Author: Laura Robinson

The NestSunday, BBC1Rating: London KillsMonday-Friday, BBC1Rating: Friday Night DinnerFriday, Channel 4Rating: Location, location, location. It’s as important to any TV drama now as characters and plot. Greenery, a cliff (if you’re lucky and need characters to get pushed off/contemplate jumping) but, most importantly, water. Yes, there must be water. During the opening scenes you need the audience to be hitting Google Maps, checking property prices and wondering if it’s time they gave up their semi in suburbia for a detached hideaway on the coast. Then they see how many millions a shed would cost in St Ives, decide that nothing…

Worldwide events rarely impact upon soapland, which is a law unto itself. While many issues encountered in real life – such as illness, death and murder – regularly feature, hardly anyone watches the news. A football World Cup might get a few passing mentions, and a royal wedding a pub or street party, but for the most part the outside world passes this parallel universe by.Until now. The coronavirus pandemic has changed not only our existence but that of soapland. Given restrictions put in place regarding actors and production staff, shows have cut their numbers to ensure viewers can continue watching (though…

A recent survey came up with an analysis about which soap couples, according to their star signs, would stand the best chance of making it in real life. Incredibly, EastEnders’ Phil and Sharon came out on top, with a more than 80 per cent chance of their living happily ever after. Never mind that he’s a killer, and an alcoholic to boot; never mind that she has just given birth to her stepdaughter’s fiancé’s baby (keep up!); according to the stars, they are the ideal couple. Well, either the universe knows something we don’t, or it’s all a load of codswallop.Now, Corrie’s Ken,…

What are the tell-tale signs in soapland that someone either is a thug or will turn into one? Take Corrie’s Gary, who has always been a closet thug but jumps in and out of said closet dependent upon which woman he’s trying to impress with his ‘I’ve changed’ speech. We know when another bout of thuggery is imminent because he startsspeakingveryveryfastwithallthewordsjoinedup. And he whispers. So, between the speed and the hushed tones, Gary’s fists are vital, as they are the most informative means of letting us know what’s going on.Soapland’s most famous Hoarse Whisperer, EastEnders’ Phil, wears his thuggery as obviously…

Physical violence has long been a feature of soap. Men hitting men, female catfights, domestic abuse – we are used to seeing fists flying. Less well understood is the complex nature of mental abuse that takes place behind closed doors.EastEnders’ Gray is not only physically violent to Chantelle, he has manipulated her into thinking she is to blame (a not uncommon phenomenon). Last night’s Corrie had me screaming when Geoff upped his abuse of Yasmeen by killing her chicken Charlotte, announcing the news when they were halfway through eating her. This storyline has been so cleverly played out, it’s frightening; as Yasmeen continues…

Soap awards tend to be handed out to those who have featured in headline-grabbing stories: rape, murder, cancer – if you are a victim or perpetrator, your chances of winning increase enormously.But there are many actors who are the glue that holds the fabric together; those doing the less exciting stuff on a weekly basis and who sometimes have to wait years for a really juicy storyline to come their way, despite being at the forefront of much of the drama. Take Adam Woodyatt, who’s played Ian in EastEnders since the first episode in 1985. He shows immense skill in the role,…

To understand the new smart watched and other pro devices of recent focus, we should look to Silicon Valley and the quantified movement of the latest generation. Apple’s Watch records exercise, tracks our moves throughout the day, assesses the amount of time we are stood up and reminds us to get up and move around if we have been sat for too long – let’s not forget Tim Cook’s “sitting is the new factor” line. Diana saves Steve Trevor who has crashed on Themyscira. He warns her of the great war, World War I, raging across the globe. Wonder Woman…

To understand the new smart watched and other pro devices of recent focus, we should look to Silicon Valley and the quantified movement of the latest generation. Apple’s Watch records exercise, tracks our moves throughout the day, assesses the amount of time we are stood up and reminds us to get up and move around if we have been sat for too long – let’s not forget Tim Cook’s “sitting is the new factor” line. Diana saves Steve Trevor who has crashed on Themyscira. He warns her of the great war, World War I, raging across the globe. Wonder Woman…

To understand the new smart watched and other pro devices of recent focus, we should look to Silicon Valley and the quantified movement of the latest generation. Apple’s Watch records exercise, tracks our moves throughout the day, assesses the amount of time we are stood up and reminds us to get up and move around if we have been sat for too long – let’s not forget Tim Cook’s “sitting is the new factor” line. Diana saves Steve Trevor who has crashed on Themyscira. He warns her of the great war, World War I, raging across the globe. Wonder Woman…

To understand the new smart watched and other pro devices of recent focus, we should look to Silicon Valley and the quantified movement of the latest generation. Apple’s Watch records exercise, tracks our moves throughout the day, assesses the amount of time we are stood up and reminds us to get up and move around if we have been sat for too long – let’s not forget Tim Cook’s “sitting is the new factor” line. Diana saves Steve Trevor who has crashed on Themyscira. He warns her of the great war, World War I, raging across the globe. Wonder Woman…