EE - Now the 'transition' is over...Is Bryan Kikwood making EE better or worse?
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Back in October 2010, I started this thread on these forums, asking whether Exec Producer Bryan Kirkwood had made EE better or worse -
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1362305
It turned into quite a big thread, and as you would expect, opinion was divided as to whether BK had improved EE or let it slide.
However, very many forum members said at the time that it was far too early to tell at that point if BK was doing a good job or not. Most of these members agreed that we needed to see EE Xmas 2010 AND a good part of 2011, to judge whether Kirkwood was making EE better or badder.
Well nearly a year later, I think we can safely say that we have got through the 'transition period' of changing from one Exec Producer to another. Bryan Kirkwood has had long enough to enact cast changes and start storylines he wanted in the soap.
So now that EE is well and truly 'his' soap, I pose the question again - Is Bryan Kirkwood making EE better or worse?
What are your views?
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1362305
It turned into quite a big thread, and as you would expect, opinion was divided as to whether BK had improved EE or let it slide.
However, very many forum members said at the time that it was far too early to tell at that point if BK was doing a good job or not. Most of these members agreed that we needed to see EE Xmas 2010 AND a good part of 2011, to judge whether Kirkwood was making EE better or badder.
Well nearly a year later, I think we can safely say that we have got through the 'transition period' of changing from one Exec Producer to another. Bryan Kirkwood has had long enough to enact cast changes and start storylines he wanted in the soap.
So now that EE is well and truly 'his' soap, I pose the question again - Is Bryan Kirkwood making EE better or worse?
What are your views?
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However on the flip side I don't think I have ever been more frustrated at the pacing and the fact that we keep getting new characters and push the ones we have to the back and not seeing characters for weeks or even months at a time. However, I think a lot of that has to do with the fact I'm part of a forum now, well for this summer I have really used it a lot. Before I was simply watching and then going about my evening, as none of my friends engage in soaps (except at Christmas) so looking at it in a completely different matter for before has brought things to my attention that before I have no outlet or other opinions to agree or disagree with. Is this making any sense?
Christian, Syed, Afia, Ben, Kat, Norman, Darren. I don't think it's completely down to acting, I think it's a bit of bad scripting too but I just can't connect with the characters.
Practically none of the storylines are exciting or going anywhere without being picked up and dropped for weeks at a time, most of the characters have had personality transplants, the sets look awful, the writing is the most inconsistent it's ever been, good new characters have been dropped without getting much to do, Kat and Alfie are dragging the atmosphere down and the Moon family, bar Michael, have been awful.
They need a new team to work on the show once Kirkwood leaves. The current team are very hit and miss. But on the plus side there are some good new characters appearing, some old characters like Dot have been revitalized and character interaction, which should have been a given all along anyway, is back. But the bad far outweighs the good.
The writing is below par and the storylines are now told in blocks. This means characters hardly feature unless they have to so we got no normal day to day scenes between the characters anymore. They only speak with each other to move storylines forward. The pacing is also awful so characters disappear for months on end, eg The Masood's while others, Alfie, never seem to be off screen. I also hate how we get a HUGE cliffhanger and then have no follow up for weeks. The most recent example of this is Tanya being told she has cancer and then not appearing at all for two weeks solid.
If that could be fixed the show would have very little problems.
To be fair though, Bryan Kirkwood didn't introduce Christian, Syed or Darren, they were there long before he came along...
afia wasnt introduced by BK first time aswell (and kat obviously- but she's changed)
... BK was responsible for bringing Afia and Kat back though...
This is a problem too. Everything you have listed shouldn't be happening.
Yep
You know this is probably it. Good point.
It's exactly it. In theory Bryan Kirkwood has been working as an Executive Producer more or less since 2006. This isn't healthy.
EastEnders is the one suffering for BK's burn out.
I believe BK really knows the Jackson/Branning clan though and they've made for unmissable TV over the past year. This is probably due to the actors performances more than anything though.
The thing with EE this year is that it's either been unmissable (Bianca's exit, Tanya's wedding, affair climax) or painfully dull. There's nothing inbetween.
To be honest, when I said about the actors I was just talking about the soap in general over the past year or so, not just since BK took over.
If they had some good storylines and the writing was better then it would probably be much better. But, for me, it's just not enjoyable at the minute.
Writing problems are -
Characters personality transplants to suit the story when a story should be written around the character personality.
Storylines been poorly written, rushed and under researched.
Storylines have to stay slightly true to real life.
EE never do many stories that are just every day issues, like childcare, money worries/debt, depression on a normal stage, minor relationship problems etc etc. No one in soap ever talks about benefits when they're out of work, They have a gararge but no recently takes their car for a service/MOT/breakdown.
When a main storyline is centre stage they need to have decent filler stories going on the background, these days it's all or nothing.
With Kirkwood day to day episodes are between putrid, average or above average.And the same applies to his big stories. In fact its often difficult to tell when kirkwood's stories are culminating because they feel no way different than normal episodes.The same tactic is used for characters exits.Santer would make an effort to make them interesting no matter how naff the character.Kirkwood gives even the big characters duds for exits.You say kirkwood reminds you of santer? I ask you when was the last time the show or a storyline felt unmissable? I'm guessing you might say baby swap.Personally, I'd say bianca's exit..
Many of new characters also leave alot to be desired however I can take the likes of Tyler and Lola. Its the likes of Ben I really cannot stand and think what has taken place there is an insult to all long term viewers.
There are some things that are good however. I love the Rose, Cora and Dot dynamic. Yusef and Michael are good characters. Sadly though the bad is so bad you can't really see anything else.
Like I said in the EE Episode topic. I just want the EE I love back. Not this show I can't relate to anymore.
I also think the user above makes an excellent point. Bryan Kirkwood has more or less been working as a top producer since he took over Hollyoaks in 2006. He hasn't had long enough to recharge so is completely worn out of ideas. EastEnders is really feeling it as a result.
Being head EP since 06 should make him privy to the best the industry has to offer.Not excuse him for bein such a lousy judge of talent..
Kirkwood has the final say on all storylines. He doesn't just hire or fire people. The role of Exec is being highly active in all aspects of the shows production, from storylines to filming. Kirkwood even has several TV's in his office so he can watch filming taking place live from there and decide if he is liking what he is seeing or not.
Its Carolyn Weinstein who is the company manager of EE who does most of the hiring of staff anyway.