soapgirluk

Ros na Run is an Irish language( with English subtitles) Soap opera which has 2 half hour eps weekly.

It also runs in seasons usually September to May. Its shown on the channel tg4 but you can also watch online on tg4.ie

Series 17 has just ended but the last few episodes are still online to watch.

The past few years in the Summer break they've repeated the previous series. The 1st Summer with series 1, then the following series 2 etc. So series 4 should be starting soon i'd say.

It's set in a small village in Ireland and has a community feel and a small cast.

Dont let that fool you though, Ros na Run is very gritty and recent plots have included Murder, Pedophilia, Rape & teen Pregnancy.

Because of the small cast each character gets featured fairly equally and theres people of all ages.

I'm enjoying Corrie again, it had a bit of a rough spot but I can't think of anything I really dislike atm.

I do wish the Rovers was owned by someone else but thats just me.

I'm liking the Tracey and Rob stuff, the fake robbery etc. Think it's the first time i've liked Tracey since she returned.

As I really hated the story of her & Steve getting pregnant yet again from a 1 night stand, then her lying about how her babies died.

Can't wait for Liz to return, I'd quite like to see her working in the Bistro not sure how it'd work tho as they've alot of staff.

Depends on if Kylie has maternity leave?

I don't agree they have too much dead weight ... Mind you, I don't watch so this is just based on the synposes ... But I think one of the problems with EastEnders is an attitude of "dead weight" needing to be trimmed so they turn over half the cast every few years. There is no stability and longevity. So then the ratings sag when they've purged half the cast, and they desperately need to bring someone back again as a stunt to get the ratings back up. Then that person or tons of other people leave, and the cycle starts anew.

Also, sometimes new characters get introduced for a mere few weeks or months, then are ushered out abruptly.

The show needs to have characters stick along enough so they can be the new stars that keep people watching. Right now, they are still harking back to returns for characters from the 80s, 90s, and early 00s, to get lapsed viewers to come back. The instability of the show has prevented their being many newer popular characters. EastEnders also doesn't have the kids who grew up on the show who stuck around. Lots of recasts of characters like Ben, Peter, Lucy, etc, and Ian and Sharon grew up on the show way back when, but in recent years I can't think of actor/characters on EastEnders analogous to Coronation Street's Chesney Brown, David Platt, Steve McDonald, Fiz Brown, Jason Grimshaw, and Tyrone Dobbs who have actually grown up on the show, were not recast, and are still around as adults. (It's also in part, I think, why Liz is popular on GH although I don't care about Liz much.) I guess there is Jay, kind of, but even he has only been there for six years. Darren would have been if the actor hadn't left. Bianca disappeared for too long to be considered to have grown up on the show, and Ricky is now gone.

In the hands of good writers, there is always story for a cast. Whoever seems like "dead weight" may just not be given suitable stories. In particular, I think the Masoods, even without Zainab and Syed, need to stick around because given the demographics of the UK, I think there definitely needs to be a strong Asian family presence on EastEnders that doesn't just disappear every few years. It's about time an Asian family had as much staying power as the Mitchells or the Brannings. If anything, more characters should be added to it. You can reinvent that family by adding a whole new branch to it, as was done with the Brannings, Slaters, Moons, and Mitchells.

Still, though I disagree with your thrust, I think you have good points and I can see where you're coming from. I think it's an especially good point that Joey seems to be playing a role Tyler could have played!

I dont actually mind Ben, Peter, Lucy & Lauren being recast. At least it kept characters( well Peters only just returning) around instead of writing them out. And the 'new' Lucy and Lauren are both popular and good actresses.

And depending on Patsy Palmer staying I can see Tiff and Morgan growing up and staying on the show. I also even if Patsy hadnt left wouldnt class her as growing up on the show as she was late teens when she arrived.

Same as Steve, Fiz & Jason in Corrie. Also Jason imo up til the Stella storyline i'd put in the pointless catergory lol In all his years the only memorable storys he's had is dating Stella & his wedding to Sarah

Yeah theres a lot of characters who seem to be there for the sake of being there( a problem I think Corrie have aswell)

Apparently Whitney has a big storyline coming, I'd keep Shona as she's proven she can do fantastic with big storys. They just need to write her better.

Tyler I think even the best writers would struggle with lol

Personally I dont like Sharon's return & think i'd have prefered her staying away.

I'd also get rid of Kat, love her but the Kat cheats on Alfie story is getting boring.

I'm hoping it starts to turn itself around, as EE has always been my fave soap.

