Y&RWorldTurner

Were Kat and Alfie and then Sharon and Dennis the last big couples they had and gradually developed? I like Kat and Alfie (especially Kat), but during the Berridge era, it seemed like she forced them into every episode in some way when they didn't really belong in some cases, she also did the same with Den when he returned. The show feels more balanced again, and really feels like a community again with people gathering and being nosy. There seems to be an attempt right now to bring more heart to the show.

I hope when Lucy is recast they use her more and make her the lead young anti-heroine on the show. With Lacey Turner/Stacey leaving, I think it's time to push Lucy into the role Stacey occupied for years. I just wonder if they'll ever find an actress like Lacey Turner again, someone who can play anything and handle all they throw at her.

I like Sophie and Sian and hope Collinson develops them better. There seems to be a genuine affection between these two and the actresses work so well off one another. That is all.

Graeme Hawley interview: Part 1: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/interviews/a246460/graeme-hawley-john-stape-corrie.html Part 2: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/scoop/a246568/hawley-on-corries-50th-and-tram-crash.html

Syed and Christian are the gay Ronnie and Jack, and the funny thing is, the on and of crap went on longer with Ronnie and Jack. I'm glad that part seems to be over with both couples for now. EastEnders has never really been a couples show, and Syed and Christian don't appear to have really dealt with their problems. I would hate it if from now on they're all happy all the time and act as if there isn't any problems between them bubbling under the surface. Syed talks about being both gay and Muslim, that's fine, but show that struggle and I wonder if they ever will out of fear of pissing off Muslims once again. Jack and Ronnie's wedding is still definitely in the works, the plans for it are in upcoming spoilers. Jack is going to be

Today's episode: Adam's last episode. So glad Libby overheard his conversation with Peter and Lucy, and then proceeded to kick his ass out and throw all his stuff out on the street. What a nasty piece of waste he was, I loved when he told Libby that even Denise wouldn't slap someone in a wheelchair and then she slapped him. Did Lucy and Libby set this up? Did anyone catch them exchanging smirks? This episode seemed likely mostly set up for tomorrow's stuff with Ronnie's revelation. Those were chilling scenes where Glenda had on her wedding dress and told her about how Archie liked the way she looked inn it, and then when Ronnie overheard Roxy and Glenda watching old home videos of Archie and hearing him call her name as a little girl. The scenes with Peggy and Phill at the Arches were very good, especially Phil admitting Ben is in prison because of him. I assume this is Charlie Jones' last week as Ben? Poor Ben is getting his ass kicked in prison... Nina Wadia was very good in the scenes where Zainab found Syed's shirt and started to cry. I don't know what to think of Syed and Christian. On one hand I'm glad this tortured and forbidden love crap is over and they've settled on being happy, but on the other hand, I just can't buy them as a legitimate couple or see why they think they can be happy together. And what was up with Roxy being so happy for Christian? I thought she against Syed for Christian? Then again, not like there was anything she could do about it, she might as well accept that they want to be together. Tomorrow's stuff with Ronnie should be good...

Some backstage videos.... Cameron Crighton (Kevin the Alien!): <object id="flashObj" width="510" height="335" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/3924638001?isVid=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=115393105001&playerID=3924638001&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/3924638001?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=115393105001&playerID=3924638001&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="510" height="335" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object> The Sharpe Family: <object id="flashObj" width="510" height="335" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/3924638001?isVid=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=102759189001&playerID=3924638001&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/3924638001?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=102759189001&playerID=3924638001&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="510" height="335" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object>

Loretta/Nancy spoiler for July 27th: Also, the Costello's arrive this Tuesday... Jem is

I had forgotten all about Phil slapping the sh!t out of Sharon after she went to confront him about having Dennis beat up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rkznIv54aw If anyone is interested in Shannis (Sharon & Dennis) clips, someone has created a Youtube channel devoted to only them: http://www.youtube.com/user/EEShannis

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a246103/corries-gail-arrested-in-suicide-plot.html

I wonder if Phil will cause the Vic fire with being hooked on crack soon... I've heard that Derek Martin filmed his last scenes as Charlie not long ago. So if Charlie is killed off, I wonder if we'll get a Slater family reunion, minus Zoe of course, for his funeral? Some more details on Barbara Windsor's going away party from last night, they seemed to have really gone all out for her, deservedly so. http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/144922/Barbara-Windsor-leaves-Eastenders-with-bubbly-laughter-and-tears/

Slaters in Detention was flippin' hilarious, I'm still surprised they even did that special. Lynne was definitely the lucky on in that family though. She never had to go through what Kat and Little Mo went through in their lives, which is why people probably found her to be the "boring Slater." Did you ever find Stacey in her younger years at least to be mini-Kat? I know she was created to be a younger version of Kat and the similarities are definitely there. Stacey probably came more into a different path though when she met Bradley. I'm really interested in seeing how Kat and Stacey interact with one another now and before Stacey leaves at the end of the year.

I still don't think any soap since has introduced a large new family as successful and that fast as the Slater's. They were all so unique and fit in seamlessly. Though, Stacey's really kept their name alive as Lynne, Zoe, Little Mo, and Kat started to leave within a year of each other. I'm re-watching some of Little's Mo's trial on YouTube again. It's just harrowing, especially to see her guilty and understanding why the jury found her so given the evidence, yet also knowing how badly Trevor damaged her. Even Trevor had tears in his eyes when Little Mo was found guilty! I remember being so shocked when I first watched all this. <object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xapg0ss8hsA&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1"></param><param'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xapg0ss8hsA&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xapg0ss8hsA&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object> Then this heartbreaking scene between Little Mo and Charlie in prison: <object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFZRwG0Rjic&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1"></param><param'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFZRwG0Rjic&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFZRwG0Rjic&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

I wonder if Sam is even coming back pregnant, she didn't even look so in the spoiler pics and there's no sight of a baby with her...

