Y&RWorldTurner

I like a lot of the early 90's stuff I've seen. I think that was the period the show had a good balance of what it was with the 80's, along with some of the gloss of the late 90's. I wonder if Nicola is only coming back because she worked with Kirkwood on Hollyoaks Later. I wonder how/why they came up with the idea of bringing Mandy back. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20050619/ai_n14673881/ This is what Nicola said in 2005 about her time as Mandy (she even says she was asked many times to return):

Nicola and Daniella look and sound a lot alike... Mandy was one of those 'outsider' characters that soaps used to do very well without having to prop them or force-feed you some ridiculous contrived backstory. I think Janine had a lot of those same traits in Charlie's first run, but that developed over time, while Mandy was only around for two years or so, but had a lot of impact during her stay. I think Mandy babysat Janine for Pat and Frank for a time...

Didn't Mandy also spread it around Walford that Den was actually Vicki's father after Sharon bitched at her for Roly's death? I think she overheard Pauline/Mark talking about it.

2:36 in for Mandy's character profile on the Cliffhangers revealed special from 2010.: <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iWupFXJs6tQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Here's a clip of Mandy and Pat visiting Mandy's mother Lorraine (played by Linda Henry): <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uXTQ6jqzoJg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

She was close with Pat and the Butcher's, as well as Sam Mitchell. Linda Henry (Shirley) played her mother in a few episodes, but of course, since Linda plays Shirley now, they have to disregard that. Some are speculating that she may have ties to Billy's son.

The link doesn't seem to be functioning for some reason. Anyway, here's what it says: She was on the show from 92-94...

OMG! Mandy Salter is returning! I never thought this would happen, I just assumed she would be forgotten like a lot of other characters after they've left: http://www.metro.co.uk/tv/865709-eastenders-star-nicola-stapleton-to-reprise-her-role-as-mandy-salter

Interview with Michelle Collins: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/scoop/a323563/coronation-street-bonus-chat-with-michelle-collins.html Interview with Michelle and John Michie: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/interviews/a323555/michelle-collins-john-michie-stella-and-karl-corrie.html

Janine spoiler(s): http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a323666/charlie-brooks-praises-eastenders-plot-climax.html

Michelle has aged horribly. I mean, she did look a bit haggard towards the end of her run on EastEnders, but damn, she's not aged well at all.

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/O67YCmWR5L0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

New character - Billy's granddaughter: http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a323512/eastenders-casts-billy-mitchells-granddaughter.html and Pics of June Brown and Polly Perkins filming: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1395007/EastEnders-Dot-long-lost-sister-Rose-emotional-reunion.html June looks very happy to be working with her friend...

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hF8-Phw1qrM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This must be one of Charlie Brooks' very first appearances on the show. It's still Matthew Robinson-era episodes, but I find it strange that John Yorke took credit for casting Charlie, unless he meant developing the adult version of Janine. Though, I do know Yorke and Robinson were credited together for a while in the credits, but I don't think it was this early. I wish we had gotten to see more of Frank with Charlie's Janine than we did... <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FUnSp2HjEmY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> I think these were Janine's last scenes in 1996 before the character came back with Charlie in the role at the end of 1999: <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4cOMJqEwNnY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vD6LA90PebM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Oddly enough, in the younger set, I think I've grown to like Lauren a lot. She kind of reminds me of myself at that age, with all the pessimism and quick remarks. I think Jacqueline Jossa has really given new life into the role as well. It also seems like Max's dynamics with his daughters have changed, he used to be closer to Abi, but now she just acts like a spoiled brat who can't stand him, and he and Lauren seem to understand one another on some main level. I don't know what to think of Lauren's upcoming story with Ryan, but I do think the character has some potential for the future. I think Fatboy will move in with Dot, they all but alluded to it last week when Fatboy and Dot had that heart to heart in the laundrette. I think they'll confort one another though losing Jim and Mercy.

Cora will apparently be joining full-time during the summer. She'll probably be used mainly to call your girl Tanya out on her sh!t, Carl.

The greenscreen used made it look really fake. Even Corrie's opening looks more real than this. It just looks cheap. The revamped theme really takes out of the punch of the original arrangement.

Looks like Eddie Moon will be Carol's love interest. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/3608229/David-Essex-will-get-together-with-Carol-Jackson-on-EastEnders.html Funny, I thought Eddie was more from Pat's generation than Carol's, unless Carol is going for older men these days...

I wish Dot would visit Ethel's grave again, like she did the day she married Jim. <iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/y9d7o15M4tc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> I like that the show has never had Dot forget about Ethel and what that friendship meant to her.

Five people are being axed: http://www.people.co.uk/celebs-tv/soaps/2011/05/29/five-to-be-axed-in-coronation-street-cull-102039-23163971/

Ace said his contract expires in late June I believe, but he thinks and hopes to extend it. So he's still taping, so I don't know how much is in those spoilers.

And really, outside of Sonia and Bradley, Dot was never that close to any of Jim's family, so I never really bought her with the Branning's. She's not a character rooted in any particular family, she's rooted more in the community of the show. I cringed a few months ago when Max told Lauren to call her grandma. While I can understand it as a sign of respect, but when have Lauren and Dot ever been close? On the topic of grandchildren, I don't understand why in recent years they've tried to say that Bradley is Jim's favorite grandchild. While I don't like her, if anyone was/is his favourite, it would be Sonia, she was basically more like his daughter than granddaughter anyway. Here's a small clip of Polly and June together: <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NDnM0uBhn3A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Apparently, June Brown is close friends with the actress who will play her sister and suggested her to Tony Holland and Julia Smith when they were casting for Eldorado, and that's how she ended up on that show...