I've not watched in months though as zero storylines are intresting me at the moment.

I miss Brendan and Cheryl, it doesn't seem like the same show without them

For me that's a good thing, as much as I loved both.

Fact is it was basically the Brendan Brady show.

Since they left imo it seems the rest of the cast are getting more equal screentimes.

Might stop characters being under developed.

I do wish they hadn't got another 'Jason' though as so many names they could've picked. Yet they got 1 who's been a main character so recently/

That was meant to say The actor doesnt think Will is going to be a Serial killer though as Texas's death was more of an accident.

HO is the 1 Soap i've watched since ep1 so i'll answer any questions aslong as I remember it haha

For me Mercy's best relationship was her 2nd Husband Malachy. I'm still in mourning from his death

No Will hasn't killed anyone before, he used to be a nice guy just abit of a geek.

Then he spent time visiting a serial killer( Silas) but kept it secret from everyone. The actor doesnt think Will is going to be a killer though as Texas's death was more of an accident.

Theresa is 1 of them characters who can come across sweet but then you get to know her lol

awwww Russ, I once met him at the Clothes Show I'd love for him to return with his & Tina's Son.

And yes Browning is very creepy, he met Mercedes when he hired her as a prostitute. Starting their unhealthy obsession with each other which resulted in him killing Lindsay. He only got off after Mercy stabbed herself & blamed Riley for doing both crimes

Browning also made Myra( Mercys Mum) think she was dying, in order to make her spend time with Mercy. Family had disowned her after she stabbed herself & kidnapped her Son.

So I recently discovered CS on hulu.. and have watched the first 8 episodes from December so I'm very behind the rest of you. However, I quickly was able to discern who most of the people were within those first 8 episodes partly by watching the show and also by looking up the show/character guide on wikipedia. So I think the Times interview on the new AMC/OLTL about not knowing who anyone is is baseless since I was able to jump into CS and that show was on 52 + years.

I think English soaps are much easier to get into straight away, as their historys arnt quite as complicated lol

But we're all new viewers at one time & now with internet for character historys etc I think its a great time to start new ones/catch up

All the English Soaps are having a bad time imo, It doesnt bother me if I miss episodes (not a good sign)

This is first time since 90s I've not really cared about Corrie

Theresa- Sweet? lol only in looks, she's totally selfish, makes mean comments to others & she's a killer.

I do love her though The Mcqueens do have a habit of sharing partners though. Jim with Myra/Carmel, Tony with Jacqui/Mercy/Theresa, Calvin with Carmel/Theresa, Russ with Mercy/Tina lol

I'm hoping the storyline with Will ends with him killing more, as ever since the story with him & Silas i've wanted a Silas's apprentice story.

Paul was a nicer character back then, but he did have his bad boy moments - he's always been a bit of a schemer at heart, just a generally nicer guy at heart.

Really, Errol said that?! I guess he's talking about the 2.0 versions, right? Oh, I'll be watching new OLTL for sure (thanks to Google Chrome and a handy little plug-in, I'll be able to watch on Hulu, which is so awesome). I guess, from what I've seen of the previews, and if I imagine Llanview as a suburban street, I can see what Errol kind of means. I'd say it could be Neighbours with a PG rating.

Apparently their going to mention onscreen again about Paul having 1 leg, crazy that they ignored it for so long.

oooo so theres a way to watch hulu might have to ask you for a hint lol

This is my first time seeing Zlata, can't wait to see Bella's reaction to Luke's son.

Hey Win can you explain what's going on with that cute Will guy? In the wheelchair? Is he paralyzed and has he always been? I see that Texas cheated on him with that other cute guy but I have no idea what the backstory is between Will and her.

OMG Will found out on todays episode...wow!

Texas has had a on/off relationship with Dodger for a few years. She cheated on him with Will then just as she got engaged to Dodger it all came out.

Texas & Will then had a big fight at top of some stairs, crazy Will then threw himself down them People thought Texas had pushed him for abit she feels guilty & he took advantage. I can't wait til their Wedding as something big happens

Thanks. I guess Paul was a nice guy at this time.

The show is a little busy to me, but that may be due to it being a special episode.

Errol said that he thought OLTL and AMC were somewhat similar to Neighbours. If you ever get a chance to see them, I hope you can weigh in.

Never thought of it like that before, but yeah it has a similar feel to AMC. As it's quite family based but a bit more realistic lol

Past few years its not had as many familys but its going thru a revamp, and we've had the Turner family join. Lauren the Mum is actually a old character from the mid 90s recast( Lou Carpenter is her Dad. & theirs the Willis family joining soon the Dad Brad is another recast from the 90s. Brad & Lauren had a affair in their previous stint so should be intresting.

