Here's the 2007 Awgie nominations (for television):

Comedy (Situation or Narrative)

Integrity, Stupid, Stupid Man (Episode 3) by Mark C Burnett and Tim Pye

The Cobra, Stupid, Stupid Man (Episode 7) by Tim Pye

Television Original

Only one nominee and the winner will be announced on the night.

Television Serial

Cop Ya, Neighbours (Episode 5175) by David Hannam

Home and Away (Episode 4227) by Fiona Kelly

Home and Away (Episode 4212) by Sam Meikle

Television Series

I’m The King of The Castle, Love My Way (Episode 1, Series 3) by Brendan Cowell

Family Matters, All Saints (Episode 376) by Louise Crane-Bowes

Cold Blooded Creatures, Love My Way (Episode 2, Series 3) by Tony McNamara

Dangerous (Episode 3) by Fiona Seres

Telemovie Original

Only one nominee and the winner will be announced on the night.

Television Mini Series Original

The Circuit by Kelly Lefever and Mitch Torres with Beck Cole, Jane Harrison, Kootji Raymond and Dot West

Bastard Boys by Sue Smith

Edited June 29, 200718 yr by Sylph

I was just going to write that Shane Brennan (ex CSI:Miami writer, now with NCIS) was once a writer for Aussie soaps. He didn't write for soaps, but he wrote an episode or two of McLeod's Daughters. I confused him with someone else...

Thank you for the recap of Angela's story. Now I remember what it was all about.

And Bevan is some sort of network script executive or something. I read somewhere that Bennett is going to change Neighbours, make it more like it was in the beginning and so on, if I find a quote, I'll post it. What a contradiction to his stories on H&A.

I'm not sure if the breakdowns (synopses) exist in the American sense (an episode outline), mostly if anything is written in prose it's a breakdown of a particular story or something like that.

Can't speak for H&A but I've seen several breakdowns for Neighbours and they are very detailed scene-by-scene synopses of the episode. Each scene was prefaced with a sentence or two explaining the role of the scene in furthering story or character. Though it's not common, the SP or storyliner can also include suggested lines of dialogue for the scriptwriter to use.

Drew - you're spot on with H&A. From the little I've seen of this year, it is edging towards what it used to be and I presume Bevan Lee will ground the show a little more. There are reruns of the 2000 season currently airing in the UK and there's a huge difference. My only gripe is that yet again the "middle aged woman" of the series has been killed off and Sally is being prematurely turned into Pippa.

(I'm playing catch up, watching episodes from mid-feb)

I'm at mid-March (started watching at the beginning of 2007 season). Where/how are you watching it? I'm catching up Youtube (even though some episodes are missing). I don't feel like downloading. It takes too long.

I'm downloading. I've got divx files for all of 2006 and 2007's episodes.

they killed the "middle aged woman" of the show? Irene?? Beth??

But damn, I wish someone would cap those 2000 episodes

Edited June 30, 200718 yr by Drew

Beth. Irene meanwhile is busy with some gripping waitressing storylines at the Diner I presume. I think Tony's got a story though.

I'd be surprised if the 2000 episodes aren't going online. I seem to remember someone on one of the H&A forums offering to upload them. Back to the Bay I think. If I find out I'll let you know.

Edited June 30, 200718 yr by JamesF

wow, they've killed Beth? Does she just not return from that trip to the US or do we get to see Clarissa House again? I remember she was supposed to be the Pippa for the new millenium, guess that didn't work out lol.

I used to watch -- religiously -- a Telemundo soap called, I believe "Mirada del Mujer." It was GREAT! The lead, Angelica Aragon, I believe, was her name, was so photogenic and "vet-y" if that makes sense. A great screen presence. I didn't understand anything on it but it fascinated me.

I also GREATLY enjoyed one that centered on a maid in a mansion (about 20 years old) who wore a pink outfit. It was great and used pop music for background scores. It was very progressive in that respect; hip; and I miss it. (Again, no clue what happened there.)

wow, they've killed Beth? Does she just not return from that trip to the US or do we get to see Clarissa House again? I remember she was supposed to be the Pippa for the new millenium, guess that didn't work out lol.

