Both Phil Redmond's creations. After another year Hollyoaks will have out ran Brookside, but which is the better soap overall? Hollyoaks has had its moments over the years but I don't think it holds a candle to Brookside at its peak which made headlines. Definitely Brookie for me which I loved and still miss 12 years after its demise.
Results:Which is the better soap?
Brookside
55 (78.57%)
Hollyoaks
15 (21.43%)
Voters: 70. You can't vote on this poll right now - are you signed in?
Hollyoaks or Brookside?
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Hollyoaks has been brilliant at times but it's been absolute dross for the last two or three years. Overall Brookside was far superior.
Originally Posted by IWasBored:
“I think that Hollyoaks is in a better state at 20 years than brookside was when it turned 20”
“I think that Hollyoaks is in a better state at 20 years than brookside was when it turned 20”
Hollyoaks is more like fantasy
Oh Lordy - they are so different!
They may have been created by the same person but they've gone in such different directions over the years and I enjoy both in different ways. Unlike some, i don't think that Brookside was axed to make room for Hollyoaks.
Brookside was fantastic for its first 6 years or so - better than any other Soap in my opinion. It continued to have spells of brilliance like the Body Under the Patio. But Hollyoaks is in much better shape after 20 years than Brookside was.
They may have been created by the same person but they've gone in such different directions over the years and I enjoy both in different ways. Unlike some, i don't think that Brookside was axed to make room for Hollyoaks.
Brookside was fantastic for its first 6 years or so - better than any other Soap in my opinion. It continued to have spells of brilliance like the Body Under the Patio. But Hollyoaks is in much better shape after 20 years than Brookside was.
Brookside. It was gritty,Well written and well acted for the most part.
Hollyoaks is a joke tbh. How was gays in one small village. The number of murders that happens in oaks per year is a joke.
Maybe things would change if Kirkwood left.
Still Bk wont leave until he is pushed. Same thing happened on EastEnders the only difference was that the BBC wouldn't allow so many characters killed off. Pat died. Kirkwood had two great episodes one being Billes death which was down to yhe fantastic acting of Lindsey Coulson.
Hollyoaks is a joke tbh. How was gays in one small village. The number of murders that happens in oaks per year is a joke.
Maybe things would change if Kirkwood left.
Still Bk wont leave until he is pushed. Same thing happened on EastEnders the only difference was that the BBC wouldn't allow so many characters killed off. Pat died. Kirkwood had two great episodes one being Billes death which was down to yhe fantastic acting of Lindsey Coulson.
I'd say Brookside was the better soap but Hollyoaks is definitely most probably the longest running out of the two. Okay Hollyoaks isn't that good at the moment but the 20th week was actually quite good and I guess things won't be better until BK leaves. Saying that we've had some good episodes recently, namely Nana and Reenie, Peri and Patrick and the Lovedays Flashback. These do show that Hollyoaks still have it in them but they can't be bothered sadly.
Saying that, Brookside's 20th anniversary was very good too. A superb siege that brought the residents together, followed by an explosive helicopter crash that was brilliantly shot and very well done. Shame by this point C4 weren't interested.
Saying that, Brookside's 20th anniversary was very good too. A superb siege that brought the residents together, followed by an explosive helicopter crash that was brilliantly shot and very well done. Shame by this point C4 weren't interested.
Brookside easily.
Even though it went off the boil in later years, it had for the most part better writing and richer characters.
Even though it went off the boil in later years, it had for the most part better writing and richer characters.
What worries me is that TPTB at HO seem to think they’re onto a winner. They praise themselves for being different and explain away their outlandish plots and contrived characters with the excuse that they have a younger audience which requires fast paced, exciting and exaggerated scenes to keep them interested.
For me personally HO has lost it’s way, it’s tacky and thoughtless writing really feels like it’s aimed at teenagers, and I find myself frustrated that they make no effort to engage those of us who are older, dedicated and loyal viewers. It’s like we have been sacrificed to make way for the younger generation and our needs and viewpoint has been completely disregarded which to be honest makes me angry and upset.
