DRW50

She was a former dancer I think, but still, impressive. I wish all of the two hander was online, the one where Dot talked with Ethel about the child Dot had aborted. I haven't ever seen that, aside from very short clips.

Amello, here's a fun scene of Ethel doing high kicks.

Thanks for posting that. I'm glad that Kat and Pat were mostly on the sidelines. Few things drive me crazier with EE than the years they had Ian act like some type of jerk to make us feel sorry for other characters, and the scene would have to end with him twirling an invisible mustache or being degraded -- as in that odd thing where we're supposed to believe she could pick him up and literally throw him out of the pub all on her own.

Romancing the Stone

I still wish Sam were staying around a while. I'd like to see her with Kat again. And I'm sad that her exit is lumbered with that oaf, Minty. I never thought he was going -- I'm still a bit surprised Kirkwood fired him.

Here's the last episode if you want to see their goodbye.

Not much of an exit, although as Jake/Kris/Zak/et al proved, it could have been much worse. Dave and Charlotte went traveling after their plans to attend a rock festival didn't pan out. They were with two other students, Jamile and Doug (Doug has that annoying attempt at an American accent which I think sounds fake -- watch me be wrong). They picked up a young woman named Viv along the way. Viv was repeatedly described as being gorgeous and charismatic and able to get anyone to do what she wanted -- let's just say the actress, while competent, did not pull this off. Viv tried to steal their money and leave. When they caught her, she fled in their van. They then went through the stuff she'd left behind and found drugs. She came back later to try to get them and Charlotte subdued her while the boys videotaped their fight. Charlotte decided to go back to university with the boys while Dave went traveling on his own. He and Charlotte had a tearful goodbye before he walked down the road alone. The episodes were strangely plotless. Lee spent episodes waiting for the right time to propose to his bimbo girlfriend, who apparently thinks Diana Vickers hair and wearing the band of a pair of panties around her head makes her unique. Aside from the calls from Bombhead, which were fun and which were a great use of Lee Otway's comic talents, probably the highlight was episode 5, where Lee was standing in the bathroom in his boxer briefs and whether through camera angle or something else, Lee had a much bigger bulge than I remembered from his Emmerdale days. Texas slept with a rocker ex-boyfriend of India's, then spent the rest of the time fretting and moaning over whether India would find out. When India did find out, she barely reacted and it was quickly forgotten. Odd. When they had a story about Steph sleeping with a rocker it went on for months.

That promo is really good! I'm glad Tony Warren is still here to see this. I'm sure it must be bittersweet, since his Corrie experience was horrible for a number of years, through homophobia, and a lot of personal problems. This looks beautifully put together and sadly it reminds me more of the Corrie I know than anything the show has done in the last few years.

I got there first!

No No Song - Ringo Starr

Nash Bridges - Nash Bridges

The spoilers say that

That's classic. Going by his calendar photo I think I'd probably enjoy his scenes more if he had less clothes.

I'd love to have seen her work replacing Robin, if that had ever happened. Imagine Paul Rauch saying "What a relief" and then he has to deal with her! Nancy was more low-key so I guess Dixie probably played Dorian the same way. I guess some actresses feel more free to let go in their performances as they age. Dixie had such star quality and like all true stars there was no one like her. She was probably smart not to go too young to Hollywood, as they would have blanded her out, the way a lot of young starlets who grew up in Hollywood were blanded out.

So, it looks like as has been talked about for a week or two, Scott Neal is coming to Hollyoaks. Scott was in the gay romance Beautiful Thing, then on The Bill as a gay cop, then on Emmerdale for a few days this spring as Aaron's defense attorney. A poster at Digital Spy said that someone told them he would be a gay man who had a past with Brendan. I guess that means either it's intentional that Brendan looks like he wants to have sex with Ste, or perhaps they are going to say Brendan gay-bashed this man or manipulated him out of his money or something.

I was looking through some old Digests, and one from March 77 had a short piece on why Dixie Carter was leaving EON. She didn't say much, but basically said she left because she didn't like what the show had done to her character. The article then went on to editorialize about how poorly Brandy had been treated by other characters on the show for "breaking up a marriage" (Adam and Nicole) and basically said they had taken away her dignity. The article also said that Dixie was looking for more soap work. While I'm glad that Dixie went on to have her big break in primetime, I wonder what might have happened if she'd stayed in soaps. A lot of her performances in primetime still had that soap flair. I also wonder what might have been if EON hadn't shunted her aside from the Adam/Nicole stuff, given that within a year of this Adam would be dead and Nicole would be de-aged. The idea of Dixie Carter fussing and snapping with Sharon Gabet is great fun. At least we know Dixie wasn't one of those screw soaps I'm going to Hollywood! types of people.

