Positive Obsession
Outline (Generated by Chat GPT4):
Introduction:
Greeting and welcome to the podcast
Briefly introduce the topic: EastEnders, a long-running British soap opera
Explain that the podcast is aimed at American listeners who may be unfamiliar with the show
Audio: EastEnders Main Theme (BBC Studios, 2019)
Script (Adjusted for Storyboarding Feedback):
Hello everyone, and a very warm welcome to Walford The Beautiful, a brand new podcast dedicated to the world of the British soap opera EastEnders, but for those of us here in America who might be new to the show. I’m Matt Shadbolt. Each week I’ll help you make sense of the storylines, introduce you to many of the incredible backstories of the characters, and take you behind the scenes of one of Britain’s longest-running and best-loved shows.
If you’re brand new to the show, but still love other British dramas like Downton Abbey, Peaky Blinders, Sherlock, or just anything you fall in love with on PBS of a Sunday night, you are in for a treat. EastEnders isn’t a period drama like Downtown Abbey, but it does share many of its dramatic qualities. It too has births and deaths, scandals, inter-family fighting and wise-cracking elders. We’ll get to all of this later.
So pull up a chair at the pub, turn off the football, finish your fish and chips, and let’s get started. First, let’s begin with some basics.
For almost as far back as I can remember, I always loved EastEnders.
Weighing in at over 6,000 episodes so far, EastEnders is a soap opera set in Albert Square, Walford, a fictional neighborhood in East London. It’s been airing three to four times a week since 1985 on the BBC, and is one of the longest-running dramas on British television, with a fanatical, devoted fanbase. I’m proud to count myself as one of the Walford faithful. When I was growing up in rural England as a kid, I’m convinced it was was an essential part of wanting to move to London. Which I did as soon as I could when I was accepted into University in the city.
The first ever episode aired on February 19, 1985, and I’m proud to say I was there when it happened. Since then, the subsequent 38 years have seen many of the familiar stories of soap opera. Births, deaths, marriages, affairs, murders, betrayals, drug abuse, arrivals, departures, and an ever-expanding cast of characters. Families, just like real communities, have come and gone. The 30-minute episodes air four, and now sometimes five times a week. A few years ago the streaming service BritBox began to carry the show at the same cadence it airs in the UK. Now I can watch the latest episodes on demand at exactly the same time as I used to.
Which I do. Every day. At 5pm.
Over the years I’ve come to be be fiercely protective of my EastEnders’ viewing habits. Refusing to take phone calls, declining invitations to hang out, and on several occasions, giving friends the ‘it’s not you it’s me’ speech as we broke up over it. Spending time with the residents of Albert Square each night not only allows me some often really needed downtime from the work day, but it’s also a massive contributor to my mental wellbeing. It helps me feel like, well… me. I simply feel better after watching EastEnders, and feel worse when I’m ‘behind’. It leaves a gap in my day. No-one else I know watches it, so there’s no FOMO or spoilers in the works, I’m just competing alone on this one. It’s very often the best part of my day, and I’m so excited to be able to share the show with you.
Many of you will be unfamiliar with the show. And if that’s not you, there’s still going to be lots here for you. My hope is to introduce you to some of the most amazing stories, some of the most lovable charmers and hateable villains, and give casual or more seasoned viewers the benefit of my almost forty years’ worth of love for the show. We’re going to talk about fights and breakups. Murder and mayhem. Love and romance. All the things that make any great set of stories so exciting. But let’s go back to where it all started.
Segment 1: What is EastEnders?
Provide an overview of the show's history and significance in British culture
Describe the setting: the fictional neighborhood of Walford in East London
Introduce the diverse cast of characters and their relationships
Audio: EastEnders First Episode (BBC Studios, 2008)
Script:
These were the first words spoken in EastEnders, when a bunch of guys we’d never met broke down a door to an unresponsive neighbor’s crappy apartment. Turns it he was still alive, but it eventually turns up as a murder. When it first started in 1985, there was already a very famous and long-running soap opera on British television. Coronation Street, which began in 1960 on rival tv network ITV (Granada Studios, 2020), had locked up most of the evening soap opera audience for a really long time. Set in Manchester in the North of England, it centers around the residents of a small, fictional suburb named Weatherfield. This was always my mum’s show growing up. And while the BBC had tried many different versions of soap operas, it wasn’t really until 1985, a full 25 years since the beginning of Coronation Street, that they began to actually compete.
