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EE and the axe - The Eldorado legacy


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Old 28-01-2005, 14:25
Etheric Beam
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Eldorado was a perfect example of the BBC’s arrogance in presenting viewers with poorly-acted, poorly-written mush masquerading as prime-time drama.

It turned into a highly costly and very embarrassing flop for the corporation.

Do people think the BBC has learnt from it’s mistakes on Eldorado given their recent management of EE?

Is the BBC still terrified of Eldorado's axing happening again?
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Old 28-01-2005, 14:27
Kapooshax
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To be fair EastEnders is nothing like Eldorado lol.
It is surprising to think that it was a Julia Smith project though when you look at EastEnders and how that's reached/reaching 20 years.
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Old 28-01-2005, 14:57
Etheric Beam
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Originally Posted by Kapooshax
To be fair EastEnders is nothing like Eldorado lol
I was comparing EE's current problems to those that beset Eldorado. And also the BBC's terror of what happened to Eldorado recurring.

At least Eldorado gave the viewers some eye-candy to take their minds off the show itself!
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Old 28-01-2005, 14:59
Kapooshax
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Originally Posted by Etheric Beam
I was comparing EE's current problems to those that beset Eldorado. And also the BBC's terror of what happened to Eldorado recurring.

At least Eldorado gave the viewers some eye-candy to take their minds off the show itself!
I don't think the problems are as bad either.
EE just seems to have lots going on behind the scenes (perhaps they should make a soap about it ) Hopefully JY being temp won't be a five minute job because the show could do with a little stability for atleast 6 months.
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Old 28-01-2005, 15:09
TheSarge
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The problems are bad, in fact they are very bad and it could worsen during the up-coming weeks in February, when EE will become not only the Press’s focus but also the nations.

This major cover-up isn't fooling anyone at all - it's like a bodged up version of 1984.
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Old 28-01-2005, 15:11
Kapooshax
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Originally Posted by TheSarge
The problems are bad, in fact they are very bad and it could worsen during the up-coming weeks in February, when EE will become not only the Press’s focus but also the nations.

This major cover-up isn't fooling anyone at all - it's like a bodged up version of 1984.
I still can't see what the issue is.
Kathleen Hutchison came in after Berridge then she got fired and now JY is back temp so we MIGHT be getting a new executive producer for the show in future. Just as long as the work is good on-screen do we really care about whose producing it?
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Old 28-01-2005, 15:15
WalfordWill
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Yeh its completely different, EastEnders a long running soap for 20 years is currently undergoing big changes behind the scenes Production wise. I agree, I hope even though hes temporary, John Yorke is at EastEnders for a while, the show has had far too much upheavel in the last few months. I hope when he does decide to step back from the role of babysitter, this time he leaves it in someone who is proven to be competent enough to sustain the level of quality John Yorke should surely bring it back up to.

Originally Posted by Kapooshax
I still can't see what the issue is.
Kathleen Hutchison came in after Berridge then she got fired and now JY is back temp so we MIGHT be getting a new executive producer for the show in future. Just as long as the work is good on-screen do we really care about whose producing it?
Not usually I wouldn't but because EastEnders has been so bad, appaullingly bad last year its made most EE fans like myself actually look to the Production crew, take down names and ask why is it so bad and what they think they're doing. From now on I would care who's Producing it. I'd be asking what they've done previously and whether they are skilled enough to sustain a soap's quality year round.

Corrie I don't really care who's Producing it as its fab, but since this EE fiasco, I'm finding myself taking note of the names of the Producers and Executive Producers at the end of the soaps I watch lol like Emmerdale and Hollyoaks. Its sad I know. Even sadder that the only time we ever mention these people is to say how bad they're doing their job, well EE wise anyway.
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Old 28-01-2005, 15:16
Richie_lecturer1977
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The longer you have instability at Elstree, the more susceptible EE is to disaster. Sorry to put it bluntly, but it's true!

I'm fed up with all this hush hush from the Press Office. They are obviously fearful of something, whatever that is.
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Old 28-01-2005, 15:16
Kapooshax
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He'll stick around for a while willhung because he's made it a priority.
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Old 28-01-2005, 15:21
TheSarge
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Richie is right - The longer they faff about the longer it will take for EE to improve. From what I can see this really is the last straw as far as the Beeb is concerned, to sack a producer in such a public way is a massive statement.
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Old 28-01-2005, 15:21
WalfordWill
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Originally Posted by Kapooshax
He'll stick around for a while willhung because he's made it a priority.
He's made it Priority, the higher ups, the dark overlords of the Beeb have made it Priority, so I think he'll be there as long as is necessary.

Originally Posted by TheSarge
Richie is right - The longer they faff about the longer it will take for EE to improve. From what I can see this really is the last straw as far as the Beeb is concerned, to sack a producer in such a public way is a massive statement.
Yes I completely agree, stop faffing about and get down to it. The cast's unrest should be settled now that John Yorke, an old familiar face from one of the more successful eras of the show has returned, ooh its like Aslan returning to Narnia!
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Old 28-01-2005, 15:23
Kapooshax
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He won't let it sink back into a hole, that would be hugely direspectful to Kathleen Hutchison if he left all her hard work go down the pan.
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Old 28-01-2005, 15:37
Etheric Beam
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Originally Posted by TheSarge
The problems are bad, in fact they are very bad and it could worsen during the up-coming weeks in February, when EE will become not only the Press’s focus but also the nations.
Getting the Head of Continuing Drama to personally look after a show is an admission that no-one else is deemed suitable or qualified to do the job. To me that's bad. It's like the CEO coming in to run the warehouse!!

