Crunch Time for Eastenders - SPOILERS - Soaps

ITV Fan · 23-03-2005, 12:20

Yes yes another Eastenders thread, but one which I feel will be useful and create a good discussion, and this is probably the first EE thread I have started in my 5 months at DS

Louise Berridge left in September 2004. Kathleen Hutchison took over, and vowed to get EE back to its former glory. She announced that upto 14 cast members were going to be axed, which caused anxiety on the already very chaotic set. Things looked better for the soap when KH took a break frrom her axe and announced that Joel Beckett and Jake Maskall were joining the soap as extensions to the 'incredibly popular' Moon family. Also, Billy Murray was to join as Johnny Allen. But these additions didn't move away from the gangster themes, which the media reckon is a reason why the soap has been in a slump recently. After four months, John Yorke sacked her.
Had KH1 achieved anything in her reign?

She axed Jill Halfpenny, who played Kate. Jill Halfpenny later won Strictly Come Dancing, and gained popularity with the public, causing bosses to re-think her axing. Nothing happened, and she left. It would have been good for her to be around when Phil and Peggy came back, then left after that if she really had to go.

She axed the Ferreiras and Sasha.Does this seem like an easy way out. We've established in DS that it was the writers fault, not the actors faults that they were not a hit. Yes, they had an awful first story, but surely KH1 could have had faith in her writing team, brought in new writers to help make them a success? Also, Sasha is a great character, and could have done well on her own without the Ferreiras. Instead, she opted for the easy way and her axe fell on them.

She axed Michael Higgs, who played Andy. This was a good move for me, as he never really worked, and was moving away from the gangster stuff. He had only been in the show for a year or so though.

She axed Leslie Grantham, who played Dirty Den Watts. A generally good move, considering his off screen antics. But he hadn't been back for long, and killing him off for a second time??

_________________

KH1 has produced approximately 4 months of episodes for EE. Yes, the general conclusion is that the soap has improved. But look at the figures:-

[Top episode of the week, provided by BARB]

[Viewing Figures rather low at this point, maybe due to the 'heat' or the fact that the Olympics have just finished]

W/E 26th Sept '04
10.75 million

[Viewing Figures back to normal, as Corrie approaches 13 million for the 7:30pm Mon episode]

W/E 3rd October '04
11.19 million

W/E 10th October '04
11.08 million

Skip a little bit, to well into KH1's reign

W/E 5th December '04
11.49 million

However, Corrie's figures are nearly 13.5 million, so viewing figures have gone up a little

W/E 12th December '04
11.60 million
[Corrie is at 13.5 million]

So these figures are not 100% accurate, as other soaps have increased as well. Nonetheless, EE's figures have improved.

EE got the higher Xmas day ratings, although Corrie got the highest festive period ratings. This normally happens though, that the BBC wins Xmas day.

In Jan and early Feb however, EE's figures went up to 12 million ish, and Corrie's dropped to 12.5-13million ish.

W/E 16th January '05
12.32 million [Corrie at 12.7 million]

W/E 30th January '05
12.47 million [Corrie at 13.12 million]

However, these increases tailed off a little after the 14 million peak of Den's death, and the high ratings which followed.

W/E 6th March '05
12.13 million [Killer Katy for Corrie - 14.25]

___________

As we enter into KH1's final weeks in the show, we will see whether viewing figures really rose that much. Friday's EE was pretty appaling really, not too much better than the Berridge era - and this is after 3 months of her episodes!Overnight figures are reporting middle to late 11m figures, but they rise slightly with BARB. If figures don't really improve, then I can't see many positive things to come out of her reign, apart from the 20th anniversary.

Here is what is to come in EE over the coming weeks:-

24/3

When Sonia confesses to Martin that she’s seen Chloe, Martin becomes angry. He tells Sonia that Chloe is no longer their daughter and storms out of the house.

Elsewhere, Stacey boasts to Ruby about grassing up the Millers for benefit fraud, Juley sells knocked-off jewellery on the stall and Stacey baby-sits Ruby while Johnny secretly takes Tina shopping.

