DS Forums

 
 

SOAP is a dying artform. Most DULL Christmas on record


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 13-12-2016, 11:51
Damon_Plembury
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,108

This is shaping up to be the dullest, most uneventful christmas in soap history.

NONE of the show show runners on any of the soaps are bringing anything good to the table.

Im sick of people on here defended SOCs on EastEnders 'He's just getting started' etc

Sorry, Now is when we should be in FULL swing ready for Christmas

And IF either Ronnie or Roxy is killed in January this will be second only to Killing Pat Butcher.

An absolute travesty for such ;legendary characters, especially Ronnie

They deserve so much more, so much bigger

What happened to the big EVENT episodes with EE. Remember in the early 00's with we had big massive episodes that had everyone talking.

I think soap is a dying art form

Theres only so many term crashes and explosions and affairs we can watch before people become bored.

Ive a feeling in 10 years time at least one of the big 3 won't be around anymore
Damon_Plembury is online now   Reply With Quote
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 13-12-2016, 12:37
Danny_Francis
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Emmerdale
Posts: 4,290
While I agree with soap in general being a dying art, you've concluded you're view if not only based on the current form of EastEnders. This is nothing against you when I say this but it's not the only soap around
Danny_Francis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 12:45
Damon_Plembury
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,108
While I agree with soap in general being a dying art, you've concluded you're view if not only based on the current form of EastEnders. This is nothing against you when I say this but it's not the only soap around
I was using it as an example.

Coronation Street AND Emmerdale are also both in terrible shape
Damon_Plembury is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 12:55
The Queen Vic
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,916
Soap isn't dying, but it isn't what it used to be. If you're basing your comments on ratings, then that's inaccurate because the figures soaps get for people watching as it goes out are, indeed, less, but millions of people catch up via online platforms. So, no it's not dying, I disagree.

You mentioned above that you were sick of people saying anything like 'he's just getting started' regarding SOC. Well, sorry, but I'm going to say it. You can't stop me. He's getting started. Why shouldn't I say it? It's my opinion. Yours is that he's not a good producer. I accept that. And I'm pretty sick of hearing it too. My opinion is that he's turned the show from being pretty sensationalist and, near the end, in danger of jumping the shark, under DTC, into a much gentler, character-led drama. He's spending time and allowing us to get to know the characters again, and that's going to enforce the drama going forward. I really, really believe he will be a good producer for the show. Yes, it's a little slow at times but I care deeply about these characters for the first time in a long while. To be clear, I liked DTC's era - but I think he got carried away near the end.

Can I also remind you that 90% of EastEnders' storylines over the festive period are embargoed. Do you not think that might be because there are exciting twists they don't want getting out? I also don't think you can compare Ronnie with Pat. Ronnie's a popular character, but she's not a legend yet. Her exit may solidify her status, though, depending on how it's done.

All just my opinion. You have yours, I have mine. It'd be great to debate this more with you.
The Queen Vic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 13:03
Glendarroch
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Over the hills and far away
Posts: 12,535
I' m looking forward to ED' s Christmas - the upcoming in Ashley, Cain and Moira stuff looks great. Stories about actual characters, not thrills and spills, or 'big reveals'
Glendarroch is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 13:12
Oldnjaded
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Losing the plot and not caring
Posts: 68,975

1. I think soap is a dying art form

2. Theres only so many term crashes and explosions and affairs we can watch before people become bored.
1. Pretty sure it's not.
2. So what would you prefer that involves neither 'high drama' nor relationship issues, that you would find engrossing and riveting?
Oldnjaded is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 13:14
samcains90
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: East Kilbride, Scotland
Posts: 4,343
I' m looking forward to ED' s Christmas - the upcoming in Ashley, Cain and Moira stuff looks great. Stories about actual characters, not thrills and spills, or 'big reveals'
Same.
I'd say it's in better shape than last year.
samcains90 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 13:17
molliepops
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: woking
Posts: 21,681
Emmerdale is really doing ground breaking work at the moment I don't think I've ever seen such great acting in a soap as we have with the dementia storyline, everyone involved so realistic.

The Christmas episodes look as if they will be hard to watch they are going to be so good.

EE ? No idea stopped watching years ago when it all became too dreary and corrie I stopped when it became more panto than soap. They may have changed and improved again I guess but I'm not tempted.
molliepops is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 13:20
pinkprint
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 281
Soap isn't dying, but it isn't what it used to be. If you're basing your comments on ratings, then that's inaccurate because the figures soaps get for people watching as it goes out are, indeed, less, but millions of people catch up via online platforms. So, no it's not dying, I disagree.

