Y&RWorldTurner

Apparently, Dot mentioned her a lot more in the 80's, and on occasion since. I believe she's also referred to in Dot's Story. It will be interesting as we've never really seen Dot with any of her real family outside of Nick. I liked Dot and Jim, but Dot was never a Branning, and she didn't marry Jim because she loved him (in the traditional sense at least), she married him because she was lonely after Ethel died and needed a companion/friend.

Lindsey Coulson was on This Morning yesterday: <iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="269" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xix7wc"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xix7wc_lindsey-coulson_people" target="_blank">Lindsey Coulson</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Endersfan" target="_blank">Endersfan</a></i>

Dot's younger half-sister has been cast: http://www.walfordweb.co.uk/ww/story/4055/future-looks-rose-y-dot Oh, and goodbye to Jim Branning. Most who've only watched since John Bardon's stroke will never know that Jim was once a very active comedic and supporting character. I wonder why they didn't kill him off, I guess out of respect for Bardon...

I think Sharon's return was the last truly successful one they did. Even though the show had changed a bit and this was during the peak of the Slater and villain Phil eras, it didn't really feel like she had been gone for a long time. And Sharon is a character who you can give campy situations to and it will still be believable. I wonder why they didn't really focus on Sharon's friendship with Pat as much during her comeback years. They interacted, but it wasn't as much. From a lot of the early 90's episodes, Pat and Frank kind of became surrogate parents to her after Den and Angie were gone. Instead, they built up Sharon and Pauline's friendship

Ten years ago today, the princess of Walford made her triumphant return to the square after a six year absese as the surprise new landlady of the Vic, to Peggy's surprise and anger. The whole thing was built around Peggy thinking Mel and Steve had been the secret buyers of the Vic, but it turned out to be Sharon, who was more than happy to rub it in Peggy's face. One of the best reveals and camp moments on the show. It would be one of the big highlights in what was a banner year for the show in 2001. BBC article on Sharon's return The return cliffhanger was on Thursday May 24, 2001, and her first full episode back was on the the 28th, the following Monday. <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bpA-HH46apg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zP5fgTHytp4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/O4GWiGszuAA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bMLEaPo2xec" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Nina Wadia and Charlie Brooks presented an award together, I wish it was uploaded. Anyway, here's some on-carpet interviews with Charlie Brooks and Jessie Wallace. <iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kkUiX59NOLo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/s-DHybhmlpw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

You know it has to sting all of the Corrie people that in their 50th year, EastEnders has beaten them for every major award (NTA, BSA, and now BAFTA). The Corrie clip was such badly acted farce, it's easy to see why EastEnders won off Lindsey's performance. I'm glad she got to accept the award too.

Here's their win: <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/asNb9LgJzC4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Backstage video after the win:

Ellie at Walford Web posted this pic:

EastEnders won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Continuing Drama. Lindsey Coulson gave the speech, btw.

I liked Cindy's exit, but I don't know if they really knew what to do with her by the time she left.

Yes.

More on their axing:

I love the Wikipedia description of the di Marco's.

The DiMarco's were a huge flop, and from my understanding, Yorke and Tony Jordan were itching to ditch them to make way for the Slater's, which is why all the DiMarco's except for Beppe were axed. God, I can't imagine any of them in the Vic... The DiMarco's were introduced by Robinson's predecessor Jane Harris, who was the EP from 96-98. Harris is also responsible for the Ireland episodes...

It's funny how quickly Mel and Steve were forgotten when they were written out. Mel and Steve were all a part of Matthew Robinson's revamp. He must have had some plan for their perception in mind. I think Robinson is largely responsible for ushering in the show's modern era, but I don't know if his tweaks helped or hurt in the longrun.

Her friendship with Lisa was so fake and forced too. The character was an annoying Mary Sue, with no redeeming qualities. The show tried very hard for a long time to make her happen, and I don't think it ever worked. I remember when Dan Sullivan kidnapped her and how I wish he had killed her.

I always hated Mel... <iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tJCZo2Y7Mqc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eXo_xUlQrPw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Posted this in the AMC/OLTL cancellation thread, but it might get more notice here. It's an interview with John Yorke. Anyway, AMC/OLTL get mentioned, and he talks about basic differences between the UK and US soap industry. http://blogs.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2011/05/10/bbc-exec-john-yorke-responds-to-u-s-daytime-soap-cancellations/

It would be harder for Emmerdale, especially since they have that bastard soap status going for them. It's different for Corrie and EastEnders, which are considered landmarks of British television and pop culture. Emmerdale is just the sort that's there...

Looks like they're jumping on the live episode trend for the 40th anniversary: http://www.list.co.uk/article/34495-emmerdale-to-mark-anniversary-with-live-episode/

A few episodes later in the New Year's Eve/New Year's episode.

Christmas 1998 episode: <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kn57pPccJDY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6SBx5x1Jsyg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LQIWsCGcKiY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sbR4PokshHw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/urUQ68id-F0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lQeJIZExvZg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

They still have the casual scene here and there, but I guess they can always explore it more and build upon it.

Fatboy will probably move in with Dot, once Jim leaves and Mercy and Grace depart. They need to show more of Dot's friendship with him though. Maybe he'll be there to help her though sending Jim off to a nursing home.