Happy New Year!

Happy New Years everyone! And Welcome to 2011! Yes this year is going to be bigger and better for Denial Island and the whole Soap Opera industry! So get ready for some fun because we are getting ready for a very exciting year.

Like I said in the Christmas post we have come a far way since Denial Island was started, and on behalf of myself and Melanie/ really long screen name, I would just like to thank Brooke for allowing us this opportunity to blog and be a part of this wonderful site!

Anyways have a Happy New Year!

If you have a moment then share your favorite New Years soap memory!

My personal favorite comes from 2009, when EastEnders Sean Slater exited the soap after kidnapping Roxie and Jacks daughter! It was a perfect way to start the year out and it made this EastEnders fan very happy.

'Emmerdale: Dingles for Richer, for Poorer' DVD Review

iTV recently released an exclusive dvd spinoff tale entitled Emmerdale: The Dingles - for Richer, for Poorer.
This spinoff is a nice 'what if' the Dingles would have won the lottery. The movie by its own merits was a cute flick, but when it comes down to it, the movie was rather confusing. The editing and continuity were off, or done in a weird way that it didn't really seem to fit.

I would have really liked it had the dvd been tied closer into the real show, and maybe show the Dingles go on yet another family vacation, or something to that extent, because this movie really let me down.

If you are already an Emmerdale fan you should check the dvd out and form your own thoughts, but whereas I would recommend Coronation Street: Out of Africa to everyone, I think this movie is really only for the 'hardcore' Emmerdale viewers.
Have you seen the movie? Do you agree or disagree? Let me know your take in the comments below.

My Coronation Street History

The worlds longest running scripted television show is itv's Coronation street. This landmark show hit the big 5-0 on December 9th 2010, and to commemorate this historic event I wanted to take a moment and look back on the few Corrie filled years I have been watching and discuss what I have liked, what I have disliked, what shocked me and what let me down. So without further ado let's get on with it shall we?

I started watching Coronation Street in 2008 when news came out that the series would be embarking on a new type of story using the '24' real-time storytelling model. That was to be focused on Tony Gordons stagdo and would end in the death of Liam Connor. I slowly got hooked into the street as the characters started to slowly feel like family.

The year progressed and I saw Tony Gordon become the evil mastermind that would have given ol Stefano Dimera a run for his money back in his hayday.

Meanwhile Peter Barlow returned to the street, son in hand, and made the statement every alcoholic makes "I am not a drunk, I know when to stop" *rolls eyes and ques alcoholism storyline*

But than something happened. The writers saw a spark between Kevin Webster and Molly Dobbs. An Affair was to begin, and the character assassination of one of my favorite characters would be taken place right before my eyes. I couldn't stand it, so I tuned out of the soap for the whole affair!

Then the sad news came out that Maggie Jones (Blanche) had died, so I tuned back in to see how the character would be written out of the program. It was touching, and poignant and I saw the Coronation Street I once loved once again. So I continued to watch.

I have seen the entire 'Sophie and Sian' storyline play out, and that is why in September I made the post discussing my negative take on the way Coronation Street outed the couple. I still stand by those comments, I understand that others see the connection between Hayley and Roy, and that it was a good time to out them and provided a lot of stories, but I still feel that it was a crummy way and it was very plot pointed and not realistic, but that's just me, so let's agree to disagree on that point shall we?

Siege week took place over the summer as well, and with it the end of Tony Gordon. I am glad that I got to see the Tony Gordon storyline, while it was over the top at times and not 'realistic', it was a fun soap villians final stand, and i was glued to my screen waiting to find out who would survive.

This leads me to the 50th anniversary tram crash-

I LOVE the event, I think it was brilliantly done and made perfect sense to have happened the way that it did. The Live episode was FLAWLESS and kicked the pants off of EastEnders 25th. But with that said, the promotional material for the series ran with the tagline "four funerals and a wedding" and I think it was a MASSIVE cop out to have the 4th death be the bus driver. It was lame, and pointless. Yes it kept people discussing to the bitter end who the final death would be, but really, was lying to your viewers really worth it?

In closing, I just want to say that I am a BIG Coronation Street fan. I may not always enjoy the stories, sometimes I may even tune out, but at the end of the day I do love the street, and I am looking forward to seeing what the series has in stall for me for the next 50 years, because I will be watching, and I hope that it is as fun as the first 50 years have been.

What are some of your favorite Coronation Street memories? Feel free to share them and discuss in the comments below.

Why do past relationships matter?