EastEnders, or just ‘Stenders as many of us call it, is set in a fictional neighborhood too. Walford is part of the East End of London, famous for being where the cockney accent comes from. If you’ve ever watched Dick van Dyke’s terrible rendition of a lowly chimney sweep in Mary Poppins, you’ll at least have somewhere to start with what I mean here. Within Walford, which is mainly a market neighborhood with a bustling set of traders, there’s a number of small business where our characters like to gather. There’s a cafe which has been there since the beginning. A small grocery store, or corner shop as the Brits call them, even though this particular one isn’t on a corner at all. There’s a couple of bars, one of which is a gay bar, highly unique in any soap opera anywhere I think. A boxing gym, a small park, a local garden, and of course, what British neighborhood is complete without its fish and chip shop. The main focus of the show is a small square within it all called Albert Square, named after Queen Victoria’s husband. And around the square are the small terraced houses where most of our characters live.
But I’m saving the best for last. The Queen Victoria pub, the Queen Vic, or just The Vic as it’s often called. It’s the main character of the show, and pretty much where all the action happens. There’s been fights and murders, proposals and weddings inside its walls over the years, and within Britain, I suppose you could even go as far as to call it ‘hallowed ground’. It’s based on a typical London pub. A boozer as they call it back home. Its rough and ready, with the landlord’s family often living upstairs. It’s caught fire twice, been burgled nine times, and changed hands more times than I can remember. Its current owners, Elaine Peacock and her daughter, Linda Carter, have just welcomed three new main characters into the show. Elaine’s fella George, and his daughters, Anna and Gina. George is the Vic’s first landlord of color.
As you’d expect from any soap opera, most of the main characters live together as families. We’ve got the chaotic and scrappy Slaters, the long-time residents in the Beales and the Fowlers, the resourceful down on their luck Taylors, sinister Mitchells and the empire-building Panesaars. And as you’d expect, these families rarely get along. Someone’s always annoying someone else, hooking up with someone else, or most importantly, keeping secrets. Our characters come from a really diverse set of ethnic, cultural, faith-based, sexuality and lifestyle backgrounds, something EastEnders has done right from the beginning. The current mix of characters includes many multi-racial families, including families of Indian, Caribbean and European backgrounds. There’s several homosexual characters, both male and female. There’s young single mothers and old single fathers. Characters with anxiety and characters with disability. EastEnders has always held a mirror up to what British society, especially London society has been. It’s always sought to represent who we all really are. We relate to everyone’s lives, even though we’ve never met them.
I’ve lots of favorite characters, but if I had to pick one it’d be Karen Taylor, who works in the local laundromat. She’s played by the incredible Lorraine Stanley, and is fearless in her love for her family, but also as one of the poorest and most downtrodden characters on the show, yet she always finds a way to see the bright side and have fun. She’s a chancer, a worker, a smoker (which you don’t often see on tv these days), a swearer, (within the limits of what the BBC allows of course), and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. I just love her. Listen to one of the most amazing scenes she was in a couple of years ago, where she discovers that her son-in-law murdered her daughter.
Segment 2: The Drama Unfolds
Discuss the central themes and storylines that have captivated viewers over the years
Touch upon the show's focus on social issues, family dynamics, and community struggles
Highlight memorable plot arcs and character developments
Audio: Gray Confesses To Murder (BBC Studios, 2022)
Script:
Chilling stuff, right? Over the years there’s been some incredible storylines, many of which spend years bubbling away until they explode into dramatic confrontations and often violence. The EastEnders show runners have always pushed at the limits of what’s permissible on tv, and they challenge us to look at those often overlooked elsewhere on television. Some of my favorite storylines have included inter-family feuding between brothers, murder and subsequent (failed, of course) cover-ups, affairs, and many of the social justice issues the show has been fearless in tackling. I think secrets are the oil on which the show runs.
But EastEnders was one of the first shows to open speak about HIV and what it meant to live with the diagnosis in the eighties. One of the current storylines continues to try to normalize and de-stigmatize the disease. It was one of the first to show a gay kiss on British television. And currently it continues to push against the social stigmas of mental illness, eating disorders, poverty, the inability to conceive, disability, sexuality and the role of race, religion and gender in the workplace. Every year the holidays guarantee a heightened seasonal dramatic tension within the show, with the Christmas Day episode, which airs right after the Queen’s speech to the nation (now the King’s speech of course), and often attracts some of the BBC’s biggest viewing figures of the year.
I’m particularly excited for it this year as earlier in the spring EastEnders dd something it’s never done before. It showed us a glimpse of the future with a flash forward. It showed us a scene in the Queen Vic where several of the main female characters were standing around a male body, on what looks like one of theirs’ wedding day. One of them checks the pulse of the man lying on the ground, whose identity we never know, and just looks up and says ‘he’s dead’. As you can imagine, the EastEnders community lost their minds about trying to figure out what had happened, who had been killed, and what was going to happen between now and then. Let’s take a listen.
