BetterForgotten

I think it's completely shameful that it looks like Stan's death and the Carter crap is going to overshadow Jim's death. John Bardon/Jim deserves better than this sh!t.

I for the life of me don't know how this show fit in as well as it did on ABC's classic Tuesday night lineup alongside Roseanne, Coach, and Home Improvement. I know it aired on Friday's during its first few seasons, but obviously hit its ratings stride in its Tuesday night timeslot. Granted, Roseanne and Home Improvement centered around families as well, but of course had a different sensibility since they were a direct result of the standup routines of the comedians who starred in them. I think Full House aired before Roseanne on that now iconic ABC Tuesday night lineup. I can't think of two family sitcoms that could be more the polar opposites of one another as those two are.

I love how classy she is about saying she never has any intention of returning to Corrie, like 3:42 in. The Karen era was the only time I could stand to watch anything with Steve. I wish more material with her was up again as I do think she was a big part of the show's 2002-2004 resurgence. She sort of became the darling of the UK soap world during her relatively brief time in it. I am glad Jones has had such a successful career post-Corrie on UK television.

I don't think Carla's ever really been the same since the Collinson era. And god yes, Ben Price is and has always been terrible, miscast, and haggard-looking.

He's written some good episodes, but he really should go back to Corrie (and replace Blackburn). I wonder what the reason was for his disassociation with Corrie. He has such a long history there and seemed almost destined to be Series Producer one day.

The best IMO are Christopher Reason, Jeff Povey, James Payne, and Rob Gittins, but they all have a longer history with the show than others. The worst I think are Carey Andrews and Wendy Granditer.

Tony Jordan Tweeted that he'd like to write for it (well responded to a fan). https://twitter.com/tjordan952/status/584100472186875904 I hope they take him up on it. It's too bad EastEnders doesn't have people like Jordan and Phelps on the writing team (and hasn't in several years) anymore.

I guess the big news is there's going to be a 6 episode spin-off series filmed in Ireland with Kat and Alfie. It's going to be broadcast in 2016 though. I guess they'll be off the show temporarily and return when production on this is wrapped. Can they please ask Tony Jordan (or Sarah Phelps) to write an episode or consult? Like please? Kat and Alfie to get their own show!

It's probably an announcement that they're adding in an extension of the Carter family with a bunch of cousins on the way. The sad thing is, I could see that happening....

Apparently, there is a midnight announcement on the way. I bet it's really nothing, but let the speculation begin.... EastEnders Ultra ‏@EastEndersUltra 11m11 minutes ago Some super-exciting #EastEnders news at midnight!!

You had to literally be 7 years old to enjoy this show (I know adults who grew up on it enjoy it for nostalgic reasons, but you know what I mean) that's who they went after. I don't think a show as corny and saccharine as this one has been produced since. Though, the same could be said for all the Miller-Boyette shows I guess...

Yuck, one of the worst (not to mention, corniest) shows ever created. I am happy for those who are fans though.

Yes, it was in the early stages, and was one of the reasons Gail considered aborting David (but Martin stopped her before she did).

Alan's the only man that's ever respected her the way she deserved, so I agree, that was her most mature pairing (even if ultimately they were never going to make it work out).

Who do you think was their last viable female character? Corrie used to be known for their diverse and popular female characters, but I can't remember the last time they got one right. Maybe Becky in the beginning before that deteriorated to hell (though they did give her a great exit, probably the best Corrie's done in in the past couple of years)? Probably a great reason why I mentioned above that I'm glad we'll never see Karen again (probably the most successful female character they created in the 00's). I think a character like that would be trashed on today's Corrie and not allowed to develop organically.

Which is funny as Anne wasn't a fan of the Samir storyline (she was also battling her first battle with cancer for much of that storyline as well). I know Brian Park has a controversial reputation as he set about with changing the show when he took over as Series Producer in 1997 (and the show in some cases has never been the same after him), but I thought he really loved Deirdre and she was probably last at her best in the late 90's. mrmagister1 has much of the Jon Lindsay storyline up. It's almost 17 years since this iconic moment/story:

Probably the last time Corrie was amazingly good. Karen is a character we probably should have never cared about, but Suranne Jones was amazing and had great writing for most of her run. She was probably one of the last characters they really invested in as well (at least organically). It's a bit of a depressing exit, but haunting and compulsively watchable in the way it was directed and played by Suranne. I know Suranne has had an active career since leaving Corrie, but I wonder if we'll ever see Karen again. In a way, I hope she never returns as I think Steve sucks the life out of everything he touches, and her exit was such a raw and heart-piercing exit. I am happy to remember her this way. I also think Suranne/Karen left at her peak in popularity, which rarely ever happens anymore.

The cast list from the Sarah Phelps episode airing on the 27th: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05p21ff

Ah yes, see, I try to forget about Martin and Sonia. On the topic of Martin, I am just not feeling this new actor at all.

I guess Phil is enough of a connection for her, but who does Lisa even know on the show? Phil, Sharon, Ian, Dot, and Kat? And other than Phil and some scenes here and there with Sharon, she wasn't close to any of these characters. Also, with Kathy back and Phil married to Sharon, how many of Phil's women can they concentrate on? That said, I did have soft spot for Lisa and did think Lucy Benjamin was very underrated.

Well, Jimi Mistry is leaving, if anyone cares: http://www.itv.com/coronationstreet/news/farewell-kal-jimi-mistry-secret-plot-twist

I think the Sarah Phelps episode is the one that airs on the 27th. From the description, it appears that episode is Sharon-centric (thankfully). The Jim death/funeral stuff is probably going to take place next month. Ugh at the Carter's getting new contracts and being credited for "turning the show around." I guess if you have enough misplaced hype anything is possible... ETA: More on Sharon's storyline and her adoption : http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a635447/eastenders-discovery-corrie-visit-emmerdale-plan-hollyoaks-trouble.html#~p6ZMbkmZaK1PSD

While I'm sad she's no longer with us, I can imagine Wendy was probably extremely difficult to deal with over the years. It's also no secret that her departure from the show wasn't under the best circumstances for both her and the the producers (and the brass at the BBC) as well. Also, while I wish Pauline had gotten a better exit, I can't say I miss the character at all. I think I had given up on her for a long time before Wendy quit (and judging by some of the performances Wendy gave in her latter years on the show, so did she). With Pat, it's different, and I definitely miss her more than I miss Pauline.

Hmm, Pam is not the first person to say something like that about Wendy Richard. I know Bill Treacher said something similar a few years back. I wonder who the main actors she liked were and those she hated.

I don't know what they would do with Grant at this point anyway. They'll probably try to do recreate Sharongate and do it in reverse, as Grant always maintained that Sharon is the love of his life. But I don't know if they'd work together at this point, even if they matured.