Fun At The Flicks - Episode 1

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'Home and Away' Boss Explains Show's Tone Change

Home and Away's series producer Cameron Welsh has confirmed that the soap's team have been aiming for a change of tone in recent months, bringing relationships back to the forefront of the programme.

The showrunner told TV Tonight that he believes the serial has cut down on darker storylines this year following previous plots about killers and stalkers.

In an interview with the website, Welsh described "the heart of the show" as "youth and teenagers who are growing up in what is an uncertain world and they seek the guidance of the people around them".

Discussing some of the soap's more recent seasons, he continued: "It did get particularly dark. All that I have described was going on but it was probably taking a bit of a back seat to some darker storytelling.

"But last year and definitely this year we looked to turn that around, and we got the focus back on to characters and relationships and pulled back on that stuff.

"This season has seen a lot of the River Boys and yes they are a bunch of rogues, but it's a different tone to the crazed gunmen and stalkers. They still provide a sense of danger and can be antagonists but not at the same tonal level."

Welsh also hinted that another disaster storyline could be on the way as a special week of episodes airing later this year will see "a major storm" hit Summer Bay.

Samantha Womack: 'I cried every day for two years at EastEnders'

Samantha Womack has admitted that her EastEnders plots left her feeling exhausted.

The actress announced that she was leaving her role as Ronnie Mitchell earlier this year, at the peak of controversy over the baby swap storyline. Ahead of her final scenes being broadcast next week, Womack has said that she hopes to find "some peace".

"I worked out I'd been crying or screaming at work every day for six days a week for over two years," she told Hello. "Can you imagine how exhausting and tiring that is?

"You're crying, weeping and telling your brain something awful has happened, so of course that is going to affect you and your body. My brain may know I am acting, but my body was doing a different thing. I needed to stop and find some peace, a bit like Ronnie."

Since arriving on Albert Square, Womack's plots have included the return and death of her long-lost daughter Danielle, a miscarriage, admitting that she was raped by her father and the death of her newborn son James earlier this year.

Scenes which saw Ronnie switch James's body for Kat and Alfie Moon's son Tommy became the most complained about storyline in the BBC soap's history.

Womack's final scenes air next week as Ronnie discovers her fate in an hour-long episode.

"I didn't speak out because I didn't want to say the wrong thing at the wrong time and reignite the situation," Womack said of her silence at the time. "But now I think it's important to set the record straight and tell my side. I did find the storyline very difficult to play. It was draining emotionally and physically and by the end I was shattered.

"Unfortunately, because of the way television is going - and by that I don't just mean just soap, but reality and also drama - there is a massive consumer need for controversy and high-risk storylines. We may not like it, but the viewing figures go through the roof."

Since leaving Ronnie behind, Womack confessed that the first thing she did was chop of the blonde locks she now associates with the "most damaged character I've ever played".

"I wanted to look different," she said. "I had my hair cut shorter and went red. It felt liberating, especially walking down the street afterwards as nobody recognised me."

Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood recently said that the "much-loved and much-missed" actress would be welcomed back to the show "at any time in the future".

Hollyoaks New opening Title Sequence

It's very quick and features new characters recently introduced to the show.

Jackie Woodburne 'Excited With Neighbours Story'

Neighbours actress Jackie Woodburne has described her latest storyline involving Susan and Karl Kennedy as "exciting".

It was recently revealed that Karl (Alan Fletcher) and Susan's (Woodburne) son Malcolm (Benjie McNair) will be returning to the soap in order to help save his parent's marriage when Susan becomes attached to another man.

Woodburne told Holy Soap that changes in Susan's life have led to her feeling "emotionally attached" to a new man, adding that she has been enjoying the new plot.

She said: "I'm very excited about it. It takes the Kennedys into a different direction because this isn't another infidelity story; it's a couple who have been married for a very long time and their lives are changing.

"She is at a point in her life where her children are now independent and she has to redefine herself. The 'other man' as such is Jim Dolan (Scott Parameter), who is terminally ill, and for a number of reasons she feels she needs to help this man, so she develops very strong emotional attachments."

On how Susan reacts to Malcolm's return, she said: "Initially she is thrilled to see Malcolm, but she does sense there is an agenda as to why he is here - it's been a long time - and then she realises that all the children have been talking about the situation. Someone has to step up, and I guess it's Malcolm's turn."