I guess she might have been just saying what she thought was right but I do think that she was happy with it -- the pub fire performance was OTT but her work in her last episode was some of her best ever (compare it to poor Wendy Richard who clearly did not give a shi!). That's another reason I'm glad they didn't kill her off, as she probably would have made her upset clear to the press and that would give them ammo against the show. I remember there were rumors when she left that she was going because Larry Lamb had been fired. I think at the time she denied that. In one sense I can understand her reaction, because I think the character could have worked, coming and going, after his first exit. He was a controlling and cruel man but he had not actually gone too far. It was only his return and death when it started getting so nasty -- slamming Ronnie against the bar, the rape, the molestation reveal. Archie was one of the best characters they'd created in years. I really wonder if it was worth killing him off. Watching this for the first time. Lisa isn't a patch on Angie (although I do like Lisa), but it was smart to have Den look out for Lisa because of his guilt over what had happened to Angie. He and Lisa have a good rapport. As the clip goes along this is some of Lucy Benjamin's best work, and also, considering her character is supposed to be at a low point, probably one of her better hairstyles. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xeind0_eastenders-den-and-lisa-talk-31-10_shortfilms

http://dailystar.co.uk/news/view/153404/WORLD-EXCLUSIVE-EastEnders-Barbara-Windsor-It-broke-my-heart-to-call-time-on-Peggy/

I had meant to ask but kept forgetting -- was Christmas 2000 when Phil nailed Mel? I can't remember.

Here is the article accompanying the Pat Conwell and Tony Craig fashion spread. WATCH A RISING STAR Pat Conwell spoke Spanish before she spoke English, having lived the years of her early childhood in Mexico. She and her family then made their home in Ireland and traveled extensively in Europe. But today, after all the strange and exotic places she's visited, Pat loves New York. She and her husband, Chuck, share a life in theatre, as he directs, acts and was seen this summer, in the New York Shakespeare Festival in the Park's production of Henry V. In addition to playing Tracy Dallas in Edge of Night, Pat has just finished a run in Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, at the Roundabout Theatre in New York. The theatre critics were very much impressed with Pat's performance as Anya. Pat played the part with effervescence and brilliance. She had appeared previously on Broadway with the Phoenix Company and off-Broadway in the New York Shakespeare Festival. As Tracy Dallas, in Edge of Night, Pat has played the bad girl but now the character has reformed, and I asked Pat how she felt about that. She said, "I guess when they want to keep you on the show, they make you good. It's a shame though, cause I really enjoy being bad. It's a lot more fun." Although her work and appearances on Edge of Night keep her busy, Pat is still anxious to find a part in a Broadway production to play along with her daytime drama. Pat and Chuck feel that New York is the place where they can best further their careers, and right now they're searching for a permanent home, something in the city that's convenient to their work but affords them the privacy that they seek outside their professional lives. Pat has a great figure, her taste in clothes runs to fairly simple, soft, fluid-lined dresses and tailored pantsuits. One of her favorite outfits is a long cotton shift with a jacket edged in crocheted lace. She looked great in a jumpsuit, buttoned down the front, with a deep hood in the back and rolled up sleeves. The two-piece corduroy pantsuit Pat is wearing by Lucio DiRoma, has suede elbow patches. The jacket is singlebreasted wide lapel, with a high double-vent back, slightly flaired and pinched at the waist. Although their story lines never cross, during our photo session Pat and Tony had an easy camaraderie that comes from working together with the great people on The Edge of Night. Draper loves Brandy, Brandy loves Adam, Adam loves Nicole. In this geometric progression, Tony Craig has an important angle. Young, handsome, leading men abound on TV, but Tony has a certain combination of boyish charm and suave assuredness that comes from his early training as a fashion model. When I talked to Tony, as he and castmate, Pat Conwell, posed for our photographer, I reminded him of the day we first met on the set of Edge of Night. RUTH GORDON: "The last time we chatted on the set, Tony, you were just getting started on the Edge of Night and I'd like to have your reactions now that you've been on the show, how long?" TONY: "Since December 11th. When I first started I was nervous, to say the least, I was like a vegetable, I just did what I was told; but now that I am feeling the character out more and I know where he's headed, and I know what he's come from, the father, the unhappy childhood, and all that, it's easier to feel something about the man, about the character, and I try to put that into what I am playing. With that it's a lot easier, I feel a lot more relaxed. And it comes across that way." RG: "I know, I've been watching and you do have a much larger part than you did in the beginning, and of course, what everyone is whispering, is there going to be a real romance between you and Brandy? Would you care to comment?" T: Well, of course, we don't know, either. We know what will be played about a week ahead of time. And there are indications I've fallen in love with her, but she's still very much in love with Adam. From the way it looks, there is another romance on the horizon, for Draper." RG: "Now that you've had your taste of working on Soap Operas, I know you did TV Commercials before and some theatre, do you have any plans or activities you'd like to combine with your work on Edge?" T: "Of course, although I'd like to do a lot to keep my hand in the theatre and films and in commercials, right now Edge is taking up 99% of my time. Solely because my part is expanding and I'm carrying a story line by myself with my family, and I think I really wouldn't have time for anything else at the present. In the future, perhaps, but we'll have to wait and see what happens." In Tony's own words, he describes himself as being quite introspective, and basically a loner. As a Capricorn, he has great ambition, he's dedicated, and he's a diligent worker. He is constantly searching for perfection, a meritorious trait in a person so young, because if often supplies the drive needed in so highly a competitive field as acting. Creative people are wonderful with words and Tony admits to being an insatiable reader, and delights in haunting used book shops in search of interesting collectors' items. Draper Scott, the urbane young attorney, comes across the screen as a fairly confident, extremely attractive man who is driven by the desire to make good. Tony Craig concedes that you can't separate yourself that much from the role you're playing. Tony, however, has a much kinder, gentler nature than Draper is alleged to have, and while Draper is a man fascinated by a beautiful young woman, Brandy Henderson, Tony is still single and enjoys his freedom. At this point in his life, he feels that his career is very important and there just doesn't seem to be enough time left over the include a serious relationship with a woman. RJG