25/3

Stacey tries her best to persuade Johnny not to send Ruby back to school. Johnny later tells Charlie that Stacey should still be attending school, but she’s quick to point out that if she’s in trouble for truanting, then they’ll pay the price with the authorities for letting her.

Meanwhile, Rosie and Keith storm into the Vic, when Ruby accidentally tells Mickey who grassed them up for benefit fraud.

Elsewhere, Martin pleads with Sonia to leave Chloe alone, and Little Mo is jealous when Alfie enlists the help of Tina to sell his bunny girl outfits on his stall.

28/3

Money in the Miller house is tighter than ever and Rosie is forced to ask Chrissie for extra work. However, Rosie soon has other things on her mind when Demi decides to take her revenge on Stacey in the middle of the Square.

Meanwhile, Sonia tells Martin she wants to see Chloe again. He tries to make her face up to the reality that she’ll never be content with just visiting Chloe but will that be enough to stop her?

Little Mo tries to help Alfie out by covering for him on the stall, but Alfie soon gets a shock when he realises that she has sold some of his stock at a much lower price.

Elsewhere, Ruby mopes over the loss of her friendship with Stace and Alfie is disappointed to hear that Little Mo is going away to visit Lynne.

29/3

Keith’s good intentions soon turn to mayhem when he ends up making a mess of the chores. Unable to read Demi’s list of instructions, he doesn’t realise that Aleesha is teething and Demi is annoyed when she finds her in tears.

Meanwhile, Little Mo’s intimate lunch with Alfie turns into a family affair when Charlie, Mo and Garry gatecrash.

Later, Charlie tries to persuade Stacey to go back to school and Martin is furious when Sonia confesses to everything

31/3

Martin and Sonia’s marriage reaches breaking point as Martin points out the selfishness of Sonia’s actions.

Meanwhile, Darren questions Keith about why he’s never worked, and grows suspicious when Keith misreads a job advertisement.

Darren tells Demi that he suspects their dad is illiterate, but she refuses to believe him.

Elsewhere, Stacey is out of her depth when Daryl comes on to her in the cab office, but Johnny arrives just in time.

1/4

Sonia tells Martin that she’ll never forgive him if he prevents her from seeing Chloe. Insisting that Sonia tells the truth, Martin accompanies her when she visits Chloe – but how will her news be taken?

Juley persuades the market inspector to reinstate the stall but Mickey is angry when he sees him setting up and tells him that they’re no longer business partners. After a pep talk from Patrick, Juley makes a decision…

Elsewhere, Darren tricks Keith into signing a letter and Ruby and Stacey rekindle their friendship.

4/4

Still desperate for money, Rosie asks Keith to cover her shift at the Vic whilst she gets work elsewhere. Impressed by Keith’s work, Sam offers him some more shifts in the Vic. However, Keith’s happiness is short-lived when Sam gives Keith the task of placing the order with the brewery and he quickly makes his excuses and leaves.

Johnny tries his best to contact Tina but she continues to avoid his calls. When Johnny finally catches up with Tina, he is shocked to discover that she has moved out of the flat – permanently. Sick of their secretive relationship, Tina tells Johnny she wants them to go public…

____________________

It is crunch time for EE, as JY and KH2 are on the scene now, to see whether they can make more of a difference in 4 months than KH1 did. If nothing really happens to make viewers go 'wow!' in the next few months, as KH2's episodes come on screen, EE will be fighting to keep their viewers, as we have not seen a drastic difference in quality since Berridge left.