This week on the iTV series Emmerdale, David found out that shockingly his girlfriend Leyla had a previous relationship that fathered her son (Jacob). Immediately David started tearing into her about all of the lies and deceit. While sleeping with your sisters husband is not the best thing in the world to do, I really do bit see how this is any of his business. This problem is not exclusive to Emmerdale, soaps are notorious for having men look down their noses at their female counterparts as if they were walking STDs, when in fact all they did is have sex before getting involved with their current partner.

But is this something that happens in real life? Do men badger their significant others when their past bedroom deeds are right before their eyes? I have to think so. The difference is however, that soaps air constantly and there is a number of different shows airing around the world. So when these types of stories appear it feels that we have seen it already, and what seems like a countless amount of times.

So here is a question for you readers, do a persons previous relationships matter? Would it change everything for you to find out that your partner had been with their siblings partner? How would you react to that situation? Would the past really stay in the past, or would you blow up like most soap characters and start to question everything about the relationship? Let me know your take and more importantly what you thought of this type of story because this might be the start or a few relationship centered post in the coming weeks.

Soap kids that have ran away

This week on the iTV series Emmerdale we saw young Jacob run away from home after his father did not show up to see him perform in the school play. This made me start think about all the soap runaway stories I have seen over the years, so sit back and relax as I recount a few of the runaways that I can remember.

Home and Away- 1988 Lynn runs away from the Fletchers

One of the inaugural storylines for the Australian series Home and Away saw young Lynn once again run away from the Fletchers. After sometime it was revealed that Lynn was at the Pappas farm, where she quickly gained the friendship of Nico 'dummy' Pappas. Nico had mental problems, and was on medication to help him with his anger, only Lynn wasn't aware of this. So when she sees Nico on medication she assumes he is taking them for the 'wrong' reasons, just like her mother used to. As the story progressed the Fletchers eventually did find Lynn and she returned home to the caravan park, where she would stay for a little bit longer and than go home to live with her parents, only to make one final visit to the caravan park to meet little Christopher.

Coronation Street - 2010 - Sophie Webster

After being tossed out of the lesbian closet by Clair Peacock, Sophie and her partner Sian grab there gear and leave Wetherfield. Afraid that their parents would not accept them they attempted to make it on there own, after a few weeks however, they found out that it's tough out there for a couple of teenage lesbians on the run from there parents. So the pair made their way back and returned to the street, to find comfort in the Webster household. It was not so smooth sailing at Sians house however, because he father disowned her, because of his homophobia. The love story between S&S continues to play out on the street and is sure to have a lot more twist and turns before it is over.

Days of Our Lives - 2006 - Runaway Will

It feels like yesterday that ol Shaggymop Will Horton had taken his stuff and left Salem. Sami and Lucas took to the airwaves in hope to get their sons attention. At which time continuity was not a part of Hogan Sheffiers itinerary because the whole speech was full of errors and to this day still irks me. I mean really ol Shaggymop was the star player on the basketball team????? Ugh his nerd storylines with E.J. fit him so much better ( can we say Spinelli of Days?) anyways in typical Days fashion the storyline dragged out but Will eventually returned home and was able to make up with his parents for a little while and than was shipped off to Switzerland to be with his aunt and uncle ( Carrie and Austin). Only to show up a year later with a new face, but a year younger.. odd.

So those are some of the Soap Runaway storylines that spring to my mind, what are some other memorable soap runaways that you enjoyed?

Merry Christmas!

Hello everyone,

It has been an amazing year here at Denial Island, we have grown a whole lot since the blog originally launched. I mean heck it was just Brooke doing the thing all by herself! But thanks to a bit of Aussie kindness, Brooke took me and my cohort, Melanie/daisyclover/a million other names, on and we have enjoyed every minute of it.

So we would just like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! Stay safe, and may all your soaps be merry!

If you are home and with nothing to do (ha!) and looking for a little soapy cheer, head over to YouTube and check out one of the UK soaps special christmas episodes by typing in EastEnders (which is going to be HUGE), Emmerdale (SOAPTASTIC WEDDING SHOCKER!), or Coronation Street, and Christmas 2010 and you should see a few soapy specials to watch.

If not than how about sharing some of your favorite soap Christmas memories in the comments below.

The UnSpoken Soap Rules

We all know that soaps have their cliches, so I thought I would just take a moment to write them out and spark a conversation about these overused rules.

Ready? okay here we go-

If you are in a U.K. soap and you have a secret its going to come out on Christmas Day

If you have an affair it will almost always end with a baby by your piece on the side.

If you have a sibling than you will share at minimum one partner between you. ---Side note-- (and if you are on The Bold and the Beautiful than you share the entire cast!)

