Wow, so SOD was actually substantive back in the day ... Hmmm, with fewer and fewer US soaps, it might not be a bad idea for SOD to start writing about British soaps.

Aside from Eastenders, in a scattered section of PBS stations, none of them air over here.

They'll probably just vomit up over primetime shows that are already covered to death. And I'm sure we'll hear about the latest Kardashian Kontroversy.

Yeah, I guess it wouldn't work ... Just saw the cliffhanger from last Friday on YouTube, because I was looking for Simon's appearance after the credits ... Carol tripping as David left the Square without her, how sad! David must return! These characters still have so much power. Are you still disappointed with EastEnders writing, Carl? Seems like all the clips I've seen lately have been amazing. Simon Ashdown is a veteran EastEnders writer and the show seems to be in good hands with him.

I don't watch enough to give a strong opinion. I don't think it's as bad as many claim, a lot of that is just an easy target. If I never have to hear about the wonders of Melissa Suffield again, it will be too soon.

Pat's last scene at the Vic still makes me cry.

Her goodbye episode was very touching.

Chrissie just started to appear in the 2004 episodes that are airing on my PBS station.

I can begin watching again...

I never realized how screwed up Lou Beale's family history actually is after all these years. I really want to start collecting those Hugh Miller novels to understand all the backstory.

^You're right, I don't think the continuity of character backstories was a strength in the early years! At least it was entertaining then though

OMG Sharon is coming back!

http://tellymix.co.uk/soaps/72007-letitia-dean-to-reprise-her-role-as-sharon-watts-on-bbc1-soap-eastenders-later-this-year.html

I'll be happy to see Sharon again, and I think the pieces are there for a good comeback. I'm wary due to Kat's poor return and due to the hatred so many having for Kirkwood blinding them to anything good on the show. Hopefully Sharon's return will be a success. I know this is a long time coming.

There was some back and forth with why the original link a poster posted at DS kept showing up as a empty page. Turns out Sky news had originally reported the news, but after a few hours, took the story down. The twitter account of EastEnders press says they have a major announcement in store for tomorrow. However the cats pretty much out of the bag now.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a363385/eastenders-letitia-dean-to-reprise-role-as-sharon-watts.html

Letitia won't start filming until May, so I guess she won't be on-screen until August/September.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2095228/Letitia-Dean-return-EastEnders-Sharon-Watts.html

I wonder if she will have the Vic again. Will Kat be gone by then? I read Kat is going for 2-3 months?

I think Jessie is on a 3 month leave and will start filming again in April. Kat will probably return just before Sharon.