[PaulRobinsonFan]

I think Emmerdale is in good form under Stuart Blackburn

[JarkdeLuxe]

Reading that interview made me depressed.

Would you say Val, Eric and Brenda is an ongoing love triangle? Or has Eric already made his final choice by picking Brenda?
"He absolutely hasn't made his final choice - there's much more to come as Val won't give up that easily. In fact, I don't think Val's going to give him a choice, really!"

So inevitably Brenda (aka the sympathetic one) will end up tossed aside when Val bullies her way back into the marriage she so gleefully screwed up. Blackburn strikes me as a man who truly has NO idea of what his audience wants. I feel like he's surrounded by yes men who surf the forums for reaction to stories and then feed him a bunch of bullshit about how everything is really popular, honestly!

"Deep down, I think Chas has known from the word go that people would find out about the affair at some point. She's not a stupid woman, so she also knows that the effects are going to be devastating. They'll change her relationships with her friends and her family for a long time - if not forever…"

So why did she get into the affair? It's not like she even had a semi-valid excuse like she was acting in grief for somebody or she was depressed. She just wanted Cameron to boff her! It completely goes against her characterisation as somebody who cares for her family.

The build-up to Alicia's exit is a big story at the moment. Is there any chance David could reciprocate Alicia's feelings for him?
"At the moment, no - it's just utterly heartbreaking. It is a love story, but a very one-sided one. What David will do is completely step up to the mark to support Alicia and Jacob. But at this point, I think we're looking at heartbreak for Alicia…"

9/10 people want Alicia and David together. Blackburn is the one.

"Rishi is sticking around too, and he's got a story coming up with Charity. The two of them will be going side-by-side as Charity decides that it's time to start making her own money and doing what she does best.

This on the other hand sounds like fun.

Alex Moss has never really had a big story of his own. Could that change?
"It certainly could and it certainly will! Let's just say that I don't think Victoria's going to be very happy with some of the decisions that he's making…"

So it's more likely to be an Alex-Moira affair than Alex leaving Victoria first. Great.

I think it's clear on screen that Paddy's having a little bit of a mid-life crisis.

No it's not. He's barely had any screentime the last few months. When he has been on he's been his usual light hearted self.

I truly despair. Get Blackburn out.

[PaulRobinsonFan]

Blackburn has brought some really good stories to the show, ashley's abuse, Zak's breakdown, the whole Cain incident,

[Hankshaw]

The man is a buffoon. Clueless and out of his depth.

[Catmittens]

Not sold on his answers to be honest. Some of the stuff sounds exciting but I've gone off the show this year and rarely watch it these days. Whenever I tune in, it's just damn miserable!

You'll also see material for Alan, as there's going to be changes to his life and living arrangements - quite unexpected ones, I think!

Alan lives in Betty's house, doesn't he - so what does this mean? Are they writing Betty out?

Say what you like about her but she's one of the only Emmerdale characters who make me smile. Strange to think she hasn't been on screen in 2012.

[Hankshaw]

Take all of his answers with a huge pinch of salt. Ideas and intentions mean zero when they're played out poorly. Something is reign as EP has been guilty of.

[Rose-Addict]

Couldn't agree more, OP. I've really enjoyed Emmerdale recently and I can't really understand why he warrants so much hate on here (although I can see why people are angry about all the affairs.) Strong characters and intrresting storylines - can't ask for much more.

[pudseymrcvs]

Originally Posted by Hankshaw

Take all of his answers with a huge pinch of salt. Ideas and intentions mean zero when they're played out poorly. Something is reign as EP has been guilty of.

I agree about the answers, but he's not EP. Steve Frost/November/Soap Destroyer is.
Stuart Blackburn is Series Producer, taking orders.

[Aida]

Originally Posted by Hankshaw

Take all of his answers with a huge pinch of salt. Ideas and intentions mean zero when they're played out poorly. Something is reign as EP has been guilty of.

To be fair, Hank, most of his 'ideas and intentions' couldn't be played out successfully by Dame Maggie Smith and Sir Ian McKellan, they're so badly conceived and written.

I'm past caring - he and his predecessor have destroyed and deconstructed everything which made 'Emmerdale' so special - I suppose I should feel rather grateful to the babbling fool - I now have free time between 7 - 7:30 for the first time in over 20 years!

[JarkdeLuxe]

Originally Posted by pudseymrcvs

I agree about the answers, but he's not EP. Steve Frost/November/Soap Destroyer is.
Stuart Blackburn is Series Producer, taking orders.

He's only not the EP by title. On the ITV soaps the series producer is largely responsible for what's seen on screen. The 'exec producer' is more hands-off.

