LondonScribe

Belle Dingle's storyline has been revealed. Let's just say it ISN'T a teen pregnancy... http://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz-tv/hot-tv/361925/Emmerdale-Belle-Dingle-embroiled-in-MURDER-storyline

Without giving too much away, Eastenders featured a scene that, in a way, reminded me of David Kimble's exit from Y&R. Think Kick-Ass. Just a tad less gruesome. No doubt OfCom are in for some complaints, mainly due to the time it was shown (8-9pm, pre-watershed)

On Monday 9th December, the second coming of the Soap Messiah occurred. All the ills of the last 3 and a bit years in Eastenders magically came to an end as the closing credits concluded with Executive Producer DOMINIC TREADWELL-COLLINS. All hail DTC... At least that's if you believe the 'faithful breathren' on Digital Spy. Even one poster was honest enough to say that they were probably just seeing what they wanted to see, just because they knew a new producer was in charge. My opinion? It was a good, well-paced episode that appeared to possibly turn the ship towards Christmas, which is quite something considering it started more or less where Friday's episode ended. But it was one episode. I'm going to adopted a wait and see attitude and judge the show a few months down the line (even though Christmas was apparently re-written by the new team) and won't get carried away by the tweets of the journalists who have already seen the Christmas and New Year episodes.

Tonight (5/12/13) will obviously be remembered for more significant world events but in EE, it was the last credited episode of Lorraine Newman as Executive Producer. The next episode, Monday 9th December will be the first credited episode of Dominic Treadwell-Collins as EP. Also, announced tonight was the return of Lacey Turner as Stacey Slater. In relation to this, the highest profile EE fan site, Walford Web has closed down suddenly. The speculation is that the media embargo on the above mentioned news was (effectively) broken by someone on that site leading to the owner shutting it down. Apparently, it will force many of their users onto DS, a site they have slagged off for years. This should be fun...

In UK soaps, the Executive Producer is in essence, the show runner. Deals with the networks, finances, etc, and sets the direction. The show is essentially in his/her image. The Series Producer, Story Producer and others are there to execute the vision of the EP. The most visible examples of this are Dominic Treadwell-Collins for Eastenders and Bryan Kirkwood for Hollyoaks (a tick I think the latter picked up from his stint on the former, more to follow). And their names would usually be the last on the closing credits (a crediting trait on UK shows). However, on the ITV shows, the EP manages several shows or is a corporate head (for example, Kieran Roberts is the Head of Drama at ITV/Granada, clarification sought on official title) so doesn't run the show. The showrunner is you-know-know and he is credited as 'Producer'. The same set up on Emmerdale with John Whiston (who, by the way doesn't appear on Emmerdale's closing credits) as EP and Kate Oates is Series Producer.

Bringing Liz back was a decision by Stuart Blackburn. I believe the turning point in this story was the fact that David caused the car accident, which has 'changed Nick's life' (for now). It is quite strange considering Kylie sleeping with Nick (cheating on both sides) was the catalyst to this all.

With a soap/drama serial scene that has given us Louise Berridge (especially in 2004), Anita Turner, Oliver Kent, Paul Marquess, etc, to call Stuart Blackburn the worst is a damning indictment. Yes, Mr Blackburn, who wasn't a bad scriptwriter back in the day (he wrote that (in)famous episode of The Bill back in 2001 when Special Constable Terry Knowles was stabbed in the neck with a comb handle) came to Coronation Street with somewhat of a chequered reputation for soap producing. His Emmerdale was less-than-remarkabke and seen as very serious and depressing, with odd/bad couples and poor plots. It certainly wasn't on my Sky+, whereas it is the first thing I watch when I get home from work, thanks to his successor, (the almost improbably gorgeous) Kate Oates. Moreso than my superficial comment, she seems to get Emmerdale and has sped things up. Whilst not quite the 'Dynasty-esq' barminess of Kath Beedles Emmerdale nearly a decade ago, it just works, in contrast to Coronation Street. In my view, everything else on the show bows down to the Cropper storyline, which is already breathtaking and heartbreaking, thanks mostly to the acting masterclass by the actors. So, on one hand, avid viewers should hope that Coronation Street isn't damaged or gutted too much by Stuart Blackburn. On the other, unless ITV has another Collinson-esq 'chosen one' they want to poach from another network, then usual services will be resumed and the Emmerdale producer will move to Coronation Street in 2015 or 2016. Interesting point about Emmerdale under Gavin Blyth. I think he is seen with a great deal of fondness because of the initial upturn in quality after Anita Turner and sadly, the circumstances behind the end of his reign. Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't he plot the 'almost off screen' deaths of Terry Woods and Viv Windsor? So yes, perhaps Stuart Blackburn has been unfortunate enough to inherit shows without a solid foundation?