It's all quite amusing really. Tony goes to pick her up or something because she's not shown up but on the way he stumbles upon a big car wreck in which she's been killed. All we see is Beth's arm hanging out of a bodybag on a stretcher so no Clarissa House. Not a particularly satisfying conclusion to the character.

I couldn't stand her when she showed up. She was so passive -- letting her kids get beaten up, palming off her alcoholic daughter on Irene, letting her husband have an affair for 20 years etc. But she grew into the mother role. CH was a great actress too.

Viewing Figures

1 EASTENDERS (THU 1932) 8.68

2 EASTENDERS (FRI 2000) 8.44

3 EASTENDERS (MON 2000) 8.40

11 EASTENDERS (TUE 1929) 5.34

3 CORONATION STREET (WED 1930) 10.10

4 CORONATION STREET (MON 2029) 9.70

5 CORONATION STREET (MON 1934) 9.64

6 CORONATION STREET (FRI 1933) 9.44

10 CORONATION STREET (FRI 2029) 8.07

8 HOME AND AWAY (FRI 1800) 1.67

9 HOME AND AWAY (MON 1800) 1.56

10 HOME AND AWAY (WED 1801) 1.55

14 HOME AND AWAY (THU 1800) 1.41

15 HOME AND AWAY (TUE 1801) 1.39

Steve Frost sticking with Corrie

Monday, June 25 2007, 13:44 BST

By Kris Green, Soaps Editor

Current Coronation Street producer Steve Frost is sticking with Corrie for a while yet - rubbishing weekend reports suggesting Doctor Who producer Phil Collinson is being lined up as his replacement.

A Corrie source told me: "Steve's not been with us for two years until the end of the year so we've definitely not started seeing anybody to replace him!"

They added: "And as for a cast cull - how ridiculous. We really don't know where that came from."

'Doctor Who' producer heads for 'Corrie'?

Sunday, June 24 2007, 20:36 BST

By Tony Delgado

Doctor Who producer Phil Collinson is reportedly in the frame for a similar role on Coronation Street.

The Daily Star claims that he is in line to replace the ITV show’s current executive producer Steve Frost in the near future, with bosses currently “grooming” him to take over.

A source told the paper: “Phil Collinson is the big target and everyone is saying how he is virtually certain to get the job… [he] is a big fan of old style Corrie so some of the old big names could be back.”

Collinson has overseen the current production of Doctor Who since the series was revived in 2005. On the third series, which concludes next Saturday, Collinson has had a lighter workload with Susie Liggat stepping in for the ‘Human Nature/The Family of Blood’ two parter.

In the late 1980s, the BBC scheduled Doctor Who directly against Coronation Street for the last two seasons of Sylvester McCoy’s tenure as the Time Lord, with the soap winning comfortably.

EXCLUSIVE: Surgery door slams on Enders' Dr. May

Twisted Dr. May Wright – actress Amanda Drew – and on-screen partner Rob Minter (Stuart Laing) will dramatically bow out of EastEnders when the Square's Rob-Dawn-May baby plot reaches its eagerly-anticipated climax, Digital Spy can reveal.

Next week sees Rob and May hold Dawn (Kara Tointon) hostage in their countryside retreat, where May threatens to get her hands on Dawn's baby by any means possible.

But May's dream of a perfect family life with Rob quickly crumbles around her.

Last month, producers took the decision to axe their baby abduction storyline due to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in Portugal.

And, despite having filmed nearly all of the original scripts, show bosses re-wrote and re-shot the entire culmination of the plot.

Hinting at the warped doctor's fate, a show source told DS: "There are some really shocking scenes to come. Viewers won't believe how far Mad May pushes it to get what she wants - but will she succeed? Or will she meet an unexpected demise?"

Of her exit, Amanda Drew said: "May has been a fantastic role to play. I've really enjoyed playing the part over the past few months and it's been an amazing plot to be part of. Although she didn't start out bad, I think it's right she goes as it's indefensible what she does."