[wildyounghearts]

shouldn't have read it

Posted this elsewhere- there are a few positives-
Rishi sticking around, Georgia returning even if only as a recurring character

He seems to have maybe realised that maybe nicer characters and lighter storylines mightn't have had as much screentime

Most of it was as worrying as his interviews usually are though

I think the biggest gift we can give our audience is surprise. We want people to say, 'Wow - did I just see that? Has that really happened?

Yes but wow in a good way or wow WTF just happened. Anyone can surprise the audience- that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea -The biggest gift you could give the audience is some better written storylines, some proper characterisation

I don't want a nostalgic feel to the anniversary - for me, it's very much about the here and now. The most important time for Emmerdale is always 'next week and the week after', so the episodes will be a celebration of all that the show is right now, and very much about looking forward, too."

Looking forward doesn't mean ignoring the past- the show shouldn't just be about the here and now- a celebration of all the show is right now- do we really want to celebrate that

"The reaction is remarkable and really pleasing. When you go back to the beginning of this story, here's a man who for weeks and months psychologically bullied his father, before actually physically lashing out at a fairly defenceless old man. And yet here we are now - rightly, I think - having a degree of sympathy for him.

"I'm pleased that there is now sympathy for Ashley and there's now a big, long-term journey for him. He's very much going to remain at the heart of the show and hopefully he's a character who will slowly find his own redemption and the forgiveness of those around him."

I can paraphrase this-The reaction is remarkable because we really set out to destroy him to make way for Maurel- I just don’t understand why this hasn’t worked- I had him beat his ‘defencelss father “And yet here we are now - rightly, I think - having a degree of sympathy for him” - I really though everybody would just go along with the character assassination- that the viewers would live in the 'here and now' and forget the character we've known for years
He. Just. Doesn’t. Get.It

"It's interesting, because I think what sometimes happens is that the big, darker storylines take all of the headlines and are the ones that people most remember. But going back to the assisted suicide storyline, the episode prior to that saw a kids' party at the Dingle house which was one of the funniest episodes that I've seen.

Jesus wept- he'd told the show is too depressing and he thinks six months of AS misery can be tempered by one kid's party at the Dingles that I don't even remember let alone remember as being funny

It's very much going to be a divided house with Katie and Declan on one side, and Megan and Robbie on the other! It's classic Home Farm stuff, really

It's not classic Home Farm stuff- there's nothing 'classic' about it- This isn't the Tates-none of these people belong at Home Farm- especially not Robbie- if he understood anything about the history of the show he wouldn't have these people at Home Farm

"I absolutely adore the Spencers. They're always a difficult family to introduce, because they're almost 'too real' in some people's eyes! Obviously we've given them very strong stories which have forced them into quite antagonistic positions. But we're going to see Ali develop further with the adult literacy, and start to see her vulnerability a little bit more.
"I've got absolute confidence in the family - I think the actors are great and the characters are great. They're really, really believable, so there's lots more story for them. We'll get them integrated even more into village life and operating strongly as a family full of love and care."

RTFLOL
He must be drinking Kool Aid again- who the hell is he trying to convince- 'too real' the problem isn't that they're 'too real' the problem is they're an abomination

[wildyounghearts]

Originally Posted by JarkdeLuxe

Reading that interview made me depressed.

It always depresses me

Originally Posted by JarkdeLuxe

So inevitably Brenda (aka the sympathetic one) will end up tossed aside when Val bullies her way back into the marriage she so gleefully screwed up. Blackburn strikes me as a man who truly has NO idea of what his audience wants. I feel like he's surrounded by yes men who surf the forums for reaction to stories and then feed him a bunch of bullshit about how everything is really popular, honestly!

He doesn't Brenda and Eric have worked quite well-and with David, Nikhil and Gennie

Originally Posted by JarkdeLuxe

So why did she get into the affair? It's not like she even had a semi-valid excuse like she was acting in grief for somebody or she was depressed. She just wanted Cameron to boff her! It completely goes against her characterisation as somebody who cares for her family.

The thing is he could have left Debbie for her and there would still have been plenty of drama- i think the viewers would have agreed with Cameron leaving her- but this is just another affair

Originally Posted by JarkdeLuxe

9/10 people want Alicia and David together. Blackburn is the one.

Of course they do- but as she is going on maternity leave I will forgive him slightly for dragging this out but honestly in the past year the only couples I've routed for were Gennie and Nikhil (which was dragged out torturously); Charity and Jai - the wedding episodes were fab(which looks like it's already on the rock) and David and Alicia

Originally Posted by JarkdeLuxe

This on the other hand sounds like fun.

