Is it me or has eastenders turned into a cartoon? Its soo un-real, predictable and boring it makes the Simpsons look like a real grity soap!

God EE better improve or otherwise its going to be in serious trouble.

Couldn't agree more. I think it's been like that for months That's why I've stopped watching it regularly. The exploding still storyline was pure Disney. Also, they seem to have a whole set of rules that don't apply in the real world, e.g.:

Talking about employment tribunals after the barmaids were working there for one day.

Cars killing people or demolishing market stalls, etc. when you would have difficulty getiing above 10 MPH in the square.

Taxis always passing by just when you need one.

Personality transplants after a short absence or, in some cases, just for the odd episode.

People who probably earn near minimum wage who can afford to spend every evening in the pub.

Hardly any talk about football, house prices and all the other things that normal people mention.

The locals seem to be able to carry their worldly possesions in a couple of bags when they move home.

The locals talk to strangers in the pub. Have you ever been to the real east end? It certainly ain't like that!

The music in the Queen Vic always seems to reflect the current action or storyline.

No one ever asks for a beer by name. When was the last time you asked for "A bottle of lager"?

Doctor lives and drinks with his patients and had unprotected sex with the biggest slapper in town.

And that's just a few.

Yes, and no.

Eastenders, like so many "soap" operas have changed over the past 10 years from being just another fictional entertainment programme, to bringing "social realism", whatever that means, to the screen. I'm all for the stories lines being "up to date" but surely they've gone OTT

And now it's on four days a week.

And, oh, there is always the chasing the ratings argument.

Don't any of the writers know that you can't claim for unfair dismissal after one day's employment? Just an excuse for another ridiculous 'comedy' storyline. As though the exploding still, the two old dears fighting over Jim, the salt on the pancakes etc wasn't enough.

I think you'll find that BBC One isn't a commercial station and therefore can't be seen to be promoting individual companies or products...

It doesn't have to be a real brand. It would be more realistic if they asked for "A bottle of Old Scrotum" or something, just not "A bottle of Lager". They could use Luxford & Copley, the fictitious brewery who is supposed so supply their draft beer.