The Soap Opera Time Machine - Your Favourite Memories of Yesteryear in Soapland

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 28-02-2014 11:25pm #1

A thread to discuss your favourite characters, storylines, deaths, villains, couples, etc. etc. of days gone by.
The thread isn't dedicated to any soap in particular, post your thoughts on any of your choice whether it be Corrie, Eastenders, Emmerdale, Fair City, Brookside, Glenroe, Hollyoaks, Ros na Rún, Home & Away, Neighbours or whatever.

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 28-02-2014 11:29pm

I gave up on Home and Away many years ago, but up until about 2004 it was one soap I never missed an episode of it, and one thing I think they should have never given up on was the cool opening credits they used up until 1999.

Enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IzdV0gJS3U

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 28-02-2014 11:41pm

Storyline wise, I can't think of anything better to kick off this thread with, than one of the biggest upsets in soap history.

The Emmerdale Plane Crash, in which they killed off several cast members and the village started afresh, changing the tone of the show entirely...

And over 20 years later, thanks to updated technology, we can relive those moments once more...

Can't embed the video, but you'll find it here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00I5PQg9FLo

Radio5 · 03-03-2014 4:21pm

When Coronation St had characters who were plausible and decent storylines. A long time ago in other words.

vektarman · 03-03-2014 4:29pm

My most memorable soap moment was when the Jordache's finally killed off the evil Trevor Jordache (Brian Murray) in Brookside and buried his body under their back patio.

LynnGrace · 03-03-2014 7:50pm

I enjoyed the Deirdre, Ken, Mike triangle in Corrie.

Red Kev · 05-03-2014 6:23pm

I started watching Corrie as a kid with my parents in the late 70's, loved the Hilda & Stan Ogden and Eddie Yeats stories. The day Hilda said goodbye to Stan always stuck out in my memory. His possessions came from the hospital in a brown paper parcel and she opened them..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXhp1J0Usng

Also Jack & Vera, always stuck together no matter how much they got on each others nerves. Corrie's writers today might learn from this, it seems no couple can stay together for more than 3 months until they're shagging someone else. Jack's death was expected but the twist with Vera (who had died a couple of years earlier) was great writing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMy_dUgGKJU

05-03-2014 11:31pm

when todd kissed nick

i knew i was gay cas i liked it

LynnGrace · 06-03-2014 9:17am

I know there is a Top 20 (or something) of Corrie's moments that gets shown on tv every so often, and Hilda holding the glasses case features in it. It is just so sad, and so well done. She, Stan and Eddie were great characters. Jack and Vera, also great actors, had some brilliant storylines over the years too.

madmaggie · 09-03-2014 1:04am

When Emmerdale was Emmerdale Farm, and they actually had a farm. A sort of English Riordans back then. There were two old guys who owned the pub, constantly arguing but a great source of humour.

schoolhouse · 10-03-2014 1:40pm

Hilda holding Stan's glasses after is death never fails to make me well up.
Those who dont remember them in Coronation St will never appreciate the effect this scene had on people.
Real drama and emotion and no over dramatics that passes for acting these days.

Radio5 · 10-03-2014 2:17pm

schoolhouse wrote: »

Hilda holding Stan's glasses after is death never fails to make me well up.
Those who dont remember them in Coronation St will never appreciate the effect this scene had on people.
Real drama and emotion and no over dramatics that passes for acting these days.

Agree. If that scene happened in Corrie today, it would be followed by Hilda going out and getting drunk and screaming and rowing with people in the street. And within a few weeks, she'd be moving in a new bloke.

syklops · 10-03-2014 5:01pm

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

Storyline wise, I can't think of anything better to kick off this thread with, than one of the biggest upsets in soap history.

The Emmerdale Plane Crash, in which they killed off several cast members and the village started afresh, changing the tone of the show entirely...

And over 20 years later, thanks to updated technology, we can relive those moments once more...

Can't embed the video, but you'll find it here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00I5PQg9FLo

I saw this thread mentioned on the frontpage this morning and came here to post specifically about the plane crash. I was about 10 when I saw it first time round. Watched it again recently. Thats how you do it Corrie writers, in case you are reading this.

nlgbbbblth · 10-03-2014 8:55pm

Hilda's final scenes in Coronation Street. Christmas Day 1987.

Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvyN9nC7m78

LynnGrace · 10-03-2014 9:25pm

Just watched that clip of Hilda's farewell. Aww. So many good characters, it made me very nostalgic. I might watch it again now instead of Phelan/ Gazza / Faye etc

LynnGrace · 11-03-2014 12:25pm

Radio5 wrote: »

Agree. If that scene happened in Corrie today, it would be followed by Hilda going out and getting drunk and screaming and rowing with people in the street. And within a few weeks, she'd be moving in a new bloke.

Yes, probably Peter Barlow...:D
Love the Corrie clips posted here.
I was an Eastenders fan, way back, but gave up on it, a long time ago. There were some powerful scenes on it, over the years too.
Emmerdale had some good story lines when the Tates were at Home Farm too.

branie · 13-03-2014 9:30pm

Stephen McCoy going to boarding school in Fair City

Katgurl · 19-03-2014 7:13pm

i definitely have some EE ones.

The Christmas special where Lauren puts the dvd under the christmas tree with Stacey's wedding day - it shows Max begging her to be with him, the whole family sit and watch it; Max & Tanya, Stacey & Bradley, the two little girls. In fact the actual wedding episode a few months earlier was gripping too.

The New Years day when Pat Butcher dies; Jeanneanne howling in her arms, David Wicks spitting bile at her about then finally telling her he forgives her.

Ronnie being reunited with her long-lost daughter moments before she watches her die on the street.

Jeanneanne setting up a wh0rehouse in the square and Ian Beale being her best customer.

Ian being shot by Cindy's hitman so she could run away with David.

Biance trying to seduce David not realising he's her father (yuck).

Arthur Fowler turning over his own home to fund Michelle's wedding on the insurance money.

I love EE, it's so grim, it makes my own life look a bed of roses comparitively.

Galwayguy35 · 21-03-2014 2:31am

Haven't watched Corrie in years but the time Richard Hillman was in it was good.

For Glenroe I suppose it was Mileys roll in the hay with Fidelma:P

In FC it would be when Barry O Hanlon bumped off Sarah.

EE would be poor old lovesick Barry and Janine on the clifftop.

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 21-03-2014 2:42am

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

For Glenroe I suppose it was Mileys roll in the hay with Fidelma:P

Easily the most referenced storyline in the history of Glenroe. I think it made front page of all the newspapers the Monday after that episode aired. The nation was in an uproar.

And it didn't even involve Glenroe's most popular character (and arguably the greatest soap character in all the soaps) Blackie f**kin Connors!!!

Galwayguy35 · 21-03-2014 2:54am

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

Easily the most referenced storyline in the history of Glenroe. I think it made front page of all the newspapers the Monday after that episode aired. The nation was in an uproar.

And it didn't even involve Glenroe's most popular character (and arguably the greatest soap character in all the soaps) Blackie f**kin Connors!!!

The bould Blackie was having it off with Biddys posh sister Carol.

JP Liz V1 · 24-03-2014 9:29pm

Meg dying in Blake's arms on the beach in H&A was so sad

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 24-03-2014 10:39pm

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

Meg dying in Blake's arms on the beach in H&A was so sad

Aye, back when Home and Away was must see TV. It went to sh!te when Don Fisher left.

Speaking of Fisher, when Don and Marilyn's baby son Byron died. Heartbreaking.

orangesoda · 25-03-2014 12:11am

Home & Away is still good but I thought the 2007 - 2009 period was very good, some great moments and characters, the campbell family, drew, belle, aden, miles, the bus explosion, the 2008 episodes with roman in the bush and especially the aden/larry storyline. 2010 was insufferable but as soon as the Braxton clan were introduced the show has been on top form.

EastEnders - i think it's been fairly consistent in entertainment but 2005-2007 stands out with Johnny Allan, etc and Stella. Christian/Syed was a stand out as well in 2009-2010.

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 25-03-2014 12:19am

orangesoda wrote: »

Home & Away is still good but I thought the 2007 - 2009 period was very good, some great moments and characters, the campbell family, drew, belle, aden, miles, the bus explosion, the 2008 episodes with roman in the bush and especially the aden/larry storyline. 2010 was insufferable but as soon as the Braxton clan were introduced the show has been on top form.

