JoanSmith
Slabface
"The hammer is my penis."
Posts: 36
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Post by JoanSmith on Jul 13, 2008 19:35:26 GMT
I've become resigned to the Valentines in a 'they're not as bad as they could be' way. If they write them out, there's a very big risk of an even worse replacement family being introduced. Having said that, I wouldn't miss them.
Thinking about it, Hollyoaks rarely manages to introduce a successful new family unit. Those that do work are more often than not based around an existing, peripheral character (notably Michaela for the McQueens, Steph with the Deans and. going way back, Mandy leading the way for the Richardsons and Dawn for Cunnighams). They should learn from this and introduce a slightly brassy/slutty/chavy female friend for Newt and MBV immediately.
I wasn't watching Hollyoaks when the Barnes and Ashworth clans were introduced, so any insight on why they ended up working would be interesting (to me, anyway). I am in denial about the awfulness that is Ravi, so won't comment on the likely success of his family unit.
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Post by joshjones on Jul 13, 2008 20:28:44 GMT
Oaks could do worse than the Valentines. Leo and Sasha aren't bad and Lauren's getting less bad. I'm just worn down by their consistent dullness, or for Calvin, smug self-righteousness. They could get rid of a few and either give Val a purpose or also write her out. I wasn't watching Hollyoaks when the Barnes and Ashworth clans were introduced, so any insight on why they ended up working would be interesting (to me, anyway). I am in denial about the awfulness that is Ravi, so won't comment on the likely success of his family unit. When the Barnes family started, the focus was on Amy going astray, Barnesy quitting his job, and Kathy obsessing over Swimbint's swimming and keeping her from Rhys. I think the family improved when they started phasing out Kathy, although Kathy had a great exit story. I could take or leave Amy and Swimbint, even though the actress who plays Amy is very good. I think they work, when they work, because of the man who plays Barnesy (Tony Hirst, I think). He's great at comedy, great at drama, great at everything, really, and charismatic. I think they cast some great actors in the Ashworth family and they were smart enough to move away from their original stories, which were crap (Rhys/Sarah, Josh and Fletch as the new OB/Max, Gilly/Jessica). The actors in that family seem to bring out the best in each other and it paid off with the Hannahrexia story but also the lesser stories, like the incest reveal, like finding out Rhys isn't Neville's son. They're horribly dysfunctional, but they also somehow at the same time seem normal. Not easy to accomplish. They've also avoided overexposing the Ashworths, whereas the McQueens have been on overload the past few years. I probably like Rhys the most out of the family. Andrew Moss is wonderful and Rhys is that type of character who's always doing something shitty but you still can't help feeling sorry for him (or maybe I just can't) because he does try. I don't know if the Ashworths could go on without Hannah, she's probably the heart of the family. I hope Emma Rigby isn't leaving. They've barely used her this year.
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Post by georgie on Jul 14, 2008 18:29:53 GMT
Ooo..blooper alert on E4: Jack throwing the mobile at the wall but it was still in his (other) hand. And then gone when his head was in his hand. I love spotting these things. I have no life.
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Post by Rad on Jul 14, 2008 18:53:35 GMT
Those new credits are way too fast: and how come Gilly and Flecth keep their gurning idiot shots when most other people get to change?
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Post by joshjones on Jul 14, 2008 18:56:38 GMT
Seeing John Paul with the other students was a surprise. I'd forgotten he studied anything other than priest anatomy. Zak looks like someone's put shoe polish on his head. I like Spud, I think he's one of the show's more underrated actors, but they need to either move him past the Mandy Richardson University of Chester or write him out of the show. After Johnno left Frankie and they had to move to a new place, didn't Frankie spend even more money and lie to the kids for months about their debts, causing them to be abruptly thrown out of their new home and move in with Jack? Jake also destroyed his credit line and bank account to help her, which helped pave the way for STD-giving, road raging, Nancy-controlling Jakeass. I wish someone had reminded Frankie of this during her tantrum on C4. Jordan's sister may be joining the show: www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a110845/jordans-sister-for-hollyoaks-role.html
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Post by Carrotline on Jul 14, 2008 19:21:31 GMT
I'll use spoiler tags just in case because I can't remember if this happened in tonight's C4 or E4 episode. Did my ears deceive me or did Elliott curse the fact that he never went to a proper university? If so, I salute the writers. Not something I often do where Hollyoaks is concerned.
