Thursday, 28 July 2011

'Neighbours' Natasha 'plans plastic surgery'

Neighbours schoolgirl Natasha Williams will continue her rebellious behaviour when she decides that she wants plastic surgery in a forthcoming storyline, a report has revealed.

The troublesome teenager, played by Valentina Novakovic, becomes "obsessed" with improving her appearance as she feels upset and insecure over her father Michael (Sandy Winton) rejecting her in the aftermath of her raunchy photo scandal, according to TV Week.

In scenes which air in Australia next week, Natasha will apparently be seen searching the internet for "cheap nose jobs" before stealing Michael's credit card in order to book herself in for the procedure.

Viewers will then be left to wonder whether Natasha will go through with the idea or whether she can reconcile with her dad before it's too late.

Earlier this year, Novakovic admitted that she would like her character to be "nicer" and realise she "needs to grow up and mature".

Meanwhile, Neighbours bosses recently announced that fans will be introduced to Natasha's long-lost aunt later this year.


Monday, 25 July 2011

'EastEnders' Ronnie "couldn't go further", says Samantha Womack

Former EastEnders star Samantha Womack has said that her character Ronnie Branning left the soap at the right time, claiming that the troubled blonde "couldn't go any further" following her string of dark storylines.

The actress announced her decision to bow out from the BBC drama at the beginning of the year, and viewers recently saw her final scenes as Ronnie was jailed in the climax to the show's tragic baby swap plot.

Other hard-hitting stories featuring Ronnie had included the death of her long-lost daughter Danielle and her disturbing history with evil dad Archie.

Asked by The Observer whether she was glad to leave Ronnie behind, Womack replied: "I wouldn't say I was glad. Ronnie had had her time, she couldn't go any further. She had so much trauma that it wouldn't have been believable to put her through any more, I feel.

"It's a very hard thing to do - you get very comfortable being in regular employment, and I'm a jobbing actor again, and that's quite scary. I feel grateful to have had the experience but I'm glad to be moving in another direction."

Although Womack recently signed up for the stage role of Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, the 38-year-old dismissed suggestions that she is seeking a break from television jobs.

"I'm just trying to mix up the characters - the form in which they come is not important," she said. "Ronnie Mitchell in EastEnders was so withdrawn and secretive and dark, so Nellie - with her open quality and hick-style delivery - was a challenge I really wanted to take on."

Womack first appeared in the role of Ronnie in the summer of 2007.

Watch Ronnie's memorable EastEnders moments in the video below:

'Neighbours': Natasha's Long-Lost Aunt Set To Cause Scandal!

There's a Neighbours update today over Natasha's long-lost aunt for those who have been wondering what the character will be called.

Earlier this month, it emerged that Freya Stafford had landed the role of Tash's relative and show bosses later released the first picture of the newcomer as well as details of the storyline.

The character's name wasn't released at the time, but it has now been confirmed that she is called Emilia.

As previously reported, Emilia's arrival has been tipped to "expose a myriad of secrets and lies" that will set tongues wagging on Ramsay Street later this year.

Stafford has signed a six-month guest contract with Neighbours and her first episode will air on Australian screens in September.

Watch the latest Neighbours promo currently airing in Australia, focusing on Tash's latest drama:



Steve says: 50 quid she's the missing mum!

Corrie: Too Many Crooks & Baby Snatch Plot Coming!

'Coronation Street' Becky 'To Plot Baby Kidnap'

Coronation Street's troubled Becky McDonald will plot to kidnap Fiz Stape's baby daughter Hope in a forthcoming storyline, a report has claimed.

The former barmaid starts making her shock plan after striking up a bond with the youngster as they both continue living under the same roof at the Croppers' home in the coming weeks, The Sun claims.

Becky was recently left devastated when her nephew Max was taken into care. She had previouslypurchased the child from half-sister Kylie as her adoption dreams had been crushed and she is unable to have children of her own.

Hope, meanwhile, is living with Roy and Hayley while Fiz awaits trial in prison after being implicated in her husband John's crime spree.

However, when Fiz (Jennie McAlpine) decides that she wants Hope to move to the jail's mother and baby unit, Becky reportedly springs into action and considers fleeing Weatherfield with the baby.

A Coronation Street source told the newspaper: "Becky is baby-mad and is desperate for one. She grows close to Hope and dreams of bringing her up as her own."