I still watch occasionally just to see if there has been an improvement, but I rarely see anything I like, and most episodes I just sit tutting and grumpily complaining about the quality of the show.
Brookside was very similar to the above in its final days. They had lost all sense of what they originally created, and under pressure from the network were chasing ratings by presenting the audience with sensational and unrealistic plots designed to shock and create some much needed hype. I didn’t like this era of Brookside and even though I watched it until its final episode, I felt like it limped through its last few years and was a shadow of its former self. It seems ridiculous now, that the one soap which at one time had been so rigid in maintaining realism and presenting itself as a gritty and character driven drama was turned into the farce it was toward the end.
As Kitkat mentions above, some of their storylines were outstanding: Sheila’s rape being ahead of it’s time, the body under the patio, the death of the Farnham children etc etc. The families were real, and felt as though they were based on people we all knew and loved. This was especially true in its very early days, the Grants, and even in the 90’s with the Dixons and Rogers.
I personally feel no connection to any of the characters in HO, they undergo personality transplants at the drop of a hat, to suit a plot, and then swing back to being slightly likeable or believable when it’s time to involve them in something else. Even characters like Tony, never remain true to their original brief, and it’s really irritating that we’re expected to love them one minute and hate them the next and just accept that their behaviour is even remotely acceptable.
For me, HO will never be as good as Brookie in its prime, but I would love to be proved wrong. I desperately want to love HO again, but if it continues in it’s current state, that’s not going to happen
For me personally HO has lost it’s way, it’s tacky and thoughtless writing really feels like it’s aimed at teenagers, and I find myself frustrated that they make no effort to engage those of us who are older, dedicated and loyal viewers. It’s like we have been sacrificed to make way for the younger generation and our needs and viewpoint has been completely disregarded which to be honest makes me angry and upset.
I still watch occasionally just to see if there has been an improvement, but I rarely see anything I like, and most episodes I just sit tutting and grumpily complaining about the quality of the show.
Brookside was very similar to the above in its final days. They had lost all sense of what they originally created, and under pressure from the network were chasing ratings by presenting the audience with sensational and unrealistic plots designed to shock and create some much needed hype. I didn’t like this era of Brookside and even though I watched it until its final episode, I felt like it limped through its last few years and was a shadow of its former self. It seems ridiculous now, that the one soap which at one time had been so rigid in maintaining realism and presenting itself as a gritty and character driven drama was turned into the farce it was toward the end.
As Kitkat mentions above, some of their storylines were outstanding: Sheila’s rape being ahead of it’s time, the body under the patio, the death of the Farnham children etc etc. The families were real, and felt as though they were based on people we all knew and loved. This was especially true in its very early days, the Grants, and even in the 90’s with the Dixons and Rogers.
I personally feel no connection to any of the characters in HO, they undergo personality transplants at the drop of a hat, to suit a plot, and then swing back to being slightly likeable or believable when it’s time to involve them in something else. Even characters like Tony, never remain true to their original brief, and it’s really irritating that we’re expected to love them one minute and hate them the next and just accept that their behaviour is even remotely acceptable.
For me, HO will never be as good as Brookie in its prime, but I would love to be proved wrong. I desperately want to love HO again, but if it continues in it’s current state, that’s not going to happen
In fact I have never seen a full episode of Holly oaks, but from the few clips I have kind of seen, and from what I have read about it, I can tell it's not my cup of tea
Brookside was more relatable, even in it's final days. The thing about Hollyoaks is the characters are so outlandish it's unreal. I mean, when was the last time you kidnapped your brother who you secretly had a child with years ago? Not this week surely 
Brookside, watched Hollyoaks now and again, giving it another go now.
but I loved Brookside, like others have said It did go very sensationlist, that Started in my eyes with the Lindsey Corkhill, and the Millenium Club Bomb.
even still made sure I didnt midd an epsiode, even when it was on gone 11 on a Tuesday Night, abd had College the next day
but I loved Brookside, like others have said It did go very sensationlist, that Started in my eyes with the Lindsey Corkhill, and the Millenium Club Bomb.
even still made sure I didnt midd an epsiode, even when it was on gone 11 on a Tuesday Night, abd had College the next day
Hollyoaks does have its moments, but overall, it's gotta be Brookside for me.
