DRW50

It's very disappointing, because the people who aren't satisfied will never be satisfied, and the people who were drawn into this story will now have less interest. The show loses both ways.

That's not a good way to go about it! I am waiting and seeing with Barbara Windsor because while she is never going back, I'm still not sure she'd say all that stuff to a reporter. Have you seen today's show yet? I haven't but I read that they cut out a lot of the funeral and grieving scenes and put in random comedy scenes with Jodie and a friend. How sad if that's the only way Jodie can get on the show. Is this friend supposed to stay around? It's a shame they cut out a lot of the scenes with Kat people had wanted to see. Jessie Wallace is such a good dramatic actress and the people who went on and on and on and on and on about how this story wasn't properly portraying grieving mothers have caused Eastenders to cut scenes of a grieving mother.

I think they will try to pair Tina up with Chris Fountain's character. The problem is that, like most of the women on Corrie now, Tina is defined only by men. All the talk of "feisty" Tina just means she's rude to people. She is extremely pointless and Michelle Keegan, talented as she is, can't compensate for writing that makes Tina irrelevant. Of course on Corrie, the more irrelevant you are, the more likely they are to keep you around. They just care these days about stretching out stories to fill time. That's why John Stape's story goes on forever because what else is there? Further ruination of Kevin/Sally, or the crap with Steve/Becky/Tracy. No wonder they want to hold onto Stape. I would too.

From what some on Digital Spy are saying, it looks like the energy drain known as Rob O'Connor has GONE. If so, good riddance! Now if they could just get rid of Heidi, Seth, Riley, and Diane, we will be getting somewhere! The O'Connors, like the Sharpes and the Costellos, have been textbook examples of how not to introduce new families to a soap, and for all the hype of Hollyoaks and their rejuvenation, it's not much of a rejuvenation if you have to keep abruptly writing people out. It looks like

She's not saying anything awful (although her experience as a mother isn't the experience of all mothers), but I'm not sure why Natalie Cassidy is joining with the pile-on against the show, especially since they seem to one of the few employing her as an actress. http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a297165/natalie-cassidy-criticises-eastenders.html

That was a fascinating interview. He led quite a full life even up to RH. His daughter went on to also appear on DS9.

From the August 19, 1980 Digest (SOD Publishing Inc).

That's terrible. I don't know how Jada got through something like that. Perhaps the heavy work schedule helped her.

Apparently this person likes to make up threads, or so some said at DS, so hopefully it isn't true.

That would be so awful I know that Pam hasn't had the best health in recent years, but she's such an integral part of Eastenders. I might not have said that in the last few years when all Pat did was babysit children and drink with Peggy and go on holiday, but she really came alive this past year, showing again why she's so important to Eastenders.

I think I am mixing her up with Sam from GH with their baby woes. Since Sam is now magically able to possibly conceive I assumed Jane might too. All the baby rabies stories blend together...

It's who they focus on and the stories they give them I wonder about. I always love to see Max and if it were me I'd make him the center of the show, but not if the Tanya monster envelops him again. I still think there is some potential for Vanessa, although they seem to have dropped her somewhat. For a while in 2009 I thought the Masoods would become a long-term, prominent fixture, but whether through some backstage issue, or just the horrific writing they endured during and after the Chryed reveal, they seem to have been knocked way down the scale. I wish they'd put Denise in a more leading role again. I also kind of wish they'd write Phil out but I know they can't afford to do that. It's sort of a double-edged sword with Phil because a lot of people don't like the way Phil is acting now (which is pretty much basic Phil) but the drug addiction Phil returning would alienate other people. Hopefully they will keep Janine in a major role and also not have her go too far. I'd like to see more of Kat in a more complex role too. Is it wrong to say I kind of wish they'd split her and Alfie up for a while? I think Shane Richie is a decent actor and Alfie can stand on his own it's just that the stories he had on his own, like Alfie/Little Mo, were big mistakes.

I have come to appreciate Kathy over the years but my first memories of her were when I started watching on PBS, which was the 1997 episodes, and it was a lot of sighing, quiet misery, and around and around woes with Phil. I wasn't a fan. I remember marveling at seeing the earlier years for the first time because she seemed so much happier. Carol is a very hard character to write for, and sadly I agree with you, a lot of people do just misunderstand her as miserable or moaning. A lot of people say well, this story with Connor is so awful, it's terrible, she should go because she deserves better, but even when this wasn't going on and she was just a harsh mother, or when she was first grieving Billie, some fans were saying it was boring and she was depressing and they didn't like her. I think some of the Connor story has shown a new side to Carol, a more complex, strangely sensual and desperate side. That's one of the reasons I was hoping she and Connor might somehow work something out. I guess that won't happen and I won't be surprised if she goes but I will miss her. What I will most hate is if she is used as a battering ram against Bryan Kirkwood. I'm already so weary of hearing that he somehow ran off Lacey Turner and Barbara Windsor, when he had little to do with their decisions to leave. Do you agree with the view that all these departures (if Carol also goes) are too much for the show to handle? I think they can still be fine but only if they focus on the right characters. I guess it would also be the right time to bring in a new family, although this may not be the best climate considering the show is being slated so much lately. Do you think it might just be time to write Jane out for good? Of course it would be horrible PR to fire a pregnant actress, so perhaps not.