When asked whether the Kennedys' marriage will survive this latest setback, she added: "Hell yeah! It has survived an awful lot - affairs, illness, not just your run of the mill lying and cheating.

"I think they are a couple that are pretty strongly connected, and I think it would take a lot to sever the tie completely. They are so strongly bound to each other, I can't imagine it would break."

On McNair's return to the soap, she said: "Oh, it's great. Benjie is a terrific guy, and because he was an original Kennedy, he has stepped back into that familiarity and sense of family."

Brookside Creator Redmond Says 'TV Is Not Relevant'

Reality shows and tight regulations have stopped television tackling social issues, according to the creator of Brookside and Grange Hill.

Phil Redmond, who founded Mersey Television in Liverpool, said programmes do not connect with "real people in the street".

"Where are the challenging dramas?" Mr Redmond asked.

"Television used to have programmes like Auf Wiedersehen Pet, The Likely Lads and Boys From the Blackstuff."

He told BBC Radio Merseyside: "You were putting working class values on TV and at times eulogising working class values.

"They're not there because the regulations now are so tight.

"We have tons and tons of reality shows full of really weird people, they're cast deliberately trying to make it sensational.

"I think television itself has lost its way."

Working Class Portrayal

“Nowadays, they just go for safety all the time. People aren't willing to take a risk” Phil Redmond

Mr Redmond, who ran Liverpool's 2008 Capital of Culture year, believes programme makers are stereotyping working class people and not portraying them accurately.

"You always end up with a kind of loudmouth chavvy type character," he explained.

"The term 'chav' has become synonymous with working class people."

"We've all got a different view on what we think is a chav. Different governments, of different colours, have targeted the benefit cheats and the Asbo collector and started to call them working class.

Phil Redmond created children's drama Grange Hill for BBC One
"There's nothing that pushes back against it. There's nothing that offers the counterpoint."

Mr Redmond first started working in television in the late 1960s and went on to create the BBC children's series Grange Hill in the late 1970s.

He is critical of the introduction of family viewing policies by broadcasters in the 1990s, which saw programme makers restricted before 10pm to creating programmes which would not offend people.

"In the late '70s and early '80s it was a real force of social action," he explained.

"If you have Bobby Grant (in Brookside) and all the union activities, you've got to have that kind of level of emotion and aggression and also the language of the streets.

"You just can't come in with a trade unionist being happy and chirpy and making sure that there's peace and love on earth to all mankind."

Reality Show Dominance

Brookside was famous for its hard-hitting story lines addressing difficult subjects and issues, including the rape of Sheila Grant and the first lesbian kiss on British television.

"I wanted to just occasionally throw up a debate, to say this is something we should all be thinking about and be debating and actually see if we can male some changes," Mr Redmond said.

"That's what's missing now I think.

The Likely Lads is an example of drama TV no longer does says Phil Redmond
"We can all make entertaining drama, that's not difficult. But drama that leaves you at the end sometimes feeling slightly uncomfortable or thinking 'we should do something about that', that's the kind of area I was always interested in.

"Nowadays, they just go for safety all the time. People aren't willing to take a risk."

He said he was not anti-reality shows but thought their dominance meant new writing talent was not being developed.

"Those kind of shows are particular niche markets and that's fine, but the problem is the broadcasters are not balancing the schedules," he explained.

"When I came into TV there were people who wanted to make shows about the inequalities in society.

"I don't think commissioning editors are really looking for or know how to nurture great writers.

"Great writers need time and they need a lot of work and they need a lot of support.

"They need work with a lot of other producers and writers before they find their own voice. These days there is just not enough around."

Steve says:

As much as I admire Phil Redmond, who created some of the most influential programmes of my life so far (both Brookside and Grange Hill) he also created Hollyoaks, which started the complete fantasy-fest that has become dominant in all soap opera today. So you could say he himself created the bomb which has since destroyed mainstream, credible TV.

Brookside was amazing up until the death of Beth Jordache in 1995. After that it completely lost its way with dull as dishwater plots and characters that were designed to grab ratings rather than offer an intelligent analysis of UK society. And Phil himself admitted to this at the time. It deserved to be axed in 2003, although I would have killed it in 1997 as by then it had become completely unwatchable.

Michelle Collins Explains Stella's 'Coronation Street' Secret

Coronation Street's new recruit Michelle Collins has explained her character's shocking secret, admitting that Stella Price was desperate when she abandoned show regular Leanne.

Weatherfield bosses have now officially confirmed that Stella is Leanne's biological mother following weeks of rumours.