You mentioned above that you were sick of people saying anything like 'he's just getting started' regarding SOC. Well, sorry, but I'm going to say it. You can't stop me. He's getting started. Why shouldn't I say it? It's my opinion. Yours is that he's not a good producer. I accept that. And I'm pretty sick of hearing it too. My opinion is that he's turned the show from being pretty sensationalist and, near the end, in danger of jumping the shark, under DTC, into a much gentler, character-led drama. He's spending time and allowing us to get to know the characters again, and that's going to enforce the drama going forward. I really, really believe he will be a good producer for the show. Yes, it's a little slow at times but I care deeply about these characters for the first time in a long while. To be clear, I liked DTC's era - but I think he got carried away near the end.

Can I also remind you that 90% of EastEnders' storylines over the festive period are embargoed. Do you not think that might be because there are exciting twists they don't want getting out? I also don't think you can compare Ronnie with Pat. Ronnie's a popular character, but she's not a legend yet. Her exit may solidify her status, though, depending on how it's done.

All just my opinion. You have yours, I have mine. It'd be great to debate this more with you.
SOC wont be around long enough to do more than 'get started', hes made a huge boo boo by killing off the Mitchell sisters, that is all his legacy will be remebered for, the same way Birkwood was remembered for killing off Pat.
ofcourse we all have different opinions, but its my opinion that EastEnders is shite under this current producer and i will MORE than likely be giving up on it in the new year.

There are other soaps though, and Corrie and Emmerdale are in far better shape than they were this time last year. they cannot even be compared to EastEnders at the moment as atleast they have engaging characters and storylines.

But yes soaps in general are losing their charm, i think one needs to go, and as the BBC is public funded i am sure we know which one it is ...
pinkprint is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 13:30
Andy_Marlowe
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,098
I have some sympathy with the OP. I can't speak of Eastenders as I only see odd scenes of characters that interest me on You Tube. I do think they have made a mistake in getting rid of Lee, though, and indeed all of the 5 characters before O'Connor had the chance to see what could be done with them, when certain other people, who seem fireproof have dreared on for years, and seem to still be safe. That applies to Coronation Street and Emmerdale as well though. Boring characters go on for years whereas newcomers are disposed of.

The real problem is that all the soaps produce far too many episodes each week, and in the days when only two or three episodes of each were broadcast each week they could concentrate of character development, quality writing and the burying of stupid stories. Now they have to keep feeding the machine with dire characters and dull stories, each more unlikely or extreme than the last "super soap weeks" demonstrate this very clearly, and of course Xmas means extended episodes of them all.

Certainly Emmerdale has gone off terribly this year. One of the Xmas highlights is Zac and Lisa stealing a Xmas tree, which makes them sentimental about their old days,God help us.
Andy_Marlowe is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 13:45
Harlowe
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 14,370
Maybe the drama lies in the acting and writing, the character driven instead of high octane dramatics, for once maybe we should just wait and see the result before saying its shit.

All the soaps, part from HO have had major change overs this year, most half way through the year, so yes things are only really getting started.
Harlowe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 13:48
Aura101
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,576
Emmerdale and Corrie have been quite good though.
EastEnders is mind numbing so I will be giving that a miss on Xmas Day.
Aura101 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 14:02
Neil_N
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Cuddling MyLee
Posts: 4,737
I've got a feeling Emmerdale is going to be the dark horse of the Christmas period. It certainly looks promising and Ashley's dementia has been wonderfully acted.

EE - I reckon it will probably deliver, but I won't say anything until the big night.
Neil_N is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 14:06
wallo mr slug
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: North East England
Posts: 8,984
I'm surprised that you have been able to watch the Christmas soap episodes already to judge.

But, if on the off chance that someone on DS is basing a slam on something they haven't seen yet, you should know that not everything has been revealed about what's in store for Christmas.

Maybe save the 'WORST CHRISTMAS EVER' stuff for after they have aired
wallo mr slug is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 14:08
_elly001
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,622
Last year's Christmas episode was pretty dull from what I remember. It certainly can't be any worse than that. But I actually think this year will be really decent and exciting going from what we know and also, crucially, what we don't know.
_elly001 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 14:20
molliepops
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: woking
Posts: 21,681
I'm surprised that you have been able to watch the Christmas soap episodes already to judge.

