Hope there are plans to recast the actor who plays Liam soon. Child actors do not always develop enough to become the 'adult' they need for the show.
I liked the child actors who played Lauren and Ben but have no problem believing in their replacements.
Peggy however was so different I took ages to believe in her. Bringing Daniella Westbrook back never worked for me either.
It's awful at the moment, but I still watch because of a few good bits here and there.
The acting from some of the cast is the only thing holding it up. Characters are changed regularly, there are too many stupid plots, continuity is terrible and the stories have no pace making it impossible to care. New Ben has failed beyond belief, and after all this time I feel the only way the damage to the show can be repaired is if Kirkwood leaves taking half of his 'writers' with him.
I just feel that the show has a really strong cast:
Jo Joyner
Jake Wood
Nina Wadia
Nitin Ganatra
Marc Elliot
Zoe Lucker
Shona McGarty
Lyndsey Coulson
Phil McFadden though I don't like Phil
Jessie Wallace though I don't like Kat right now
Laurie Brett when she returns
Charlie Brooks
Adam Woodyatt
Shane Ritchie
Linda Henry though I don't like Shirley right now
Jamie Borthwick
Perry Fenwick
Pam StClement
It's awful at the moment, but I still watch because of a few good bits here and there.
The acting from some of the cast is the only thing holding it up. Characters are changed regularly, there are too many stupid plots, continuity is terrible and the stories have no pace making it impossible to care. New Ben has failed beyond belief, and after all this time I feel the only way the damage to the show can be repaired is if Kirkwood leaves taking half of his 'writers' with him.
What good bits?! I'm at a loss. I think the only fine actors in the show are Lyndsey Coulson and Jo Joyner and both characters have been neglected/ruined. Tanya's cancer storyline is being handled extremely badly. It does nothing but ring alarm bells and sends a very negative message to viewers affected by the situation in real life instead of providing support and being as informative as possible. Eastenders' research on such topics used to be excellent back in the day, now it just appears to skim over the facts, fails to send the right message to viewers and drowns in the storyliners' ridiculous far-fetched sensationalism. I had high hopes for Zoe Lucker as Vanessa however she was treated appaulingly and her character has been wasted and written completely wrong! Kirkwood's black cab is looong overdue.....!
It's awful at the moment, but I still watch because of a few good bits here and there.
The acting from some of the cast is the only thing holding it up. Characters are changed regularly, there are too many stupid plots, continuity is terrible and the stories have no pace making it impossible to care. New Ben has failed beyond belief, and after all this time I feel the only way the damage to the show can be repaired is if Kirkwood leaves taking half of his 'writers' with him.
I have stopped watching now because of all the above that you mention. I may take another look at it when I sense on here and elsewhere that the necessary changes needed have taken place. At the moment it is in a bad place and un- watchable.
I remember back about 10 years ago (maybe not even that), that there would be several storylines running alongside each other in an episode so there would always be at least something to hold your interest. Now the stories seem to be told in blocks - for example, we'll have 1 week which focuses heavily on the Masoods, then the next they'll disappear into the background and we'll see 2 Tanya-led episodes before it switches to the Moons. This is by no means a new problem under Kirkwood, I remember criticising Santer for the exact same thing.
Now we're just left having to imagine what certain characters are getting up to - how is the trio of Dot, Rose and Cora getting on? How did Kim deal with her good news after her HIV test? How are Janine and Phil getting on at the club? We were left to imagine what Mandy was getting up to whilst Ian was away for the most part.
I think the show would improve so much if it didn't keep disappearing from situations and characters.
I remember back about 10 years ago (maybe not even that), that there would be several storylines running alongside each other in an episode so there would always be at least something to hold your interest. Now the stories seem to be told in blocks - for example, we'll have 1 week which focuses heavily on the Masoods, then the next they'll disappear into the background and we'll see 2 Tanya-led episodes before it switches to the Moons. This is by no means a new problem under Kirkwood, I remember criticising Santer for the exact same thing.
Now we're just left having to imagine what certain characters are getting up to - how is the trio of Dot, Rose and Cora getting on? How did Kim deal with her good news after her HIV test? How are Janine and Phil getting on at the club? We were left to imagine what Mandy was getting up to whilst Ian was away for the most part.
I think the show would improve so much if it didn't keep disappearing from situations and characters.
I don't think the block storylines situation was as bad under Santer. The show felt a lot more fluid.
Santer also seemed to care about all of the characters even the non A list ones as they did get some decent screentime. Under Kirkwood characters can go weeks and weeks without even appearing.
