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Four steps to quality EastEnders


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Old 17-02-2005, 13:04
Wisteria
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The only way EastEnders will ever return to a truly high standard is if they completely revamp it. Bringing back old characters will not work. EastEnders of old is not going to happen again and bringing old cast members back in a bid to boost its flagging fortunes will do nothing other than to further its decline.

The EastEnders of the future has potential to be better than ever.

1/ The first step would be a cast clearout and new cast members joining. Only the best actors may join. Characters need to be fresh, dynamic, versatile, exciting, mysterious, happy, sad, gullible - a wide, wide range of characters is ESSENTIAL.

2/ Then they need to get a proper scriptwriters conference going and discuss two or three slow-burning storylines to carry the show forward. One emotional, one character-led, and one action, the three should span over a year with twists and turns throughout, with an essential element of mystery in at least one. Keeping viewers guessing is important. In addition, sub-storylines which last a week or so involving characters who are not involved in the three 'big' storylines should be included, adding perhaps a tint of light relief.

3/ Simon Ashdown needs to return and he and Sarah Phelps should become Executives in the scriptwriting department. Tony Jordan has obviously had his day, sadly. Sarah Phelps is one of the best writers on the show. She's writing tomorrow (Friday's) episode and I am certain she will put it off. Episodes need to be powerful drama, with all the storylines interwoven perfectly. At least two consecutive cliff-hangers at the end of each episode would be brilliant. They need to aim for the viewers to crave more at the end of an episode, not thank the Lord.

4/ The show should return to three times a week. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and ratings (and quality, more importantly) will rise. Three dramatic, heart-wrenching, uplifting, superb episodes are much more effective than four mediocre episodes.

It's really not hard to get EastEnders up again. I don't understand why the crew can't see this

lol I know this is loong so if you actually bothered to read it... Thoughts?
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Old 17-02-2005, 13:11
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I agree with several points you have made. And I agree that bringing back old/tired characters is NOT the answer. But I don't agree with three times a week. EastEnders is still BBC1's top rated programme, and if it was to turn to 3 nights per week, it wouldn't look good to the competition. (ITV)
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Old 17-02-2005, 13:13
Wisteria
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Trust me, if it went three times a week the whole show would instantly improve.

And, guess what? ITV would be shown up. The BBC would be doing the right thing, and going for quality over quantity. And it would pay off.
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Old 17-02-2005, 13:15
Dancc
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Originally Posted by joeUK
They need to aim for the viewers to crave more at the end of an episode, not thank the Lord.
I'm glad that you picked up on this. I just don't 'feel it' anymore when the theme tune kicks in at the end. It doesn't have the impact it did say, 18 months ago. And if you don't 'feel' the show, then you start to wonder if there is any point in watching.
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Old 17-02-2005, 13:24
Wisteria
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Originally Posted by LoudMouth101
I'm glad that you picked up on this. I just don't 'feel it' anymore when the theme tune kicks in at the end. It doesn't have the impact it did say, 18 months ago. And if you don't 'feel' the show, then you start to wonder if there is any point in watching.
Exactly. I remember when there were about three cliffhangers at the end of each episode. Pure brilliance that was.

You'd find yourself screaming 'OH MY GOD YOU CANNOT END IT THERE!'

Now you find yourself screaming 'OH MY GOD THANK F**K THAT'S OVER, SOMEONE PUT THE KETTLE ON!'
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Old 17-02-2005, 13:29
beee
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Originally Posted by joeUK
Exactly. I remember when there were about three cliffhangers at the end of each episode. Pure brilliance that was.

You'd find yourself screaming 'OH MY GOD YOU CANNOT END IT THERE!'

Now you find yourself screaming 'OH MY GOD THANK F**K THAT'S OVER, SOMEONE PUT THE KETTLE ON!'
I've started to find myself going to cook tea halfway through the episode! I remember debating the silly faces they used to end on, because every single episode went out with a bang. I have trouble remembering what even happened in the episodes now...

