family just fascinate me, as they are all so damaged, yet it's in a quiet, understated way that suddenly explodes. And it keeps being brought down onto a new generation. Patsy Palmer was wonderful in the scene where Bianca was so sure Tiffany had been molested. I'm glad the show didn't go there, yet still had Tiffany traumatized by what has been going on with Carol/Connor/Whitney. I hope this is being used to finally grow Tiffany out of the cutesy one-liner syndrome. It was nice to see Ricky and Liam have their own share of scenes, which is rare, and also that tender scene with Max and Tiffany. Max really does love kids. It's hard to believe that for several years the show all but ignored any ties between Max and Bianca's family. "Uncle Max" is such a perfect addition to their brood, as he is strong and can take charge, yet also clearly feels affection for them. If I hadn't known in advance, I think I would have believed the double was Patsy Palmer. The only time it felt off was when we saw her from the back, knocking on the garage door and the dialogue being piped in. This was also the first time in a long time I have been impressed by Shona McGarthy. I feel more confident about her upcoming story now.

I guess that was one of the reasons they had to clean house around 82 - a lot of the actors you mentioned were gone. I wish Tom Ligon could have stayed. Did they pair him up with someone else, or try, after Lorie/Leslie? I thought I saw that in a synopsis but wasn't sure.

That's a shame about the stuff with Bell and Dorothy (Green?). I remember reading that during the breast cancer story, her mother and a close friend died very suddenly. I wonder what her mental state was during all that time. Do you think there were any major cast members from Y&R's first decade who could have adapted to the new format if they'd had the chance? I know she was more in the "new" era, but I thought Meg Bennett was pretty good in that embarrassing cameo she had during Victor's big stud tour.

What was it about? I thought Lorie's return might have worked better if they hadn't had her mooning over Victor. I didn't like that at all. I also felt like Sam Behrens kind of stuck out like a sore thumb for some reason.

I wonder if Lorie would have worked without her family? I think they sort of provided another side for her. Do you think it was a mistake to kill off Jennifer Brooks? On the subject of Terry: From the 9/24/85 Digest, Tony Rizzo's Reel to Real.

I found the next synopsis (September 24). I'm not at my scanner right now so I'm going to type it up.

I didn't know about Anders. I know she had the stuff with Marc and then with Victor's brother. She also had an SOD cover with Victor's brother (Matt). Was Matt supposed to be a bigger character? I have only seen a little of him, and get distracted by the crazy eyes.

I would have preferred that. Justin Deas had no story for about a year and a half until he finally left. Perhaps this was dropped by his choice or for some other reason? Bob/Alicia never really went anywhere. Thank you for constantly sharing these with us.