I remember back about 10 years ago (maybe not even that), that there would be several storylines running alongside each other in an episode so there would always be at least something to hold your interest. Now the stories seem to be told in blocks - for example, we'll have 1 week which focuses heavily on the Masoods, then the next they'll disappear into the background and we'll see 2 Tanya-led episodes before it switches to the Moons. This is by no means a new problem under Kirkwood, I remember criticising Santer for the exact same thing.
Now we're just left having to imagine what certain characters are getting up to - how is the trio of Dot, Rose and Cora getting on? How did Kim deal with her good news after her HIV test? How are Janine and Phil getting on at the club? We were left to imagine what Mandy was getting up to whilst Ian was away for the most part.
I think the show would improve so much if it didn't keep disappearing from situations and characters.
I used to feel involved in the character's storylines because they'd be on screen regularly. Ever since they started ''blocking'' storylines I don't feel connected to characters anymore. I often forget where the storyline left off and end up being too confused by what's happening to care.
I used to feel involved in the character's storylines because they'd be on screen regularly. Ever since they started ''blocking'' storylines I don't feel connected to characters anymore. I often forget where the storyline left off and end up being too confused by what's happening to care.
I know exactly how you feel, Tanya's cancer story is being acted so well, but because it keeps disappearing, her reveal to Raine, Cora and Abi is being dragged out and it's making it harder to care about the story.
Love Jo Joyner... that is all! x saying that I personally believe rather than only showing the helpline number for viewers affected by certain storylines (rape, murder etc)... they should just constantly have a helpline for depression after every show. :-\
Yes yes, I know... If I don't like it then I can easily switch off, it's usually me spouting that line on here LOL! But ive grown up with the show so its not easy to just switch off.
I just wish it were more upbeat at times... far to much goes on in one little place!
I remember back about 10 years ago (maybe not even that), that there would be several storylines running alongside each other in an episode so there would always be at least something to hold your interest. Now the stories seem to be told in blocks - for example, we'll have 1 week which focuses heavily on the Masoods, then the next they'll disappear into the background and we'll see 2 Tanya-led episodes before it switches to the Moons. This is by no means a new problem under Kirkwood, I remember criticising Santer for the exact same thing.
Now we're just left having to imagine what certain characters are getting up to - how is the trio of Dot, Rose and Cora getting on? How did Kim deal with her good news after her HIV test? How are Janine and Phil getting on at the club? We were left to imagine what Mandy was getting up to whilst Ian was away for the most part.
I think the show would improve so much if it didn't keep disappearing from situations and characters.
Hear hear.
Its really rubbish at the moment. I can't believe Bryan Kirkwood has been kept on so long.
Why is it awful? I am really enjoying it still. I certainly don't feel bored when I am watching it, and recently I think it's been really interesting with Lauren finding out about Tanya's illness, Ben's coming out, and the Masood problems. There have been lots of powerful scenes lately, especially when Masood divorced Zaineb.
Jo Joyner
Jake Wood
Nina Wadia
Nitin Ganatra
Marc Elliot
Zoe Lucker
Shona McGarty
Lyndsey Coulson
Phil McFadden though I don't like Phil
Jessie Wallace though I don't like Kat right now
Laurie Brett when she returns
Charlie Brooks
Adam Woodyatt
Shane Ritchie
Linda Henry though I don't like Shirley right now
Jamie Borthwick
Perry Fenwick
Pam StClement
Ritchie is among the worst actors I've ever seen and Marc Elliott is utterly weak.
Apart from the old hands of June Brown and Pat St Clement, Jake Wood is by far the best actor in the show, he is in fact, too good for the show. The Masoods are ok actors too.
The characters of Janine, Ian and Phil are 1 dimensionsal characters who are virtually un-developable.
I don't think the block storylines situation was as bad under Santer. The show felt a lot more fluid.
Santer also seemed to care about all of the characters even the non A list ones as they did get some decent screentime. Under Kirkwood characters can go weeks and weeks without even appearing.
I can't say I watched the show throughout Santer's run [heck, I wouldn't know who was behind the show at all if I hadn't come across this forum in the beginning of the year], since I don't know when it began, but to me it seems that Kirkwood has had some great community scenes - but horribly paced [Tanya's Cancer, Yusef], or and redundant storylines [Kim's HiV scare].
Perhaps Santer and Kirkwood together might be better [until someone new and experienced can be brought on board], at least for better paced storylines + more stable character personas + a greater focus on the community?