Originally Posted by TheSarge
This major cover-up isn't fooling anyone at all - it's like a bodged up version of 1984.
The obvious difference of course being that 1984 was well-written!
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Old 28-01-2005, 15:38
Kapooshax
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Eldorado lasted a year, EE 19 more.
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Old 28-01-2005, 15:49
Lippincote
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Originally Posted by Etheric Beam
Getting the Head of Continuing Drama to personally look after a show is an admission that no-one else is deemed suitable or qualified to do the job. To me that's bad. It's like the CEO coming in to run the warehouse!!
Yes it is all very concerning -- first of all they dig KH out of Holby - did they really think she was the right person for the job, or was it because they had to do something and she was the only option they had available?

Then she suddenly gets the chop and JY has to take over. As I said on another thread, it is all firefighting and no strategic long term direction. That means they are concentrating on the immediate urgent issues and no one is thinking about where they are going to be in 6 months' time (in which case, the worry is that the answer will be "down the pan").

I agree with the points you made too, The Sarge.
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Old 28-01-2005, 15:51
Kapooshax
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They are concentrating on longterm plans now though JY is here and wants to give viewers EastEnders at it's best so that obviously means some plans for the show are in place.
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Old 28-01-2005, 15:54
Lippincote
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You say 'obviously' but I don't think we can take anything for granted.
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Old 28-01-2005, 15:56
Kapooshax
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Originally Posted by Lippincote
You say 'obviously' but I don't think we can take anything for granted.
Well let's just hope the work on-screen is good, I think I can forgive the hustle and bustle behind the scenes as long as something good is actually making it to the screen afterall is that all we the viewer should be caring about?
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Old 28-01-2005, 15:59
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I don't think the goings on at Eastenders are anything like Eldorado that soap was always going to fail because it was shit and no one cared about it. Eastenders yes it has been bad on and off for the past but when it does drama it does it the best and people care about Eastenders maybe the press abit too much.
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Old 28-01-2005, 15:59
Kapooshax
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EE has a loyal fanbase and I believe it's still watched by the Royals!
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Old 28-01-2005, 16:02
Pop Princess
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Originally Posted by Etheric Beam
Eldorado was a perfect example of the BBC?s arrogance in presenting viewers with poorly-acted, poorly-written mush masquerading as prime-time drama.

It turned into a highly costly and very embarrassing flop for the corporation.

Do people think the BBC has learnt from it?s mistakes on Eldorado given their recent management of EE?

Is the BBC still terrified of Eldorado's axing happening again?
The mistakes made on Eldorado were very different (i.e spending £10 million on a set that is now deserted apparently).

The biggest mistake the BBC made with Eldorado was actually axing it so soon. Everything about it was pretty dire but it was picking up in the ratings before the axe. River City started with high ratings but then they went into sharp decline and was rumoured to be facing the axe but the BBC kept the faith in it and it is now almost equaling EE's figures in Scotland. If the BBC had kept the faith in Eldorado like that it could be dominating the 7-8pm soap hour right now instead of ITV.

God knows what's happening behind the scenes at EE these days though. With so many different people working on it in a short space of time it's not a great situation in terms of continuity and having yet another person sort out storylines someone else has started.
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Old 28-01-2005, 16:04
Kapooshax
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Originally Posted by Pop Princess
The mistakes made on Eldorado were very different (i.e spending £10 million on a set that is now deserted apparently).

The biggest mistake the BBC made with Eldorado was actually axing it so soon. Everything about it was pretty dire but it was picking up in the ratings before the axe. River City started with high ratings but then they went into sharp decline and was rumoured to be facing the axe but the BBC kept the faith in it and it is now almost equaling EE's figures in Scotland. If the BBC had kept the faith in Eldorado like that it could be dominating the 7-8pm soap hour right now instead of ITV.

God knows what's happening behind the scenes at EE these days though. With so many different people working on it in a short space of time it's not a great situation in terms of continuity and having yet another person sort out storylines someone else has started.
It's not too bad on-screen atm but behind the scenes the shows a mess!
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Old 28-01-2005, 16:05
Lippincote
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Originally Posted by Kapooshax
Well let's just hope the work on-screen is good, I think I can forgive the hustle and bustle behind the scenes as long as something good is actually making it to the screen afterall is that all we the viewer should be caring about?
Absolutely, of course. The only reason any of us care what is going on behind the scenes is because it affects what is happening on screen. The KH shenanigans obviously DID affect the actors, and that showed.

And Brookside had a loyal fanbase too...
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Old 28-01-2005, 16:07
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Originally Posted by Lippincote
And Brookside had a loyal fanbase too...

shame it was only one million
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Old 28-01-2005, 16:08
Kapooshax
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Originally Posted by Trixie-Firecracker
shame it was only one million
Or less as the case may be.
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