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Is EastEnders stuck in a Newman lull?


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Old 26-08-2016, 20:13
lou_123
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It feels so dry at the moment.

Where are the big storylines? The summer months are usually filler, but there doesn't seem to be much coming up over the Autumn either and we're usually starting to see the Christmas storyline develop by now.

We've had no news on any new characters, or returns SOC has planned (Bar the odd temporary one).

There's been news on characters being axed, including long termers such as R&R.

But that's it really. SOC has been credited as EP for almost 2 months now. Of course I'm willing to give him a chance, but we haven't heard a lot. There hasn't been any news on Jake Wood's return either, which I thought we would have by now.

It's incredibly flat and I hope it picks up soon. The last time I remember the show was like this was when Lorainne Newman was producer. Silly storylines, lots of filler and boring teen romance storylines (AKA Bex and Shaquil). How are others feeling about the show recently?
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Old 26-08-2016, 20:27
Alex_Marwood
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I'm bored of it, no exciting storylines, dull characters. There needa to be a major return, and I think a big stunt to make his mark.
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Old 26-08-2016, 20:29
Hildaonpluto
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I'm bored of it, no exciting storylines, dull characters. There needa to be a major return, and I think a big stunt to make his mark.
What kind of stunt?
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Old 26-08-2016, 20:29
Ben96
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I read that the credit is for when he assumed office (the other soaps do it differently, only appearing on the credits when their work begins) , It's highly unlikely that he's had any influence on screen at all yet.
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Old 26-08-2016, 20:30
Alex_Marwood
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A building collapse, maybe a car or van driving into a building and exploding
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Old 26-08-2016, 20:33
Hildaonpluto
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A building collapse, maybe a car or van driving into a building and exploding
Many death's?
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Old 26-08-2016, 20:34
Aiden James
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I read that the credit is for when he assumed office (the other soaps do it differently, only appearing on the credits when their work begins) , It's highly unlikely that he's had any influence on screen at all yet.
A lot of people say this but it confuses me. I can remember when DTC joined and the Carter's basically appeared straight away yet people now claim it takes months and months before a new exec works comes through. So either DTC created the Carters or he didn't.

I got a link up on DS yesterday saying SOC's work offically starts in two weeks time. So the stuff on screen now is the last of DTCs work coming through.
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Old 26-08-2016, 20:44
Ben96
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A lot of people say this but it confuses me. I can remember when DTC joined and the Carter's basically appeared straight away yet people now claim it takes months and months before a new exec works comes through. So either DTC created the Carters or he didn't.

I got a link up on DS yesterday saying SOC's work offically starts in two weeks time. So the stuff on screen now is the last of DTCs work coming through.
According to Wiki he assumed the position as EP in August 2013, I have no Idea when the Carter's arrived.
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Old 26-08-2016, 20:45
SuperSoaper
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When a soap needs a big stunt, you know it is in trouble. There just needs to be better writing and more engaging characters. I still think it's better than Corrie.
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Old 26-08-2016, 20:45
sorcha_healy27
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I'm bored of it, no exciting storylines, dull characters. There needa to be a major return, and I think a big stunt to make his mark.
Eastenders isn't known for good stunts.

I'd rather fantastic character driven well written drama
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Old 26-08-2016, 20:46
Ben96
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When a soap needs a big stunt, you know it is in trouble. There just needs to be better writing and more engaging characters. I still think it's better than Corrie.
bib - But that wouldn't take much though would It? I think Emmerdale's the best right now, but I'm starting to get back into EE now and I think It's quite good.
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Old 26-08-2016, 20:48
xTonix
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Eastenders isn't known for good stunts.

I'd rather fantastic character driven well written drama
Same here, EE is best at dramatic drama.
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Old 26-08-2016, 20:49
Neil_N
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If you want stunts watch Corrie or Hollyoaks with their annual Club explosion every year. Eastenders is character driven.

I admit it is slow, but there has been a few high-points. The last two episodes (THU/FRI) have been decent and well-written. I am worried SOC is becoming another Newman / Birkwood with the culling of casts and no new characters, but there has to be some sort of reason behind this.

We seem to have no vision at all.
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Old 26-08-2016, 20:49
sorcha_healy27
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bib - But that wouldn't take much though would It? I think Emmerdale's the best right now, but I'm starting to get back into EE now and I think It's quite good.
I agree I'm enjoying it at the moment.

The Steven stuff and the honey/Billy /Jay storyline is really good imo.
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Old 26-08-2016, 20:54
soap-lea
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A lot of people say this but it confuses me. I can remember when DTC joined and the Carter's basically appeared straight away yet people now claim it takes months and months before a new exec works comes through. So either DTC created the Carters or he didn't.

