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Big Come-backs just don't work out!


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Old 06-02-2005, 12:31
Adam14
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I have sort of realised that in recent years we have seen so many high-profile, BIG comebacks - and all of them have failed miserably!

I mean, in 2001 Crossroads came back in a blaze of publicity and it was probably one of the biggest TV moments of that year! Everybody was delighted it was back, but ratings dipped in the first few months. They did pick-up but by that time it was too late for Mark 2.

Then 2003 came and again - a huge deal of publicity! Crossroads is BACK...again! I think some people had actually forgotten Mark 2 had even existed, and this was like Crossroads returning after nearly 15 years.

Sadly, the show was axed... which I totally disagreed with.


Then also in 2003 - Dirty Den is BACK!!!! Again, everybody was delighted. And well...we all know what's happened there!

Also, I suppose you could add in this category when Bet Lynch made her triumphant return to the street in 2002! Again...that also failed, although that wasn't really anything to do with her being axed or anything.


But it just goes to show that there seems to be a trend here. The public wanted these shows/people back, and then when they do return - they seem to turn off.

Last edited by Adam14 : 06-02-2005 at 13:03.
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Old 06-02-2005, 12:37
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I think Mavis could easily return to Corrie as she was less of a caricature than anything you mentioned.
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Old 06-02-2005, 12:40
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how about liz and leanne to corrie? they worked very well i thought
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Old 06-02-2005, 12:53
Evil Eye
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How about when Harold and Madge were brought back on Neighbours? One was even "brought back from the dead". That worked. OK, so it had only been about 6 years since they first left, but Harold is still going strong now and is as popular a charcater as ever.
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Old 06-02-2005, 12:59
Dan Fortesque
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I also think it works better if they ease them back into the show quietly and subtly. A blaze of publicity and glory seems to fail everytime.
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Old 06-02-2005, 15:35
Sloopy
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Worst comeback before Dirty Den was Coronation Street's 25th attempt at bringing back Bet Lynch. Plenty of hype but a complete non-event.
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Old 06-02-2005, 15:40
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I think it all depends on what and who it is. Sharon's worked very well so did Den's except he was wasted once back. So it is best he is going again.

Bet Lynch in Corrie did not work at all. Liz's return (45th that is) did. I wonder if Ray Langtons will.
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Old 06-02-2005, 15:43
Pop Princess
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Originally Posted by Queen-Of-Walford
I think it all depends on what and who it is. Sharon's worked very well so did Den's except he was wasted once back. So it is best he is going again.

Bet Lynch in Corrie did not work at all. Liz's return (45th that is did) I wonder if Ray Langtons will.
Ray's only back for about 2 weeks apparently so it's not much of a comeback. I think it will work as long as Blanche is involved

Bet's comeback was terrible. Bet was a classic character but just didn't fit into the modern show.
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Old 06-02-2005, 16:15
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Yeh you could even see that Bet didn't fit in with todays Corrie. Its just aswell she went as her return storyline from the sounds of it was quite dull too. Liz and Leanne have settled very well back into Corrie, but I hope they get a storyline soon.

Dirty Den did work for while but he was soon wasted in a ridiculous storyline with Phil, trying to get him banged up and helping Lisa get Louise back. I think he should have went straight after the Vic, and surely getting Phil banged up could have been incorporated along the way too. Actually no, the writers worked themselves into a dead end with the ending to that storyline, that way they could write good exit for Phil and allow a plausible return for him.

Sharon's worked very well that it was like she was never away, her return storylines was good but it worked up to a bigger storyline with Phil and Peggy in the Vic.
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Old 06-02-2005, 17:42
how r u?
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what about adam barlow?! he worked well didn't he...?
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Old 06-02-2005, 18:03
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Originally Posted by how r u?
what about adam barlow?! he worked well didn't he...?
LOL! Went down like a lead balloon. I think they may have a chance of bringing him back if they used the original actor.
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Old 06-02-2005, 18:04
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I think the problem was it looked like he had aged 10 years.
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Old 06-02-2005, 18:06
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Originally Posted by Queen-Of-Walford
I think the problem was it looked like he had aged 10 years.
Yeah - it did look rather strange. Mind you the original actor hasn't been seen for over 18 months.
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Old 06-02-2005, 18:13
biteback
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Every comeback is individual, but generally IMO the less promotion the better the comeback is. These embarassing things (Corrie's Bet only lasts three weeks, Dirty Den and his webcam) seem more likely to happen if the show puts loads of emphasis on a certain character.

(300 posts: Yay! )
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Old 06-02-2005, 18:22
WarrenTVH
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I think the amount of publicity is relevant to how "big" the character is. Leanne and Liz just weren't Weatherfield legends and whilst their returns have been successful on one level, they are just making up numbers with nothing to do of their own.

Could you imagine slipping Dirty Den or Bet Gilroy back in quietly? And with DD, there was a purpose. The Watts were being regrouped and strengthened with the appearance of Dennis and Vicky. His basica return was very successful, tptb just failed to maintain the momentum as they did with all other areas of the show and Den slipped as everybody else in EE did.