Although Micheala, Myra and the spuds was quite a good scene this evening, too.
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JoanSmith
Slabface
"The hammer is my penis."
Posts: 36
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Post by JoanSmith on Jul 14, 2008 19:49:41 GMT
Thanks for the insight into the Barnes/Ashworths, JoshJones. I think you're right about the quality of the actors being key to their long-term, overall success. A lesson which is yet to be fully learned judging by recent cast additions.
Carrotline - It was in the C4 episode: Elliot's "I knew I should have gone to a proper university' followed by all of the Mandy Richardson University of Chester results apparently fitting on to one small noticeboard also amused me more than it probably should have done.
I agree it was nice to see all of the students together. One of the real improvements of Brian Kirkwood's first year was making the students more of a family-type unit, but they've done little more this year than randomly taking turns to be best-friends-for-a-week with JP, Rug, Justin/Katy and Swimbint.
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Post by Elly on Jul 14, 2008 21:04:57 GMT
How long has Spud been at university, for crying out loud? He was there when Lisa and Cameron and Steph were, if I remember rightly, and they all left or were written out years ago.
Seriously, I'm probably biased because I've always hated his character, but if the writers really haven't got any way of integrating him into the non-student aspect of the show - write him the fuck out!
My favourite part of today's episode was Rubbish Tranny's dad greeting him with "Francis", and the way RT said "Eammon" back at him. Don't ask me why, but it made me smile. RT has really grown on me lately.
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Post by joshjones on Jul 14, 2008 21:35:23 GMT
JoanSmith, Hollyoaks can cast such great actors when they try. I'm never sure whether they just don't try with some roles, or if they aren't casting based on acting, or if they cast people having no idea how bad they'll be (like Bethbot). Spud started in 2004. He disappeared in 2005 and for most of 2006, roughly the entire time Jez was there (anyone else wish they could bring Jez back...not the best actor, but cute). He came back right before the Dog explosion. I can't remember if he'd left school or just wasn't shown. E4:
Gratuitous nudity at its best. Thank you, Ashley Taylor Dawson.
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brennyuk
Slabface
Joy, can you see to my fallen lady?
Posts: 6
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Post by brennyuk on Jul 15, 2008 11:52:10 GMT
Kieron despite being a priest has never once mentioned God or Jesus Christ. Incidentally the least convincing priest I've ever seen on tv. No one that looks that hot and talks like that goes into the priesthood! I'd have found god years ago if that's the kind of talent dishing out hosts.
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Post by Joel on Jul 15, 2008 12:24:03 GMT
I know a really hot priest - it does happen, on occasion.
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Post by mcqueen on Jul 15, 2008 12:35:54 GMT
Kieron is not hot- he is really grating on me now- his concealing a burp form of acting is dull beyond belief and still not buying this phoney relationship with JP. Its balls and needs to end ASAP.
Oh yeah and Frankie, go drop dead you hideous woman!
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emma
Jane Asher
Posts: 217
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Post by emma on Jul 15, 2008 13:33:22 GMT
Surely Elliott had the grades for Edge Hill at least? Mind you, Will went to MRUC and he'd been on Blokcbusters and everything. The most lulzy discrepancy was when Izzy came from PRIVATE SCHOOL and was followed by her ex, who reveled that Soprts Studies at the Mandy Richardson University of Chester had been her first choice. Career advice at Cheltenham Ladies ain't shit, clearly.
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Chris
Jane Asher
!!!
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Post by Chris on Jul 15, 2008 13:54:51 GMT
Wasn't Hollyoaks University the only place that would accept Countdown Will after he was thrown out of Oxford for eating somebody's brain or something? So it's not as though he didn't try.