I got a link up on DS yesterday saying SOC's work offically starts in two weeks time. So the stuff on screen now is the last of DTCs work coming through.
DTC rejigged Newmans creation is basically the jist of it.

But yes it takes months for a new producers work to show. Take Iain Mcleod, we know he started at Emmerdale at the start of Jan but I think it was May time before he was credited, he made small tweaks like David taking a pic of his balls but thats it. the storylines etc were all Kate Oakes.

Basically it is like a business and there is a process. Storylines can be planned 6-12 months ahead (or longer) at times, then they go through the process of being filled out, scripts written etc etc the scripts can go through a few drafts . then it is filmed (soap dependent but usually 6-8 weeks in advance).
Any new cast and characters are generally planned, auditions held for casting, offering the actors the jobs, agreeing terms and putting contracts etc in place. whilst that is happening the storyliners are giving the characters personalities, creating backstories and creating their entrances.

sometimes the process is quicker but that would eat uo budget. scrapping a producers planned work also costs money.

We are still seeing dtc's work. Eastenders oddly credited Sean early. basically after he started and the stuff he had overseen being filmed and edited he was credited for. The BBC made it clear that it was still DTC's work. It's odd they don't normally do that! .

Anyway dtcs stories will still be playing out even when sean's stuff is on screen and it will be a good few months before we truly see his work and the direction he is taking the soap

http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/east...sode-will-air/
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Old 26-08-2016, 21:01
joe gillott
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Only good thing is the lack of Phil and Sharon. I hate where the day story is going and everything else is dull and boring.
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Old 26-08-2016, 21:04
Bettty Boo
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Bryan Kirkwood had only been on the EE credits for 5 weeks when Lucy Benjamin returned for that guest episode yet that was clearly a Diederick Santer decision Kirkwood took all the credit for. Unless some EPs can get their work on screen quicker than others.

Sean O Conner did say during an Archers interview on the domestic abuse story that he knew that he was taking over EastEnders all the way back in January so maybe he has all his plans already laid out. He certainly axed Ronnie and Roxy before his feet were even under the table.
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Old 26-08-2016, 21:20
lou_123
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According to Wiki he assumed the position as EP in August 2013, I have no Idea when the Carter's arrived.
DTC's first ever episode was in early December 2013, and the Carters arrived that Christmas. The show was really picking itself up by the end of 2013. SOC has been credited as producer since the beginning of last month, yet none of this is apparently his work? It's all very confusing.
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Old 26-08-2016, 21:21
little-monster
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Poor Dame Lorraine Newman
Her surname is now used to describe as a soap slump.
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Old 26-08-2016, 21:24
lou_123
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When a soap needs a big stunt, you know it is in trouble. There just needs to be better writing and more engaging characters. I still think it's better than Corrie.
I think that's debatable. EastEnders just seems so deflated at the moment. There isn't a lot to tune in for if you ask me, and it doesn't have any big storylines at the moment. Half the cast are quite dull aswell. Corrie has been boring for years, but due to its light hearted nature, and long serving cast, I'm finding it a lot easier to watch at the moment. EE needs something really juicy to gain the publics interest again. It's such a shame we have no idea of SOC's vision.
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Old 26-08-2016, 21:25
lou_123
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Poor Dame Lorraine Newman
Her surname is now used to describe as a soap slump.
well she only has herself to blame for that after making us suffer 9 months of utter tedium.
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Old 26-08-2016, 21:26
soap-lea
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DTC's first ever episode was in early December 2013, and the Carters arrived that Christmas. The show was really picking itself up by the end of 2013. SOC has been credited as producer since the beginning of last month, yet none of this is apparently his work? It's all very confusing.
the upshot is they wanted all trace of dtcs name removed as soon as possible.

did you read the article i posted, its explained there. it really isn't hard to understand
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Old 26-08-2016, 21:26
little-monster
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well she only has herself to blame for that after making us suffer 9 months of utter tedium.
I know what you mean. Bless her. She tried. Give me her over a few certain EP's anyday though.
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Old 26-08-2016, 21:27
lou_123
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I know what you mean. Bless her. She tried. Give me her over a few certain EP's anyday though.
Krikwood by any chance?
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Old 26-08-2016, 21:29
little-monster
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Krikwood by any chance?
I loved Kirkwood actually. I have been one of the few people here brave to admit my love for Kirkwood. He's gets a harder time than most of the EP's.
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