I won't disagree with you there. I think she's the best actress I've seen on almost any soap, and in terms of close bond with a character, the only ones on Eastenders I've felt that way about beyond her were Sue Osman and Pauline Fowler. I hope she stays, especially since her going right now would feed into the CRISIS! hysteria that is becoming impossible. Y&RWT, I was going to ask if you knew anything about whether or not Matthew Rose was supposed to have a prison rape story, but the actor said no.

That wasn't Vanessa in the clip though? I don't think she would have worn a leather skirt. I never knew she went to work for him. That doesn't seem like her. Thanks for the extra details. I loved Ross...characters like that aren't allowed on soaps anymore. Too "boring," I assume. GL was stupid to cut Jerry loose so casually.

My guess is that Jane will conceal a pregnancy and then leave to have her baby, not wanting Ian to know. The tabloids continue to be in a feeding frenzy against Bryan Kirkwood, claiming that they are furious with how he treated Sam Womack, saying that the cast is quitting (although all they have given so far is Lindsey Coulson -- I hope she stays but if she goes I doubt Kirkwood is to blame, as she likely only ever returned for a brief stay), saying the cast is up in arms over the upcoming Whitney story). I really do think that someone out there has had an issue with Kirkwood from early on and it's probably going to keep on and on. I know some think Lindsey would leave because she's upset about Devon Anderson's firing. I love Lindsey Coulson but Devon was a terrible actor and it was a big mistake to ever bring him back.