If you utter the words "this is the best ____ ever" something bad will happen and ruin everything.

If you are a female and your last name is Michelle you will end up sleeping with Jack Branning and than wind up having his baby.

Have a child? No problem, you will remain doing the same thing you have always been doing and will only acknowledge your childes existents when forced to.

Not even the characters in soapland watch soaps (unless you are in EastEnders)

When a fire breaks out someone will be trapped and unable to get free.

Every affair will be exposed.

You will get a job within the first week of arriving on screen.

If you are getting married something horrific will happen on both the wedding week and on the day itself.

It is perfectly acceptable to send your kids off someplace and when/if they come back they will be a lot older and have a different face then when you last saw them.

You always have a ton of enemy's pop out of the wood work right before you die so to make a dramatic who dun it storyline.

Someone is always watching your every move and talking to themselves about what they just saw you do.

So those are just the ones that I had out of the top of my head, what unspoken rules do you have? Post them in the comments below and we will include them in the unspoken rules 2 post coming soon!

The Young and The Restless 2011 Promo

CBS Daytime has released a promo for The Young and The Restless in which not a whole lot happens. With that said the one thing I did like however, was that it looks like Chloe and Kevin are going to be paired together? That could be a really cool coupling, though I was kinda thinking Chloe and Daniel would be good, oh well.

What are you guys looking forward to from Y&R in 2011?

Neighbours 2011 Promo

Neighbours is making the move to 11 in 2011, will you be following it? If so what storyline are you looking forward to most? Let me know in the comments below.

Recap and Thoughts on Neighbours in 2010

Neighbours had a very bumpy year in 2010, but it was by far the BEST Australian soap opera on the air. So what did I like? What did I hate? And what am I looking forward to in 2011 and beyond? Let's stop wasting time and just dive into it shall we?

The soap kicked off the year with Andrew Robinson making his way through the street, he slept with Donna and almost wrecked 'Dingo', but they made it through and were able to find their way back together.

In the midst of their reunion however there was a brief appearce by everyone's FAV actress Kate Bell in a short fatal attraction storyline that really wasn't all bad...

Meanwhile the years biggest story kicked off. Steph's pregnancy cover up and scandal! Yes this train wreck lasted a majority of the year as Steph tried to hide the truth from Libby and everyone else on the street. How did she do this? Well she used Toadie of course. Thus Toadie jeopardized his relationship with Sonya for the best friend he was once in love with.

Meanwhile over at the Robinson household Declan got a new face as Erin Mullay took over the role. Was the move worth it? Well those in charge believe that it was all for the 6,000th episode...

As the weeks passed and the 6,000th episode inched closer and everything was revealed! Libby found out that Steph was knocked up with Dan's baby, and fireworks exploded! But that was not the focus of the 6,000th week.

It was a landmark week and what better way to celebrate than a redux of the soaps most popular couple (Scott and Charlene) with Donna and Ringo! The two walked down the aisle and said their vows. Off to Lasaters they went and a month of happiness the two shared.

But the 6,000th episode was what everyone cared about, as the big story was WHO PUSHED PAUL!

The storyline played out over weeks and it was eventually revealed that Rebekah (the woman scorned) was the one that got her revenge on Paul! Only he remembered and began blackmailing her into staying with him or he would tell the police it was Declan.

Summer Hoyland made her triumphant return to the town and spiced up the Andrew Robinson storyline, this was followed by Harry Ramsey exiting and Chris Pappas 'Coming out'!

A new family made their way to the street with Tasha and her father Micheal.

After having the baby Steph gave it up to Dan, only she was suffering PND, thus she was not in her right mind. Steph spiraled out of control and got on her bike while under the influence of alcohol. This spelled disaster as she killed Ringo Brown on his one month anniversary to Donna.

Steph was charged with drink driving, and at her court case Sam made her return and made sure that Steph went down for her wrongdoings. She was given six years with no parole for two years. So will we see the character return in 2012? I guess we have to wait and see.

The final month dealt with Toadie getting over Steph's sentencing and Summer and Andrew getting closer.

The season finale ended with a cliffhanger with Summer, Micheal, Andrew, and Tasha all in the Scully's house as a fire rages within.

Who will make it out alive? Find out in 2011.

Overall I really enjoyed Neighbours this year, I was not a fan of the Scott / Charlene redux with the actors not sticking around, and I hated that the Steph story ate the show alive and she spent the whole year crying, but even with that said I still watched every single episode and I never found myself hating the series and wanting it put out of its misery like i did Home and Away.

