Despite its 6.30pm slot Hollyoaks doesn’t shy away from difficult contemporary issues and only last week the programme received a Mental Health Media Award (PDF) for Hannah’s anorexia storyline. As a popular teen programme it reaches a large audience, but do you think it offers good role models for young people? Is it the job of a soap opera to do so?
The recent broadcast of Hollyoaks Later has been very successful on E4, reaching an average audience of almost a million, 65% of whom were 16-34 year olds with a further half a million views online.
If you are a Hollyoaks fan, what did you think of Hollyoaks Later? Is it a good idea to try and explore more adult themes in a post watershed slot? Tell us what you think and join us at 3.50pm on Saturday when the TV Show debates the issues on air.
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Hollyoaks later was great, the whole story with steph and niall was good it had me on the edge of my seat all week..and it was a good ending aswell.but why did niall have to die?i know he was evil but the village needs another villian for the drama..thanks for a good late night week everyone especially niall…xx
I love hollyoaks, and think it has done a great job on covering major issues that affect many thousands off people in everyday life. i thought the issue off hannahs anorexia was fantastic and the young actress handled it brilliantly as did her co star who died from the illness.
hollyoaks later is a great idea although being shown at 11, is a bit late for me and i would love to watch it, i do try and record it but tended to forget.
i want to say well done to tony for his present story line where he is meant to have slept with a minor, he is also doing a great job, in fact the whole cast deserve awards
I am a big fan of Hollyoaks, and proud of the fact that I’ve managed to convert many non-believers into liking it too, but I must say that I think Hollyoaks later was pretty much an excuse to just fit in a little more sex and swearing. The Niall storyline was good but the others, for instance Dom’s romance with a stripper, were really rather redundant. Still, it was entertaining for a week! The main show is given a bad name – many people seem to think it’s a ‘chav’ show but I disagree! The actors, for the most part, are very talented even when handling the most ridiculous storylines, and it tackles a lot of difficult subjects (some relevant to contemporary audiences, others not so much). Keep up the good work Hollyoaks!
Hollyoaks is the best! It has strong issues which everyone can relate to, and hope hollyoaks writters contine making it a success, and a joy to watch. Also i am griped to the chair while wathcing it, my life is hollyoaks.
I think hollyoaks later is good. It always has been. However i think it got a little ridiculous when sarah and zoe had their night of passion. It all seemed a bit of a silly direction to go in i think.
I enjoyed all of Hollyoaks later except for the Dirty Diagos storyline. It was not interesting and was aimed at a younger audience than perhaps would be watching at 10pm. I also felt that the use of the F word on the first episode was totally un warented. it fel as though it was just for show
I think Hollyoaks Later was a great concept, but they tried to cram in too many stories, and the overall quality suffered. The Dirty Diegos storline felt like one great big advert for the Saturdays, and took away valuable screen time from the Steph/ Niall story. Subsequently, whilst Monday and Tuesday had some nice bits of build up, wednesday and even thursday (whilst good) felt rushed. And Friday was a total missed opportunity as the aftermath of Niall’s death was essentially abandoned (as it has been since in regular HO). It seems a waste of a year’s build up.
Guy Burnet was touted as the big draw in all the publicity, but in reality, he was hardly in it, and the scenes he had seemed only to serve the prupose of tikering with (i.e. ruining) the “Sunset Endig” the fans clamoured for, where his character had left with JP McQueen only 8 weeks earlier. They turned JP into a drunk, had Craig abandoning his traumatised lover to head off to a remote Scottish hamlet with no telephones, then abandoned the whole issue after tuesday, leaving it unresolved, and the fans bereft.
Overall verdict – great idea, poorly executed.
I thought Hollyoaks Later wass greatt!!
and the actress that plays steph did really welll at the story line. I deffinatly think that their should be another one soon but possibly earlier. Hannah’s anorexia story was amazing and she definatly played the part well, well donee!!
I would say you should try some more adult themes in the post watershed slot as I think we need another big storyline, like the Claire and Max one for example that was amazing.
Keep up the good work and please dont let tony go to prison, please
xxx
I Love Hollyoaks and have been watching for a few years , and i have rarley missed an episode as a teenager the issues it explores has helped me deal with simialar situation,
Hollyoaks later was very good and i enjoyed very much and would like to see it become more regular, as it can experience further in depth situations Hollyoaks is amazing!