The insider added: "Becky isn't thinking straight and believes jail is no place for a baby."

Katherine Kelly, who plays Becky, finishes filming with the soap later this year and her final scenes air in 2012.

Coronation Street boss Phil Collinson has admitted that there have been too many criminals on the soap.

'Too Many Crooks'

The producer of the ITV1 programme, which has recently been criticised over some of its storylines, said that they are going to cut down on crime in the future.

In an interview with OK magazine, he defended actress Michelle Collins who, as Rovers Return landlady Stella Price, has been attacked over her northern accent.

He also responded to criticism over a supposed influx of gay storylines, saying: "I haven't introduced any gay characters."

However, Collinson admitted that there is some room for improvement on the long-running show.

Asked whether there were too many criminals in Coronation Street, he replied: "Maybe I can take that one on the chin. I agree… we have been at the police station and the court room a little bit too much.

"As we move ahead, we will shift away from serial killers and crime storylines."

Recent killers have included psychopath John Stape and murderer Tony Gordon.

Former castmember Johnny Briggs recently said that the soap has become "boring and humourless".

Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh has dismissed rumours of a ratings crisis at the soap, describing recent press reports as "incorrect."

EastEnders Makes Viewers 'Seasick'!

EastEnders viewers have complained of motion sickness following a particular scene in the soap that featured shaky camera-work.

The episode in question first aired on July 14, and featured Christian Clarke (John Partridge) and Zainab Masood (Nina Wadia), in a discussion about Christian's relationship with Zainab's son Syed (Marc Elliott).

During the short scene, the camera appeared to wobble, with strange camera angles in comparison to normal EastEnders scenes.

Several fans took to BBC's Points of View online forums to comment about the odd scene, with one viewer writing: "Oh, what was with the wobbly camera? Surely, BBC isn't so bad off that it can't afford to buy EastEnders a tripod."

Another viewer added: "Am I the only one who thought the camera angles were bad during the Christian and Zainab scene? The camera was shaking and the angles were just all over the place."

Viewer Marie Marshall, 41, said: "It was really weird. At first I thought my own telly was playing up but then I went to another telly in a different room and it was doing the same thing.

"The picture was shaking so much it made me feel like I was sea-sick. Whoever was holding the camera must have been shaking a lot."

A spokesperson for the soap said that they were aware of complaints made about the scene, but have yet to offer an explanation for what happened, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Watch the scene in question below (one minute, five seconds in):


'EastEnders' To Introduce Another New Moon

EastEnders fans will be introduced to another member of the Moon family later this year as twisted villain Michael Moon meets his long-lost brother, reports have revealed.

Craig Moon, who has Down's Syndrome, will make his first appearance on screen in the autumn when family patriarch Eddie Moon arranges for Michael to meet the sibling he never knew existed, according to The People.

Elliot Rosen, 32, has taken on the role of Craig and is thought to have already filmed his first scenes. Reports suggest that he has been signed as a guest artist for a handful of episodes.

EastEnders bosses are believed to have worked closely with the Down's Syndrome Association while devising the new storyline for the Moon clan.

A Walford source told the newspaper: "It is something they are very proud of. They are determined to continue to raise issues like this."

Meanwhile, praising the soap's decision, a spokesperson for the Down's Syndrome Association commented: "Presenting people with Down's Syndrome living successful lives is always positive."

Michael, played by Steve John Shepherd, was the first of the new Moons to arrive on Albert Square - making his debut last year.

David Essex, Tony Discipline and Matt Lapinskas were later unveiled as other additions to the family, landing the roles of Eddie, Tyler and Anthony respectively.

Wednesday, 13 July 2011

EastEnders Cliches - Past & Present!


As mentioned in my 'Steve's Soapbox' section on Portsmouth Live TV several weeks ago, here's the full list of viewer defined cliches from 25 years of EastEnders.

Hilarious it truly is!



1. Janine is barred from the Vic at least once a month. Lines like 'Go on, sling yer hook!' and 'Get out you lying little tart!' are essential - if she resists, she must be flung out the doors. Bonus points if she ends up falling, if she does so someone then has to walk past saying 'Just where you belong Janine, in the gutter', before swanning off like they're so much better!

2. In Walford, your 100 times more likely to die or have one of your guests die/get severely injured on the day of your wedding than in any other place. You go from wedding to wedding not even aware of this obvious statistic.

