Eastenders - Shirley, it's time to wind it up?

[Lordbenny]

I stopped watching Eastenders (I say watching but what I really mean is knowing the vague storyline each week) a very long time ago. The programme is a horrible indictment of today's society, it's sad, violent and downright miserable. It is one of the few programmes that is banned in my house, even the music sets my teeth on edge. About time the BEEB pulled it and did something a bit different rather than flogging this pathetic piece of rubbish.

[Codswallop]

I couldn't agree more. One of my old uni housemates watched it (and pretty much every other crappy soap). It'll never happen though - the show seems to provide inspiration and role models to so many Brits today. How else could the popularity of Shameless be explained?

[HeatonNorris]

I think you misunderstand what Shameless is all about.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not a fly on the wall documentary filmed in Manchester

[bexVN]

Amazes me the storylines they get away with showing very early in the evening. I gave up on it yrs ago. Occasionally watch few mins here and there, which just reminds me that it is overwhelmingly miserable and depressing.

[Codswallop]

HeatonNorris said:

I think you misunderstand what Shameless is all about.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not a fly on the wall documentary filmed in Manchester

Never watched it tbh, just saw the occasional snippet or advert, from which it appears to portray the glamorous lifestyle one can achieve from being a benefits scrote on a council estate.

[davepoth]

I really hate the "soap opera" model, where it goes on, and on, and on. In Latin America they have a format called the "Tele-Novela" which goes for the soap opera market, but has a fixed length. That way the storylines don't get any more ridiculous than the producers were planning originally (and they do get fairly ridiculous)

[HeatonNorris]

Codswallop said:

Never watched it tbh, just saw the occasional snippet or advert, from which it appears to portray the glamorous lifestyle one can achieve from being a benefits scrote on a council estate.

In which case, you don't understand that it's a comedy about those stereotypes. The main character is played by a full-on high-brow 'luvvie', too.

[minipete]

Should have knocked it all down for the olympic stadium.That could have been a good way to end it,bloody crap.

[Eric Mc]

I wish it had been "wound up" in 1985.

[Codswallop]

HeatonNorris said:

Codswallop said:

Never watched it tbh, just saw the occasional snippet or advert, from which it appears to portray the glamorous lifestyle one can achieve from being a benefits scrote on a council estate.

In which case, you don't understand that it's a comedy about those stereotypes. The main character is played by a full-on high-brow 'luvvie', too.

Fair enough. I dislike the concept less now. Still not going to bother watching it though

[surveyor]

In the past 6 weeks Eastenders has top number of viewings for BBC1, other than Call The Midwife.

I don't think it will be cancelled anytime soon.