Stella was in a relationship with Les Battersby many years ago but left him to bring up Leanne (Jane Danson) when she was only a baby.

Speaking to Soaplife about her character's history, Collins commented: "Stella was only 17 when she had Leanne and at first everything with Les was great. But then he started drinking and leaving her alone with the baby and she struggled to cope.

"She left with every intention of coming back for her baby once she was settled, but when that time came, Les and his family wouldn't let her anywhere near and she didn't stand a chance."

Leanne discovers the truth about Stella at the end of next week when the Rovers Return's new bar manager is forced to come clean.

Collins added: "Stella regrets what she did every day of her life. For the past 29 years, all she's wanted is to be a mum to Leanne."

Leanne hears Stella's confession as she celebrates her 30th birthday at The Rovers next Friday.

Julie Walters Wanted For Corrie, Says Phil Collinson

Coronation Street boss Phil Collinson has revealed he would "love" Julie Walters to appear in the soap.

Speaking to Matt Johnson for This Morning, Collinson also named his favourite characters and storylines from rival soaps.

When asked for which "dream" cast member from the past he would bring back, he replied: "I'm a massive fan of Hilda Ogden. You loved it when she was in an episode. I'd love it if Jean Alexander decided to come back."

On which "fantasy" actor he would like to recruit for the soap, Collinson said: "Julie Walters keeps saying she'd like to be in the show.

"I have phoned her agent and I have asked. It's not ever come off, but I'd love it if she would, and be Audrey's sister. They'd be a great double act."

On choosing a character from another soap to switch to Coronation Street, he said: "I'd love to see Dot [Cotton, from EastEnders, played by June Brown] in the Rovers Return. That would be brilliant.

"Probably having a chat with Rita and Betty."

Collinson chose the recent 'right to die' storyline from Emmerdale as his favourite plot from another soap. He said: "It was so carefully and beautifully handled. It was very strong and a great moral dilemma, and something that genuinely got the nation talking."

Julie Walters has previously spoken of her ambition to appear in Coronation Street on a number of occasions.

'Coronation Street' Tipped For New John Stape Twist

John Stape is poised to return to Coronation Street, it has been reported.

The serial killer, who is played by Graeme Hawley, was last seen running away after surviving a 30ft fall from a hospital roof and being cornered by police.

According to The Sun, John will dramatically burst into the courtroom where wife Fiz stands trial for the murders of Colin and Joy Fishwick and Charlotte Hoyle, and confess that he was the killer and that Fiz was not involved.

"It will be a real shock for fans when John arrives in the nick of time," a source said. "Bosses are hoping it will be one of those classic moments in television when he returns to clear his wife's name."

It is believed that Fiz will still face charges for helping John move Colin's body from the Underworld factory to Weatherfield canal, but she will escape a jail sentence because of her time spent in prison on remand.

Coronation Street bosses announced earlier this week that Fiz would be facing murder charges, adding: "There's lots of twists and turns still to play out with that story."

Last month, Hawley said that he has enjoyed playing John because he's an "incredibly boring, normal character" who ends up in "the most extraordinary situations".

Hawley also admitted that he worries playing John may have affected his career in the future, saying: "Once the viewers start to hate a character then that's it, you don't get another job. I'm pleased I left while people still felt sorry for John. I just hope it won't affect me long-term. I'm still not sure how it will work out for me."

EASTENDERS: Executive Producer On 'This Morning'

See below this informative insight into EastEnders from the big man in charge.

'Emmerdale' boss teases Aaron's future, confirms trial

Emmerdale's series producer Stuart Blackburn has confirmed that there is a "long journey" ahead for show regular Aaron Livesy in the aftermath of his boyfriend Jackson Walsh's death.

Last week, viewers saw Jackson end his life by drinking a concoction of drugs which were given to him by Aaron (Danny Miller). Jackson had told his loved ones that he no longer wished to continue living with his spinal cord injury, which left him paralysed from the neck down.

Aaron begins to face the consequences of his actions in next week's episodes as he is charged with murder. Jackson's mother Hazel, who was also involved in the incident, is released without charge.

Discussing Aaron's future on This Morning today, Blackburn explained: "There will be a trial. It's going to be a long, long journey for Aaron. We're storylining now right up until October, November - and he's still trying to come to terms with what he's done.

"These are actions that he's taken that he's going to have a lot of remorse and regret about. And the real trial is among the village - people like Chas and Paddy who are having to step up to the mark and the after-effects of this. So there's a long way to go."

