Brookside

Like so many people I eagerly waited for the 1st episode on the new TV channel 4. Quickly I became a fan of the great story-lines and strong characters. "Brookside" boasted a number of fantastic soap characters (Barry Grant was my favourite). It even had a "Hollyoakes" like ability to attract some good-looking female actresses. But what I really liked was the realistic stories and the way "Brookside" was so different to the much more camper offerings like "Eldorado" offered by other channels. It pushed boundaries and broke new ground. However by the late 90's the soap was a pale shadow of its former self. Gone were the interesting, likable characters and compelling stories and in were boring irritating families with completely stupid plots. I no longer watch "Brookside" and will not miss it when it ends this year.

Brookside was one of Britains best soaps/shows before it was axed in the 21st Century......izzit, izzit? Yes it was. Having story lines that were equal to Corrie or an (up to 2003) Eastenders. Unfortunately, Channel 4 did not see it this way. Putting it on at completely the wrong time of day proved to be the death of what could have been Britain's bestest hit soap. Whilst Brookside was equally as good as what today are known as Britains's most popular, they hired fantastic actors, story lines that one can easily compare with, and is sorely missed to this day. I would love for this soap to be brought back by c4, ditching crappy hollyoaks for some real story lines worth watching.

Up until early 2001 I was prepared to give this show the benefit of the doubt. I defended it to my friends who said it was past its best and tried to convince me to watch EastEnders instead. But no more; this show is utter drivel now compared to the relevant and dramatic storylines that were being effortlessly pumped out in its late 80s/early 90s heyday. Now it's all about sex, sensationalism and whiny Scouse angst. What a shame. Channel 4 should cancel it now and leave the show with some shred of dignity.

Brookside was a classic soap opera that was brilliant at character building however things started to go wrong in the late 1990s. Whilst the real rot didn't set in until about 2001 onwards things were starting to go wrong for a period of time before then. The final straw for me was when they had the lesbian storyline involving Jackie Corkhill and Lindsey Corkhill. Jackie Corkhill was one of the most believable characters ever to grace a soap before that plot line. Her and Jimmy were so believable with their fighting and arguing however the character of Jimmy was eventually exhausted as well. It's a shame really but the show just fell foul to sensationalism, gone were the nitty, gritty dramatic days that were good drama yet true to the characters. There was a great friendship going on between the delightful Jacqui Dixon, Rachel Jordache and Katie Rogers for instance that focused on character building over the years. I loved Brookside in it's heyday but it should have been axed before the rot really had a chance to set in. I blame Phil Redmond and Channel 4 for letting the show go down the pan though, Phil Redmond just had to be in charge of his show, nobody else could have touched Brookside. Channel 4 showed no support whatsoever for what was once the most popular programme airing on the channel. I stuck with Brookside up until the end out of loyalty and it still had some great characters like the wonderful Bev however all the time shifting before it's demise was disgusting, you just didn't know when the programme was on half the time.

Well Brookside has had it's 21 years on Channel 4 and sadly it had to end because of the less viewers they had with it. Who knows, it could be on the sky channels showing old episodes. It's last ever episode will hire on 4th November 2003. So that brings it to the end for good. I'm sure there will be a few more viewers paying their last respects to Brookside. Well Goodbye then Brookside

RIP: 16th October 1982 - 4th November 2003