Dakota. · 23-03-2005, 12:24

I have faith in John Yorke, that he'll regain Eastenders to it's former glory. Look what he did before LB came on the scene, it was more popular than Emmerdale & Corrie. Eastenders and JY go together like cheese and bread

23-03-2005, 12:39

them spoilers are all the same

WalfordWill · 23-03-2005, 12:44

I agree, very good post mate, I really enjoyed reading it. Sadly its all true. Apart from the 20th anniversary Kathleen Hutchison hasn't drastically improved the show. I felt that axeing the Ferreiras was probably the best decision as really they were too far gone and were so unpopular that I dont' think anything the writers whether current or new, anything they did would have a bit of difference. Although it could be the easy option of "getting in" with the the viewers, to be seen to be agreeing with them.

Axeing Jill Halfpenny at the time I thought, well yeh she's done nothing really. But I felt later on much as I'm sure some BBC bosses did, that they could have done more for her, instead it was lets get her out so we dont' actually have to think of ideas. Andy Hunter went next which was the best decision she made IMO. A phoney gangster and another actor who had been done a misservice by the writers and Berridge for the most part.

Despite it leading to the highest rating episode of a soap so far this year, some people might say she stamped her own P45 when she axed Dirty Den. I can imagine John Yorke, a man with great passion for EastEnders would have relished the idea of getting to work with one of EastEnders's biggest characters. As Head of Drama, he probably thought that KH1 went too far and was getting a bit too trigger happy. Plus, maybe he thought what she was producing herself wasn't all that great either, better than Berridge but not going to set the show alight in the ratings.

The ratings have been up and down like a yoyo since before Christmas. They just about manage to hit 11million on some occasions, at a time when its biggest rival, Coronation Street is hitting the 13.5 million on a regular basis with their constant stream of gripping, well written storylines mixed with humour based sub plots.

Kate Harwood and indeed Mr Yorke have a job on their hands. I think it is indeed crunch time for EastEnders. Many in the media and viewers, myself included, believe that if they can't pull EastEnders back together, then nobody will and it will continue to slip further and further down.

The crunch time for EastEnders will be mid summer/early autumn, when Kate's work will have started to be aired. John Yorke before that will have done a few episodes but both will be firmly at the helm of EastEnders. By Christmas, the viewers will be expecting a typical Walford Christmas, a big storyline that we can all look forward to watching build up in the winter months up to Christmas Day and New Years.

telly addict! · 23-03-2005, 12:47

Yes why have you posted the same ones for different days? The 28th and the 29th spoilers are identical, and the 1st and 4th are as well

telly addict! · 23-03-2005, 12:49

Could you not just write this on an existing thread?

Newcastle · 23-03-2005, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by WalfordWill

Despite it leading to the highest rating episode of a soap so far this year, some people might say she stamped her own P45 when she axed Dirty Den.

Well, it wasn't the highest episode- there was an episode of Corrie the next monday which got higher viewing figures than his exit.

ITV Fan · 23-03-2005, 13:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by telly addict!

Yes why have you posted the same ones for different days? The 28th and the 29th spoilers are identical, and the 1st and 4th are as well

Whoops sorry
Will amend now!

Polly_Perkins · 23-03-2005, 13:04

I really dont see how the show has improved at all. KH has been just as stupid as LB. Dens death for example was just a ratings grabber and plotless, just another regular face gone. Kate again, not the best character but at least one we knew and one who had a history.

Andys death was fair enough just badly done and the Ferrerias exit was for the critics pure and simple and badly done.

She has got rid of people quickly and this is BAD.

LB got rid of people and that was a mistake but at least it was over a period of time.

KH's end isnt crunch time, she was brought in to make swift changes which translated to the screen very badly.

I think this has been an example of the worse management of a soap in history.

ITV Fan · 23-03-2005, 13:04

spoilers are correct now!

beee · 23-03-2005, 13:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polly_Perkins

I really dont see how the show has improved at all. KH has been just as stupid as LB.[...]KH's end isnt crunch time, she was brought in to make swift changes which translated to the screen very badly.

I think this has been an example of the worse management of a soap in history.

I've said this in another thread, but instead of cleaning up LB's mess (what she was hired to do), she has merely added to it. I tried to be positive about her at first, but she hasn't impressed me at all.