What were your thoughts on Neighbours this year? Yes I know I left out a few things (Zeke's whole going to jail for love bit) but I think I covered the major elements, if I let out something big you think should be included let me know in the comments below.

A Hollyoaks To Root For

Since executive producer Paul Marquess took over Hollyoaks at the start of 2010, I have been giving him a hard time because on paper his desicions have been questionable to say the least on paper. But once I saw the stories play out I started to see things in a different light.

The biggest screw up on paper appeared to be the apperance of Kevin the Alien. yes non-hollyoaks viewers I said alien, my guess is that Kevin is Casey's British cousin or something. But after watching the story play out I found myself enjoying the story for the message it was trying to share with viewers. It was a message that those in collage are very acustomed, that is always to keep your mind open! Don't be scared to ask quesions and form your own beliefs because it is worth it in the end and if you do not do these things than we saw the consequences play out. At the end of the story the show made a smart choice in leaving the truth shout kevin's heritage under wraps and up to the viewers to decide.

The second controversial story choice was the end of Steph's storyline. When I first read how they were going to write out the character of Steph I was less than amused but as Steph found out she has cancer and slowly started getting worse I found myself accepting
The story and I was ready for a tearful cancer caused death akin to Belle on Home and Away. Only Marquess had other plans, thus we got Inferno week. the character of Steph was finally going to make her mark as she jumped into the flames and saved the lives of Amy Barnes and her two childeren. Only when it came time for Steph to save herself she decide she had enough and told Gilly to let her go. Ar that point tears were flowing down my eyes, "No, Steph Don't!!!" I shouted, praying that Gilly would find a way to save her, but it was too late, Steph was gone.

These scenes were brilliant, by far my favorite soap death that I have seen, and it made me proud to be a hollyoaks fan, and that is something I have not been able to say in a very long time.

Then we have the amazing Jasmine/Jason storyline. This is a brilliant start to a transgender story that has the potential to go either way. Rhys and Jaquie's slow building romance has been cute and Ste and Brendan heartbreaking.

I have generally loved this show and I cannot wait to see what happens next. Are you enjoying Hollyoaks? What about the marquess era are you loving?

Pod 4 The Cause - Interviews

Yesterday @destini41 held the Pod 4 The Cause event - for American Cancer Society. The interviews include Liz Keifer, Jerry verDorn, Jessica Leccia, Kim Zimmer, Beth Chamberlin, Jordan Clark, Bradley Cole, and so many more. You can listen to the event here, or head over to the youtube page here.

Is Product Placement Coming To a UK Soap Near You?

Super site MarketingWeek is reporting that starting in February the ban against product placement is being somewhat lifted, thus we may see our favorite UK sudsers pimping out the products like NBC's Days Of Our Lives.

"The new legislation will also ban product placement of any tobacco, alcohol, baby milk, weapons, escort agencies, medicines and gambling brands as well as any foods or drinks high in fat, salt or sugar."

I am all for product placement if it helps keep these shows on the air, but others are worried that product placement could ruin the shows? What is your take? I believe that it would only help further the realism of these shows, but you may disagree so let me know in the comments below.

The Balkan Reveal and Random GH Thoughts

Guza just wanted to give all of the General Hospital fans a little treat as we got the lackluster reveal of Theo being the dasterdly Balkan! Wait, you mean you were not gripped by this revelation? You did not sit wanting oh so much more? *GASP* I AM SHOCKED! SHOCKED that there is gambling going on here....oh wait, nope I'm not.

The Balkan mess has been horrible from the start, and it looks like things are only going to continue to spiral down before they get any better.

Matt and Maxie are in storyline limbo, while Lisa is still driving Robin bonkers. Then we have there is Micheal and his hooker and the constant wink and nod towards the 'rape' that may or may not have happened -.-.

In other news James FRANCO is back...again.....do we really REALLY need him again? -.-.

My favorite line of the week came from Brooklyn when she was talking to Liz and said ""No I am just following my dreams and not getting stuck in port Charles with three different children by three different guys"

What did you guys think of the Balkan reveal? Did you think it was the best reveal ever (Believe it or not I have heard that), or were you let down like me? What was your favorite line of the week? Share those and any other thoughts in the comments below.

Bombhead is Back! Lee Otway Returning to Hollyoaks

It's official Hollyoaks fans, Bombhead IS BACK! At least for a short while as actor Lee Otway is set to make a triumphant return in the new year. The speculation is that it is for Lee Hunter's wedding to Leann but we will just have to wait and see if that is right.

I only saw Bombhead over the summer on the online spin-off "Hollyoaks Freshers" But I loved the character and Lee's performance so I am looking forward to his return, hopefully he will come back on a more permanent bases sometime in the future.