I'm trying to remember the female characters at that time. I think it was generally weak women like Laura, Lisa and Mel, and then of course the older ladies (Dot, Pat, Pauline, Peggy, Irene). Not too strong... Santer did a poor job of bringing strong male characters in. I guess the closest would be Christian or Ryan, but then Christian has been victimized over and over and Ryan is a bit wet. I don't know if Kirkwood will be any better but he did bring a few strong men into Hollyoaks.

Ethel was younger than Lou Beale, older than Dot. She lost her entire family during the Blitz. She was in her late teens at this time and began drinking and having fun to mask her pain. She married and was happy but her husband died young. She continued to put on a merry attitude but the sadness was never far down. Besides Dot and Lou, her best friend was her dog, Little Willy. He died and the Square replaced him for her but she said no one could replace him. Ethel moved into a care facility in the late 80s and over time made less and less appearances. She was gone for several years before her 2000 return, where Dot euthanized her. Ethel was a wonderful character.

I forgot Sean was a Slater. He's the one Slater I don't want to see again... One of the most fascinating things about a soap is a transition year, for better or worse. I think you could even teach a class on them. I saw a comment at the Guardian article on Peggy's exit that nothing ever changes on a soap and it's just a monster eating it's own tail, but that's really not true. Soaps often have to change to survive, and unlike a lot of different shows, we see this change onscreen, bit by bit. Whereas in 2000 I think it worked to bring the Slaters en masse I think the show is right this time to be more cautious and not take away from the big departures. The new characters seem to be arriving very slowly.

Since Kat would be due around December I can see them doing the whole thing where Charlie dies as Kat's baby is born. If Becca is responsible Kat might blame Stacey and even if they make up this might cause Stacey and Jean to decide it's time to move on. I'd love to see Belinda again. I'd be fine with any Slaters returning, although Zoe never did a lot for me.

I kind of wonder if that may happen, actually -- I think Eastenders and Hollyoaks are the only two British soaps (of those still on) which have never done that. I was just thinking back to the earlier years of the show and trying to remember how often people were killed off. In the earliest years I only remember a few major deaths -- Reg Cox (if you can count him) in 1985, Andy in 1987, Lou in 1988, Den and Donna in 1989. Even the big cast exodus of 1989 had few deaths. It seems like the slaughterfest only started sometime around 2004 or 2005. Another photo of Kat. http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/scoop/a276055/kats-return-corrie-proposal-oaks-weddings.html?locale