I think Bryan Kirkwood is the worst producer this programme has ever had. I've watched all my life and never have I felt the need to turn off more than I do now.
Comments
Peggy Mitchell
Janine Molloy
Sam Mitchell
Amongst many others
EDIT: Didn't realise how old this thread was, sorry
I liked the child actors who played Lauren and Ben but have no problem believing in their replacements.
Peggy however was so different I took ages to believe in her. Bringing Daniella Westbrook back never worked for me either.
The acting from some of the cast is the only thing holding it up. Characters are changed regularly, there are too many stupid plots, continuity is terrible and the stories have no pace making it impossible to care. New Ben has failed beyond belief, and after all this time I feel the only way the damage to the show can be repaired is if Kirkwood leaves taking half of his 'writers' with him.
I just feel that the show has a really strong cast:
Jo Joyner
Jake Wood
Nina Wadia
Nitin Ganatra
Marc Elliot
Zoe Lucker
Shona McGarty
Lyndsey Coulson
Phil McFadden though I don't like Phil
Jessie Wallace though I don't like Kat right now
Laurie Brett when she returns
Charlie Brooks
Adam Woodyatt
Shane Ritchie
Linda Henry though I don't like Shirley right now
Jamie Borthwick
Perry Fenwick
Pam StClement
What good bits?! I'm at a loss. I think the only fine actors in the show are Lyndsey Coulson and Jo Joyner and both characters have been neglected/ruined. Tanya's cancer storyline is being handled extremely badly. It does nothing but ring alarm bells and sends a very negative message to viewers affected by the situation in real life instead of providing support and being as informative as possible. Eastenders' research on such topics used to be excellent back in the day, now it just appears to skim over the facts, fails to send the right message to viewers and drowns in the storyliners' ridiculous far-fetched sensationalism. I had high hopes for Zoe Lucker as Vanessa however she was treated appaulingly and her character has been wasted and written completely wrong! Kirkwood's black cab is looong overdue.....!
I have stopped watching now because of all the above that you mention. I may take another look at it when I sense on here and elsewhere that the necessary changes needed have taken place. At the moment it is in a bad place and un- watchable.
Yes Ee is becoming abysmal.Obvious zoom in shots on Tylers behind and top of his underwear last night was beneath the standards of a decent producer.
Now we're just left having to imagine what certain characters are getting up to - how is the trio of Dot, Rose and Cora getting on? How did Kim deal with her good news after her HIV test? How are Janine and Phil getting on at the club? We were left to imagine what Mandy was getting up to whilst Ian was away for the most part.
I think the show would improve so much if it didn't keep disappearing from situations and characters.
Santer also seemed to care about all of the characters even the non A list ones as they did get some decent screentime. Under Kirkwood characters can go weeks and weeks without even appearing.
I used to feel involved in the character's storylines because they'd be on screen regularly. Ever since they started ''blocking'' storylines I don't feel connected to characters anymore. I often forget where the storyline left off and end up being too confused by what's happening to care.
I know exactly how you feel, Tanya's cancer story is being acted so well, but because it keeps disappearing, her reveal to Raine, Cora and Abi is being dragged out and it's making it harder to care about the story.
Yes yes, I know... If I don't like it then I can easily switch off, it's usually me spouting that line on here LOL! But ive grown up with the show so its not easy to just switch off.
I just wish it were more upbeat at times... far to much goes on in one little place!
OVER.
Hear hear.
Its really rubbish at the moment. I can't believe Bryan Kirkwood has been kept on so long.
Ritchie is among the worst actors I've ever seen and Marc Elliott is utterly weak.
Apart from the old hands of June Brown and Pat St Clement, Jake Wood is by far the best actor in the show, he is in fact, too good for the show. The Masoods are ok actors too.
The characters of Janine, Ian and Phil are 1 dimensionsal characters who are virtually un-developable.
I can't say I watched the show throughout Santer's run [heck, I wouldn't know who was behind the show at all if I hadn't come across this forum in the beginning of the year], since I don't know when it began, but to me it seems that Kirkwood has had some great community scenes - but horribly paced [Tanya's Cancer, Yusef], or and redundant storylines [Kim's HiV scare].
Perhaps Santer and Kirkwood together might be better [until someone new and experienced can be brought on board], at least for better paced storylines + more stable character personas + a greater focus on the community?
You having a laugh?
Adam Woodyatt and Rudolf Walker are head and shoulders above him. Hell I'd even say Scott Maslen is.
It's my opinion. A lot of people think SJS can't act because of his character - he's supposed to be like that!
I know what acting is thank you.