3. Ian Beale will lick his lips in almost every scene he's in, Max Branning will shuffle his feet, Phil Mitchell will deflate at least once, and Ronnie Branning will stare into space like a robotic zombie per episode.

4. References to Pat the prostitute (which happened 100 years ago!) will crop up every so often.

5. Nobody even mentions the astounding similarities between Jodie Gold and Billy's ex Honey!

6. Dot will struggle to say Mr Pappadoppawappanoppalos and call Zainab 'Mrs Masmood' - before telling us she doesn't like to gossip before doing just that and quoting from the bible.

7. Nobody has a washing machine.

8. Everybody only goes to The Vic.

9. Somebody has to die or get married or have a baby at Christmas.

10. Anyone who has a baby in Eastenders will never have to look after them themselves. In fact, they can go to work, drink in The Vic, go to the beauty salon or have a night out at the R&R just as if they were single and childless.

11. There are always mysterious babysitters available to mind these forgotten children at any time of the day and night.

12. You can plan a Christmas wedding in about 2 days and everyone will be able to come.

13. Phil Mitchell will always be able to get you £10,000 at short notice but the minute he needs money himself he usually struggles.

14. When people move out they take all their belongings in a small case.

15. If a couple goes out for dinner they always choose the Argee Bhagee.

16. Each member of the Mitchell family has to mention it on a monthly basis.

17. Men such as Michael and Jack always wear suits even when they're just going to the cafe.

18. The "glamour pusses" such as Tanya and Vanessa don't own a pair of jeans/trainers/tracksuit bottoms.

19. People sit in their work clothes and shoes even in their own house when watching the tv.

20. People don't work or do a few shifts in the pub/launderette a week, yet can afford London rental prices no problem.

21. Heather will wear a headband/smock top/forlorn expression in every scene.

22. Ricky will look dazed and confused and utter "Pat" in a quizzical voice at every opportunity.

23. Any non-drinkers will drink nothing but orange juice - don't even think of asking for a coke/lemonade/tonic water.

24. After a major story has been revealed, the accused person will always have to walk through a massive crowd, with them watch his/her every move.

25. People going to the caff for all their meals, despite living round the corner

26. If you're upset you must go and sit on Aurthur's bench until someone takes pity on you even if it's late at night. An alternative, especially for the yougsters, is the tyre swing.

27. You can look 'everywhere' for someone only to find them in the cafe or Vic

28. The obligatory shouting/slanging match/revelation reveal in the middle of The Vic which leads to the jukebox mysteriously turning itself off

29. R&R is the go to club where a character goes if they want to get very very drunk and make a fool of themselves

30. Nobody ever finishes a drink, they always leave an inch or so in the bottom of the glass when they leave.

31. You never go to Tescos/Morrisons/Asda to do a "big shop" - you instead pay the inflated prices of the minute mart and never buy more or less than two carrier bags full.

32. You can get any job without any kind of formal application. Noone signs a contract and anyone can get hired and fired within minutes.

33. No one needs qualification/experience to get a job.

34. Contracts don't need to be signed during sales and transfers of properties.

35. Doctors handing out medications out to patients out of GP practice.

36. Everyone needs to do at least one shift at Beale's caff.

37. Anyone will be asked to babysit anyone's baby.

38. Most houses have unlimited number of bedrooms.

39. Everyone shops at the minute mart, which seems to stock everything and anything.

40. Giving someone £20 can enable them to pay a month's rent.

41. Most people don't have to work in order to afford living in London.

42. The new doctor will arrive and everyone will praise them for being such a well-respected pillar of the community - but they never realise this doctor will either be a raging nutcase or will end up sleeping with half of the people living in the area within their first 6 months in the job.

43. If you're thinking about anyone, simply look out of your window and they'll be there, and you'll probably make eye contact. The upstairs window of the Vic is particularly good for this.

44. You can leave a total stranger in charge of your market stall.

45. Police will take about 3 years to turn up if there's been a murder or any other serious crime. For lesser crimes they get there within 3 seconds.

46. No matter how skint you are, you will always have money to drink in the vic and eat in the cafe.

From http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1463814

Tuesday, 12 July 2011

EastEnders: Ronnie's Last Moments

Coronation Street: Phil Colinson Discusses Summer 2011 On 'This Morning'

Coronation Street: A New Take On The Tram Crash



Amazing!

