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> Soaps Poll - topical weekly soaps polls for you to have your say
> Soaps Ratings Roundups - daily overnight ratings reports for the soaps
> Soap Movers Table - track all the joiners, returnees and departees in soapland
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Poll: Are soap returnees a good thing?
Published Friday, Apr 24 2009, 21:46 BST | By Kris Green | 11 comments
Last week's poll produced some interesting results. I asked: 'Should Ken be with Deirdre or Martha?'
Interestingly, there are mixed feelings among viewers about Ken's (William Roache) ideal woman. Some 44.7% of voters believe that our Kenneth should stick around at the Barlows' with Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride) and her cantankerous, yet absolutely priceless mother Blanche (Maggie Jones). However, 37.0% think Ken should float away with 'Captain Crumpet' - Peter Barlow's (Chris Gascoyne) words, not mine!
The remaining 18.2% don't think either Deirdre or Martha are good enough. Dare I ask who on the Street you'd pair him with?!
Moving swiftly on to this week's poll, which has the topic of soap returnees...
We've had quite a few soap returnees of late, haven't we?
While some viewers think it's the best thing since sliced bread, others question whether it's right to crack open the history books and revive old faces.
EastEnders has drafted back Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen), Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer), Nick Cotton (John Altman), Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) and we have Sam Mitchell (Danniella Westbrook) to look forward to in the summer.
Emmerdale's thankfully managed to draft Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) back into the show, while Emma Atkins is also on her way back to Yorkshire as Charity Tate.
Meanwhile, Coronation Street brought back Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne), while Hollyoaks' new producer Lucy Allan decided to resurrect Clare Devine (Gemma Bissix), with the promise of "one other surprise for later on this year".
Producers seem to love delving into their soap's history to revive old, established favourites and personally, if there's a good enough story to justify a return - and it's more than a fleeting visit! - I don't see how it can harm. Granted, though, there is the potential to ruin a character during and after the comeback process...
But what do you think? Cast your vote using the voting box below and don't forget you can tell me your views using the usual form below.
Interestingly, there are mixed feelings among viewers about Ken's (William Roache) ideal woman. Some 44.7% of voters believe that our Kenneth should stick around at the Barlows' with Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride) and her cantankerous, yet absolutely priceless mother Blanche (Maggie Jones). However, 37.0% think Ken should float away with 'Captain Crumpet' - Peter Barlow's (Chris Gascoyne) words, not mine!
The remaining 18.2% don't think either Deirdre or Martha are good enough. Dare I ask who on the Street you'd pair him with?!
Moving swiftly on to this week's poll, which has the topic of soap returnees...
We've had quite a few soap returnees of late, haven't we?
While some viewers think it's the best thing since sliced bread, others question whether it's right to crack open the history books and revive old faces.
EastEnders has drafted back Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen), Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer), Nick Cotton (John Altman), Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) and we have Sam Mitchell (Danniella Westbrook) to look forward to in the summer.
Emmerdale's thankfully managed to draft Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) back into the show, while Emma Atkins is also on her way back to Yorkshire as Charity Tate.
Meanwhile, Coronation Street brought back Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne), while Hollyoaks' new producer Lucy Allan decided to resurrect Clare Devine (Gemma Bissix), with the promise of "one other surprise for later on this year".
Producers seem to love delving into their soap's history to revive old, established favourites and personally, if there's a good enough story to justify a return - and it's more than a fleeting visit! - I don't see how it can harm. Granted, though, there is the potential to ruin a character during and after the comeback process...
But what do you think? Cast your vote using the voting box below and don't forget you can tell me your views using the usual form below.
Your Views
11 Comments
Your Responses
Michelle, UK, on April 25th, 2009
I think it can be good for previous characters to return to a soap, if there's a story for them. Especially characters who have a history of coming and going, like Nick Cotton on EastEnders. What I don't like is when old characters are brought back just for the sake of it and with no real purpose, just because producers think the publicity about the returning character will be enough to boost ratings.
I think it can be good for previous characters to return to a soap, if there's a story for them. Especially characters who have a history of coming and going, like Nick Cotton on EastEnders. What I don't like is when old characters are brought back just for the sake of it and with no real purpose, just because producers think the publicity about the returning character will be enough to boost ratings.
Dan, Romford, on April 25th, 2009
Sometimes it works. Biancas return has been successful whereas the likes of Janine and Nick haven't worked. Their story should of stayed closed. I think EE have gone overboard on the returnees. Clare's return in Hollyoaks sounds promising! And I'm looking forward to hear more about the "one other surprise later this year." Hollyoaks are good with returnees, for example I think Cindy's return has been successful.
