Brookside

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

Once upon a time, Brookie was the best thing on telly. It had deep, believable, real characters. Motivations were drawn out over years, stories not rushed through and integrity on show. In the mid-nineties, attempts for each storyline to out-do the previous one and characters arriving with masses of emotional baggage to unload before we even knew who they were, all managed to undermine Brookie's place as the most controversial, and the ultimate soap.

Later on, the need to shock, married to tacky stories and two-dimensional characters turned the series into self-parody.

One of the best things on British TV, until approx. 1995.

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.

Yes I know I'm bias because I am British myself but truly this is a superb show!! Yes its slightly far fetched, yes its very depressing at times (no one can be happy for more than one episode I think that the quota) but who cares when you have excitement and good acting?? I mean Sunset Beach is ridiculous and how many of you watch it (me included and I'm not ashamed!!). For those in America comprehension of what the characters are saying may be impossible as they speak in a 'scouse' accent (think the Beatles multiplied by one hundred)so for viewing subtitles may be needed (ho-hum!!). May I also add that Liverpool is not in the North of England but the North West of England, there is a huge difference between the North and North West of England, I just want to add this because I am a Northern lass myself.. erm sorry. Watch out for excellent performance by Alexander Fletcher who plays Jacqui Dixon.

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.