Executive producer Diederick Santer told us: "Dr May and Rob - Amanda Drew and Stuart Laing - have led Dawn and the audience a merry dance this year.

"They have both given fantastic, gripping performances and we have loved having them. We wish them both all the best for the future."

Don't miss next week's dramatic episodes in the build up to May's final moments which air on Monday, June 25 on BBC One at 8pm.

Check back on DS next week to read an interview with Amanda!

Chat transcript with John Fay, Corrie's leading writer:

Brookside - John Fay John Fay, one of the writers on Brookside, joined us for a Live Chat after Saturday's Omnibus programme had brought us all up to date...

John Fay : Hello everyone! Chat Ed : Just getting John logged in... Hello John - welcome!

John Fay : Hello there. RDevil : Where do you get your inspiration for your episodes from? Own experiences?

John Fay : Erm, sometimes... you're given a storyline that outlines the basic plot that happens in the episode, a four page document. I flesh it out, I use some things that have happened to me, like the Diane and Marty section at the top of the stairs trying to quiet the babies down, so that's something that's come from my life! RDevil : So you buried your ex in the woods then?

John Fay laughs

John Fay : Many a time I've thought about it! Brookie Chat Ed chuckles

Nicola : How long have you been writing for Brookie and how did you get involved in writing?

John Fay : My first one went out in July 1999, I got the job in March 1999. Prior to that I'd been working in local theatres in Liverpool, writing my own plays and putting them on myself, in the local area. I did trial scripts in 1993 too, then I did one in 1998 and it kind of took me four attempts before I got taken on. It's mostly them being aware of your work then taking on something that catches their attention. RDevil : How much time, on average, does it take to write a whole episode?

John Fay : You get your storyline document on a Friday evening, and you have the whole weekend to decide what you want to do with the episode, and ask any questions and make any changes. Then on the Monday you have a meeting and decide on locations. Tonight's episode I asked if we could have fog and that's something that costs a lot of money, so that meeting is important. So then I have around ten days to get the first draft in. Sometimes you have two or three to write in that time though, then a meeting the following Weds, called a First Draft meeting, where the Producer will look over it and suggest changes, then another week to do the second draft. Nicola : who decides on the basic plot?

John Fay : We have a writers meeting once a month with 14 writers, that's chaired by the producer called Marcus. We discuss it and argue it, but the final say always ends up with the producer. bex2000 : are there going to be any new characters?

John Fay : Yes there are! You have to introduce new faces to keep the thing moving. ME : can we get any insider info ?

John Fay : You could but it'd mean me getting the sack! Brookie Chat Ed : hehe

PoshBird : So what did happen to Terry Sullivan??

John Fay : Common bloke says, it was before my time! So I haven't got a clue! Martin : Why does nobody have any pets on the close?

John Fay : The Murrays have a dog, called Ruby. It's a matter of the logistics of filming. The deadlines are so short, things that may cause any unforeseen changes to the deadlines - we try to keep to a minimum. But yes it's about time we saw some more pets. Becky : Are any of the old characters coming back?

John Fay : Probably falls into the category of trying to get me sacked! girl : whos u're fave character on the show?

John Fay : Erm... I've always liked Katie Rogers and it's nice to get the newer ones, from a writing point of view - you get a blank canvas to work on and develop. And Lance and Leanne are a cracking double act too, the worlds nicest man and the worlds most awful woman! Nigel : Will there ever be a late night Brookside with content like on the Brookside videos?

John Fay : I think I can say that the Christmas special is going out after 9pm, but it's not really a late night special in terms of the way the videos were. Nicola : What training did you have to get into writing?

John Fay : The beauty of writing in theory, is that you don't need any. Like any craft you need to practice, the more you do the better you get. Most just pick up a pen and away they go. I did a drama degree and then I was in the theatre producing, so I experienced things in terms of writing dialogues, that was invaluable. With theatre you can see where it works and where it doesn't. Which is great. You can't do that with TV. dizzydolly : Can you recommend any courses to do that would help if you wanted to get into script writing?