Sometimes it works. Biancas return has been successful whereas the likes of Janine and Nick haven't worked. Their story should of stayed closed. I think EE have gone overboard on the returnees. Clare's return in Hollyoaks sounds promising! And I'm looking forward to hear more about the "one other surprise later this year." Hollyoaks are good with returnees, for example I think Cindy's return has been successful.
David, Stourbridge, on April 25th, 2009
Soap returnees are important and very exciting. There would be no EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale etc if it wasn't for the older characters, past characters are a very important part of each soap. Older characters are most of the time favourites and characters people want to see again and again. I would absolutely love to see Sharon Watts/Rickman to return to EastEnders, as she is a soap legend, and theres a whole new side to the character to explore as she is a mother. Yes, Soap returnees are important and there should be more of them, as many of the newer characters are poor in comparison.
Soap returnees are important and very exciting. There would be no EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale etc if it wasn't for the older characters, past characters are a very important part of each soap. Older characters are most of the time favourites and characters people want to see again and again. I would absolutely love to see Sharon Watts/Rickman to return to EastEnders, as she is a soap legend, and theres a whole new side to the character to explore as she is a mother. Yes, Soap returnees are important and there should be more of them, as many of the newer characters are poor in comparison.
James, Southampton, on April 25th, 2009
Completely agree with 'only if they have a story'. I hate it when people disappear never to be heard of again!! Why hasn't Sean been to see his kid with Violet?! Why don't any of the millions of past Dingles drop in, or write from prison?! Just sayin...
Completely agree with 'only if they have a story'. I hate it when people disappear never to be heard of again!! Why hasn't Sean been to see his kid with Violet?! Why don't any of the millions of past Dingles drop in, or write from prison?! Just sayin...
James, UK, on April 25th, 2009
I think they can be really good, but on the other hand can turn terrible. It depends on circumstances, storyline and the place that the show is in. For me, the most disappointing return although not in a soap, was Shell in Bad Girls. They brought her back, had her give birth and then shipped off never to be seen again leaving a disappointing ending to one of the main icons of the series.
I think they can be really good, but on the other hand can turn terrible. It depends on circumstances, storyline and the place that the show is in. For me, the most disappointing return although not in a soap, was Shell in Bad Girls. They brought her back, had her give birth and then shipped off never to be seen again leaving a disappointing ending to one of the main icons of the series.
Vicki, N Ireland, on April 25th, 2009
They just cant get any other work.
They just cant get any other work.
Jenny, South Wales, on April 25th, 2009
No more Nick Cotton. Dreadful "Panto" acting , and a ludicrous story line.
No more Nick Cotton. Dreadful "Panto" acting , and a ludicrous story line.
Chris , on April 25th, 2009
I think returns only work if the character has moved on from what they were before however still have those old character traits. Such as Bianca, she is still similar to before but however she has a family and has clearly grown up in her time away from the Square. It's the same with Ricky you can see has has grown up a little since he has been away. Same with Peter Barlow he is still the same as before however he has moved on with Simon in his life and he also has his drink problem. However Claire's return never worked in EE because she had NONE of her previous characteristics and had no storyline either. While with Nick he hasn't moved on much in his time away however he is beginning to settle into the show again.
I think returns only work if the character has moved on from what they were before however still have those old character traits. Such as Bianca, she is still similar to before but however she has a family and has clearly grown up in her time away from the Square. It's the same with Ricky you can see has has grown up a little since he has been away. Same with Peter Barlow he is still the same as before however he has moved on with Simon in his life and he also has his drink problem. However Claire's return never worked in EE because she had NONE of her previous characteristics and had no storyline either. While with Nick he hasn't moved on much in his time away however he is beginning to settle into the show again.
Lolly, on April 25th, 2009
I think Cain, Charity, Ricky, Bianca, Janine, Peter and Clare were good ideas. Nick and Sam are bad ideas =[
I think Cain, Charity, Ricky, Bianca, Janine, Peter and Clare were good ideas. Nick and Sam are bad ideas =[
Miss AP Miller, Devon, on April 24th, 2009
Personally I don't see the point in all these soap returnees. How can any soap move forward when so many of it's old characters are being brought back?. Once they've been written out they should stay written out.
Personally I don't see the point in all these soap returnees. How can any soap move forward when so many of it's old characters are being brought back?. Once they've been written out they should stay written out.
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Soap returns are very much hit-and-miss. It's more likely to work out if the returnee has a storyline planned and the writers won't just be relying on the character's past reputation.