'Coronation Street' Gay Plots Divide Opinion

Coronation Street's recent influx of more gay characters has attracted a mixed response.

At present, two same-sex couples reside on the cobbles: Sean Tully (Antony Cotton) and Marcus Dent (Charlie Condou) alongside Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent) and Sian Powers (Sacha Parkinson).

Todd Grimshaw (Bruno Langley) and boyfriend Jools recently paid a visit to the street and have been tipped for a future return, while there will also be appearances from Ken Barlow's grandson James Cunningham (James Roache), who was also revealed to be homosexual last year.

Ben Summerskill of Stonewall praised the ITV soap for its involvement of gay characters, saying: "When it comes to reflecting modern Britain, the Street really is streets ahead."

However, former star Jean Alexander - speaking to the News of the World - argued that the number of gay characters is "excessive".

The 85-year-old, who played Hilda Ogden, said: "Every community has people who are gay and they are very nice people. I'm not running the Street down, and let's not forget its creator Tony Warren is gay. But three couples seems excessive."

Nick Cochran - who originally played Andy McDonald between 1989 and 1996 - agreed: "I'm not sure these storylines are realistic. I've got plenty of gay friends but they don't all live in a street full of gay people.

"How many streets in Britain would have schoolgirl lesbians, gay married couples, a transsexual and children to gay couples? It is a little bit far-fetched," Cochran added. "Fans love Corrie for its traditional values. I don't think it's the right platform to highlight so many gay issues all at the same time."

Meanwhile, a supposed insider suggested that the present cast agree with Alexander and Cochran, stating: "Many cast and crew think the storylines unrealistic."

Watch The EastEnders Moon Brothers Promo Below:



Good or bad? Tell us below...

'EastEnders' Return For Preeya Kalidas Confirmed

Preeya Kalidas has confirmed that she will reprise her role as Amira Shah in EastEnders.

The actress bowed out of the BBC soap in April 2010 after discovering her husband Syed's affair with Christian Clarke. Amira departed Albert Square without revealing her pregnancy to Syed.

Kalidas tweeted today: "To all the fans that ask me everyday.. This is for you.... She's coming back! AMIRA RETURNS!! (sic)"

An ongoing storyline sees recently-engaged Christian (John Partridge) and Syed (Marc Elliott) planning to adopt a child.

A source told The Mirror: "Amira left Walford a heartbroken woman. When she finds out Syed is planning to marry Christian she is furious. Amira is manipulative and her presence looks set to turn the lives of the Masoods upside down.

"The question is, has she moved on from her husband or will she do whatever she can to get him back? Only time will tell."

The 31-year-old actress is expected to begin filming again in a number of weeks, ahead of an on-screen return in October.

Since leaving the show, Kalidas was dropped by her record label after debut single 'Shimmy' charted at a disappointing number 85 in the UK chart.

EastEnders executive producer Bryan Kirkwood had previously teased the possible return of a former character, although it remains unclear if he was referring to Amira.


Corrie Boss 'Demands New Storylines For 15 Characters'

Coronation Street boss Phil Collinson reportedly called an emergency meeting with scriptwriters last month to demand new storylines for 15 characters.

The producer is said to have made a list of characters he thinks are "urgently in need of attention" to avoid viewers forgetting about them.

Newcomer Stella Price (Michelle Collins), husband Karl (John Michie) and their ­daughter Eva (Catherine Tyldesley) are top of the list. They need a big storyline so that they're "­accepted" by the audience, The People reports.

Chesney Battersby-Brown (Sam Aston) and his ­pregnant girlfriend Katy Armstrong (Georgia May Foote) were also ­highlighted as being in need of attention. Collinson apparently insisted that the pair can't simply disappear until Katy's baby is due around Christmas time.

Gail McIntyre (Helen Worth) and son Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) - who beds Becky McDonald (Katherine Kelly) later this year - will get new storylines. "Nick is a character that definitely needs work. We need a big story for him that will take him in a different direction," Collinson told scriptwriters.

"Previous ideas put forward for the character are not really appropriate. And where are we going with Gail? Does anyone have a story idea that will see her take centre stage?"