I like the post watershed storylines, I think the way Hollyoaks deals with issues is much better than any other soap, and sometimes feels more like a mini drama which I like, also I think it would be good to have more specials like Hollyoaks Later because the cast can take their acting to a whole other level. The thing I like the most about Hollyoaks is that it isnt afraid to use special effects or dream sequences and I like the opening montages that set up the episodes at the beginning, this is different to any other soap and is one of the reasons I like Hollyoaks above all the others!
Bryan Kirkwood’s reign as Executive Producer has definately brought the show to new levels. Two highlights for me has been the Hannah Ashworth storyline and the John Paul/Craig one. Both these stories has proven that the show can tackle serious, relevant issues, unlike many of the other soaps on British television. I was particularly impressed by the treatment of the John Paul/Craig storyline where the show refused to treat their relationship any differently to any straight one on the show because of the 6.30pm slot. If anything, this sent out a brilliant message. The storyline was captured beautifully and very realistically by the sensitive and unique writing and by the performances of the cast, even from those in more peripheral roles. What I really want to say is that perhaps advocates of the other soaps on T.V who usually pan Hollyoaks should be viewing the show in a more serious light because the show is definately making bigger waves in areas that they could only dream of. One example was the sudden decision in Eastenders to make psycho Stephen Beale question his sexuality for about 3 episodes. I found this a pathetic attempt at the subject which didn’t send out a very good message about the gay community. A warped teenage boy who’s problems are rooted from his sexual confusion. Nice one BBC, i think dragging perceptions of Gay men a few decades isn’t exactly the best way to go. Hollyoaks definately has what it takes to take on the more dominant soaps and Bryan Kirkwood has definately set that standard. I wish him, and Barry Sloane, all the best in the future.
i love hollyoaks later which btw is on at 22:00, not 23:00 as you keep saying and obviously teenagers are watching it, i’m 14 and i watch, adults seem to forget that kids watch pretty much what they want and so yes we do keep up with the plot and no hollyoaks are forgetting their younger viewers cause everyone i know who watches the early show watches hollyoaks later age isn’t a matter!!
keep up the good work hollyoaks (: x
I love Hollyoaks but generally do not think much about there late night shows as it is usually just more sexual references and more swearing, however the latest late night offering was absolutely brilliant and couldn’t wait for the next episode. The whole Niall storyline was brilliant. Hollyoaks deserves more awards as by far it is the best soap on tv. Kepp up the good work Channel 4.
I love Hollyoaks! I think it works very well. When they tackle big issues they have to think about entertainment as well as education. So, taking for example the Niall-McQueen storyline – yes there are big dramatic moments, but the underlying issue of how an adopted child seeking their biological mother might be affected by what they find is still explored on a realistic level underneath.
It is also heartening that Hollyoaks doesn’t shy away from portraying other things like gay relationships or mental illness with honesty and compassion, as these are normal parts of everyday life! I don’t understand how anyone can argue against that.
I make a point of watching Hollyoaks with my son who is nearly 15, First of all it’s a very entertaining show which we both enjoy. Secondly some of the subject matter covered is very educational, and opens very frank and honest conversations between us. I was surprised to learn that Hollyoaks is not produced specifically with these educational subjects in mind, but I have to commend production team on doing a fine job. Also, I’d like to point out that the a lot of my friends (i.e late 30’s and upwards!) enjoy watching this program; in fact Hollyoaks is the only soap that I watch, and I far surpass the target viewer’s age demographic!! The McQueen saga and the Hollyoaks Later editions became a great ‘water cooler’ discussion. So yes, the ‘Later’ editions have been viewed as a little extra guilty pleasure, with slightly more adult themes that the usual tea-time slot. A well enjoyed little extra treat – thanks Channel 4.
Hollyoaks is the best soap on tv at the moment! It has me and my friends hooked constantly.
Hollyoaks later was great with niall and steph. I reckon anyone who isn’t allowed to stay up late enough to watch it shouldnt be watching it at all!! And as for what was said on the show about people who cant watch hollyoaks later missing out and getting confused in the storyline is complete rubbish! Of course it helps but hollyoaks later is additional, like a “meanwhile” storyline and any overlap is explained.