Emmerdale's assisted suicide storyline sparked a handful of complaints to the broadcasting regulator Ofcom, while spinal injuries charity Aspire branded the plot "negative, unrealistic and pretty inaccurate". Others, however, have praised the way the conclusion to Jackson's story was handled on screen.

Discussing the reaction, Blackburn commented: "All I can say from my point of view is that it's been brilliant. The one thing we knew we wanted was debate - and that's what we've got. There have been some complaints and some people aren't happy with the way we told it, and we understood that and appreciated it. But I think overall, it's gone down incredibly well and we're now sitting here having an adult debate about the issues it raised."

He continued: "I don't want to go out to offend, and we tried at every level to be as sensitive as we possibly could - and I think we achieved that."

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s12/emmerdale/news/a324800/emmerdale-boss-teases-aarons-future-confirms-trial.html

View below Stuart Blackburn discussing the story and viewers reaction on ITV's 'This Morning' show.

'EastEnders' Ronnie, Kat plot climax revealed?

EastEnders character Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) will reportedly forgive Ronnie Branning for swapping their babies.

The Queen Vic landlady will initially become even angrier with Ronnie (Samantha Womack) and plan to get revenge. However, she changes her mind, screaming, "I forgive you" at Ronnie during her trial.

"Kat felt Ronnie had destroyed her life and even with Tommy back things would never be the same again," a source told the News of the World. "But the one thing she can relate to is the feeling of losing a child, and she comes to realise just how desperate Ronnie was when she did what she did.

"As far as Kat's concerned they can lock Ronnie up and throw away the key. The conversation that changes all that isn't one to miss.

"In the end she doesn't think jail will achieve anything and makes her feelings clear in the court. But will it do any good?"

April's conclusion to the actual swap was "soft and emotional" following controversy over the storyline.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a324433/eastenders-ronnie-kat-plot-climax-revealed.html#article_continue

View below the powerful, emotional and dramatic moments when Ronnie finds her baby dead, and when - months later - she gives Kat her 'dead' baby back.

'EastEnders' Dot is Christian role model, says BBC

BBC One controller Danny Cohen has claimed that EastEnders' Dot Branning (June Brown) is a Christian role model.

Cohen said that the chain-smoker, who is better known as Dot Cotton before she re-married, is an example of a Christian living out her faith in a "day to day way".

The BBC One boss made the remarks after being challenged to provide instances of ordinary believers on television who were not "freaks, geeks or antiques".

Cohen told delegates attending this year's Church and Media conference on Tuesday: "She is a single example of someone who lives out her faith on television in a charitable way."

However, the controller's case study did not go down well with some faith leaders and broadcasters.

Afterwards the Rev Hayley Matthews, chaplain for MediaCity UK, the new Salford base for BBC North, said: "I don't think Dot Cotton is very representative of Christians. I think a lot of people would be offended by that."

Matthew Adcock, from the London School of Theology, commented that although Cotton was portrayed as a Christian she did not represent the country's "growing younger demographic".

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a324870/eastenders-dot-is-christian-role-model-says-bbc.html

View below a clip of Dot being very un-Christian, depending on your point of view!

'EastEnders' Confirms Nicola Stapleton Return

EastEnders bosses have confirmed that Nicola Stapleton is reprising her role as Mandy Salter after 17 years away from Albert Square.

The residents of Walford are in for a shock when the tearaway makes a surprise return to the area later this year, stirring up trouble as she did during her teenage years in the '90s.

Viewers last saw Mandy in 1994 when she fled from the Square suddenly, heartbroken after her boyfriend Aidan had returned to Ireland.

As Mandy settles back into Walford life, fans will see that she has grown up slightly during her time away, but she remains fun, chaotic and wild.

Billed as a "manipulative force of nature", Mandy also has a spiteful streak and she is already being tipped to cause trouble for at least one of Walford's well-known residents.

Speaking of her EastEnders return, Stapleton commented: "I'm looking forward to playing Mandy again - it will be interesting to see what she's been up to all this time. I'm excited to be coming back and working with some old friends."

Since departing EastEnders, Stapleton has made appearances in Emmerdale, Hollyoaks Later and Bad Girls among other shows.

EastEnders fans will see Mandy's comeback scenes in the autumn.

See her as she originally appeared in a scene from 1994.