Deligted Rishi is sticking around- hope he's permanent-he's been a great addition and hope to see a lot more of Georgia too

Originally Posted by JarkdeLuxe

So it's more likely to be an Alex-Moira affair than Alex leaving Victoria first. Great.

Great- another affair

Originally Posted by JarkdeLuxe

No it's not. He's barely had any screentime the last few months. When he has been on he's been his usual light hearted self.

I agree- he hasn't been on screen long enough to tell any story

Originally Posted by JarkdeLuxe

I truly despair. Get Blackburn out.

I despair too

[OhWhenTheSaints]

Thought this was gonna be a sarcastic thread about Steve Kean.

[Melephunk2010]

Originally Posted by JarkdeLuxe

Reading that interview made me depressed.



So inevitably Brenda (aka the sympathetic one) will end up tossed aside when Val bullies her way back into the marriage she so gleefully screwed up. Blackburn strikes me as a man who truly has NO idea of what his audience wants. I feel like he's surrounded by yes men who surf the forums for reaction to stories and then feed him a bunch of bullshit about how everything is really popular, honestly!



So why did she get into the affair? It's not like she even had a semi-valid excuse like she was acting in grief for somebody or she was depressed. She just wanted Cameron to boff her! It completely goes against her characterisation as somebody who cares for her family.



9/10 people want Alicia and David together. Blackburn is the one.



This on the other hand sounds like fun.



So it's more likely to be an Alex-Moira affair than Alex leaving Victoria first. Great.



No it's not. He's barely had any screentime the last few months. When he has been on he's been his usual light hearted self.

I truly despair. Get Blackburn out.

No offence to you, but IMO, you seem to be speaking for quite a few people. Blackburn may have no Idea what SOME of his audience want. But then again, neither do you. I personally want Eric and Val back together and Val isn't going to change and sit back and do nothing because thats what some people want. As if there isn't enough personality transplants going on without them doing the same to Val!

A few people on a forum with thier own strong opinions on a soap isn't the whole audience. We have no idea what people outside this forum want from Emmerdale, I doubt any Emmerdale crew would even come on here to see how it can be improved. and even if they did, It's more likely they'd take everything with a pinch of salt and make slight changes rather than change the whole show.

As a viewer, I want Val and Eric back together, I want the Kings to reclaim Home Farm, I want rid of Pointless Alex & Dull Nikhil, I want rid of the Spencers and I would love Rachel and Marlon together.



Stuart isn't the best producer, I will fully admit to that, but it looks like he's here to stay for the foreseeable and no amount of "get blackburn out" posts are going to change that.

[Melephunk2010]

Originally Posted by wildyounghearts

It always depresses me



He doesn't Brenda and Eric have worked quite well-and with David, Nikhil and Gennie




The thing is he could have left Debbie for her and there would still have been plenty of drama- i think the viewers would have agreed with Cameron leaving her- but this is just another affair




Of course they do- but as she is going on maternity leave I will forgive him slightly for dragging this out but honestly in the past year the only couples I've routed for were Gennie and Nikhil (which was dragged out torturously); Charity and Jai - the wedding episodes were fab(which looks like it's already on the rock) and David and Alicia


Deligted Rishi is sticking around- hope he's permanent-he's been a great addition and hope to see a lot more of Georgia too




Great- another affair



I agree- he hasn't been on screen long enough to tell any story



I despair too

It'll probably come about that Cameron is doing this with Chas to pay Debbie back for cheating on him with Andy. It may have been for Sarah's sake (sorry, couldnt resist!!) but in Cameron's eyes Debbie still cheated and probably would have continued to do so if this baby wasn't a match for Sarah.

Plus Cameron's not exactly the faithful type anyway is he?

[Raven123]

Some people will never be pleased, once again he has given all the right answers, yet he can never do anything right. He's the only producer that actually listens at all.

I believe last time, just about everyone said he gave the best insight and the best interview, yet now people are saying that his interview's always scare people as he doesn't know what he's doing or doesn't know their beloved soap.

People on here contradict themselves all the time, it's quite laughable really. They think of Gavin Blyth as the perfect producer, yet forget that Stuart Blackburn worked alongside him and pretty much controlled most of the worshipped storylines back then.

Emmerdale's ratings are strong, the morale is at an all time high, they won the most awards they've ever won in the last year or so and they have the strongest, most well thought out stories compared to all the other soaps.

As to Betty, I've heard she officially left last year due to health reasons, so it's safe to assume that she may be joining Seth

[jude007]

Originally Posted by Raven123

Some people will never be pleased, once again he has given all the right answers, yet he can never do anything right. He's the only producer that actually listens at all.