As you heard at the top of the podcast, EastEnders opens with a drum solo. It always ends with one too. It’s always how we know the cliffhanger has been delivered, and it’s always super dramatic. In the EastEnders community, these drum beats are called ‘doof doofs’. And just how many there are is often a source of a lot of pub arguments. But they’re iconic. They were the first thing we ever heard in 1985, and they’re the thing that leaves us hanging on the edge of our seats every episode. Which characters gets the doof doof for the episode is a closely guarded secret, but the upcoming christmas episode is already proving to be the all-time doofiest of doof doofs.
Segment 3: Iconic Characters and Memorable Moments
Spotlight some of the most beloved characters and their impact on the show
Share memorable scenes, twists, and cliffhangers that have kept audiences hooked
Discuss the show's ability to tackle challenging topics and evoke emotional reactions
Audio: Christmas 2023 Flash Forward (BBC Studios, 2023)
Script:
Let’s talk about the show as it airs at the moment. The current batch of storylines involve police corruption, mental illness, unwanted pregnancy, epilepsy, gang violence and the pressures of social media and body image on the young. Each episode always moves between and across these different storylines, sometimes converging, sometimes diverging. And through it all is a strong sense of community, family, and trying to do the right thing. It’s never afraid to ask the difficult, uncomfortable questions. There’s all the elements you’d expect from a soap opera. The characters you love to hate, the ones you root for, despite their weaknesses, and the ones that just can’t seem to help themselves. It’s not all bad though. It consciously lightens the dramatic mood with some really great comedy, and is often the funniest thing you’ll watch all day. EastEnders ebbs and flows in story quality, and like all long-running franchises, there’s certainly been some lean years, but as a routine for millions of Brits across the world, it brings a familiar sense of home and grounding into our lives with every episode.
Some of my favorite storylines have been murders and cover-ups, some of which have lasted years. In the 90s there was an amazing storyline of an ex-girlfriend of one of the characters, Steve Owen, who was played by Martin Kemp from the band Spandau Ballet, accidentally being killed in a fight with him. But of course it didn’t end there. Steve, and his friend Matthew, who had inadvertently witnessed the whole thing, ended up burying her in the woods. Then it became about covering their tracks. That was, until months later, her sister shows up in the Square asking questions. Matthew begins to panic, and Steve threatens to silence him. They both end up going to prison, and it only gets worse from there. No real spoilers here, but many years later, Steve gets what he deserves, and Matthew is redeemed.
Two of the most famous characters from the show are the Mitchell brothers, Phil and Grant. They are basically the gangsters of Walford, and hark back to when the East End of London was more known for gang violence from the likes of the Kray brothers than for the gastropubs and galleries it has now. As you’d expect from brothers, there’s lots of fights. They’ve fought over women, over money, over children, just about anything you can think of. But they are national treasures. Phil, played by Steve McFadden, is one of the longest-running characters on the show, and is now on his 5th wife. He’s completely indestructible. He’s survived 12 attempts on his life, ranging from car crashes to drug addiction, murder attempts and several stints in jail. He’s the man you just love to hate, and often has some of the best one-liners the writers come up with.
Segment 4: Cultural Context and British References
Explore how EastEnders reflects British society, culture, and traditions
Explain any references or cultural nuances that American listeners may find unfamiliar
Discuss how the show has addressed real-life events and social issues throughout its run
Audio: Get Out! (BBC Studios, 2017)
Script:
EastEnders is full of great stuff for Anglophiles. From the colorful cheeky chappy cockney language and jokes, to the all-too-gritty overlaps with things happening in the real world like COVID and Brexit. EastEnders seeks to wrestle with it all. But let’s talk about things that might be a bit unusual for an American audience to watch.
First, there’s a really, really big pub culture in London. Many Londoners go to the pub for lunch, and also after work. The show reflects this, and while it’s completely normal in England, that’s not always quite the case here in the US. To be completely honest with you, it’s one of the main things I miss about living there.
Some of the language can be very thick with slang, especially when it all ‘kicks off’ or basically turns loud. Some of the characters use cockney rhyming slang, but for the most part most of them don’t, so you don’t need to worry too much about that. You might hear the odd reference to a whistle (a whistle & flute, a suit), or a pony (which means twenty five pounds), or a monkey (that’s five hundred pounds), but these things are pretty few and far between. Don’t let them put you off.
One thing that’s really noticeable, is actually how few belongings everyone seems to have. It’s one of the things I found really different when I moved here. Most Londoners rent their apartments, or flats. And most flats are furnished. So when you live there, it’s actually unusual to have your own settee (or couch), bed, even kitchen knives and forks. You’ll have your own electrical items, but for the most part the larger pieces of furniture are expected to come with it all. So you can imagine my surprise in realizing that I had to buy all this stuff when I moved to Philadelphia!
