Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Interview: Lewis Thompson, VP Sport
    • En Garde!
    • BUWRU Still on Top
    • Hidden Histories: With The Archaeology Society
    • Beabadoobee Concert Review: Welcome to Beatopia
    • Taylor Swift: Midnights Review – The Stories of 13 Sleepless Nights
    • Claire Concert Review: Claire Cottrill in Concert!
    • Is There Hope For Percy Jackson?
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube Flickr
    Seren
    • News & Politics
      1. Local News
      2. UK News
      3. Uni News
      4. World News
      5. Politics
      6. Comment
      7. Business
      Featured

      SABB Election: The Full Result Breakdown

      By Emily ReadMarch 20, 20210
      Recent

      Redevelopment plans and the culture of Bangor

      October 28, 2022

      Immediate closure of Menai Bridge following reports of structural integrity issues

      October 28, 2022

      Racial abuse victim calls for harsher sentencing following nightclub assault

      October 28, 2022
    • Arts & Culture
      1. Books
      2. Games
      3. Film
      4. Music
      5. TV
      6. Creative Corner
      Featured

      Bangor alumni podcast earns Hollywood cameo & BBC features

      By Amelia SmithMarch 7, 20210
      Recent

      Beabadoobee Concert Review: Welcome to Beatopia

      October 29, 2022

      Taylor Swift: Midnights Review – The Stories of 13 Sleepless Nights

      October 29, 2022

      Claire Concert Review: Claire Cottrill in Concert!

      October 29, 2022
    • Lifestyle
      1. Fashion
      2. Food and Drink
      3. Social
      4. Health and Beauty
      5. Travel
      Featured

      Country Highlight: The Netherlands

      By Emily ShoultsMay 6, 20220
      Recent

      Gilmore Garms

      October 28, 2022

      Fleeces and Funk

      October 28, 2022

      Cheerleading: Getting your kit together

      October 28, 2022
    • Discovery
      1. Science
      2. Environment
      3. History
      4. International
      Featured

      Brewing up a Storm: The History of Guinness

      By Emily ReadMarch 20, 20210
      Recent

      North Wales Ramblings

      October 28, 2022

      Hamza Yassin: The Hard Work That Is Making Luck Happen

      October 28, 2022

      Student’s Union Hosts Repair Cafe for Sustainability Awareness Week

      October 28, 2022
    • Sport
      1. Varsity 2019
      2. Varsity 2018
      3. Varsity 2017
      4. Varsity 2016
      5. Varsity 2015
      6. Varsity 2014
      7. Varsity 2013
        • Varsity 2013 Results
        • Varsity 2013 – In tweets
      Featured

      Bangor Muddogs’ American Football: a young woman finding her place

      By Jade HillMarch 23, 20210
      Recent

      Interview: Lewis Thompson, VP Sport

      October 29, 2022

      En Garde!

      October 29, 2022

      BUWRU Still on Top

      October 29, 2022
    • Students’ Union
      1. Union News
      2. Societies
      3. Volunteering
      4. Clubs
      Featured

      INTERVIEW: Be Period Positive

      By Caroline CartmillMarch 17, 20210
      Recent

      Interview: Lewis Thompson, VP Sport

      October 29, 2022

      En Garde!

      October 29, 2022

      BUWRU Still on Top

      October 29, 2022
    • Issues
      • Current Issue
      • This year’s issues
      • Last year’s issues
      • Seren Archive
      • Seren Teams
    Seren
    Home»Entertainment»Live Soaps: In Case of Contact With Eyes, Rinse Immediately
    Entertainment

    Live Soaps: In Case of Contact With Eyes, Rinse Immediately

    Becci JamesonBy Becci JamesonOctober 27, 2012Updated:October 27, 2012No Comments3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    It has become a staple of any long running soap to force their actors to perform live to the nation when they reach a landmark year. The latest to jump on the bandwagon is Emmerdale, who aired their live episode on the 17th October to celebrate their 40th anniversary. As live shows go, it wasn’t bad; there were no line mix ups, like the fateful Eastenders live episode, and no one fell over. It was seen as a triumph but it begs the question, why was it necessary to go live?

    The sheer panic that must be felt by cast and crew has to be through the roof, the technical aspects of editing a live show are beyond belief, and the amount of things that could go wrong surely outweigh the benefits of going live. Most soaps, including Emmerdale, have already recorded the ‘live’ episode in case anything does go wrong, like the satellite going down or a power cut. This means that everyone has to work twice as hard to create something that could go astronomically wrong; Emmerdale’s live episode involved 27 cameras, 350 extras and 110 hours of rehearsal.

    A big incentive is, of course, the ratings game. Emmerdale Live raked in 9.2 million viewers, peaking at 9.7 million at the climactic scene. The average number of people watching is 7 million, so it was a very popular event. Is this good enough for ITV, or will they have to take it up a notch and join the ridiculous heights of Hollyoaks later?

    How can this be escapism if we are constantly being reminded that it is live by careless acting and seeing the camera in the background? TV is a release valve for many people, so the edge of the seat tension is not what you want after a hard day. Its cringe-worthy and not what you expect from a light relief soap.It begs the question: why we watch television in the first place? It now appears that we don’t want smooth, polished editing and slick performances but enjoy the schadenfreude of prettier people making fools of themselves with no way of undoing it. That’s why I watched Emmerdale Live, and I was disappointed nothing went wrong. It could be that we are becoming more cultured and prefer a theatre-like experience when we watch TV, but this is wishful thinking.

    Unfortunately, TV is evolving. Maybe soon we will be watching everything live, as if it was a long, unedited YouTube video. Let’s hope not.

    2012 Eastenders Emmerdale Hollyoaks issue226 ITV soaps
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Becci Jameson

    Deputy Editor, Design - 2013/14

    Related Posts

    Is There Hope For Percy Jackson?

    October 29, 2022

    Stacks of Choice in Main Arts Library

    October 29, 2022

    Don’t Worry Darling

    October 28, 2022

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    MORE INFORMATION
    • ABOUT
    • ADVERTISE
    • CONTACT US
    • GET INVOLVED
    • MEMBERS
    Links
    • Bangor University Bangor University
    • Google+ Google+
    • Undeb Bangor Undeb Bangor
    About

    Seren is Bangor University Students’ Union’s English Language Newspaper

    We have editorial independence from both Bangor University and Bangor Students’ Union. Seren is written by students for students and we’d love you to get involved!

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.