The 'Top Two' of Treadwell-Collins and Davis being part of the team in 2003-2005 that turned Family Affairs around and made it more watchable. Life is funny sometimes. At the time, Davis was Series Producer to Paul Marquess EP and DTC was Series Story Editor to Ian Aldwinckle Story Producer. (The latter may not be accurate).

For all the good he did as Story Editor/Producer of Family Affairs, I was never completely convinced of his work at Eastenders (and this is someone who championed all things and people FA, The Bill and Dream Team). But, it's possible he was working to ('Dashing' "Ooh, aint he gorgeous" in my best Barbara Windsor voice) Diederick Santer's directive so I'll do what I learned to do after largely getting it wrong about Bryan Kirkwood, and wait and see what happens. I can predict, however, that there will be a massive bloodletting of both cast and crew (especially the story team and writers). I was rather hoping that Lorraine Newman would work things out, because of how long she has been with the show and because I feel this is another victory for 'mob rule' and our poisonous written press.

It never got to the stage of revealing the new name, because shortly afterwards (a week maybe?) the cancellation was announced. The interview with SO'C I believe said he wanted to: -Make the show younger and sexier (as evidenced by the two student nurses, Perdy and Meridith, I think their names were, a younger doctor, as well as Daniel Hyde's character, Jason Wilding and his WAG-esq wife, who's official entrance I remember consisting of them speeding into Stanley Street in a sports car, accompanied by pop/rock music played over the scene). -Make Stanley Street and Charnham into 'it's own character' by adding more colour and extending it. This also included burning down the Swan and re-building it as 'The Phoenix' (complete with mysterious new owner Rex Randall and quite creepy, almost incestuous sister, who the former murdered in the last episode). He also said he and his story team (headed up Dominic Treadwell-Collins, whatever happened to him?) had started doing storylines and projections for up to 2 years. The nature of the stories changed in the last few months from the considered storytelling of the Costellos and Denise Boulter's rape to more 'OMG' instances like Eileen flushing Pete's ashes down the toilet, her having the entire street turn against her, her blowing up the Swan, her exit. As well as the question of how Rex Randall's wife died (answered in the last 2 episodes), Cat's latest affair via community panto and who Yasmin would choose: the new vicar/priest or (the recasted and shorter) Marc MacKenzie. As for David Easter's exit, it was reported as him wanting to leave but I was never sure about that. O'Connor, in his first couple of months, wrote out Dave, the Boulters, Lucy, Seb Castang's character and Sadie. My mind isn't clear on whether Dave, Lucy and SC's exits were O'Connor's or Alison Davis before going over to The Bill.

Ah, Pete's shooting. That was the week the show started to change stylistically. There was the inaugural use of sporadic background music/scores. I distinctly remember a haunting score used at the beginning of Monday's episode when the (at that time unidentified) body bag was being rolled out of the Swan to the 'ambulance/hearse'. You see, Pete's exit played out over a week of episodes. After the aforementioned scene, the story went back a few hours and the build from a christening up to the siege began. I remember it pretty well, as it was the first episodes EP'd by Johnathan Young with Sean O'Connor as Series Producer. (He was already producer under Paul Marquess after Alison Davis went to The Bill). O'Connor was previously series producer of Hollyoaks (with former EE writer Liza Mellody) for a cup of tea and the producer of the Footballers Wives Season 3. And he had grand plans to compete with Hollyoaks, some of the details have already been discussed. This week was seen as the true unveiling of SO'C vision of FA, which included changing the filming from filmic to 'natural' (like EE and CS). I had my reservations about 'sexing up' the show, as it rang a bit shallow with me personally, but was still gutted when time was called.