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emma
Jane Asher
Posts: 217
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Post by emma on Jul 15, 2008 14:08:05 GMT
True, though I always thought the deal at Oxford was you could eat all the brains you wanted as long as you were the heir to a crisp fortune.
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Post by Boswellox on Jul 15, 2008 17:57:29 GMT
How long will John Paul and Kieron last this time before it all goes tits up and JP gets to be self-righteous?
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dimples1
Slabface
I love a naughty priest!!!
Posts: 8
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Post by dimples1 on Jul 15, 2008 18:09:45 GMT
Probably, right up till the time that Craig makes his appearance back in Chester. How long will John Paul and Kieron last this time before it all goes tits up and JP gets to be self-righteous?
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Post by joshjones on Jul 15, 2008 18:52:55 GMT
Even Jake Hendriks doesn't seem to believe parts of the story (possible spoilers): www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a106560/jake-hendriks-kieron-hobbs-hollyoaks.htmlI don't know if Hendriks is a good actor, but I think he's given a lot more to the part than the writing has given. I think he also gives more than James who, understandably, probably just can't wait to be done with the show. John Paul's story has been nothing but plot-driven since around the time he slept with Craig, but I think Kieron has the potential to develop (if they keep him around); I like his scenes with other characters such as Steph or Ste. Kym Marsh and Jamie Lomas: www.myparkmag.co.uk/articles/television/corries-kym-marsh-chooses-hollyoaks-hunk-over-jack.htmlI don't usually care about what these actors do in their lives, but quotes like "Jack can't compete with a Hollyoaks hunk" and "Kym sneaked off to join him for a bit of yabba dabba doo" are good for a laugh.
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Post by mcqueen on Jul 15, 2008 19:15:35 GMT
I think it would be terrible if Father Kieron were still around when John Paul leaves- he would be a totaly spare wheel, and God knows HOs has enough of them right now.
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Post by jetsetwilly on Jul 15, 2008 19:29:49 GMT
Surely Elliott had the grades for Edge Hill at least? Oi!
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Post by joshjones on Jul 15, 2008 20:55:58 GMT
I think it would be terrible if Father Kieron were still around when John Paul leaves- he would be a totaly spare wheel, and God knows HOs has enough of them right now. You're right, but the writing can go either way. Elliot has no family on the show but he's one of their better characters. Or they could bring in a family, like what they did with Micks. I think I just want to see a gay character who can exist beyond the John Paul story, whether that be Kieron or someone else. I don't want Hollyoaks to think JP was the only standard for a gay character, because as good as his first year of story was, the second has left a lot to be desired.
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emma
Jane Asher
Posts: 217
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Post by emma on Jul 15, 2008 21:47:34 GMT
They made me a two point offer! TWO POINTS! And is it just me or has Mercedes become completely pointless? She was in pretty much every scene tonight and did nothing but bint around pouting.
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Post by jetsetwilly on Jul 15, 2008 21:51:48 GMT
Some of us are very PROUD* of the fact that we failed some of our A-levels and ended up at Edge Hill. Being the only person not to get Ds in everything, I was a God among mortal men there! And that was in the days when it was a College of Higher Education too! I am all class.
*Proud is, of course, a relative term.
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emma
Jane Asher
Posts: 217
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Post by emma on Jul 15, 2008 21:56:13 GMT
Back before those hideous adverts on Granada? Respec'.
My cousin did his nursing degree at Edge Hill and says it was good, actually. I'm just reflexively snarking because when I get to Durham in September the postgrad college will eat my former-poly Scouse ass alive.
Anyway, yes, Hollyoaks.
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Post by Rad on Jul 15, 2008 22:09:34 GMT
Elliot has no family on the show but he's one of their better characters. He does! He has his mad Welsh nationalist mum who is also Stacey's mum in Gavin and Stacey and a dad who was abducted by aliens and never seen again! I agree with what Jake H says about Kieron, he seems as unimpressed as we are with the plot devicey nature of the character.
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