Our views on life, soaps and Soap Heaven
Adrians Last Updated : August 24th
Andys Last Updated : September 1st
Adrian says...
Well, here it is! The new look of Soap Heaven - and this one stays!
Over the past 8 months or so, we've had 3 different looks. The first had what I heard described as "a mustard leather" wallpaper, which was nice to begin with, but soon looked stale and sickly.
Cue design change! Then came the Heavenly look. We had a cloud background with highlighted text over it, and heavy use of tables and the background colour element. This was very nice, but I soon discovered that the site was not very compatible with older browsers, and different computer types...so,
Cue design change! Now, we have a two-coloured look with a sidebar, which gives accessibility to all areas of the site. In an attempt to explain this, I suppose I could say that the two contrasting and distinctive colours could represent the fact that the site is maintained by 2 people with 2 different
personalities. As I'm sure you've noticed, the two colours are used extensively throughout the site
and we are intent on keeping it this way. I have researched thoroughly so that all our viewers
can see the site the way we intend, and even if your browser isn't up to it, you will still be able to follow what's happening here.
I'd really like to hear some feedback from you people about the new look, and whether you like it or not.
-- Betcha you can guess that I'm hoping to be a designer when I'm finished school ! --
As for the soaps, well I cannot believe how much Home & Away has gone downhill recently. The exciting and dramatic storylines of 1995 and 1996 are gone, and the very boring and tedious 20-somethings are in.
Even Shannon and Selina, my one-time favourite characters, have been degraded to silly love scenes with Lachlan and Jesse respectively, and their acting skills are being wasted. The very same can be said for Chloe, Teigan and Casey. The imminent departure of Casey is a horrible event that shows the producers lack of imagination as this character
has a future in the show, which has not been used to the extent that it should. Were it not for the excellent Debra Lawrence, as Pippa, and the brilliant Emily Symons and Norman Coburn as the Bay's best couple Don & Marilyn, Summer Bay would be a lot less interesting place.
Under Brian Park, Coronation Street seemed to be doomed. When news of Derek's death, Joyce's death and Kevin's affair came filtering in, I feared the worst and when I heard about the Battersbys, well, I had almost given up all hope.
However, I was very glad when these happened. Judy and Mavis’ mourning was heart-breaking, poignant and fabulously acted. Though the actual affair was stomach-churning, when Sally discovered Kevin's deceit, Sally Whitaker gave fabulously gutsy performances as Sally and left us all hating him. It just goes to show that the years of "What do you want for your dinner Kev?" she played were wasted on such a talented actress.
And the Battersbys...as loud, rude and horrible as they may be, they are a great addition to the cast. They are classic characters - hated by everyone and we just can't wait to see the back of them! But stay they will, as Brian Park knows that if they leave, so will the viewers who hate them. And I do think in time we will get to see a softer side of them..Janice at least, as she seems to be the only one who does any work!
Brian Park's production has showed us that these actor's abilities were being wasted in previous years, and he has managed to showcase them with exceptional talent. And he has achieved his main goal of getting the Street back on top of the ratings, and getting the Street back into everyday conversation. Well done, I say.
Thank you for reading,
Adrian PS: If any of you are confused about the quotes on the title page, just contact me and I'll tell you where it came from. |
Andy says...
Well, hello there!
Its me again with a new editorial ! Thankyou all soooo much for your delightful comments on the site, we do need them
to know that you are still enjoying reading the site. And without your feedback it's hard to know what you want!
The Corrie storylines are leaking like a sieve and we have added loads of new gossip to the gossip section..great news for spoiler
fans!
The mailing list...hmmmmm! Well it hasn't exactly taken off yet. Please, if you have joined send an email and start the ball rolling. Thank you Carol for your
message. I am just upset that nobody else has plucked up the courage..
EastEnders' recent Paris trip was a stonkingly excellent piece of soap that kept us soapies
gripped. Much congrats to performances by all of the actors especially Gillian Tayleforth as
Kathy Beale - super!
A storm has arisen here at Soap Heaven HQ - where is Adrian's picture? Yes, where is it Adrian? I have mine up so you should have yours...and we have had
letters asking about it too! Well, hold on a little longer and hopefully the true beauty of Adrian may be revealed!
(Shouldn't that be ugliness? - Adrian)
I know it has nothing to do with the web site but we want to send our heartfelt condolances to William, Harry and the familys
and friends of Diana, Dodi Al Fayed and the driver of the car in the recent devastating crash that killed them. A deeply alarming tragedy that has shocked and distressed us and many more.
And finally...hurry up and send us your own essays/reviews/tid-bits for publishing. We are intrested in having another regular columnist to give us your views and stuff! See ya next time!
Andy
PS : Look out for the new opinion poll and SCOTM results!
|
Soap Heaven © 1997 Adrian Murphy & Andy Baker
|