Tony Jordan Slates EE

[alan45]

From Todays Sun

AN ex-EastEnders writer blasted the soap yesterday — saying it has slumped into “the doldrums”.

Former chief scriptwriter Tony Jordan claims the show has suffered from being on TV four times a week.

Tony left the Square three months ago after 18 years.

And in his first interview since quitting he spoke out about plans to knock out FIVE episodes a week.

Tony said: “Was it a better show when it was twice a week? Absolutely — without a shadow of a doubt.

“They were shooting just an hour’s television and had time to spend on each individual episode.

“If you are producing two and a half hours it’s a movie a week and things suffer for that. EastEnders is going through the doldrums a little bit lately, but it will always come back because there is a great team working on it.”

EastEnders slumped to a record low of 3.9million viewers last year.

Ratings have recovered since — but the show has been criticised for duff plots.

And many viewers’ favourites have gone — including the Fowler family.


Tony is now planning a screenwriting competition through his production company Red Planet Pictures.

He said: “I used to do workshops and seminars with new writers at EastEnders and I am trying to find a way to continue that with my production company. I really want to find new writing talent and help them get their voice out there.”


Really Tony is just voicing the views of real EE Fans

[.:SpIcYsPy:.]

I thought it was going to be Jordan as in Katie Price then!!

[magicdragon]

me too lol thats what i thought

[alan45]

I thought it was going to be Jordan as in Katie Price then!!

me too lol thats what i thought

Obviously I didnt make the title clear enough. I was talking about the talented Tony Jordan not the brainless blonde surgically enhanced airhead

Maybe a mod could amend the title to avoid confusion

[Richie_lecturer]

I would agree with him, but I think some of his later work for EE left a lot to be desired.

[alan45]

I would agree with him, but I think some of his later work for EE left a lot to be desired.

True but dont forget who was pulling the strings then LB and KH (remember All hail KH)

[Pinkbanana]

I would agree with him, but I think some of his later work for EE left a lot to be desired.

True but dont forget who was pulling the strings then LB and KH (remember All hail KH)

I agree with Richie, he was the main storyliner for a long period of time, and oversaw some totally dire, toe curling storylines. I dont buy that he was somehow not being able to do this job or having his wings clipped, otherwise he would have surely walked?

[alan45]

He wrote the scipts but some if not all of the outlandish story ideas (funfair, kidneygate, borrerias) were not decided by him. Have you tried making a silk purse out of a sows ear. Even todays great scriptwriter Sarah Phelps has difficulty writing convincing stories round the wacky ideas they come up with. (Abandoned Eastern European orphan anyone)

[Chloe O'brien]

I have voiced my opinions before,that I agree with Tony EE would benefit by returning to being on just twice a week. I think all the soaps would.

[Pinkbanana]

He wrote the scipts but some if not all of the outlandish story ideas (funfair, kidneygate, borrerias) were not decided by him. Have you tried making a silk purse out of a sows ear. Even todays great scriptwriter Sarah Phelps has difficulty writing convincing stories round the wacky ideas they come up with. (Abandoned Eastern European orphan anyone)

Surely he would have been involved in those storylines to some degree (maybe not writing the actual scripts) as the MAIN storyliner....

I agree with Kath, all the soaps would benefit greatly from a return to two episodes a week. Just praying that this persistant rumour that EE will be going out 5 night a week in the future doesnt come a reality...