The show in general doesn't appear to know what it wants to do. Each successive producer seems to want do something entirely different to the predecessor, even discarding the good elements of their stewardship. I know next to nothing about the backstage macinations of the soaps, but I think (and let's stress the word 'think') she may not have had total choice over this move. I wish her luck as I was not part of the lynchmob over on aforementioned website, and the last few months + Hollyoaks means I think she'll not struggle to find work if she doesn't have something in place. I only mooted Kath Beedles as she is already there and was BK's Story Producer on Eastenders (a position now held by the immensely talented Patrick Homes, I've loved his written episodes of The Bill, Holby City and Casualty, look out for him in future). I like Beedles and attribute some of the more recent story cohesion in HO to her. She'll be best remembered for her time as Series Producer on Emmerdale. She took the show over in quite a precarious state, as previous producer Steve Frost (now November) had succumbed to some of his more dark and boring tenancies (see the general apathy to his tenure in charge of Coronation Street). She tightened the stories and lets be frank, made the show (mega) dramatic, and glamorous. It was, on ocassion, likened to Dynasty, as the Kings and the Sinclairs caused no end of problems for themselves, others and each other. Let's not forget, the Show Home Collapse that more or less kicked off the build to Tom King's murder at Christmas 2005 (a masterful seasonal episode). There was the couple of episodes that saw Cain Dingle and Sadie King leave. Absolutely bonkers episode(s) but hugely watchable. If you can find them online, you should have a blast watching them. There's more to that period, that was never really capitalised on by Anita Turner and her instantly forgettable period in charge. It took (the late) Gavin Blyth to restore something to that show. But, as you can tell, I've veered off course. Lol

Another producer change. This one is NOT surprising. Emma Smithwick has stepped down as Series Producer. Her last day is October 5th. EP's Tony Wood and Bryan Kirkwood will oversee the show. Writing on my phone so can't post the link but it's DS. I'm guessing Kathleen Beedles will be made Series Producer. Otherwise, can lightning strike twice?

Not sure how much of this is known, but Susan Tully's father, Mike, has been an extra in Eastenders for many years. Elderly man, light-coloured/grey hair and glasses. Very softly spoken and very nice man. Seeing this just reminded me of that.

There is an overriding sense of satisfaction and victory on the Digital Spy forums at the moment. I've never had a great deal of time for that 'community/lynch mob' but since more or less the time it was announced Bryan Kirkwood would become the Executive Producer it has gotten worse, to the point the moderators had to ban users at regular intervals for out-of-line comments, ranging from linking his sexuality to his choice of stories and actors to his Scottish heritage. Bonkers. However, I do think he was ultimately a bad fit for Eastenders. Having not gone back and read it, I think I commented on the 'Eastenders Machine' when he was appointed. Diederick Santer, Kate Harwood and going back, John Yorke all worked within a BBC machine prior to taking the reigns at Elstree. Whilst in charge of Hollyoaks, I can only imagine the workings at Lime Pictures were less 'structured/restricted' and thus, Bryan Kirkwood had less people to appease and answer to. He also didn't have a massive fanbase and media to answer to. Certainly not on the scale he has had for the last 2 years. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a 'defence' as such, because the quality has been very 'hit-and-miss'. I don't need to go over what has already been said because I agree largely with it. I don't think the show was ever as bad as stated. I like a long-running story and didn't mind the Masood/Yusuf story lasting 1 Year+. I mean, it gave us the magnetic Ace Bhatti for a sustained period of time. Do I think he and Kath Beedles were asked to 'resign'? Probably, as suggested by the installation of an interim EP. Think the hasty exit of Paul Marquess from Hollyoaks and the temporary reign of Gareth Phillips. There is enough talent in the two of them that I don't think they will have problems finding new gigs. Eastenders doesn't mark everybody's cards. I mentioned the fanbase that needs to be appeased. I feel with this fanbase in particular that they know what they DON'T want but may not actually know what they DO want, and in that regard, they may not know what they have with any new permanent until it's 'too late'. Then it will all begin again. On that note, I don't suppose it's too late to tempt Myar Craig-Brown back form ITV?

It's actually Ken Farrington. Tom King from Emmerdale. And don't get me started on Family Affairs. I'll not get any work done today.

Apologies if this has been addressed previously, but who did they appoint as the new Series Producer?