Meanwhile, Sean Tully (Antony Cotton) and Marcus Dent (Charlie Condou) will see their relationship under threat in the coming months when Dylan returns home to mum Violet Wilson.

Collinson also requested "fresh" plots for Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebden), Mary Taylor (Patti Clare), and Roy (David Neilson) and Hayley Cropper (Julie Hesmondhalgh).

The producer also suggested a change in direction for Gary Windass (Mikey North) and girlfriend Izzy Armstrong (Cherylee Houston), who is mugged in the coming weeks.

"Collinson really didn't pull any punches," a source said. "The team of scriptwriters was told in no uncertain terms that they ­needed to do much more."

'Coronation Street' Phil Collinson, Michelle Collins Hit Back At "Disingenuous" Claims

Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson and actress Michelle Collins have responded to tabloid reports that the show has suffered in the ratings recently.

The News of the World suggested that viewing figures had fallen by a quarter in just a month, with blame focused on a poor reception for Collins and viewers' unhappiness with the number of gay characters on the soap.

Collinson confirmed that he and Collins had asked to appear on ITV1's daytime magazine show This Morning in order to "answer back" the "inaccurate and disingenuous" claims.

Collins - who made her debut as Stella Price last month - explained: "I'm the sort of person... I'm quite dignified, so I was thinking, ' No, just sit back and it'll all go away'. But it hasn't gone away."

On criticism of her accent, Collins admitted that it was "not my choice" to do a northern accent in the role.

"I'm an actor. I was in a soap 15 years ago, and I've done lots of other jobs in between where I've had accents as well," she said. "To me, it was embarking on a new role.

"I'm not even sure that's many of the public. I think it's a few tabloid journalists that have picked up on something and then it escalates. It's very mischievous, I think they like to cause... they're just being mischievous, to be honest with you."

Collinson described Collins's accent as "brilliant", insisting that the soap "wouldn't want to" have her drop it.

"Just to robustly say, we are really happy with Michelle's performance," he said. "I think we're really happy with the character. We've got storylines planned for this new family right through next year."

Collins admitted that she is "bewildered" by the various claims, but added that she knew it would take time for the character to be accepted.

"I haven't even be on air for four weeks. It's like, hold on a minute. Jane Danson was telling me that when the Battersbys went in, there was a petition to get rid of them," she said. "When the Slaters went in [to EastEnders], I remember telling John Yorke, 'I don't like them. They're never going to work'. About five years later, he said to me: 'What did you say to me?' People just have to let you breathe. People are [not] used to me. I'm just sort of bewildered."

She continued: "I'm a big girl and I'm tough. What annoys me is that I'm quite bewildered by it. What annoys me is that most of the things they are saying are untrue. Coronation Street has made me very welcome and people among the cast haven't complained."

However, Collins did confirm that reports of a storyline which will see Stella knocked down by a drunk Carla Connor are true.

"Storylines are storylined six months in advance. So, whoever played Stella would have been involved in this storyline," she said. "It's not because they are trying to win viewers over. The public aren't silly."

Collinson also dismissed tabloid claims that Coronation Street's ratings have fallen dramatically, telling hosts Phillip Schofield and Jenni Falconer that the high figure mentioned had come from an instalment aired during the week of 9pm episodes scheduled between Britain's Got Talent shows. The lower rated episode was one which aired directly against an Andy Murray Wimbledon game.

"They took those two ratings," he explained. "It's a bit mischievous really. In actual fact, if we compare the ratings for the last four-week period with the same period for last year, we are actually around 5 or 6% up.

"There is absolutely no crisis at Coronation Street. The ratings are in brilliant shape. ITV are very pleased with the way the show is performing."

Finally, the producer took on complaints that the Manchester serial is too focused on gay characters.

Collinson said: "We have a very broad cast; 65 regulars and two gay couples. In the research that we do, Hayley, Sean and Sophie are among the most popular characters. They're right up there among the most popular characters in the show.

"Of course we are going to tell stories about our most popular characters. The audience want us to tell stories about these characters. There is no gay agenda. There is no soapbox. We are telling stories about love."

Collins concluded: "It's 2011 and we're talking about too many gay characters on TV? Come on people, this is crazy."

View the full interview here: http://www.itv.com/this-morning/life/ontodaysshows12711/

The Return of Dallas!

View here the first trailer of the revived grand daddy of all the soap operas, returning to US screens in summer 2012.