I think this really is crunch time - I certainly won't keep tuning in if JY turns it into the Mitchell show, for instance. Bring in some characters we can get to know before you kick them out!

ITV Fan · 23-03-2005, 13:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polly_Perkins

KH's end isnt crunch time, she was brought in to make swift changes which translated to the screen very badly.

What I meant by crunch time was that if the show doesnt get substantially better in the next few weeks/months, people are going to switch off

Lemonade · 23-03-2005, 16:37

Some good spoliers there, ITV Fan.

.

23-03-2005, 12:20	#1
ITV Fan Banned User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Blanche "When I die, can you make sure you don't tell people by a beep beep beep beep and do it by telephone? Posts: 1,870	Crunch Time for Eastenders - SPOILERS amended Yes yes another Eastenders thread, but one which I feel will be useful and create a good discussion, and this is probably the first EE thread I have started in my 5 months at DS Louise Berridge left in September 2004. Kathleen Hutchison took over, and vowed to get EE back to its former glory. She announced that upto 14 cast members were going to be axed, which caused anxiety on the already very chaotic set. Things looked better for the soap when KH took a break frrom her axe and announced that Joel Beckett and Jake Maskall were joining the soap as extensions to the 'incredibly popular' Moon family. Also, Billy Murray was to join as Johnny Allen. But these additions didn't move away from the gangster themes, which the media reckon is a reason why the soap has been in a slump recently. After four months, John Yorke sacked her. Had KH1 achieved anything in her reign? She axed Jill Halfpenny, who played Kate. Jill Halfpenny later won Strictly Come Dancing, and gained popularity with the public, causing bosses to re-think her axing. Nothing happened, and she left. It would have been good for her to be around when Phil and Peggy came back, then left after that if she really had to go. She axed the Ferreiras and Sasha.Does this seem like an easy way out. We've established in DS that it was the writers fault, not the actors faults that they were not a hit. Yes, they had an awful first story, but surely KH1 could have had faith in her writing team, brought in new writers to help make them a success? Also, Sasha is a great character, and could have done well on her own without the Ferreiras. Instead, she opted for the easy way and her axe fell on them. She axed Michael Higgs, who played Andy. This was a good move for me, as he never really worked, and was moving away from the gangster stuff. He had only been in the show for a year or so though. She axed Leslie Grantham, who played Dirty Den Watts. A generally good move, considering his off screen antics. But he hadn't been back for long, and killing him off for a second time?? _________________ KH1 has produced approximately 4 months of episodes for EE. Yes, the general conclusion is that the soap has improved. But look at the figures:- [Top episode of the week, provided by BARB] [Viewing Figures rather low at this point, maybe due to the 'heat' or the fact that the Olympics have just finished] W/E 26th Sept '04 10.75 million [Viewing Figures back to normal, as Corrie approaches 13 million for the 7:30pm Mon episode] W/E 3rd October '04 11.19 million W/E 10th October '04 11.08 million Skip a little bit, to well into KH1's reign W/E 5th December '04 11.49 million However, Corrie's figures are nearly 13.5 million, so viewing figures have gone up a little W/E 12th December '04 11.60 million [Corrie is at 13.5 million] So these figures are not 100% accurate, as other soaps have increased as well. Nonetheless, EE's figures have improved. EE got the higher Xmas day ratings, although Corrie got the highest festive period ratings. This normally happens though, that the BBC wins Xmas day. In Jan and early Feb however, EE's figures went up to 12 million ish, and Corrie's dropped to 12.5-13million ish. W/E 16th January '05 12.32 million [Corrie at 12.7 million] W/E 30th January '05 12.47 million [Corrie at 13.12 million] However, these increases tailed off a little after the 14 million peak of Den's death, and the high ratings which followed. W/E 6th March '05 12.13 million [Killer Katy for Corrie - 14.25] ___________ As we enter into KH1's final weeks in the show, we will see whether viewing figures really rose that much. Friday's EE was pretty appaling