I've said on a few threads now that they just need to calm things down for a bit - no massive storylines, no big deaths; just get back to the characters. We hardly know any of the new families that have come in - yes, they've been featured in big plots, but we don't actually get to know what the individual person is like.
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Old 17-02-2005, 14:17
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It aint fair to say Tony Jordan is no good at his job anymore.
For ages he has been the series consultant and nothing major to do with any of the plots. Now he is going to be the story producer/advisor which is a different post that he has had in the past when EE was good.
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Old 17-02-2005, 14:19
Dancc
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It would be interesting for the BBC to create a "A Day at EastEnders" type programme to see for ourselves how everything is put together in a tight schedule. Of course, i'm guessing now wouldn't be the best time.
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Old 17-02-2005, 14:22
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I agree that it should go back to three days a week in principle, however, a total clearing out of old redundant characters and slow burning stories should bring it back up to speed. I don't watch the show with the same care and enthusiasm any more, and I find myself making the tea while it's on!!
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Old 17-02-2005, 14:25
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I agree with going back to 3 days a week. I think the current cast are OK (except those ghastly Moon brothers) but they do need better writers and the return of the old cliff-hangers.

In the last few months I've kind of dipped in and out of EE, only watching when I know there is a good storyline coming up. I've not been hooked the way I used to be and can't remember the last time my friends and I said "ooh, I can't wait to see Eastenders tonight" because the last episode was so great.
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Old 17-02-2005, 14:35
WalfordWill
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Originally Posted by joeUK
Exactly. I remember when there were about three cliffhangers at the end of each episode. Pure brilliance that was.

You'd find yourself screaming 'OH MY GOD YOU CANNOT END IT THERE!'

Now you find yourself screaming 'OH MY GOD THANK F**K THAT'S OVER, SOMEONE PUT THE KETTLE ON!'
PMSL! do you really scream that? thats hilarious, you sound like you've been through labour or something

Some episodes I "feel" and some I don't, an I have to a hell of a lot over the last 16 months I haven't, and when the beat starts its been so out of place because basically theres **** all after happening, so whats with the big dramatic beat for?

However, Monday's I thought was fab, but its not fair on the viewers that we should only expect an episode of this standard every few blue moon whilst the rest are mediocre. After a great episode you want to feel like theres a lot more where that came from, but sadly for EastEnders fans of late, its been like "Wow great episode!" and then its followed by two weeks of "ohh yeh, it was alrite, or meh, boring"

Its been builidng momenum over the last few weeks and the real test is after tomorrow night whether it keeps going, whether they have any new plots to come to the fore to run alongside the aftermath of Den to keep the show ticking over.

I think its a terrible shame they can't do comedy, at least if nothing is happening, you can be entertained by a few characters ala Corrie last night with Blanche and Fred.

I think after this whole mess is sorted and John Yorke's work begins to kick in, they should write a contract to say that the BBC must never ever ever ever ever ever add another episode of EastEnders to a normal week for a start.

When choosing an Executive Producer, get someone established, who's got a track record and a good one. Only the best will do as its their biggest show.

As for their research department they should all be cleared out and given office jobs in copy rooms lol.

By all means bring back the odd character from the past, its nice to see an old face but its not the quick fix to their problems.

Their scriptwriting needs to be improved dramatically, particularly they need to drop this whole "Its so 'ard, I'm a Slater we don't do this, you should know, you're a Mitchell!" Who the **** talks like that? Nobody! When you have a problem do you say to your mate "But I dunno if I should do that, I'm a Browne, you should know you're an O Grady" ???? like, what does that mean? What does your Sirname have to do with anything?

Also little things in the scripts like dropping in names of celebrities, tv shows, music, political figures into conversation would go a long way in adding realism. Currently as it stands all the residents of Albert Square talk about is themselves and football. Every conversation is plot related. A few little tangents here and there where the characters talk about something non plot related would be good, and develop the characters a bit.

We know **** all about the new characters I agree, with the exception of Stacey, at least we got to see her mother throw her out.

Theres loads of things but I need to get back to work lol
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Old 17-02-2005, 14:43
enoughisenough
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Originally Posted by joeUK
3/ [b]Simon Ashdown needs to return
....
Has he left then?
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Old 17-02-2005, 14:45
Wisteria
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Originally Posted by WalfordWill
PMSL! do you really scream that? thats hilarious, you sound like you've been through labour or something

Some episodes I "feel" and some I don't, an I have to a hell of a lot over the last 16 months I haven't, and when the beat starts its been so out of place because basically theres **** all after happening, so whats with the big dramatic beat for?

However, Monday's I thought was fab, but its not fair on the viewers that we should only expect an episode of this standard every few blue moon whilst the rest are mediocre. After a great episode you want to feel like theres a lot more where that came from, but sadly for EastEnders fans of late, its been like "Wow great episode!" and then its followed by two weeks of "ohh yeh, it was alrite, or meh, boring"

Its been builidng momenum over the last few weeks and the real test is after tomorrow night whether it keeps going, whether they have any new plots to come to the fore to run alongside the aftermath of Den to keep the show ticking over.