But, if on the off chance that someone on DS is basing a slam on something they haven't seen yet, you should know that not everything has been revealed about what's in store for Christmas.

Maybe save the 'WORST CHRISTMAS EVER' stuff for after they have aired
It amazes me members post while watching episodes, now predicting them is obviously just another step forward
molliepops is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 14:40
Oldnjaded
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Losing the plot and not caring
Posts: 68,975
I'm surprised that you have been able to watch the Christmas soap episodes already to judge.

But, if on the off chance that someone on DS is basing a slam on something they haven't seen yet, you should know that not everything has been revealed about what's in store for Christmas.

Maybe save the 'WORST CHRISTMAS EVER' stuff for after they have aired
You do realise this is DS you're posting on right?
Oldnjaded is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 14:43
Broken_Arrow
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Suck it
Posts: 7,777
I agree the soaps are dying. TV is changing and soaps are quite dated these days. EastEnders, for example, is currently like watching an episode of Coronation Street from the early 90's. Not bad but not exactly exciting when there's so much more to choose from on Netflix and other places. I don't watch the other soaps anymore (never watched Emmerdale) but there's not much buzz about them either on here these days.

I know people are going to say EastEnders is going back to its roots but I watched it from the start and it's never been this wishy washy. If I wanted to watch a bunch of unlikeable people go about their mundane boring lives I'd spend more time with my family. TV is supposed to entertain.
Broken_Arrow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 14:51
Damon_Plembury
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,108
Emmerdale is really doing ground breaking work at the moment I don't think I've ever seen such great acting in a soap as we have with the dementia storyline, everyone involved so realistic.

The Christmas episodes look as if they will be hard to watch they are going to be so good.

EE ? No idea stopped watching years ago when it all became too dreary and corrie I stopped when it became more panto than soap. They may have changed and improved again I guess but I'm not tempted.
EE is to dreary, yet in the paragraph before you said how great the harrowing dementia storyline was :s
Damon_Plembury is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 15:02
molliepops
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: woking
Posts: 21,681
EE is to dreary, yet in the paragraph before you said how great the harrowing dementia storyline was :s
There is a difference between dreary and great story telling with fantastic acting. Emmerdale is doing the best I've seen since the baby swap and death story line a few years ago, we have fantastic actors in Emmy IMO.
molliepops is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 15:37
Leeah
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 18,883
There is a difference between dreary and great story telling with fantastic acting. Emmerdale is doing the best I've seen since the baby swap and death story line a few years ago, we have fantastic actors in Emmy IMO.
EE is too dreary yet ED have explosions/deaths every week LOL!!!
Leeah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 15:42
Adrian_Ward1
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Plymouth Devon
Posts: 12,497
I look forward to Eastenders And Emmerdale
Adrian_Ward1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 15:54
Glendarroch
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Over the hills and far away
Posts: 12,535
I have some sympathy with the OP. I can't speak of Eastenders as I only see odd scenes of characters that interest me on You Tube. I do think they have made a mistake in getting rid of Lee, though, and indeed all of the 5 characters before O'Connor had the chance to see what could be done with them, when certain other people, who seem fireproof have dreared on for years, and seem to still be safe. That applies to Coronation Street and Emmerdale as well though. Boring characters go on for years whereas newcomers are disposed of.

The real problem is that all the soaps produce far too many episodes each week, and in the days when only two or three episodes of each were broadcast each week they could concentrate of character development, quality writing and the burying of stupid stories. Now they have to keep feeding the machine with dire characters and dull stories, each more unlikely or extreme than the last "super soap weeks" demonstrate this very clearly, and of course Xmas means extended episodes of them all.

Certainly Emmerdale has gone off terribly this year. One of the Xmas highlights is Zac and Lisa stealing a Xmas tree, which makes them sentimental about their old days,God help us.
The highlights I' ve seen are
Spoiler
Glendarroch is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 16:07
Adam_Manneh1
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,288
To be fair this year has seen a lot of change especially for EE and CS so we are probably still feeling the tremors.
Adam_Manneh1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-12-2016, 16:22
molliepops
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: woking
Posts: 21,681
EE is too dreary yet ED have explosions/deaths every week LOL!!!
Yes it was too dreary I'm not sure why that's causing so much comment ee was dreadfully dreary and boring when I gave up watching, depressing and dire.

Emmerdale has a little comedy, drama and occasional boring stories, get the mix right and you get excellent drama.

I don't think ee has ever been comedic in any way.
molliepops is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply




 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 12:29.