This 'feeding frenzy' (as it has been called) reminds me of the shooing Eastenders received when Loiuse Berridge was Executive Producer. The odd thing is that the show isn't in a swamp like it was in 2004 when it hit its nadir. At this point, if the quality of refreshments at Elstree dipped it would be attributed to the state of the show. I'm not sure how many of you here are based in the UK but we have a tabloid press that I don't have much time for. This won't die down until a head rolls. Probably Bryan Kirkwood's, despite the fact it has been said no heads will roll. An early end to the story is not satisfactory in the eyes of many.

6000 people complaining yes, but they appear to have the press backing them up or stirring it (at the very least). I only question the stability of Bryan Kirkwood's postion because at the end of these contentious episodes, the very last name on the credits are his. Some will point and say he is responsible (even if this was being planned before he fully took over)...

If Bryan Kirkwood is scapegoated and a replacement is sought, I wouldn't be surprised if the BBC employed from within. I'm talking about someone like Oliver Kent from Casualty or Craig Myar-Brown (sp) who has done a heck of a job with Holby City or even moving over Belinda Campbell (EP of both of the aforementioned shows)... At the time of his appointment, I said he is a good storyteller and on that basis, he should do well. I also made reference to Eastenders being a machine. A machine that Hollyoaks wasn't. Is the machine chewing Kirkwood up? Possibly... Is he sinking in the deep waters 'muddied' by Diederick Santer (as has been suggested)? Possibly... Or is this a storm that can be weathered before a 'brilliant summer'? How odd that only 3 or 4 months ago, there was (arguable) stability in UK soaps. Now Bryan Kirkwood is Lucifer, Paul Marquess is gone, some people bemoan Phil Collinson and Emmerdale has to be careful behind the scenes given recent events. Amazing. Lastly, John Yorke stepping in would always be welcome by a large number of people, but he has much greater BBC Drama responsibilities than 2000-2002, so how much could he do to help? And I'm someone who looks back on that period with great fondness. Oh boy, too much talking again.

Does anyone here think this reaction and media storm- however justified or not- could actually result in Bryan Kirkwood being sacrificed? There has been talk of changing/reducing the story, but it appears as if the proverbial 'shedding of blood' will need to be achieved before people are satisfied...

A suggestion coming from the DS boards (by way of linked tweets and articles) is that it was lung cancer... But yes, 41 is no age.

I once referred to this particular score as 'Michael's Theme' as he was often found to have this played over his scenes, particularly with Detective Webber in 2003. Well, YouTube is our friend (and since the show and scenes weren't so frenetic) and the score is considerably longer. Starts at about 1:30. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmoE-DoGpAk

Make no mistake, I am no Bryan Kirkwood fanboy, and I share some of your views on 2008 and no doubt some of the choices he will take on Eastenders. I just think he took a show that was rusting, restored it and painted it gold. (Lucy Allen then introduced what she thought was polish but turned out to be an erosive stripper). As for the IVF story, I'm simply going to wait to see how it plays out. I could start caning it now and it could turn out to be the most though-provoking story this year. I could do the opposite and it could turn out to be absolute pony.

I think the best way to answer the question is to compare it to going to a music festival and seeing a popular act on the main stage. On occasion, one goes to the front and risks being battered in the mosh pit or being doused with stuff from the act on the stage. I am the cautious so-and-so enjoying the act from a distance, close enough to see the act, facial expressions and all, but far enough to make a dash for it if it's not great or it starts raining. In other words, I'm enjoying the show for what it is (and it's certainly not Pinter or Shakespeare) but the investment is not there. If it goes pear-shaped, it won't hurt me. This is a show under Paul Marquess, the man who devised Footballers Wives, and turned The Bill from a police show to a show about models who happen to wear police uniforms. This isn't a knock on Paul Marquess, who has his finger on some kind of pulse. And I'm not going to say I haven't enjoyed some of his work in the past but I haven't been expecting philosophical enlightenment or the answers to any of life's questions. People have been somewhat spoiled by Bryan Kirkwood's stewardship of Hollyoaks, as his vision of the show was deeper and more complex than it was before or perhaps it ever will be again. If people expect that level of depth from the show under Paul Marquess then the disappointment will be palpable and possibly jading. The majority of the praise for the show now comes from the 'Seth is fit' and 'Mitzeee is a hottie, check out that a***' brigade, so that is where we are. Again, it's not a knock as it can be argued that the show has a 'typical' audience to service, and I can't speak for anyone else. In my view, the show is good to look at and it's colourful but I'm not going to just head first into a paddling pool. (At 6'1, that would be daft)...