3/22/2005: Tube: EastEnders
I've watched 'EastEnders' since the first episode aired here, 15-16 years ago. I don't watch any other soaps, but this one is different: it's like watching life.
It's set in working-class East London, and the center of activity is Albert Square and the Queen Victoria pub. Characters come and go, but unlike American tv, current characters still refer to departed ones, and long-gone faces sometimes return for an episode or two, or even for years.
The acting and character development is consistently outstanding: you really feel that you are watching people you know, rather than actors playing a part. They aren't beautiful star-types all glam'd out for TV: they're regular people, with both good and bad personality traits. The set isn't false facades with remote interiors: the entire square is fully constructed in full scale on the BBC set north of London - complete with weather - and the buildings are functional.
Ok, the writing varies.. sometimes you get soapish melodrama situations and a bit more crime or life & death situations than reality usually delivers; but it's balanced with daily activities, gossip, and chit-chat.. little joys and petty spats that life is made up of.
Just a few PBS stations offer 'EastEnders' in the US, and those that do are on radically different broadcast schedules. The station I watch on is now in season 17 - the current shows in the UK just celebrated their 20th anniversary. I think some cable & satellite services are featuring the show now, but I have no idea what schedule they use.
I was in London for Christmas 2002 and saw a few eps: it was odd seeing characters I know as teenagers aged to their early 20s and carrying main storylines. I saw a lot of new characters I didn't know, and got a few spoilers, but it was great fun to see the show in real time. It's huge there, airing in the evening to 20 million viewers, and it makes the news when the actors make headlines off-screen. It's even won BAFTA awards (the British equivalent to the Emmys) for Best Drama Series.
I'm hooked, that's all there is to it. I rarely miss an ep as I feel I have to keep up with these old and new friends of mine. I've watched 'EE' since the start, when a mysterious death and a middle-age pregnancy were discovered. The product of that pregnancy (Martin) is still in the show. Other characters still on the show from day one (here, anyway) are Pauline, Ian, Dot, and my favorite, Ethel - a ditzy and quite lovable old lady - who's just now coming back for periodic visits 
Download my Google Earth overlay showing the set and its location.
The BBC has a huge, elaborate 'EastEnders' site with current news, current catch-up and classic clips, Albert Square webcams, wallpapers, character histories, games & quizzes, familytrees, and a whole lot of other stuff - check it out. Some highlights from the site:
watch a clip from the first show or see more classic clips
preview clip of the next show airing in the UK
webcams - catch some filming if you're lucky