Bet Gilroy's return had no real purpose apart from seeking headlines.
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Old 06-02-2005, 19:17
Neily N
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Den's comeback was dire..all this build-up then it fizzling out like flat pop. He was a weak imitation of the character he was before and I think it was pathetic of the show to bring him back.

As for Bet, well she doesnt fit in, and as for Julie Goodyear herself, I'd retire from showbiz and just spend old age taking it easy if I were her. She is a has-been and should be banned from appearing on TV.

If the Mitchells do come back, I fear it would be Dirty Den part 2 all over again. Weak storylines and them just there for the sake of it.
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Old 06-02-2005, 20:20
Final Terror
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I Agree that the smaller/more plausible ones always seem to work better, like Leanne and Liz (though Liz was always in and out of the soap before hand, as can be seen form the IMDB- 1989-1998, 2000-2001, 2003-?).
Sharon's original comeback was handled superbly (the fact I love her character making me slightly biased), and she got some good stories, and continued to do so (I hope she comes back). Frank Butcher's return also worked well, especially when they got him and Peggy together.
Den's worked well to begin with, but slowly teetered off, with Berridge working up silly little stories (like his affair with Kate of all people), but over the last couple of months he's slowly risen from the ashes, and while becoming absolutely evil, he's also been witty and slightly "menacing" like the original (and he does work well opposite Chrissie).
The suggestion of the Mitchell’s returning, the only one I see settling back in is Peggy, and this being mainly through Sam! Peggy actually has someone to come and stay with, while with Grant and Phil most their connections are long gone, and I can't really see one of them returning to check on their sister!
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Old 06-02-2005, 21:42
teenage-monkey
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I doubt Paul Robinson's return works out.
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Old 06-02-2005, 22:26
studenting
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Originally Posted by teenage-monkey
I doubt Paul Robinson's return works out.
From what I've seen Paul's return has worked quiet well. It's like he never left, I think it's mainly because they had the perfect onscreen partner for him in Izzy. Plus him coming back wasn't as straight forward as it seemed in the final episode.

Neighbours does come-backs well. Look at Skye Mangle, people were up in arms before she even set foot onscreen because they felt the producers were messing with the shows history too much. She's one of the most popular characters in the thing now.
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Old 06-02-2005, 22:51
Lady Voldemort
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The problem for me with Den coming back was that he was a legend - now he's a joke. He should just have stayed dead. A friend of mine was too young to have remembered him the first time round but she was really excited about his return because she wanted to see what all the fuss was about and just ended up thinking "Eh...?"

I would hate to see Grant go the same way
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Old 07-02-2005, 15:11
LaneKent
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I think the more infamous the character the less likely it is to work because great expectations are put upon them that they just can't live up to. IE Dirty Den. Bet Lynch/Gilroy too! Also the Bet factor was partly a time period thing. Some characters just don't work out of their time. A show moves on. There's a time and place for everything.

Also another big factor I think can be the writing and definatley how good the actor is.

I agree with the person who said the main thing is if they are eased back in gentlyand come in all guns blazing.
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Old 07-02-2005, 16:26
40-40J's
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Den died... he should have stayed that way. Bringing back people who have died is ridiculas - I know it's soap land but they are always banging on about making the show seem 'real' and 'basing it on real-life' - yeah, right

It seems to me that when someone comes back after they have been killed off, says that work has dried up and they need to get something else to pay the rent, no matter how stupid it makes them look!!
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Old 07-02-2005, 17:00
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I agree about Neighbours' successful comebacks. Even when the characters have few links to the show they successfully integrate them. I know Skye had her grandad Harold, but it was a masterstroke bringing David Bishop in full-time with the same actor still playing him after a decade because he was so similar to Ian Smith anyway.
Btw, does Skye ever mention Joe Mangel or Melanie or Toby?
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Old 07-02-2005, 17:11
Evil Eye
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Originally Posted by amos_brearley
I agree about Neighbours' successful comebacks. Even when the characters have few links to the show they successfully integrate them. I know Skye had her grandad Harold, but it was a masterstroke bringing David Bishop in full-time with the same actor still playing him after a decade because he was so similar to Ian Smith anyway.
Btw, does Skye ever mention Joe Mangel or Melanie or Toby?
I think Sky and Harold have been talking on the phone to Joe a few times adn I think Sky has talked about going back to live with then (in the Australian episodes anyway). But I think the reason Sky came back was becasue Joe and Melaine had split up and she didn't like Joes new wife.
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Old 07-02-2005, 17:11
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Originally Posted by Sloopy
Worst comeback before Dirty Den was Coronation Street's 25th attempt at bringing back Bet Lynch. Plenty of hype but a complete non-event.
but the idea was good - and much needed due to corries ailing viewing figures at the time
i think it would have worked if she hadnt have left after 5 minutes
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