While there is no doubt that the award-winning BBC soap Eastenders is becoming a worldwide phenomenon, why is it so depressing?

The vast majority of successful TV shows have been upbeat, funny and full of life but all we ever hear about with Eastenders is depressing storylines, deaths and bad news. However, when you consider the life of Eastenders we have seen some funny storylines, weddings, good news and some very entertaining plots but it would appear that we only remember the depressing and sad episodes.

For a soap such as Eastenders to have lasted so long is a testament to the ability and skill of the various scriptwriters who have been employed by the show. While the recent storyline regarding Danielle Mitchell and Ronnie Mitchell has seen the show receive significant bad press, in the world of soaps there is no such thing as bad press. Despite the fact that thousands of people have complained and claim they will never watch Eastenders again, viewing figures remain fairly unmoved and the threat of a boycott appears to be waning.

The truth is that while Eastenders probably has more than its fair share of depressing and sad storylines it is fun, there are good characters and the acting is perhaps second to none in the world of soaps (although viewers of Coronation Street may disagree). We only seem to remember the depressing storylines for some strange reason but then again maybe the whole reason for watching a soap is to see others "suffering", which makes our lives seem that little bit better?

When you also consider that Eastenders, despite the thick cockney accents, has been sold to many TV channels and satellite stations around the world, the writers must be doing something right. The show is more popular overseas than ever before and while UK viewing figures may not currently be reaching the highs of years gone by, they are still a very acceptable in what is a cut-throat business.



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