I believe last time, just about everyone said he gave the best insight and the best interview, yet now people are saying that his interview's always scare people as he doesn't know what he's doing or doesn't know their beloved soap.

People on here contradict themselves all the time, it's quite laughable really. They think of Gavin Blyth as the perfect producer, yet forget that Stuart Blackburn worked alongside him and pretty much controlled most of the worshipped storylines back then.

Emmerdale's ratings are strong, the morale is at an all time high, they won the most awards they've ever won in the last year or so and they have the strongest, most well thought out stories compared to all the other soaps.As to Betty, I've heard she officially left last year due to health reasons, so it's safe to assume that she may be joining Seth

The ratings are ok and also how do you know what morale is like!!

Do you have access to the actors and please don't quote interviews as in most cases for interviews the questions are given out in advance and the actor will work with the press office. So they are hardly likely to come out and say they hate their job.

Unless you work for Emmerdale you have no idea what is going on behind the scenes.

[Melephunk2010]

Originally Posted by jude007

The ratings are ok and also how do you know what morale is like!!

Do you have access to the actors and please don't quote interviews as in most cases for interviews the questions are given out in advance and the actor will work with the press office. So they are hardly likely to come out and say they hate their job.

Unless you work for Emmerdale you have no idea what is going on behind the scenes.

No offence but these kind of posts annoy me. It's unfair of you to have a go at Raven telling him/her that they know nothing about what the morale is like when you don't either. You dont work with Emmerdale so to be honest, you can't tell whether its good or bad so why are you so hostile?

[jude007]

Originally Posted by Melephunk2010

No offence but these kind of posts annoy me. It's unfair of you to have a go at Raven telling him/her that they know nothing about what the morale is like when you don't either. You dont work with Emmerdale so to be honest, you can't tell whether its good or bad so why are you so hostile?

I never said I knew anything about morale. Raven quoted that "Morale was High" so I was questioning on how they knew that. ie did they work on set.

Actually I take offened by your post and I how care you call me Hostile. Perhaps you could enlighted me on what I exactly wrote that was "hostile"

Perhaps I should come back to you and ask you why you are hostile towards me!!!!

[elliecat]

I don't pay much attention to who produces and so don't have an opinion on them. But something needs to be done, there are far too many affairs, we as viewers are obviously meant to be routing for certain people (Marlon and Laurel being one) when in reality people don't like them. I like Eric and Brenda but I like Val and Eric although Val was and still is worse than she used to be.

I like the idea of more Rishi but wish that they weren't splitting him and Georgia up they seemed like one married couple that wouldn't split. Georgia wouldn't allow it so I hope that in time Georgia comes to the village permenantly

I think that poor Ashley will either try and kill himself or get very near to that stage and if Laurel and Marlon get together that will just hasten that. An attempted suicide is the only way I can see people forgiving Ashely for what he has done. It would also wipe the horrible expression that Laurel always has on her face at the moment.

Home Farm desperately needs another family in it, Declan and his lot just don't work. There is no spark, no charisma, they are boring and dull. They walk around drinking wine in their large wine glasses and not really doing much. Where is the fiesty lady of the house (Katie is too much like a mouse, Megan is just meh), Declan is well out of his depth there. And if Carl and Jimmy are going to fall out or have their relationship tested because of something that happens at that damn music festival grrrr after everything that they have been through surely a woman wouldn't get between them. Why ruin a perfectly good relationship they work well together.

[wildyounghearts]

Originally Posted by elliecat

I don't pay much attention to who produces and so don't have an opinion on them. But something needs to be done, there are far too many affairs, we as viewers are obviously meant to be routing for certain people (Marlon and Laurel being one) when in reality people don't like them. I like Eric and Brenda but I like Val and Eric although Val was and still is worse than she used to be.

I like the idea of more Rishi but wish that they weren't splitting him and Georgia up they seemed like one married couple that wouldn't split. Georgia wouldn't allow it so I hope that in time Georgia comes to the village permenantly

I think that poor Ashley will either try and kill himself or get very near to that stage and if Laurel and Marlon get together that will just hasten that. An attempted suicide is the only way I can see people forgiving Ashely for what he has done. It would also wipe the horrible expression that Laurel always has on her face at the moment.

