The Big Debate: February 2008

[sallywebster]

So its that time again - for you all to have your say in our big soap debate.

This month we are asking whether you think the British Soaps are better or worse now than a decade ago.

Have the soaps gone down in quality since the Mid 1990s with extra episodes being added to all 4 of the main British Soaps. There are twice as many episodes of Emmerdale now than a decade ago, whilst Hollyoaks has gone from the 2 episodes a week it had in 1998 to every weeknight.

Or do you think the soaps have improved in quality with better storylines and acting? Perhaps you think they are about the same?

Get chatting and voting people.

[RitaLittlewood]

I vote worse. Too many eps have ruined them.

Patsy

[sallywebster]

Emmerdale is definately worse than 10 years ago, and although I still like Corrie and Hollyoaks a lot I think them being on 5 episodes has seen a decrease in quality. So I voted worse too.

[RitaLittlewood]

I can't judge EE as I never really watched in the 80s and 90s but some of the storylines are stretched too long.

Patsy

[sootycat]

Worse I think, probably a lot to do with quantity instead of quality.

They are a bit like the 'curates egg'.....Good and bad in parts.

[RitaLittlewood]

Agreed. Everything is spread too thinly and they've forgotten how to write interesting storylines. So they have people under 40 (or Ken) sleep with anything breathing. They've also become predictable. How often have we guessed on here what will happen? They need to bring back the element of surprise. Less eps and no spoilers would help.

Patsy

[Deleted]

On the whole, I'd say worse ... except for Corrie.

Yes it's suffered, along with all the others, by the amount of episodes a week, and by one or two overly-dramatic storylines, but for the most part I enjoy it as much as ever, and I think that generally the standard of acting in Corrie has greatly improved over the years - not nearly as 'soapy' as it used to be.

I stopped watching EE when Den came back from the dead, and have no desire to go back to it.

Emmerdale has probably been affected most of all - it's not a patch on the show it once was - it's definitely worst all round; worst storylines, worst acting, most obvious padding, most obvious actors' 'rota systems', and I only watch it now if something in the spoilers encourages me to do so, and most times I'm disappointed even then.

[sallywebster]

I agree Blackcatz, I still enjoy watching Corrie as much now as I did a decade ago. Infact I went off it for a bit in 1995/6 and I actually liked Brian Park's 1997 revamps as it revived the show IMO (even if we did lose Mavis).

I just think having so many episodes, especuially the doubles on Monday and Friday doesnt help matters.

[CG Wendy]

I just think having so many episodes, especuially the doubles on Monday and Friday doesnt help matters

That`s something almost everyone (even the die hard fans) would agree on Jez bach. I liken soaps these days to be like a cream doughnut...too much filler, not enough substance and if you have too much of it you get sick if it.

[RitaLittlewood]

Letter on Teletext today saying they have stopped watching Corrie after 31 years and called it a sausage machine, abused by ITV to prop up the schedules.

Patsy

[Nick]

I voted worse too (surprise)

there are so many characters and episodes that a major event like Ray langton returning and dying is just forgotten a few weeks later

[RitaLittlewood]

Ray who?

It was totally ridiculous bringing him back just to kill him off. All they did was change Tracy's history to try and justify why they'd ruined the character.

Patsy

[Nick]

Any major event is soon forgotten

[RitaLittlewood]

It is just like issues. Scenes are too short so nothing goes in either. Just starts getting interesting when they cut to something else. It's not a short attention span among whatever demographic they claim otherwise so many young people wouldn't get into old shows where the scenes ran for ages. I think it has more to do with this lack of rehearsal. Longer scenes mean rehearsing. Few lines is a piece of piss. Cut the eps, make the scenes longer, wote properly for everyone and bring back rehearsals!

Patsy

[sallywebster]

The amount of episodes is ridiculous and apparently the week after next there is Football on the Tuesday but they are still shown the 1 hour Emmerdale on Thursday instead. Wouldnt have hurt to have 1 less for that week.

[RitaLittlewood]

Never hurts to drop an ep any time but they won't. Look at the World Cup. Had to bring eps forward when they could have done without them.

Patsy

[sallywebster]

Im really stuggling with these double Corrie's on a Friday - was far better when it was 1 ep on a Sunday and Friday.

[RitaLittlewood]

You could always stop watching.

Patsy

[sallywebster]

No way - I will watch even if it became dreadful like in 2005 and I carried on.

[Nick]

yes drop the double episode on a friday..and instead of a double episode on mondays show the second episode on tuesdays...there sorted.......Nickfixesursoapprobsinajiffy.com ;D

[RitaLittlewood]

Famous last words, Jezziekins. No one can tell what's in the future. In five years you may be an ex-viewer or you may not be.

LOL Nick! Same time as EE to see who's really the best? ;D

Patsy

[sallywebster]

I gurantee in 5 years I will still be watching Coronation Street (unless they axe it of course which I doubt).

[RitaLittlewood]

LOL! But I'd never have thought 5 years ago I'd have stopped and be watching EE instead. Things change.

Patsy

[sallywebster]

They do and normally id not be able to predict the future, but because im the only one in control of whether I stop watching or not I know I still will be in 5 years time, or 10 come to that.

Corrie is like my baby so id never stop watching - thats the only way I can explain it. LOL!

[RitaLittlewood]

Well we'll see. In five years we'll bring this topic up again. LOL!

Patsy