That family was just so poorly drawn from the get-go. Kareena had to be one of the most useless and annoying "heroines" I've ever encountered. They really tried to make her happen and it failed. I started watching the show most religiously during the John Yorke era in 2000 on BBC America. I had followed it on and off for years on PBS though. My PBS affiliate is airing stuff from the earlier part of Berridge's era right now and I'm getting to examine that era all over again. Kat and Alfie are just getting together, and Kareena is all over the place crying about her "love" for Tariq, and there's Vicky and Sharon and Pauline trying to support her in that awful pregnancy story.

This is what Santer said about bringing Sharon back, and about Kathy and Cindy: http://www.walfordwebforums.co.uk/prod/topic/10774-its-diederick-santers-turn-in-the-spotlight-new-in-spotlight-at-walford-web/

I don't know about the production model since John Yorke's era was still very successful when he moved the show to 4 mights a week, yet Berridge seemed to have problems with it. The show seemed to lack a general consistency when Yorke left and Berridge took over, I don't think she was inventive and imaginative as Yorke was. The Yoke era is definitely the highlight of the show over the past 10 years, I'd say. Berridge said that it helped bring Sharon back at the heart of the show, where she belonged.

Sharon will return one day, she has to. She's really the only vital character that links together all the popular eras of the show. She has strong links to the Angie/Den era of the 80's, the Mitchell era of the 90's, and the renaissance era of the early 00's. Ian and Dot come close, but Sharon is probably more vital more at the "heart" of the show. Berridge considers these the highlights of her era: http://www.walfordweb.co.uk/item.php?id=2284

Looking back, I wonder if expectations were too high for Berridge, especially coming off the highly successful (both in ratings and awards) John Yorke era. Though, she made some very stupid mistakes, namely having Little Mo raped for a SECOND time. The show might have also been due for a media backlash during that time, since it had been so popular for so long. But Kathleen Hutchinson and Kate Harwood weren't really any better...

That's quite a daunting task to try to get caught up in all that's happened since. I think you're best starting off with the June 2010 episodes, since it informs what's happening now. You can read Wiki to catch up with what's happened before. If you want to start off with a "big" episode, I might suggest the June 23rd hour-long episode where Stacey gives birth. The Lucas storyline is very frontburner at the moment and will be until the end of the month. It seems like the show will begin transitioning to newer stuff in August. You could also start there if you wish. Is the K in your user-name for Kat? How do you feel about her and Alfie coming back in September? I wonder how the re-design will look, or if it will be the same design as before. That's nice that they had a BBQ for Barbara's last day..

Yeah, I think Kirkwood has really understood Peggy from the episodes she's appeared in during his very brief tenure so far, like the scenes with Phil and Ben yesterday in the car. Peggy felt a lot like her very tough, yet very vulnerable way in those scenes. That's the Peggy I will always remember. Kirkwood said Peggy's exit was the first story he really got to sink his teeth into and he was really glad to work with her in her final months on the show. I now kind of wish Barbara had decided to stick around for another year or so more to see what he could have done with her.

A few pics of Barbara Windsor's last day on set and some words from a few castmembers. I'm really going to miss her when she leaves, Peggy has in some way become the quintessential matriarchal figure of the show and Barbara has always been the show's biggest supporter from the cast. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/2010/07/barbara.shtml

Looks like Phil will be hitting rock bottom worse than I thought... Here's upcoming spoiler pics, primarily focusing on Sam's return. http://tv.sky.com/eastenders-spoilers-sam-minty-snog-shock

I just finished watching today's episode: I thought the Phil, Ian, Shirley, and Peggy stuff was very strong. Phil is realizing more and more how he's the reason why Ben is in prison and how his parenting skills leave a lot to be desired. The Phil and Shirley conversation was very strong in particular. It also seems like this episode was a set up for Phil's upcoming crack addiction story. He symbolically brought all his liquor to the Vic, which may mean he's trading in one addiction (alcohol) for another (crack). That's the way it often happens in real life. I'm glad Ronnie told Jack about Owen fathering the baby she lost. Ronnie and Jack have been a lot more bearable since they've gotten together again, there seems to be a more human quality to their relationship these days. I felt sorry for Ronnie when she told Stacey "You've got to let it go!" and Stacey replied angrily "Like you did?!?" Samantha Womack's facial expression said so much in that scene, they didn't even have to emotion Danielle, because we knew what they meant. Now, on for the crap that is Christian and Syed. These two are unbearable and smug like hell. Their whole relationship is based on nothing, there is no substance there and I felt nothing as they walked off together. Marc Elliott looked uncomfortable like hell in those scenes where he had to touch Christian's face. I feel no love between these two, but whatever, at least their games are over for now and they're together. This is better than another year of "will they or won't they." I know they're popular and a lot of people wanted them together, but I can't believe those two imbeciles got Julia' Theme and poor Pauline never got it when she died or at her funeral. Next week looks good with Denise's funeral and the reveal about Ronnie being raped by Archie. Oh, this episode also set up well the stuff for Ronnie next week, especially those scenes with Peggy at the Vic. You could sense a storm was coming between them...

Dominic Treadwell-Collins said on Twitter that just he had to bring Syed and Christian together legitimately before he left, so I guess today's episode was a product of that... I guess he didn't want anyone else bringing them together or ripping them apart for good before they actually began...