By James V. Ruocco
Heightened drama.
Lies and deceit.
Long-holding family feuds.
Fist fights. Cat fights. Mud fights.
Workplace showdowns.
Insane and topical storylines.
Murder.
Surprise Relatives.
Prison Sentences.
Fond Farewells.
Revenge.
Surprise Relatives.
Prison Sentences.
Fond Farewells.
Revenge.
Romance.
Bed hopping.
Bed hopping.
Extra-marital affairs.
Straight sex.
Straight sex.
Gay sex.
Transgender sex.
Bisexuality.
Pregnancy.
Rape.
Threats.
Paternity tests.
Cancer.
Backstabbing.
Cancer.
Backstabbing.
Discoveries.
Deaths.
Secrets revealed.
Secrets revealed.
Disrupted weddings.
Arrivals.
Returns.
Triage and casualty mishaps.
Exits.
Long lost relatives no one has ever mentioned.
Surprise appearances.
The pub where characters from every soap meet two, three and four times a week.
Surprise appearances.
The pub where characters from every soap meet two, three and four times a week.
Welcome to world of the UK soaps.
"Eastenders"
"Emmerdale"
"Neighbours"
"Hollyoaks"
"Coronation Street"
No two programmes are alike.
And that, in a nutshell, is what keeps soap fans turning in worldwide.
Once you're hooked, you're hooked.
And that, in a nutshell, is what keeps soap fans turning in worldwide.
Once you're hooked, you're hooked.
I'm guilty as well.
I watch them daily, weekly and sometimes on demand.
If I fall behind - that happens occasionally - it's time for a quick "catch up" watching both current episodes and some - out of sequence - from months before that have already passed.
If I fall behind - that happens occasionally - it's time for a quick "catch up" watching both current episodes and some - out of sequence - from months before that have already passed.
I've been doing it for years.
Point taken, let's get back to business.
No tenterhooks, here.
No long paragraphs or ramblings.
Things are straight and to the point.
Just my picks for what I believe to be the best of the best, ranked from top to bottom.
Things are straight and to the point.
Just my picks for what I believe to be the best of the best, ranked from top to bottom.
Daunting?
Hardly.
Surprising?
Surprising?
It can be.
Fun?
Fun?
Oh, yes.
My choices for the Best Primetime UK Soaps of 2022 are as follows:
"EASTENDERS" (BBC ONE)
"EMMERDALE" (ITV)
"NEIGHBOURS" (Channel 5)
"HOLLYOAKS" (CHANNEL 4)
"CORONATION STREET" (ITV)