John Fay : I couldn't recommend specific course, as I didn't do them. Generally speaking though if you can get yourself involved in any kind of writers group then do that. Bounce ideas off people and get feedback. Lou : How does someone start to get into writing scripts and also managing to get jobs for it? i mean it isn't something you see in job papers?

John Fay : Boy oh Boy do I know that! I started writing when I was 16 in the summer holidays cos I didn't want to go back and do my A Levels, I thought I'd just write something for the BBC they'd write back in a couple of weeks! 18 years later, I got a job! Brookie Chat Ed chuckles

Brookie Chat Ed : Blimey.

John Fay : You just have to keep writing. Don't lose it Keep going and put in the hours and have determination. Sooner or later a job will turn up. It can take a while though! Becky : what was the first storyline that u wrote?

John Fay : The first episode was the episode when Jessie discovered Greg and Susannah's affair. I was lucky there. That went out in June 1999. That was a major storyline, there were sub-plots within it as well. Barry Grant : would you ever quit brookie and write for ,say 'enders or corrie? or mabey even films?

John Fay : I think I'd be at a disadvantage writing for EastEnders or Corrie, because I'm from Liverpool, I feel it gives me a head start writing for Brookie. I also feel a loyalty to them. asp : does Phil Redmond still have an input into the storylines?

John Fay : He always has final say. He's the boss basically. If something was happening that he was dead set against it wouldn't happen. At the same time he has been taking a back seat for a while. I think he's more of an overviewer now. A lot of the time you're not even aware that's he's there. Eye : How much input do the actors get into what will happen to their characters, and do you ever get tempted to do bad things to any that annoy you *grins*?

John Fay laughs

John Fay : I've haven't been there long enough for them to annoy me yet. I think it's fair to say that they have to be listened to. If people are uncomfortable with something then it should be looked at, otherwise their performance will suffer. You can't put the cart before the horse. dizzydolly : is script writing well paid?

John Fay : As I mentioned before, for the first 18 years - most definitely not! But for the last 18 months - yes! If I can keep this up for the next couple of years then it might even out to be a fair wage chunky monkey : How many writers are there in total?

John Fay : I think there's a bout 14 now. One of the women writers is on maternity leave at the moment, so around 13 or 14.. chunky monkey : Is writing a lonely job, and do you ever wish you were something other than a writer? Or is it very satisfying?

John Fay : It is lonely. But one of the beauties of working in Brookie is that that for two days a month we all get together, so you get that social interaction that you would get from a normal job. You can get lonely at the keyboard all day. That's why writers workshops are great too. I love it at the moment... there's a lot of satisfaction from it. MadMax : Are all the writers from Liverpool?

John Fay : NO. When I first started there was only three or four of us from Liverpool. I think it's about half and half at the moment. Brookie Chat Ed : OK folks - our half hour is nearly up, so last three questions now....

Jason : Have you ever created a storyline that was unacceptable or rejected by the production crew?

John Fay : Not by the crew but many many times by the producers.

John Fay chuckles Brookie Chat Ed : oo! like..?

John Fay : We have a long term planning meeting once every six months where we all submit ideas for storylines. It's very unusual that one of them gets chosen, they reject them far more often than take them on. Too many to say! Becky : Are there anymore brookie videos coming out?

John Fay : Not to the best of my knowledge, that doesn't mean to say it will never happen again. But I'm not aware of any plans to do so at the minute. Brookie Chat Ed : OK, and last question now John...

Barry Grant : if you could choose anyone to be on the soap who would you be?

John Fay laughs

John Fay : Blimey errmm... They've all been touched with such misfortune! I don't think I'd want to be any of them! I'd be a non-speaking extra stood at the bar! Brookie Chat Ed : That's it! Thanks for coming John, that was great. Hope you enjoyed it. And thanks to all of you for all your questions....

MadMax : Thanks John!

Becky : thanx, c ya

John Fay : Thanks very much everyone for taking an interest - I hope you keep enjoying the show. Barry Grant : cheers bye

Martin : thanks very much John

John Fay : Bye now.

John Fay leaves the room