I think its a terrible shame they can't do comedy, at least if nothing is happening, you can be entertained by a few characters ala Corrie last night with Blanche and Fred.

I think after this whole mess is sorted and John Yorke's work begins to kick in, they should write a contract to say that the BBC must never ever ever ever ever ever add another episode of EastEnders to a normal week for a start.

When choosing an Executive Producer, get someone established, who's got a track record and a good one. Only the best will do as its their biggest show.

As for their research department they should all be cleared out and given office jobs in copy rooms lol.

By all means bring back the odd character from the past, its nice to see an old face but its not the quick fix to their problems.

Their scriptwriting needs to be improved dramatically, particularly they need to drop this whole "Its so 'ard, I'm a Slater we don't do this, you should know, you're a Mitchell!" Who the **** talks like that? Nobody! When you have a problem do you say to your mate "But I dunno if I should do that, I'm a Browne, you should know you're an O Grady" ???? like, what does that mean? What does your Sirname have to do with anything?

Also little things in the scripts like dropping in names of celebrities, tv shows, music, political figures into conversation would go a long way in adding realism. Currently as it stands all the residents of Albert Square talk about is themselves and football. Every conversation is plot related. A few little tangents here and there where the characters talk about something non plot related would be good, and develop the characters a bit.

We know **** all about the new characters I agree, with the exception of Stacey, at least we got to see her mother throw her out.

Theres loads of things but I need to get back to work lol
I agree with everything you just said Will!

BASICALLY: (take note EastEnders)
Dynamic, wide range of characters. Slow burning storylines. Interwoven plots. Consecutive cliff-hangers at end. Less episodes. More quality. BETTER EASTENDERS. Us. Happy.
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Old 17-02-2005, 14:49
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It really used to make you care about all the characters. Now it makes you turn off the TV. This plot with Dens' murder really could make or break the show. Do any of you watch old EE on UKGold? Bad Hair Days, but some bloody good episodes............................
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Old 17-02-2005, 14:50
Wisteria
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Yes they bring a tear to my eye do those eps. Memories, what has been WHAT SHOULD BE!
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Old 17-02-2005, 14:53
Keewee6
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Colnel Musterd in the Conservatory with the rope
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Old 17-02-2005, 14:55
Little Owl
 
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There have been hundreds of good, solid episodes, some light fluffy ones etc
But they lost the way somewhere in there. I hope that they find the way back quickly. I've grown up on EE and I would hate to see it retreat into TV history.
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Old 17-02-2005, 14:58
Wisteria
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Originally Posted by Keewee6
Colnel Musterd in the Conservatory with the rope
Never! Twas the Reverend in the Study with the spanner!
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Old 17-02-2005, 14:59
Wisteria
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Originally Posted by Little Owl
There have been hundreds of good, solid episodes, some light fluffy ones etc
But they lost the way somewhere in there. I hope that they find the way back quickly. I've grown up on EE and I would hate to see it retreat into TV history.
I'm sure that won't happen. But BBC has commissioned a brand new soap airing TWICE weekly, so if the worst comes to the worst, 'Bleak House' could be the replacement
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Old 17-02-2005, 15:01
WalfordWill
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Originally Posted by Little Owl
There have been hundreds of good, solid episodes, some light fluffy ones etc
But they lost the way somewhere in there. I hope that they find the way back quickly. I've grown up on EE and I would hate to see it retreat into TV history.
I know I'd be very sad to see it end for good, I've already lost Friends lol
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Old 17-02-2005, 15:02
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Lol ........
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Old 17-02-2005, 15:05
Wisteria
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Originally Posted by WalfordWill
I know I'd be very sad to see it end for good, I've already lost Friends lol
Oh my god you're so right - that was the worst thing to happen in years!
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Old 17-02-2005, 15:06
WalfordWill
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Originally Posted by joeUK
I'm sure that won't happen. But BBC has commissioned a brand new soap airing TWICE weekly, so if the worst comes to the worst, 'Bleak House' could be the replacement
What what? New Soap? Bleak House? Whats this?
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Old 17-02-2005, 15:07
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Now that was a good ending, done at exactly the right time. If EE was to go under. How should it end. Hypothetically Speaking. I said IF!
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Old 17-02-2005, 15:09
Wisteria
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Originally Posted by WalfordWill
What what? New Soap? Bleak House? Whats this?
Ohmygah! You haven't heard?

Let me dig up the article!
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