There’s a few phrases though that might help you. ‘Up West’ means going to the West End, which is basically the center of London. It’s where Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and Big Ben are. It’s mostly used to mean ‘where all the fancy restaurants and clubs are’. ‘Bobs your uncle’, which means basically ‘there you go’. And one more, notice how everyone says ‘alright?’ which is the generic term for ‘hello’ for most folks on the show. We’ll be getting into some of these as they come up each week, and I hope to be able to translate as many as I can for you. My favorite, which I really miss, is the phrase, often shouted ‘Do one!’. It means get out, or go away, and it always takes me back to watching a good old argument in the pub.
Segment 5: Behind the Scenes and Popularity
Provide insights into the production and behind-the-scenes aspects of the show
Discuss EastEnders' longevity and enduring popularity in the UK
Mention awards and critical acclaim the show has received
Audio: Julia’s Theme (BBC Studios, 2011)
Script:
Ah, I love this variation on the main theme tune. It’s called Julia’s Theme, after the first ever executive producer of the show, Julia Smith, who passed away from cancer in 1997. They always play it when something sentimental or joyous is happening, or something bittersweet. They played it last week when one of the young characters, Lola Pearce, died of a brain tumor.
Anyway, there’s a ton of EastEnders fan accounts to follow, but be careful of the spoiler accounts. So much of the show is about enjoying the doof doofs, and if you already know, it just takes the edge off the whole show. Most of the information about the upcoming shows gets published in the UK ahead of time, but I think it’s better to stay away from all that stuff and let the show unfold as it’s intended.
I do recommend following some of the actors’ accounts though, as they are often a ton of fun. The BBC EastEnders YouTube channel also has a fairly regular set of behind the scenes interviews, and even their own game show, Albert Squared! At the end of the day, if you want community from your shows, it’s definitely here in abundance, and of course, these things are great places to ask questions about the show!
Segment 6: Recommendations for New Viewers
Offer tips for American listeners interested in giving EastEnders a try
Suggest starting points or notable storylines to get acquainted with the show
Mention availability on streaming platforms or other ways to access episodes
Audio: Peggy’s Theme (BBC Studios, 2016)
Script:
I’ve tried several times to get others into EastEnders. Most are fiercely resistant. The most common answer being ‘why would I start watching something I know nothing about, and that never ends?’ I guess it’s a fair point. The language can often be pretty hard to follow, the references really culturally-specific, and of course there’s also the legacy of the show’s history itself to contend with. Some of the grievances we see between the characters go back decades, some of the language even further. But through it all there’s a real spirit of goodness to the show in weaving drama around what’s important in life. Love, family, community, a sense of belonging, the need to protect, and a desire to have what’s best in life for you and those around you.
Also, if you’re interested in the ultimate binge, here’s the math. At the time of recording this, there’s been 6,312 episodes. If you were to watch from the beginning for 8 hours a day, you’d be able to get through about 16 episodes. So from the beginning it’d take you 394 days, without any breaks, just to reach the point at which I’m writing this. Then of course you’d still be behind because there would have been another 168 episodes (or another 10 days) that would have aired while you were catching up. To those brave enough to take on the challenge, I salute you.
But of course, no-one is going to do this. To be honest I don’t even know if this is even possible. Britbox doesn’t have any kind of real archive of it all, and neither really does the BBC or YouTube. But if you’re curious enough to start, just jump in. There’s never going to be a natural jumping-on point, so my advice is to just dive in and start swimming. You’ll get a sense for who you like and who you don’t, but also the places around the square will get very familiar very quickly. New episodes drop at 4pm Eastern Monday through Thursday. If you fall behind, just declare bankruptcy and jump back in with the latest episode.
Conclusion:
Summarize key points covered in the episode
Thank listeners for tuning in and encourage them to explore EastEnders
Mention upcoming episodes and invite feedback and topic suggestions from the audience
Outro:
Provide contact information and social media handles for the podcast
Thank the audience once again and sign off
Script:
So that’s it for this first episode. I really hope you enjoyed spending a bit of time in the world of Albert Square with me this week. Next week we’ll be taking a closer look at the recent storyline around Lola’s death, and try to make some predictions about what’s going to happen now that George and his family are behind the bar at The Vic. Don’t forget to keep the conversation going, or just ask me anything, on Facebook or Twitter at WalfordTheBeautiful and we can get into it all together. Until next time, you know what happens next.
Audio / Outro: EastEnders Theme & Doof Doofs (BBC Studios, 2019)
Latest Articles