From the September 1978 Digest. The very unexpected has happened in Pt. Claire. Jason has resigned from Cushing & Sons. In his letter of resignation to Roger, Jason gives as his reason a feeling that he'll never be accepted enough to make big strides in the firm. It's a family business and they'll always treat him as an outsider and look upon him with suspicion and distrust. He also tells Roger, he's not going to weaken Cushing & Sons' financial standing. The accounts he gleaned for the firm will remain with them. He has already advised his clients he is giving their accounts to other brokers in the company. When Roger confronts Jason and inquires whether he's leaving for another position or to start his own business, Jason responds in the negative to both these questions. He says the explanation in the letter is the only reason for his sudden departure. Roger is very confused. It's not like Jason to quit at anything. He can't help but feel that there's more to Jason's resignation than meets the eye. Jason not only calls it quits with the firm, but also with its owner's daughter. He tells Megan it's best they don't see each other anymore. He'll never be accepted by her family and he doesn't want to be the cause of any conflict this would bring to her. She has already suffered enough. He doesn't want to be the cause of her receiving any more pain. Jason's decision leaves Megan heartbroken. She's now been burned twice in a very short period of time. She doesn't know if she'll be able to love and trust anyone again...and that may mean hurting a very dear friend. Quickly sensing Stan's true emotions, she knows it's only right that she be completely honest with him. She tells Stan her feelings for him may never grow beyond the great friendship she has for him now. Stan then gazes tenderly upon her and says he isn't a quitter. She's worth his hanging in there...and for now he'll settle for any relationship she can give him. HE just wants to be with her. ...IT'S STILL A BLANK Connie is released from the hospital...but even the familiar surroundings of the loft, where she and Bill live, do not stir her memory. She doesn't recall anything beyond their engagement eight years ago. She also has began to experience something else that is really frightening her. She has suffered two dizzy spells: one when she went to reach for something in the cupboard and the second when she was the old photo of Bill and Megan in the paper. Connie prays the neurologist Bill found for her will be able to help her. While Connie has been suffering through this trauma, her infant son Billy has been staying with Bill's parents...but what's happening there may not be in the best interests of her son. While Lester and Josie are at work, Ellie has been babysitting for the boy...and she has become very possessive of her nephew. She's constantly hovering over him. She lost one child through a miscarriage and is now having trouble conceiving another, so Billy has become the child she can't have. What's going to become of Ellie when Connie returns to normal and reclaims her son? Poor Ellie. She's in for heartbreak. There is definitely more to Jason's resignation than meets the eye. Roger and Edith should only know that it's all part of a plan to gain him a position of power at Cushing & Sons - and the way it looks now, this glorious moment will soon be upon him. He has moved on to step two of his plan. He tells Megan the real reason he resigned the firm. He says he did it because of her. He says he didn't want people thinking he was using his relationship with her to get ahead. What they have together is just too precious. He didn't want to be responsible for it turning to ash. He has discovered he's in love with her. She will believe him, but no one else will think he's sincere. Megan's family and friends will never be able to stop looking at him with such suspicion and mistrust. Jason's words get the necessary reaction. Megan, seeing Jason through the rosy eyes of love, believes everything he says - and feeling thusly, runs immediately to her mother. Speaking from the heart and with great conviction, Megan manages to negate some of Edith's feelings about Jason. Edith now feels she may have been wrong about the man. She goes to see Jason and asks him to please rejoin the firm. She totally misjudged him. She wants what's best for the firm and Megan. Jason tells Edith he'll consider her request. Paying an unexpected nocturnal visit to Lee's garage (she wanted to see Bentley), Amy has discovered that Lee is still involved with that stolen car ring. She saw three men working very diligently at removing a license plate from an automobile. She now fears for Bentley. He idolizes Lee. Has he allowed himself to become involved in his criminal activities? What sort of after hours has he been doing for Lee? After having her fears confirmed by Austin (he spoke with Sgt. Damico who told him Lee is under investigation), Amy decides to warn her cousin. ...But her efforts are in vain. Bentley won't listen to a word she says. Shouting that she's not giving Lee a fair break, he slams out the door before Amy has a chance to tell him about the stolen car operation. Amy now fears Bentley's stubbornness will wind him up in jail. Amy, still possessing some feelings for her ex-lover - and also wanting to protect Tessa and Bentley - warns Lee that the police are on to him. She then begs him to cut Tessa and Bentley from his life. HE can't let their lives be ruined by his criminal activities. She looks at Lee waiting for his reply and is totally unprepared for what she sees. His world has fallen down around him. She can't help but feel pity for the man, and feelings such, rushes to his side to provide comfort. It's a move she's going to regret for the rest of her life. Her comforting gestures does not go unobserved. Tessa witnesses it - and it leaves a very lasting impression. It makes it very easy for her to apply a whole different reason to Lee's sudden decision to break off with her. He listened to Amy, not his own heart. Amy finally got through to him - and she had very good reasons of her own for wanting to see this relationship end. She still must have very deep feelings for Lee - what other reason could there be for her being at his house while Austin was out-of-town on business. Tessa will never believe Lee came to this decision on his own. Never! It took all the strength Lee could muster to break off with Tessa (he really loves this beautiful, sensitive young woman) and what he does next is equally as hard. He tells Bentley he no longer needs him at the garage. He knows he agreed to let him work part-time, once he started college again in the summer, but he has found this would not be economically feasible. He's sorry, but that's the way things are. Bentley also blames Amy. He tells Lee, she puts him up to this. Why couldn't she stay out of his life! THE PAIN OF LOVE Laurie gets wind of Jason's involvement with Megan and she sees red! She's very jealous of her old friend. Megan has always gotten everything she, Laurie, wanted - well, she isn't going to get Jason. Laurie calls Jason, tells him what she knows, and Jason assures her it's all part of his scheme. He doesn't love Megan. He's just using her to get ahead in the firm. Laurie will just have to go on playing the perfect little wife until he gets that position of power he craves and then they'll be able to be together. Laurie wants to go on believing Jason - but she's beginning to have her doubts. She makes a vow to use those very incriminating photos (the photos of her and Jason embracing) if Jason shafts her. She'll destroy his illustrious career! Lester's great love and respect for his daughter is shattered when he learns about her involvement with Lee. He thought Tessa had more sense than to get herself entangled with a man who is ten years older than she is - and to make matters worse, of low character to boot! She's going to wreck her life. It's time he takes matters into his own hands. He confronts his daughter and tells her, he doesn't want her seeing Lee anymore. It's not a request, it's an order. Tessa's reaction: She screams at her father to stay out of her life. She's no longer his little baby girl. She'll see whom she pleases. At the point in time that she made this statement, Tessa still thought she had a relationship with Lee...but now she knows differently...or does she? She has just learned something which has shed a great light on the situation. She has just learned from Bentley that Lee may be arrested by the police. She heads immediately for Lee's house. Lee is powerless against Tessa's great love. She breaks him down, and he tells her about his involvement with the stolen car ring and how this involvement may soon get him arrested - and that's the reason he wanted to break off with Tessa. He didn't want to take her down with him. She deserves much better than that. Tessa tells Lee she'll choose her own destiny...and what she chooses is to stay with him. They'll spend the night together and the next day she'll go with him to the police and he'll turn himself in. He'll turn state's evidence. The police will protect him from the gang. It was to be a romantic and comforting night, but Lester puts a damper on the moment. He arrives at Lee's house and tells Tessa either she comes home now or not at all. Her father's words force Tessa's hand. She makes her choice. Her place is now with Lee. She'll just have to learn to live without her father's love.

Didn't think Steve was still there by 1987. These ads are cheesy but also a lot of fun. It's nice to remember when P&G and CBS still gave a damn.

There were some tabloid reports of how he died...I'm not really sure if they were true or not. Here's his entry at the Blog of Death. http://www.blogofdeath.com/archives/001155.html

Thanks for sharing all that! I love that photo. It's so hilarious. I always enjoy people who don't take awards too seriously.