LondonScribe

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)...

After all this (pointless, in my view) talk about the new credits, they arrive and the children on Digital Spy are not happy. Hilarious... Anyway, I happened upon this old treasure from 2000. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQilATEA2iE&feature=related My favourite version of the theme.

It feels odd only reading about the British Soaps and not being able to watch them. I'm currently in the States and it also feels odd with the roles being totally reversed and being able to watch the American soaps as they are shown. By the sounds of it, Hollyoaks is starting to wobble again, as it finds its feet under Paul Marquess, which is disappointing. I guess I can form a comprehensive opinion when I get back to London.

I'll come back to you on that one on August 1st.... Or would September 1st be more appropriate? Two months may be a better indicator.

Regarding the new titles, I think it will swing one of two ways. They will either be previewed/leaked before the end of the week (or shown with First Look on e4) or they will do what they did with the current style and wait until the 5 the the premier them. I remember they put the old credits over the Friday e4 episode to avoid 'leaks'

Ah, Toups, the mirror falling on Warren was actually the last Bryan Kirkwood credited episode (I believe). The episode that followed was the first episode Lucy Allan was credited with. IIRC, Kirkwood had said in an interview that as long as he was in charge of Hollyoaks, Warren wouldn't pay for his crimes or die, as Warren was a character he had invested so much in. When Kirkwood, and then later Jamie Lomas, decided to leave, it was decided that Warren would leave with Kirkwood's end on the show. I was willing to give Lucy Allan a chance, seeing as she worked so closely with Kirkwood, and helped put the 3 years together. But then concern started to abound when reading her first interview (which I believe was Producer's Season 2009). The best way to describe it is that there was a certain coldness and distance that came from the interview and the promise that the younger characters would be the focus. The following few months, particularly with the promising but ultimately dull baby-selling storyline amongst others actually saw me withdraw from the show. An inspiration for my own writing it was not... I've gone off on one again. Pardom me....

Seeing as we are entering the final week of stories (seemingly) written by Lucy Allan, I thought it only fitting that we start to mention and recall the memorable stories, those plots and characters that really made you glad you invested your time, energy and emotions in Hollyoaks following on from the mostly successful period under Bryan Kirkwood........ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ....... Anything?

July 5th? Damn... He clearly has the patience of a saint to wait until July 5th (true to form or not), but the question is, do we? Or will it be harder to compliment anything we see from now till then because we know it was sired by Lucy Allan, tweaks or otherwise....

Watched first look e4 and it looks like it is the wedding week. Lucy Allan is still credited, so I was wrong... However, I have a sneaky suspicion she didn't produce it...

Based on the fact that Lucy Allan's name remains on the credits suggests to me that Paul Marquess has stuck to type and kept clear of what he doesn't want to be associated with. Reading between the lines (based on the little we have read), I am suggesting that Paul Marquess will be credited as Producer beginning the week of Calvin/Carmel's wedding. Hey, I could be totally wrong...

Information by not-so-tenuous link time: The acting class my sister is attached to has just sent 3 of its pupils to Liverpool to (in the words of my sister) "audition for a new family. The only reason I didn't go is because I'm not 16 or over" Plus, the 3 pupils are all black. So, as I expected, it looks like this new family Paul Marquess is casting for is a direct replacement for the Valentines. But, I don't think for a second that this will be the only new family. If the focus and dynamic is altered (as I expect Marquess to do) then I believe there will be at least one more family/unit.