'Emmerdale' Jackson Plot Complaints Assessed By Ofcom

Ofcom is to assess complaints about Emmerdale's assisted suicide storyline after receiving overnight complaints.

Last night's episode of the ITV1 soap saw tetraplegic Jackson Walsh (Marc Silcock) take his own life after drinking a concoction of drugs, given to him by boyfriend Aaron Livesy (Danny Miller). A tetraplegic is somebody who has suffered a spinal cord injury and has then lost control of arms and legs.

The media regulator has received a handful of complaints about the controversial scenes, broadcast between 7pm and 7.30pm, reports PA. However, a decision on whether or not they breached rules will not be made until the plot and subsequent outcome have played out on screen.

Aspire - a group which works to help people in the UK who are living with a spinal cord injury - has voiced its criticism of the scenes.

"It is no secret that Aspire has been outspoken on this topic since we first had an inkling of where the storyline was heading. Peter Stanford, chairman of Aspire, voiced our concerns in The Daily Telegraph a couple of months back, which caught the attention of the producers of Emmerdale," a statement on the group's website read. "Subsequently we were invited to address our concerns with them at their offices in London.

"As is plain to see, our suggestions that they move away from the suicide storyline and to show his journey back to independence in a positive light fell on deaf ears. Perhaps ratings count for more than reality."

Expanding on its negative view of the plot, Aspire's director of services Alex Rankin continued: "This storyline had the potential to be ground-breaking in its approach to disability, and to challenge misguided opinions on spinal cord injury. Instead, too often, the script has opted for poor stereotypes or sensational misrepresentation.

"I sincerely hope that the 1,200 people who will be paralysed by spinal cord injuries this year, and their families, do not find themselves believing that Jackson's story represents their future."

Silcock had previously insisted that the scenes would be purposely "horrific" so that they did not "glorify" assisted suicide.

Meanwhile, an Emmerdale spokesperson said today: "We have always made clear that our motivation with this story is to drive constructive debate over this sensitive subject. We welcome feedback and 99% of the response we have had from viewers following last night's episode has been overwhelmingly positive."

'Emmerdale' assisted suicide plot blasted by charity

A charity has criticised Emmerdale's current assisted suicide storyline.

The plot sees Aaron Livesy (Danny Miller) help to end Jackson Walsh's life, but spinal injuries charity Aspire has warned that it could cause a "great deal of hurt".

Director of Services Alex Rankin told the Daily Star Sunday: "The storyline has been negative, unrealistic and pretty inaccurate. I've watched it very closely and have been incredibly disappointed with how Emmerdale have portrayed Jackson's situation.

"People with spinal injuries are not ill, they do not need to spend all their time in bed being spoon-fed soup. Emmerdale had a great opportunity to be inspirational with this storyline, to show that people who suffer similar injuries to Jackson's can, after much adjustment, go on to live a fulfilling life.

"What worries me is that it's basically saying that life with a spinal injury is not worth living. I don't think they've considered how those people in Jackson's situation will feel when they watch it. I think it's going to cause a lot of people a great deal of hurt."

An Emmerdale spokesman insisted that the story will be told "with integrity", adding: "We approached Aspire, keen to inform them about this storyline, and we welcomed their feedback which was fully taken on board."

Actor Marc Silcock recently described his character Jackson's departure as "an exit people will remember".

From http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s12/emmerdale/news/a323200/emmerdale-assisted-suicide-plot-blasted-by-charity.html

Michelle Collins struggling with Corrie accent

Michelle Collins has admitted that she has been "working hard" to perfect a Northern accent for her new Coronation Street role.

The 50-year-old filmed her first scenes as the Rovers Return's new landlady Stella Price last month. However, Collins has confessed to finding it tough to develop the right accent for the character.

"I've been working hard with a dialect coach to get the right accent but it's tough," she told Closer magazine. "At least I'm very good at pulling pints - I did that when I was an out-of-work actress."

On landing her new role, the former EastEnders star remarked: "I have to keep pinching myself that I'm actually in Corrie."

Collins previously confessed that she signed up for another soap role in order to have the financial security to ensure that her daughter Maia Rose can go to university.

"It is quite nice to have a bit of security in my life because my daughter is 14 and will be off to uni - so she will be able to go now," she said at the time.

Collins will be joined by Taggart star John Michie, who will play her on-screen husband Carl, and Catherine Tyldesley, who will portray their daughter Eva.

From: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a323405/michelle-collins-struggling-with-corrie-accent.html