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MNHQ

Live Webchat with EastEnders Producer, Bryan Kirkwood. Friday 21st January at Midday

297 replies

RachelMumsnet · 19/01/2011 12:55

Following recent debates on the EastEnders' storyline, and our meeting with BBC executives and two mumsnetters to discuss the baby snatch story, we're delighted Executive Producer of EastEnders, Bryan Kirkwood is joining us to answer your questions this Friday (21st January) between 12 and 1pm. If you're unable to join us at that time, please post your questions to Bryan on this thread.

OP posts:
BryanKirkwood · 21/01/2011 12:11

@fatpantsandgladrags

Deemented has pretty much covered it, I think.

I just wondered whether you think the swap storyline is actually a realistic portrayal of a grieving mother?

EastEnders is first and foremost a drama, and Ronnie has a particular history that we felt lead to her making what was a snap decision, which she has regretted ever since.

CazandBelle · 21/01/2011 12:11

And what about the warm and tender conclusion Dee asked about?

deemented · 21/01/2011 12:11

No - that's the impression you gave with the 'we have consulted with FSID' response that was recieved as a standard reply when people complained. When you couldn't hide behind that anymore - because FSID came out and publicly distanced themselves from the swap aspect of the sotoryline - you then went on to tell us 'It's not real'.

EightiesChick · 21/01/2011 12:12

An answer to the part of the question about 'why the baby's death alone wasn't considered a substantial enough storyline' would be good. Others have asked versions of this same question.

sevendwarves · 21/01/2011 12:13

Will you ever admit that you were wrong to air this storyline, and could you not predict the hurt and uproar it would cause?

Rhian82 · 21/01/2011 12:15

But you know that people take it too seriously. You know that people do stupid things like mix up actors with their characters. You had to know that some people, however misguidedly, would come away from this with the belief that this is feasible behaviour for a bereaved mother. That those people would consider a bereaved mother a danger to other people's children.

I know and understand fully that you are a drama. But did you never, ever, consider that the above was a reason to not use this storyline? Did you honestly never, ever consider that you had a responsibility to just, simply, choose a different way for this story to run?

vodkaandcoke · 21/01/2011 12:16

When does Kat get her baby back?

BryanKirkwood · 21/01/2011 12:16

@travellingwilbury

Have you really shortened this story line because of public reaction ? Surely the fact that Sam Womack is leaving in the spring made that decision for you .

TIA

When this storyline transmitted at New Year, we had no fixed ending to this story. However it is true that we embarked on this storyline, knowing that it would tie in with Samantha Womack reaching the end of her contract and her departure from the show. Samantha has publicly clarified that she is not leaving because of the content.

IamReallyFabNow Patsy Plamer left the show to have a baby recently and her contract has expired ? she has also clarified that her departure was not because of the storyline, and she will be returning in the future.

deemented · 21/01/2011 12:18

So you didn't decide to cut the storyline short then as you've previously stated? Or did you just say that in the hope of shutting up all those who complained?

travellingwilbury · 21/01/2011 12:18

A snap decision that just wouldn't happen in real life .
I do of course understand that EE is a drama and I know that you do portray real life in an excaggerated way to keep viewers hooked and interested but this is just a step too far for me .

Also it can't be had both ways , either you are there to educate entertain and inform or you are there to just create drama .
Which one is it ?

WotzNotNot · 21/01/2011 12:18

If Whitneys new storyline goes ahead EE will will no longer be family viewing in our home. Just wish I had done it sooner.

Do you think that putting a helpline at the end of the programme justifies a story line or makes it acceptable by saying you are covering issues that viewers may not ask help for otherwise. It's simply not true.

compo · 21/01/2011 12:19

When does kat get her baby back?

travellingwilbury · 21/01/2011 12:20

You did originally say that this storyline had been shortened because of the public reaction ?

fatpantsandgladrags · 21/01/2011 12:20

Please do tell us when Kat will get her baby back so that I can start watching again.....

TheVisitor · 21/01/2011 12:23

Does EE ever have any uplifting and happy storylines? I stopped watching it as I couldn't be doing with the sheer misery of all the characters. If I ever catch 5 minutes, it still seems to be all doom and gloom.

CazandBelle · 21/01/2011 12:23

Did you personally talk to bereaved mothers before this was planned? Did any of these bereaved mother's tell you this is what they considered? Did you tell FSID about your plan to include a swap storyline? I would imagine they would've advised against it if you had.

Can you even for a moment imagine what its like to really live the life I live?

I would be nice if you could admit that damage has been caused by this storyline. Surely the 1000's of complaints tell you you've made a mistake in the portrayal of this storyline.

hana21 · 21/01/2011 12:23

Just to agree with loftyjen
My husband is a police office he wont watch the crap that is eastenders !! (his words) but this was because he saw the police involvement when billy died and was disgusted at seeing the body being taken into the street etc it was just so untrue, we didnt watch the baby stuff but he said i bet they once again get the police involvement completely wrong and no doubt they will when it comes out (he was also disgust by how they showed the police in the club when billy punched a pc) Do they actually research this stuff ?

BryanKirkwood · 21/01/2011 12:24

@EightiesChick

An answer to the part of the question about 'why the baby's death alone wasn't considered a substantial enough storyline' would be good. Others have asked versions of this same question.

This storyline arose from our decision to bring back Kat Moon to the show, and the realisation that she and Ronnie Branning had incredibly similar back-stories. The key to both characters was their desire to have a child. We asked the writers to come up with a story that brought together these two characters and to use their pasts to take us forward. Personally, I feel that the incredibly moving performances from both actresses since this story began have reflected the emotion and anguish of the situation.

kingprawntikka · 21/01/2011 12:24

deemented Fantastic post from you yesterday . I would like to see how Bryan Kirkwood attempts to answer your points because really there is no sensible answer to them. I hope it shows him how thoughtless and poorly researched this whole Baby swap storyline has been.

BryanKirkwood · 21/01/2011 12:26

@EightiesChick

An answer to the part of the question about 'why the baby's death alone wasn't considered a substantial enough storyline' would be good. Others have asked versions of this same question.

This storyline arose from our decision to bring back Kat Moon to the show, and the realisation that she and Ronnie Branning had incredibly similar back-stories. The key to both characters was their desire to have a child. We asked the writers to come up with a story that brought together these two characters and to use their pasts to take us forward. Personally, I feel that the incredibly moving performances from both actresses since this story began have reflected the emotion and anguish of the situation.

CazandBelle · 21/01/2011 12:26

and this was the best you're writers could come up with?! You need new writers...

BryanKirkwood · 21/01/2011 12:29

test

travellingwilbury · 21/01/2011 12:30

You still haven't given a reason why the baby swap was put in ?

Why wasn't a mother having to bury her child enough for you ?

deemented · 21/01/2011 12:31

Mr. Kirkwood - you're being incedily evasive and not actually answering the question of 'Why the baby's death alone wasn't considered a substantial enough storyline'?

Now forgive if i'm speaking out of turn here, but i thought the whole point of this threadchat was to actually get some answers to our questions, not for you to gloss over and near enough ignore everything we have to say.

CoffeeDodger · 21/01/2011 12:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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