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Would you watch Brookside if it came back with a few specials?

Ome

Ome

Admin Emeritus
Someone has started a petition to BRING BACK BROOKSIDE and it would be incredibly exciting if anything was to come of this.

https://www.change.org/p/ralph-lee-bring-back-brookside

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I never thought it would stand a chance of returning, but something the organiser posted really grabbed my attention and I think that would work.


Here's a quote from their page.

While I understand bringing the series back as an all-year-round soap is highly unlikely, what I'm hoping to achieve with this petition is a series of Brookside specials - finding out where some of the characters are now in their lives. If this were to be successful, which i strongly believe it will be as it's still such a well-loved show, then this would hopefully lead to more.

After 14 long years of being off our screens, it's time to catch up with some of the Brookside legends. Many other TV shows have been revived successfully in recent years, which includes Cold Feet (after a 15-year hiatus). I firmly believe Brookside could be too in the form of specials. This would be a nod of acknowledgement to its (deserved) place in British TV history, and how it was a forerunner to other Channel 4 drama's that have that gritty, naturalistic feel.
 
Ome

Ome

Admin Emeritus
My mind is running away with me as I think about the possibilities in all this.

Even if some actors just made one special, it would be filled with so much sentimentality for many fans. I'd love to know how Billy & Sheila are doing and if Sheila has any contact with Bobby, Barry & Karen. Or what Heather is up to, along with Doreen, Tracey and Rod. Then there's the whole Dixon/Farnham clan, and Jimmy, did he get back with Kathy? Mick should be back with Josie, I always thought they could have done so much with her.
 
Mel O'Drama

Mel O'Drama

Admin
Early Brookie was very outspoken about the political climate of Britain under Thatcher. The effect on employment, society and self esteem. That was what set the show apart.

In so many ways, today's climate echoes the one that Brookside thrived in. I'd dearly love to see what the show would have to say about the effects of Brexit (austerity, racism, unemployment, inflation, government misinformation) Theresa May, the DUP and the like.

It's probably unrealistic for most of those who've left the Close to return, as it wasn't really that kind of show. So I'm less bothered about who appears in the show than I am about the tone of it. They'd need to be outspoken, have opinions and not be afraid to offend or upset people. I want life in all its ugliness. If they can get that right I'm in.

But please, no exploding helicopters and bodies under patios.
 
Ome

Ome

Admin Emeritus
Mel O'Drama said:
It's probably unrealistic for most of those who've left the Close to return, as it wasn't really that kind of show.
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In my mind, I wasn't thinking of returning back to the cul-de-sac. I was thinking about one-off episodes (or maybe a 3 part drama) where we would follow (or catch up with) the lives of those we miss from the show. I highly doubt they would get many of the 80s actors back, but if there were some fresh ideas and a promise the actor only signed up for a few episodes they might be tempted.

Then if that takes off, it could open the doors for a return back to the Close.

That said I agree with you about the show going back to its roots. There really isn't room for the big stunts, not while we still have Corrie, Emmerdale & Eastenders out there.
 
Walford Boy

Walford Boy

Telly Talk Addict
No i don't think i would. Soap is a declining medium now and Brookside is best left in the past. I would love a digital channel to show the best of from the 80's.
 
James from London

James from London

International Treasure
Depends who it focused on, I think.
 
Carrie Fairchild

Carrie Fairchild

Telly Talk Star
I'd sooner welcome reruns on one of the digital channels than an actual revival.

I just don't think it'd work, given the disjointed nature of a revival where the focal point (the Close) no longer exists.
I know that the person behind the petition mentions Cold Feet as an example of a successful revival but that was a very different show about a close knit group of friends. Presumably the ex residents of Brookside are now scattered to the four corners.
 
A

ArchieLucasCarringtonEwing1989

Telly Talk TV Fanatic
If not a continuation then why not a re-boot?

I think Channel 4 were very very short sighted in cancelling Brookside in 2003, especially since Hollyoaks (Brookside's spinoff no less) which airs on the same channel, has done wackier and more bat
S**t crazy storylines than Brookside did in its worst years, I mean how many serial killers, explosions, underage pregnancies, can one small village have? Lol
 
Ian Phillips

Ian Phillips

Telly Talk Newbie
Hi all. I'm the guy behind the Bring Back Brookside campaign. It wouldn't make sense for them to be on the Close as it was due to be demolished in the final episode. I'm talking about specials catching up with some of the most-loved characters and hopefully that may lead to a series or two. It would be unrealistic now to try and get it back as an all-year-round soap. Brookside always proved it could thrive in other mediums. Anybody remember the Video specials 'The Lost Weekend' and 'Friday the 13th'. It actually felt as though they were in their natural element. For all those interested in signing, here's the link and if possible please share: https://www.change.org/p/ralph-lee-bring-back-brookside
 
S

soapfan

Telly Talk Active Member
Brookside lost it's way after the 1980s in 1991 when it went from being about the close to creating the parade row of shops and becoming too sensationalised - It deserved to go in the end.

It would make more sense to bring back Family Affairs (from Channel 5) onto ITV instead, and bringing back Duncan Hart (Rocky Marshall), Maria Simons (Annie Miles) and Claire Toomey (Tina Hall). Maybe casting other acting roles on the show to Ian Ashpital/Liz Crowther/Cordelia Bugeja/Sandra Huggett/Ian Cullen/Michael Cole ONLY IF possible to bring any of them back. Sue Johnston, Diane Parish and Ann Mitchell are examples of actresses who have played more than 1 acting role in 1 soap.

It was great that Terry Sullivan's wife (Sue) was in Family Affairs though, and David Easter was only tolerable in Brookside as Pat Hancock - I didn't like him in Family Affairs and how it became the Pete Callan show. The only thing that would have saved Family Affairs would have been to bring back Duncan Hart, Maria Simons and Claire Toomey to make up for the loss of the original Hart family. Ultimately though Johnathan Young was to blame for putting Family Affairs in the knackers yard altogether, not Brian Park. Coincidentally Johnathan Young also put The Bill in the knackers yard altogether as well.
 
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