Ah, I stopped watching a long long time ago. Probably been about 10 years since I last caught up with the goings on in Summer Bay. 1993-1999 was when it was at the top of its game for me. The days of Shane & Angel, Shannon & Selina, Curtis & Jack, Joey & Saul, Justine & Tegan, Jesse & Vinnie, Will & Gypsy, to name but some of the greats...

JP Liz V1 · 25-03-2014 12:21am

In regard to H&A, as much as I love to admire the Braxton boy's bodies particular Heath

the show has become the Braxtons show the last few years with the same rehashed storylines for them whereas characters like Irene and Alf etc., get no storylines or lack of screen time and some new characters are completely useless and annoying i.e. Spencer, Tamara and Maddie

orangesoda · 25-03-2014 12:55am

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

Ah, I stopped watching a long long time ago. Probably been about 10 years since I last caught up with the goings on in Summer Bay. 1993-1999 was when it was at the top of its game for me. The days of Shane & Angel, Shannon & Selina, Curtis & Jack, Joey & Saul, Justine & Tegan, Jesse & Vinnie, Will & Gypsy, to name but some of the greats...

i'm not old enough to remember that, i started watching in 1999-2000, i think it is more of a phase for teenagers over here to watch it as my siblings watched it in 90's but stopped before they reached 18, the few loyal fans would keep on watching. it would be different regarding the english soaps

orangesoda · 25-03-2014 12:57am

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

In regard to H&A, as much as I love to admire the Braxton boy's bodies particular Heath the show has become the Braxtons show the last few years with the same rehashed storylines for them whereas characters like Irene and Alf etc., get no storylines or lack of screen time and some new characters are completely useless and annoying i.e. Spencer, Tamara and Maddie

you will be glad to hear that they will soon be leaving, the show will suffer badly i would predict for a while at least. I enjoyed Sally returning for a while but she went off again.

JP Liz V1 · 25-03-2014 12:59am

orangesoda wrote: »

you will be glad to hear that they will soon be leaving, the show will suffer badly i would predict for a while at least. I enjoyed Sally returning for a while but she went off again.

The other "bad boy" brothers the Barretts are still there though

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 25-03-2014 1:02am

orangesoda wrote: »

i'm not old enough to remember that, i started watching in 1999-2000, i think it is more of a phase for teenagers over here to watch it as my siblings watched it in 90's but stopped before they reached 18, the few loyal fans would keep on watching. it would be different regarding the english soaps

You missed out bud. I'd agree that the age thing may be a factor, but it also just used to be a damn better show. You should try and stumble upon some of the older episodes as they were really great. I think the Mudslide was in 2000... That was good. Do you remember it? Probably the last great storyline of my era anyway.

orangesoda · 25-03-2014 2:38am

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

You missed out bud. I'd agree that the age thing may be a factor, but it also just used to be a damn better show. You should try and stumble upon some of the older episodes as they were really great. I think the Mudslide was in 2000... That was good. Do you remember it? Probably the last great storyline of my era anyway.

Specific episodes don't really stick out in my mind from the early 2000's, it was dominated by the Sutherlands, I thought the show was rather dull back then in comparison to Neighbours. I've looked back at the 1995 Saul cult storyline on youtube, also used to watch the 1988 episodes

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 25-03-2014 9:12am

orangesoda wrote: »

Specific episodes don't really stick out in my mind from the early 2000's, it was dominated by the Sutherlands, I thought the show was rather dull back then in comparison to Neighbours. I've looked back at the 1995 Saul cult storyline on youtube, also used to watch the 1988 episodes

You'd remember the mudslide if you'd seen it. It went on for about 2 weeks. It was the first introduction of Noah and Alf lost his house. The Sutherlands had barely been in it a wet week at that stage.

LynnGrace · 25-03-2014 9:31am

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

Ah, I stopped watching a long long time ago. Probably been about 10 years since I last caught up with the goings on in Summer Bay. 1993-1999 was when it was at the top of its game for me. The days of Shane & Angel, Shannon & Selina, Curtis & Jack, Joey & Saul, Justine & Tegan, Jesse & Vinnie, Will & Gypsy, to name but some of the greats...

This must have been when I watched it, I remember those names. It always looked such an idyllic place, even though the inhabitants actually had lots of problems

branie · 03-04-2014 11:53am

Brian Tilsley's death in Coronation Street

Always number 1 · 03-04-2014 3:08pm

Katgurl wrote: »

i definitely have some EE ones.