really, not too much better than the Berridge era - and this is after 3 months of her episodes!Overnight figures are reporting middle to late 11m figures, but they rise slightly with BARB. If figures don't really improve, then I can't see many positive things to come out of her reign, apart from the 20th anniversary. Here is what is to come in EE over the coming weeks:- 24/3 When Sonia confesses to Martin that she’s seen Chloe, Martin becomes angry. He tells Sonia that Chloe is no longer their daughter and storms out of the house. Elsewhere, Stacey boasts to Ruby about grassing up the Millers for benefit fraud, Juley sells knocked-off jewellery on the stall and Stacey baby-sits Ruby while Johnny secretly takes Tina shopping. 25/3 Stacey tries her best to persuade Johnny not to send Ruby back to school. Johnny later tells Charlie that Stacey should still be attending school, but she’s quick to point out that if she’s in trouble for truanting, then they’ll pay the price with the authorities for letting her. Meanwhile, Rosie and Keith storm into the Vic, when Ruby accidentally tells Mickey who grassed them up for benefit fraud. Elsewhere, Martin pleads with Sonia to leave Chloe alone, and Little Mo is jealous when Alfie enlists the help of Tina to sell his bunny girl outfits on his stall. 28/3 Money in the Miller house is tighter than ever and Rosie is forced to ask Chrissie for extra work. However, Rosie soon has other things on her mind when Demi decides to take her revenge on Stacey in the middle of the Square. Meanwhile, Sonia tells Martin she wants to see Chloe again. He tries to make her face up to the reality that she’ll never be content with just visiting Chloe but will that be enough to stop her? Little Mo tries to help Alfie out by covering for him on the stall, but Alfie soon gets a shock when he realises that she has sold some of his stock at a much lower price. Elsewhere, Ruby mopes over the loss of her friendship with Stace and Alfie is disappointed to hear that Little Mo is going away to visit Lynne. 29/3 Keith’s good intentions soon turn to mayhem when he ends up making a mess of the chores. Unable to read Demi’s list of instructions, he doesn’t realise that Aleesha is teething and Demi is annoyed when she finds her in tears. Meanwhile, Little Mo’s intimate lunch with Alfie turns into a family affair when Charlie, Mo and Garry gatecrash. Later, Charlie tries to persuade Stacey to go back to school and Martin is furious when Sonia confesses to everything 31/3 Martin and Sonia’s marriage reaches breaking point as Martin points out the selfishness of Sonia’s actions. Meanwhile, Darren questions Keith about why he’s never worked, and grows suspicious when Keith misreads a job advertisement. Darren tells Demi that he suspects their dad is illiterate, but she refuses to believe him. Elsewhere, Stacey is out of her depth when Daryl comes on to her in the cab office, but Johnny arrives just in time. 1/4 Sonia tells Martin that she’ll never forgive him if he prevents her from seeing Chloe. Insisting that Sonia tells the truth, Martin accompanies her when she visits Chloe – but how will her news be taken? Juley persuades the market inspector to reinstate the stall but Mickey is angry when he sees him setting up and tells him that they’re no longer business partners. After a pep talk from Patrick, Juley makes a decision… Elsewhere, Darren tricks Keith into signing a letter and Ruby and Stacey rekindle their friendship. 4/4 Still desperate for money, Rosie asks Keith to cover her shift at the Vic whilst she gets work elsewhere. Impressed by Keith’s work, Sam offers him some more shifts in the Vic. However, Keith’s happiness is short-lived when Sam gives Keith the task of placing the order with the brewery and he quickly makes his excuses and leaves. Johnny tries his best to contact Tina but she continues to avoid his calls. When Johnny finally catches up with Tina, he is shocked to discover that she has moved out of the flat – permanently. Sick of their secretive relationship, Tina tells Johnny she wants them to go public… ____________________ It is crunch time for EE, as JY and KH2 are on the scene now, to see whether they can make more of a difference in 4 months than KH1 did. If nothing really happens to make viewers go 'wow!' in the next few months, as KH2's episodes come on screen, EE will be fighting to keep their viewers, as we have not seen a drastic difference in quality since Berridge left. Last edited by ITV Fan : 23-03-2005 at 13:04.