Do you guys want Bombhead back? Let me know in the comments below.

Kara Toinon Wins Strictly Come Dancing

Former EastEnders star Kara Toinon (Dawn) has won the 2010 fall edition of Strictly Come Dancing! As a fan of her acting I am pleased to see her win, but to those of you who watched Strictly this season was this a well deserved win or not? Let me know in the comments.

Why contract negotiations are killing daytime

In 2010 we saw many contract negotiations bring the industry to its knees time after time, from Eric Braden to Vincent irazary we have had are fair share of the Tomfoolery to last a lifetime. Unfortunately I have it on good authority that we ain't seen nothing yet as 2011 is the year that may change the industry as we know it. So what has changed so recently to make each negotiation such a terrifying event for fans? Well back in the day writers were, let's face it a lot more ,creative than they are today. Today if you don't sign on the dotted line you are public enemy number one and they are going to write your character into such a corner that you will never get out of with the fans respect. The stupid exit stories have hindered all of the soaps as we see their favorite plot device (back from the dead) used every other month, and yet we are supposed to care? Really? Did anyone here really care that the evil doctor Hayward was dead? No, because even blind Angie hubberd could see that plotline coming from a mile away.

So what could writers and show runners do to improve this situation? First it is well and truly time to treat viewers with a shred of respect and write the characters out in a way that would honor their history on the show. By simply doing that you would have a lot more fans on the edge of their seats, than watching characters act out of their normal behavior.

Actors on the other hand need to also realize that this is not the hayday of soaps anymore so they cannot be running around making outrageous demands like they are bringing in the tens of millions of viewers way back when.

Anyways I was just rather frustrated with the whole situation that had gone on in 2010, and I do not want to have another 'kishtatrophy' on our hands. What are your thoughts on the contract situation of 2010? Did you enjoy any of the exits / returns ? Who would you have kept if possible? And who would you not want to return in the future ? Let me know in the comments bellow.

Shortland Street in 2011

The New Zealand hit soap Shortland Street is taking a page out of Home and Away's "Bay Of Love" promo and giving its viewers a light hearted look into the following year with the tag line "Who would you have a summer fling with?"

While I am not yet a Shorty faithful, I have never hated the soap, just never got hooked. The promo (seen above) is extremely up-beat and light hearted in comparison to the 2010 promo (seen here).

Are you looking forward to Shortland Street in 2011? Should I check it out? Convince me in the comments bellow.

Why I Am Looking Forward to Home and Away in 2011

It is really hard to be positive about the Australian series Home and Away after the lack luster 2010 season, but it looks like my earlier assumptions were right and that 2011 is going to turn everything around.

Do not keep reading if you have not seen the 2010 season finale, because I am going to discuss the finale and the preview (seen above) for the next season.

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The Return of Roo Stewart -

Roo made her triumphant return to Summer Bay and showed that she has a hidden motive for wanting to move home, but what exactly is it? Roo left the bay at the end of 2010, but she will be back in 2011 (my guess is to coincide with Alf's return) and once she returns for good the bay will never be the same.

Ruby / Romeo -

When real life lovers get a plot line -.-....let's just hope they don't let their real life issues get in the way of story if they break up. I think the coupling is cute and will be really fun to watch, but knowing that they ara together in real life I just worry that that will wreck everything.

The End Of The PENN Storyline-

Thank the lord 2011 will bring a close to that awful awful storyline. Yes he is dead, yes it looks like Alf is going down for the murder (Which was probably committed by Will), but it should be wrapped up in a nice little bow never to be thought about again by the middle of next year (when Ray returns from his extended vacation and Alf get's off LOL), so I am really looking forward to that.

All the NEW Faces-

2011 looks like it will be a good year for new faces, and hopefully a few returning ones. Actor Dan Ewing is returning to the bay, after a quick stint on Power Rangers RPM, and is brining a family with him to stir up a little trouble.

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So what are you looking forward to most in 2011 for the residents of Summerbay? Let me know in the comments below.

Hey AMC Bring On The "Cake"

Recently All My Children brought on the phenomenally under-appreciated actress Lindsay Hartley on as Cara Finn, who is Jake Martin's (Ricky Paull Goldin) ex-wife.

While I know there are plenty of Jake and Amanda fans, I for one am really looking forward to seeing Cara and Jake's relationship bloom, so I say bring on the 'Cake' All My Children because you do not want to waste the amazing talent that Lindsey has to offer.

Are you enjoying Cara's return? What are your thoughts on Lindsay Hartley so far? And are you for or against 'Cake'? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.