They also have had a few past cast doing brief stints recently, Sarah Beaumont(who's gone) & Steph Scully( just started back)plus another character soon

I think Dave Matthews was fairly popular, might've just been with the people I know

Intresting to see Robert Davenport played by Brian Cowan as he now plays Murray in the soap River City.

The article about the character of Charlotte Day is good as it mentions her being a major new character. Which if I remember she wasn't really around for long or made that much impact.

The problem with the story for me is it came out of nowhere - she was barely seen for a very lengthy period of time. And Ryan was supposed to be heavily addicted to cocaine, to the point where he would frequently leave the room to go get high in a bathroom. He was magically cured offcamera.

I don't think soaps need to be realistic, but if they're going to introduce these stories, the stories need a resolution.

If you're enjoying it, I'm happy for you.

For me Katy barely being seen actually made it seem realistic, as all she was doing was being at home looking after Joseph.

So wanting to have a job and some 'me' time was believable. Then having a good looking guy say nice things understandable she'd behave how she has.

I do think Corrie did it as they want to make her its next 'hot young thing' As they did same with Maria split her & Tyrone up and sexed her up with hot new love intrests.

I wonder if they'll ever mention onscreen again about Ryan not being Michelle's biological son ( he was swapped as a baby) or if there gonna pretend it never happened.

I still don't like Stella being Leanne's mum, even as a young girl Stella would never go near Les Battersby lol

jfung79- If they have the Tracey Barlow story online where she killed Charlie, I recommend it. Was really good as she faked being physically abused by him in order to claim self defense

I thought the pacing seemed abit weird this week, 1 minute Rhy's dies then it's 5 days later & both funerals get brushed over.

Nice twist with Georgia's fiance coming onto Chris, her face when Kyle told her lol

The Spencer & Maddie story would be alot better if they'd cast decent actors. Reminds me so much of the arrival of Curtis & Shannon back in the day though. minus the runaway part.

I love Alice lol her drunk scenes were awesome.

Morgan though urgh i'm counting down the days til her death, Irish pace is at the bit where she's just married Gerald & she's being a grade a cow to everyone.

We're at the nutty Maia stage, few months after she killed Ethan and isnt coping at all, she went on holiday with her sisters looking after her son (they made her leave without him as she's nuts) she randomly arrived home & took JJ to the park not leaving a note, so Tania thought he'd ben kidnapped.

Roimata does seem like a fool - I wonder if they are trying to get TK back with Sarah.

Before Roimata was attacked it did look like that would happen. As Sarah & Tk had some 'will they kiss' moments and think Sarah even had a chat about it with someone.

I think Corrie's starting to get better, I'm liking the Platt family atm the pregnacy & all the bickering.

I think i'm the only person around not liking the Tyrone/Kirsty plot though, As I don't think the actress playing Kirsty is any good.

I enjoyed the Fire episodes even with the error of Tommy walking round corner & being shocked, yet he'd been doing full monty when everyone got told in the Bistro.

When HO does a storyline well, imo it can be better than all the other UK soaps.

Then on the flipside it has so many moments thats a let down. But I think their all points that are easy to fix.

Things like characters disappearing for ages and even some randomly leaving like Lacey.

Then theirs characters who don't get developed enough, Annalise & Rob who to me both had potential.

To me the above shows that maybe the casts too big. If I was in charge i'd cut down the cast & flesh out the ones who are left.

I'd also change the Father of Sineads baby, don't care if it's realistic but with Rhys dead if feels pointless (not to mention I don't think Rhys would've done it lol)

I'd make it someone like Callumn so we could get some drama out of it, a big custordy plot with the Kanes v Diane.

I did love Brendan & Cheryl's exit, hoping Brendan's wins best episode at the Soap awards. Would've been perfect if not for the Savages stuff

I've never liked Roimata, think it might be because I started watching when she was already with TK & didn't see them get together.

Also Irish pace TK & Sarah are still together, and I really like them.

I love how they seem to get a good mix of dramatic storys & light hearted.

I'm hoping Boyd & Nicole get together soon, she deserves a nice bit of lurve, especially after her relationship with Lana

Rachel is awesome amazing how she started on the show as a teen & has grown so much.

Great choice of top5 especially Brooke, Irish pace has just had a storyline where she scammed money from her Dad & even operated on him without him knowing.