Showing it on channel 4 at 11pm is wrong since it fits in with the stoyline of hollyoaks from the previous week when it was on e4 at 10pm. the only reason its on late is because its a repeat.
Big clap 2 Barry Sloane (niall) he’s is an amazing actor and MADE hollyoaks this year fab!! I agree with Gemma though…why did he have to die??!!
=] hollyoaks is the one.
hollyoaks is m favourite thing to watch, i really love what happens because one minute you think everything is ok then something good, bad but very exciting happens, i also like it because it affects millions of people in everyday life and these are the kind of things that would happen to people older and younger than me, it is a good way of showing that thigs really do happen like the anorexia and the HIV thin too i really love watching it and i never miss any episode
I’m a Hollyoaks fanactic and have been since day 1. What I love about this show is that teenagers can relate to the storylines and over the last 2 years they’ve become more ‘true to reality’, and have done so brilliantly considering the restrictions of the pre-watershed time slot.
This is why I absolutly love Hollyoaks Later and felt as though it had even more of a realistic feel to it. Even though it was on later I felt as though to really give the plot lines featured the credit they deserved it need the longer show especilly the ‘Niall/Steph’ & ‘Mercedes/Malachy’ storylines.
Hollyoaks has gone and continues to go from strength to strength and I can’t wait to see what ‘Lucy Allan’s’ take over as producer has in store for the show, if the Later episodes are anything to go by we should be in for a real treat.
I absouloutly love Hollyoaks, i can’t miss an episode because i need to know what’s going on it!. The best thing about Hollyoaks is that it gets straight to the point, instead of just dragging the story like most soaps do. That’s what i love about it. I especially loved Hollyoaks Later, it was good that it was on for a nour, i liked Steph&Nial’s storyline and was very Shocked that he died… i had shivers down my spine.. I didn’t really think he was an evil person just disturbed. I liked Mals and Mercy’s too, HIV is a real life thing and can happen to anybody, it was great because they got married and i really wasn’t expecting that to happen, she looked really really happy. Sarah&Zoe i was really gobsmacked…it’s something that wouldn’t happen on the 6.30 one, it gave a real good sensation on everyday life. Hollyoaks Love ya xxxx Can’t wait to see what happens with Warren!!!! xxx
i love hollyoaks and i always watch it and i loved the late night hollyoaks too it really got me gripped and i couldn’t wait to c the nxt ep the nxt nite. I agree with Emma Turner i was gobsmacked too…….. They put serious issuses as well as funny ones too.
I always watch hollyoaks and watched the late night episodes and i did enjoy the storyline with niall and steph but i think the story of Sarah and Zoe was a disapointment as i dont think this would happen, really i think it went a bit too far and semmed to be more for the male viewers than fans of the soap.
It’s interesting that you mention Hannah’s anorexia storyline and Hollyoaks Later in the same post. I thought the anorexia storyline was in general very well handled and acted, so I was disappointed to see the first episode of Hollyoaks Later degenerate into a string of fat jokes. It seemed extremely out of character for Sarah and Nancy, who have supported a close friend through anorexia (not to mention seeing another friend, Melissa, die from it), cruelly mock Zoe for being overweight at school. I thought this was a cheap way of getting easy laughs and particularly offensive given Hollyoaks’ good record with the Hannah storyline.
I was also disappointed by the Sarah-Zoe storyline. Hollyoaks has done fairly well with the portrayal of gay male characters and relationships (and now it seems there’s enough gay men in Hollyoaks village to fill an entire pub) but there’s been no gay or bi women since psycho Laura and her dangerous crush on Mandy. Shoehorning in this unlikely (and unconvincingly acted) sex scene between two previously firmly heterosexual women didn’t do much to help the situation; it just looks like Hollyoaks is using straight-girl-on-straight-girl action as a titillation tactic to get male viewers.
I did enjoy the Niall, Craig and Steph storyline, but as someone said above, given the general appreciation of John Paul and Craig it seemed a shame to trouble their sunset ending without a reconciliation (obviously off-screen) at the end.
Personally I felt that the “Later” episodes were distinctly *less* adult than the regular show. Sex with bras on and a little swearing don’t make a TV programme particularly mature.
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