23-03-2005, 12:24	#2
Dakota. Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Gender: Female Posts: 7,866	I have faith in John Yorke, that he'll regain Eastenders to it's former glory. Look what he did before LB came on the scene, it was more popular than Emmerdale & Corrie. Eastenders and JY go together like cheese and bread

23-03-2005, 12:39	#3
jamesrlaming Posts: n/a	them spoilers are all the same

23-03-2005, 12:44	#4
WalfordWill Banned User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Walford, E20 Posts: 6,561	I agree, very good post mate, I really enjoyed reading it. Sadly its all true. Apart from the 20th anniversary Kathleen Hutchison hasn't drastically improved the show. I felt that axeing the Ferreiras was probably the best decision as really they were too far gone and were so unpopular that I dont' think anything the writers whether current or new, anything they did would have a bit of difference. Although it could be the easy option of "getting in" with the the viewers, to be seen to be agreeing with them. Axeing Jill Halfpenny at the time I thought, well yeh she's done nothing really. But I felt later on much as I'm sure some BBC bosses did, that they could have done more for her, instead it was lets get her out so we dont' actually have to think of ideas. Andy Hunter went next which was the best decision she made IMO. A phoney gangster and another actor who had been done a misservice by the writers and Berridge for the most part. Despite it leading to the highest rating episode of a soap so far this year, some people might say she stamped her own P45 when she axed Dirty Den. I can imagine John Yorke, a man with great passion for EastEnders would have relished the idea of getting to work with one of EastEnders's biggest characters. As Head of Drama, he probably thought that KH1 went too far and was getting a bit too trigger happy. Plus, maybe he thought what she was producing herself wasn't all that great either, better than Berridge but not going to set the show alight in the ratings. The ratings have been up and down like a yoyo since before Christmas. They just about manage to hit 11million on some occasions, at a time when its biggest rival, Coronation Street is hitting the 13.5 million on a regular basis with their constant stream of gripping, well written storylines mixed with humour based sub plots. Kate Harwood and indeed Mr Yorke have a job on their hands. I think it is indeed crunch time for EastEnders. Many in the media and viewers, myself included, believe that if they can't pull EastEnders back together, then nobody will and it will continue to slip further and further down. The crunch time for EastEnders will be mid summer/early autumn, when Kate's work will have started to be aired. John Yorke before that will have done a few episodes but both will be firmly at the helm of EastEnders. By Christmas, the viewers will be expecting a typical Walford Christmas, a big storyline that we can all look forward to watching build up in the winter months up to Christmas Day and New Years.

23-03-2005, 12:47	#5
telly addict! Banned User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 170	Yes why have you posted the same ones for different days? The 28th and the 29th spoilers are identical, and the 1st and 4th are as well

23-03-2005, 12:49	#6
telly addict! Banned User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 170	Could you not just write this on an existing thread?

23-03-2005, 13:04	#9
Polly_Perkins Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 5,360	I really dont see how the show has improved at all. KH has been just as stupid as LB. Dens death for example was just a ratings grabber and plotless, just another regular face gone. Kate again, not the best character but at least one we knew and one who had a history. Andys death was fair enough just badly done and the Ferrerias exit was for the critics pure and simple and badly done. She has got rid of people quickly and this is BAD. LB got rid of people and that was a mistake but at least it was over a period of time. KH's end isnt crunch time, she was brought in to make swift changes which translated to the screen very badly. I think this has been an example of the worse management of a soap in history.

23-03-2005, 16:37	#13
Lemonade Banned User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pinch Me, I'm Dreaming.... Services: Sky+ 160GB v.2, AOL BB(1MB), Nokia 6600, TVGuide.com, IPod40GB, Freeview... Posts: 4,783	Some good spoliers there, ITV Fan. .