Comments on: Hollyoaks before and after the watershed http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2008/12/02/hollyoaks-before-and-after-the-watershed/ Just another Channel 4 Blogs weblog Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:42:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Laura http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2008/12/02/hollyoaks-before-and-after-the-watershed/comment-page-1/#comment-989 Laura Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:46:03 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=575#comment-989 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. 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.

]]> By: Nicola http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2008/12/02/hollyoaks-before-and-after-the-watershed/comment-page-1/#comment-979 Nicola Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:17:33 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=575#comment-979 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. 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.

]]> By: steph beddoes http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2008/12/02/hollyoaks-before-and-after-the-watershed/comment-page-1/#comment-965 steph beddoes Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:32:50 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=575#comment-965 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 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.

]]> By: Emma Turner http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2008/12/02/hollyoaks-before-and-after-the-watershed/comment-page-1/#comment-951 Emma Turner Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:34:46 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=575#comment-951 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 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

]]> By: Johnathan Lansana http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2008/12/02/hollyoaks-before-and-after-the-watershed/comment-page-1/#comment-935 Johnathan Lansana Sun, 07 Dec 2008 03:23:38 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=575#comment-935 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’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.

]]> By: kayleigh http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2008/12/02/hollyoaks-before-and-after-the-watershed/comment-page-1/#comment-933 kayleigh Sat, 06 Dec 2008 17:36:11 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=575#comment-933 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 :-) 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 :-)

]]> By: Elle Hopeson http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2008/12/02/hollyoaks-before-and-after-the-watershed/comment-page-1/#comment-931 Elle Hopeson Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:57:46 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=575#comment-931 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 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.

]]> By: Annie Ash http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2008/12/02/hollyoaks-before-and-after-the-watershed/comment-page-1/#comment-927 Annie Ash Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:38:59 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=575#comment-927 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. 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.

]]> By: Ellie Potten http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2008/12/02/hollyoaks-before-and-after-the-watershed/comment-page-1/#comment-921 Ellie Potten Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:24:07 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=575#comment-921 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 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.

]]> By: Shona Kinney http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2008/12/02/hollyoaks-before-and-after-the-watershed/comment-page-1/#comment-919 Shona Kinney Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:22:38 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=575#comment-919 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 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.

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