I often wonder what would be going on now if it hadn't been axed, that's for another thread...
I often wonder what would be going on now if it hadn't been axed, that's for another thread...
Brookside, because the early years were a gritty slice of social realism.
Hollyoaks is escapism and subsequently doesn't reflect life in Britain in any form.
Hollyoaks is escapism and subsequently doesn't reflect life in Britain in any form.
Originally Posted by Hank1234:
“Hollyoaks is more like fantasy”
“Hollyoaks is more like fantasy”
That's not what I said. hollyoaks looks as though it may outlive Brookside. Brookside lasted 11 years, 1 more year and it's likely to succeed in that. I remember in 2002 Brookside's episodes were already cut right dow, it was during 2002 world cup. I don't think Hollyoaks is better at its peak, my hand slipped when I was voting. I Wanted to see who was winning in the poll, but then I only started watching Hollyoaks in 2009. But I stand by what I said when I think Hollyoaks is stronger at 20 years than brookside when it was 20
Originally Posted by IWasBored:
“That's not what I said. hollyoaks looks as though it may outlive Brookside. Brookside lasted 11 years, 1 more year and it's likely to succeed in that. I remember in 2002 Brookside's episodes were already cut right dow, it was during 2002 world cup. I don't think Hollyoaks is better at its peak, my hand slipped when I was voting. I Wanted to see who was winning in the poll, but then I only started watching Hollyoaks in 2009. But I stand by what I said when I think Hollyoaks is stronger at 20 years than brookside when it was 20”
“That's not what I said. hollyoaks looks as though it may outlive Brookside. Brookside lasted 11 years, 1 more year and it's likely to succeed in that. I remember in 2002 Brookside's episodes were already cut right dow, it was during 2002 world cup. I don't think Hollyoaks is better at its peak, my hand slipped when I was voting. I Wanted to see who was winning in the poll, but then I only started watching Hollyoaks in 2009. But I stand by what I said when I think Hollyoaks is stronger at 20 years than brookside when it was 20”
I'm not really sure I agree about HO being stronger at 20 than Brookie was. Even at its worst Brookside was being pushed around the schedule and running some pretty dire storylines but was still pulling in around 1.5 million viewers, which is now considered pretty damn good for HO to achieve.
IMO HO bears absolutely no resemblance to a realistic and character driven serial drama. It's storylines are so outlandish and its characters so exaggerated that it's hard to accept as a British soap. It breaks all the rules and shows no regard for its older viewers.
Originally Posted by craig_25:
“I'm not really sure I agree about HO being stronger at 20 than Brookie was. Even at its worst Brookside was being pushed around the schedule and running some pretty dire storylines but was still pulling in around 1.5 million viewers, which is now considered pretty damn good for HO to achieve.
IMO HO bears absolutely no resemblance to a realistic and character driven serial drama. It's storylines are so outlandish and its characters so exaggerated that it's hard to accept as a British soap. It breaks all the rules and shows no regard for its older viewers.”
“I'm not really sure I agree about HO being stronger at 20 than Brookie was. Even at its worst Brookside was being pushed around the schedule and running some pretty dire storylines but was still pulling in around 1.5 million viewers, which is now considered pretty damn good for HO to achieve.
IMO HO bears absolutely no resemblance to a realistic and character driven serial drama. It's storylines are so outlandish and its characters so exaggerated that it's hard to accept as a British soap. It breaks all the rules and shows no regard for its older viewers.”
Hmmm thats not completely true.
The Pete/Porsche/Cleo storyline has been done pretty well I think and been quite a slow burner.
Also the Tom and Peri storyline has been realistic in someways, especially if you compare it to Corrie's awful teen pregnancy storyline with Faye.
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