Y&RWorldTurner

I don't think the Gillian rumours were ever confirmed. I can't see a place for her on this show anyway, given the age group she falls into.

Possibly the best news in what seems like YEARS: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/news/a449506/hollyoaks-emmett-scanlan-leaving-brendan-brady-role.html

I hated OLTL's music direction (which is strange, I think Glass did good work during the Gottlieb years but not after that), but so much of OLTL's music seemed be to weirdly edited, with very industrial and metallic sounds during Valentini's tenure.

Yes, essentially the same thing. They're the ones who take direction from the producers and tell the composers what to produce and how they want it produced. Y&R's had a number of music supervisors over the years (Jez Davidson being the longest serving one), but Mike Dobson's been there for over a decade at this point. Dobson and Harrison talk about their process in this article on the Sony site. I knew the moment they used Sonny and Brenda's theme for Starr and Michael something was very wrong.

Looks like Mike Dobson and Bryan Harrison (Music Supervisors) were the ones fired, per Christian LeBlanc on Twitter. Jennifer Johns (thank god!) was also fired. https://twitter.com/CJLeBlanc/status/286883721741742080

New interview with Lorraine Newman: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/posts/EastEnders-Exec-Producer-Lorraine-Newman-on-2013-in-Albert-Square

It's weird though, a decade ago, the press would be outraged if one of the British soaps were in serious trouble creatively. These days, they settle for mediocrity and let just about anything slip by - no matter how poor it is. It's hard to imagine that only a decade or so ago, both EastEnders and Corrie had some very high points in their histories (with good press, above average ratings for certain stories, and total pop cultural saturation). It's scary and a bit sad how much things have changed since the early/mid 00's.

Yeah, she's upset about Phil and Sharon (even though its a fake relationship at this point). I didn't watch the X-Mas episodes, can't say if I will, as I don't care about Derek one way or the other.

Sharon's been a supporting character ever since she returned, they haven't given her any lead story yet (which I guess will probably change in 2013). The excuse given for why Peggy didn't attend Lexi's christening was that she didn't want to be around Sharon. I too didn't like this, as Peggy and Sharon ended on very good terms when Sharon left in early 2006. The two characters didn't see or speak to each other since then for Peggy to automatically go back to her 1995 mindset on Sharon. Sharon mentioned Dennis' death earlier on in her return and had a poignant scene on the street corner where he died. But given this was the 6th anniversary of his passing, it's strange that she wouldn't be thinking about it on this day.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/fiscal-cliff/biden-mcconnell-continue-cliff-talks-as-clock-winds-down/2012/12/31/66c044e2-534d-11e2-8b9e-dd8773594efc_story.html

Not ashamed to admit this was one of my favourite pop singles of the early 00's (only the version WITHOUT Kerry Katona please!): http://www.youtube.com/embed/1V0xQkk9kbc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

I think they've been going for a mix of classic and new, but the newer stuff isn't that well-structured (Kurtz and Allocco were never able to do contemporary stuff very well). Brent Boyd even said on Twitter a few weeks ago their goal with the music was the keep the older cues, but insert more modern cues for "freshness" into the mix. Whatever that means. I think the cue at the end of Darn's second clip was used a few weeks ago in a Sharon/Adam scene (can't remember the date of that episode). The one where Victoria slaps Victor at the end is still used in bits and pieces.

They also said the ranch wasn't being rebuilt - and in today's US episode, Victor's gift to Nikki was the new layout of what will be the new ranch. Why would they do this if they had no intention of rebuilding it (and the rebuilding initially came Angelica McDaniel's mouth at CBS). That source is not and has never been credible. I'd rather wait until I see it for myself in the credits.

Cues that are "modern" -- they can either be classical in production, in which case they have a more poppy sound than more traditional stuff, or they follow a more rhythmic sound (or pop/rock based).

I'd wait for confirmation, as that guy has been writing similar articles for months now (clearly on Maria's payroll). If true, does "entire" refer to directors, composers, or both? In any case the show would still own and have access to music library they produced. If true (I'd still wait for a more legitimate and less bias source), I wonder if they were let go because they couldn't produce good contemporary cues (which they might be going for). As their work on B&B proved a few years ago, Kurtz and Allocco can't do that kind of music well at all. But I do not see the point in firing them outright. I do hope Jennifer Johns being fired is true though, the wardrobe has been a mess for years now.

It was Harwood. I mean I'll give 2005 a pass thanks to the show still living off some very popular characters, Den's murder storyline, and Chrissie's dominance. But 2006 is perhaps the lowest the show ever sunk creatively. Even now, it's really hard for me to sit through an episode from that year. Pauline's exit story alone (though the character had become grating to watch long before then) should have meant that Harwood never came anywhere near the show again.

Almost embarrassed to admit it, but S Club 7's Bring It All Back, bitches! http://www.youtube.com/embed/lGhfpl4hqvQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

In other departure news, John Yorke is leaving the BBC and will be replaced by another EastEnders alum - Kate Harwood. http://www.guardian....ama-boss-leaves http://www.guardian....tion-head-drama Kate Harwood will take charge of EastEnders, Holby City and Casualty as part of a shakeup of the BBC's in-house drama department following the exit of John Yorke. Even though the past few years have been tumultuous, I will always have a great affinity and respect for Yorke's direct producing era of EastEnder (00-02), which was such a high point for the show and when I started to watch closer to the UK transmission thanks to BBC America. He loved the show very much and I always believed that in a genuine way.

She wanted to move on after 5 years - which is quite normal on Brit soaps. Nina had a career before EastEnders, and she'll surely have one after it. She's always said that comedy is her first love. http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/288189/Actress-Nina-Wadia-quits-after-5-years-on-Eastenders/

http://www.youtube.com/embed/vEJNzJqMtjg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

I remember being embarrassed by that concert and why the show would devote so much time and energy to it...

http://www.youtube.com/embed/klCXBkn0VGs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

http://www.youtube.com/embed/OkGndcEBHBc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

http://www.youtube.com/embed/_a7puZ5UvBQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>