The Christmas special where Lauren puts the dvd under the christmas tree with Stacey's wedding day - it shows Max begging her to be with him, the whole family sit and watch it; Max & Tanya, Stacey & Bradley, the two little girls. In fact the actual wedding episode a few months earlier was gripping too.

The New Years day when Pat Butcher dies; Jeanneanne howling in her arms, David Wicks spitting bile at her about then finally telling her he forgives her.

Ronnie being reunited with her long-lost daughter moments before she watches her die on the street.

Jeanneanne setting up a wh0rehouse in the square and Ian Beale being her best customer.

Ian being shot by Cindy's hitman so she could run away with David.

Biance trying to seduce David not realising he's her father (yuck).

Arthur Fowler turning over his own home to fund Michelle's wedding on the insurance money.

I love EE, it's so grim, it makes my own life look a bed of roses comparitively.

Matthew's revenge on Steve in the E20 was excellent - the worm really turned that day!

Mark Fowler's HIV storyline was brilliant too

JP Liz V1 · 05-04-2014 12:28am

Anyone remember Sunset Beach (US soap that was shown on TV3, premise was Dorothy in Oz, way ott but very enjoyable)

I hoped TV3 would repeat it again

STIG83 · 06-04-2014 9:09pm

The bush fire in Home and Away when Jack started it.
And the floods when Michael died.

madmaggie · 07-04-2014 12:28am

The Sullivans, how long did that war last?

nlgbbbblth · 07-04-2014 7:02pm

madmaggie wrote: »

The Sullivans, how long did that war last?

World War II lasted from 1 September 1939 to 2 September 1945.

The Sullivans' timeline was September 1939 to sometime in 1948.

1,114 episodes were made.
In Australia it ran from November 1976 to March 1983. They showed four or five episodes a week.

The ITV network took 12 years to complete the run [1977 to 1989] as they averaged two episodes a week.

The Sullivans on RTE was a joke. RTE 1 showed one episode a week and none if there was showjumping or snooker. So they didn't complete their airing of the series until the late 1990s. As a result the show got an unfair reputation for being "slow" and "lasting longer than the war" etc.

It's a great soap. Medium Rare Entertainment are releasing it on DVD. Each set contains 50 episodes - they've released four sets so far with two more coming this month and a further pair at the end of May.

madmaggie · 07-04-2014 11:49pm

Thanks for your comprehensive reply. I agree about the scheduling on RTE, it was all over the place, so perhaps that is how I formed the impression that the series seemed to go on and on and on....

branie · 26-04-2014 10:55am

The Sullivans theme is going through my head now!

JP Liz V1 · 27-04-2014 10:46pm

I have some vague memories of A Country Practice and The Flying Doctors as me mammy loved them

STIG83 · 30-06-2014 3:03pm

Bobby coming through the fridge in Home and Away.

branie · 09-07-2014 8:09pm

The burglary at Biddy and Miley's house

Ann22 · 21-01-2015 6:36pm

Eastenders

Sharon's mad night of passion with her brother in law Phil....knocking all the glasses off the bar. THEN the scene where the tape of Sharon confessing her affair with Phil was played in front of Grant and a full pub!!! Omigawd!!!

Finding out Den was Michelle's baby's father. The absolute last person you'd expect. The durrty durrty divil!!

Loved the affair with David Wicks and Cindy. The build up to it.. remember him flirtageously drawing a line down the back of her legs to give the appearance of stockings? It was a matter of time before she succombed. Then their meeting in the car lot cabin with 'Me and Mrs Jones' playing- so bad but so romantic and what a perfectly appropriate song :-)

Corrie

Hard to pick stand out ones but among them -
Ken/Deirdre/Mike triangle. The night where she decides to stay with Ken.

The Alan Bradley terrorises Rita storyline finishing in Blackpool. (you know he married Audrey -Sue Nicholls in real life?)

Brookside
I didn't watch from the beginning but
The Trevor Jordache story with the night of his murder and his body being found, being my most memorable bits.

Eldorado
Finding out Freddie's secret lover was Ingrid's boyfriend Javier!! Fcukin hell- Biggest shock I ever had in a soap.

The Soap Opera Time Machine - Your Favourite Memories of Yesteryear in Soapland

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