Home Farm desperately needs another family in it, Declan and his lot just don't work. There is no spark, no charisma, they are boring and dull. They walk around drinking wine in their large wine glasses and not really doing much. Where is the fiesty lady of the house (Katie is too much like a mouse, Megan is just meh), Declan is well out of his depth there. And if Carl and Jimmy are going to fall out or have their relationship tested because of something that happens at that damn music festival grrrr after everything that they have been through surely a woman wouldn't get between them. Why ruin a perfectly good relationship they work well together.

Great post- completely agree about Home Farm in particular

And there are too many affairs at the moment

[Melephunk2010]

Originally Posted by jude007

I never said I knew anything about morale. Raven quoted that "Morale was High" so I was questioning on how they knew that. ie did they work on set.

Actually I take offened by your post and I how care you call me Hostile. Perhaps you could enlighted me on what I exactly wrote that was "hostile"

Perhaps I should come back to you and ask you why you are hostile towards me!!!!

The way your post came across was incredibly hostile, just like this one.

You're basically asking Raven to provide you proof that morale is high.. Why should they have to? If they believe morale is high then that is their opinion and shouldn't have to use statements to back it up. The fact that you wouldn't accept anything said about work morale in a cast member interview aswell is slightly unfair. Do you really think that someone, for example Matt Wolfenden will be told prior to an interview "Yeah Matt we know you hate us, we hate you, We know you hate your job but we don't want to sack you,, Say nice things".... I think I believe Raven a lot more over that. You only have to look at the Emmerdale cast at award ceremonys and read twitter to realise that the morale is indeed high and they are, as often said "One big family"

So yes, I will call you hostile if i personally feel that's what you are being. and i "dare" because I can and that is my opinion.

[jude007]

Originally Posted by Melephunk2010

The way your post came across was incredibly hostile, just like this one.

You're basically asking Raven to provide you proof that morale is high.. Why should they have to? If they believe morale is high then that is their opinion and shouldn't have to use statements to back it up. The fact that you wouldn't accept anything said about work morale in a cast member interview aswell is slightly unfair. Do you really think that someone, for example Matt Wolfenden will be told prior to an interview "Yeah Matt we know you hate us, we hate you, We know you hate your job but we don't want to sack you,, Say nice things".... I think I believe Raven a lot more over that. You only have to look at the Emmerdale cast at award ceremonys and read twitter to realise that the morale is indeed high and they are, as often said "One big family"

So yes, I will call you hostile if i personally feel that's what you are being. and i "dare" because I can and that is my opinion.

She made a Statement that "Morale was High". She didnt say that she thought morale was high. She stated a fact. So I asked her how she would actually would know this.

So why dont you get off you high horse as far as I know this is a forum for disussion and if I want to ask questions I certainly will.

Also read you own posts before you call someone hostile. I didn't believe mine to be, but if it was I would certainly apologise.

[jude007]

Originally Posted by Melephunk2010

The way your post came across was incredibly hostile, just like this one.

You're basically asking Raven to provide you proof that morale is high.. Why should they have to? If they believe morale is high then that is their opinion and shouldn't have to use statements to back it up. The fact that you wouldn't accept anything said about work morale in a cast member interview aswell is slightly unfair. Do you really think that someone, for example Matt Wolfenden will be told prior to an interview "Yeah Matt we know you hate us, we hate you, We know you hate your job but we don't want to sack you,, Say nice things".... I think I believe Raven a lot more over that. You only have to look at the Emmerdale cast at award ceremonys and read twitter to realise that the morale is indeed high and they are, as often said "One big family"

So yes, I will call you hostile if i personally feel that's what you are being. and i "dare" because I can and that is my opinion.

Actually you know something at the end of the day its a soap.

So you think I am horrible person, I get it. Not sure if I will lose any slept over that!!.

I am not going to get into a slagging match anymore, as Emmerdale is certainly not worth it and to be honest I dont really care what you have to say.

So I back down. You have won!!!!

[wildyounghearts]

Originally Posted by jude007

She made a Statement that "Morale was High". She didnt say that she thought morale was high. She stated a fact. So I asked her how she would actually would know this.

So why dont you get off you high horse as far as I know this is a forum for disussion and if I want to ask questions I certainly will.

Also read you own posts before you call someone hostile. I didn't believe mine to be, but if it was I would certainly apologise.

I would agree that Raven made a statement that

Morale is at an all time high

it didn't appear to be stated as an opinion. Now perhaps it was a restatement of what Stuart Blackburn said

"The morale here as we head towards the 40th anniversary has just been lifted.

That to me was his opinion and to be honest irrespective of the cast and crew's 'morale' it is my view that the show has problems.

Stuart Blackburn does come across as a nice man and I have no doubt that he is genuinely enthusiastic about the show and happy with what he has done but enthusiasm is not a substitute for vision and ability