Brookside (1982–2003) User Reviews

Ahead of its time

[colinprunty-1 · 8/10 · 2 June 2023]

When this series began on the opening night of channel 4 the world was clearly not ready for this groundbreaking soap set in Liverpool.

It was set on a suburban new build housing estate in Liverpool and featured several families from all walks of life.

The opening years focused on the everyday problems of life for most people in the early eighties and everything from school life to work life and general everyday problems were covered.

In many respects it resembled the old kitchen sink dramas of the 1950s and 60s but bad language and mild violence was thrown in as well as use of profanity.

Viewers back then were used to gentler material at this time of the evening so to say it all of this was ahead of its time was correct.

The writing and acting in the first 4 or 5 years was of an exceptional standard however once they started running out of ideas and went down the easy route of sleazy far fetched storylines it started to lose its way.

The end for me was in the late eighties and the arrival of annoying families and ridiculous storylines that continued until it's eventual demise in 2003.

Made big stars of several actors and actresses especially from these earliest episodes.

Good in the early days

[michael_mulligan · 8/10 · 24 October 2013]

When it first aired in 1982 Brookside was clearly different to what had been on UK TV. Swearing and scenes like Karen Grant being threatened by her boyfriend with a pot of hot tea into having sex drew criticism from the press to Mary Whitehouse. They toned the swearing down but delivered great plots some of which had good social comment like Damon's spell on the YTS. There was some fun moments too like Sheila and Marie's slanging match on the close. By the 1990s plots like the body under the patio and the religious cult siege took the show to a new and far-fetched low. The Nikki Shadwick rape whodunit was too overdrawn whilst the Nat and Georgia incest storyline could have been interesting but due to tabloid outrage was quickly wound up. By the 2000s channel 4 started airing Big Brother and Brookside found itself playing second fiddle in the prime time schedules and got a weekly Saturday afternoon slot. And in 2003 Brookside went out without as much as a bang.

Started good, ended good, but bad in between

[tdavies75 · 4 November 2003]

The (not so) everyday life of the residents of a Liverpool Close. Brookside has been known to break the 'taboos' of life and include stories that no other soap had been brave enough to do before. Throughout the 80's and early 90's, stories of rape, domestic violence, homosexuality, incest and murder earned the soap high ratings. This was because Brookside wasn't afraid to push the barriers of soap stories. In fact, most people would say that Brookside helped pave the way for other soaps to be so extreme.

In it's heyday 10 million viewers regularly tuned in. This was in 1993, with one of the most controversial storylines to be on TV at the time. From that point on things began to go downhill. Though remaining popular, the 10 million viewers gradually decreased to around 1.5 million. Thus, in 2002, Brookside was moved to a Saturday afternoon slot, then to a late night Tuesday slot. It was eventually axed, and the last episode runs tonight.

So what went wrong? I was a fan up until around 2000. Up until this point the stories had been as exciting and controversial as ever, but maybe it was so exciting that it was unbelievable?

Most soaps have long, drawn out stories that gradually develop, and these are few and far between. While this is dull for some, it can at least relate with the everyday life of people. These long stories allow for character development, so people will become familiar with people on screen and feel as if they 'know' them. Brookside had none of this. Within the space of a few years we had a virus that killed off half the cast, the incestuous relationship of a brother and sister, a man killing his mother-in-law to get rid of her cancer pain, a drug-rape (which did drag for over a year, but became boring), a man purchasing a shotgun and killing a burglar, a couple of bombs/explosions, racist thugs that came from nowhere, a schoolboy killing and, to top it all off, a seige that trapped the close for three weeks.

Whilst these all sound good on paper, most of these characters and stories came and went in the space of a year, hauling tonnes of emotional baggage (that we hadn't seen develop) with them. Viewers didn't feel as though they knew the characters.

There was also no continuity. With other soaps, they all have at least one character that has been there all along, and most have lasted the majority of the show's life. Brookside has just one remaining character that has made it past the fifteen year mark. The rest have came and gone in very little time. Other soaps have familiar pubs and shops (ie the Cabin, Queen Vic, Woolpac, Rovers Return) Brookside has no familiar 'mascot' as such.

So it ends tonight. The thing is, since it was moved to a late night slot, it has became brilliant viewing. I have since heard that this was the way it was supposed to be as of last year, but the movement to an afternoon slot made it impossible to show what they wanted to.

I'll be watching tonight, as will the 1.5 million left. Maybe more since the final episode has had some surprisingly good news coverage.

"Brookie"-1982-2003

brilliant TV creation that should never be forgotten or overlooked

[chilla-black · 10/10 · 25 April 2010]

possibly the 'best' soap to be aired on British TV. The show from the off had it all. To start with it was set in a spanking brand new 'red brick' close, which was a style of housing that to this day defines the 1980's. Once that had been established, creator Phil Redmond set about a series that featured a collection of families who were either on the up or down, yet all ended up in Brookside Close. That was the theme of the early years with the main elements highlighting Thatcherite Britain. Specifiacclaly it centred on the Grants and the Collins who were poles apart but now neighbours.

The first couple of years were by no means sensationalist compared with what was to follow. The first sensationalist storyline was the siege, quickly followed by the framing of George Jackson, which spawned a UK single release 'Free George Jackson'. From this point on Brookside capitalised on its unique standing as a gritty soap well before EastEnders was born). There was a gay son, a heroine addict husband and more hardline elements that kicked in that not only established the character Barry Grant but also went some way to making the show extremely watchable. In 1985 the show went three times a week, which was a first for UK soaps.

In fact, as we all know, Brookside was a soap of firsts and Redmond should always take the credit. The 1980's Brookie was strong and packed full of unimaginable story lines, pick of the bunch being Tommy McArdle, Laura's electrocution, The Corkhills - including but not ending in the 'Swiss Roll' affair and the close robbery by Jimmy. As mentioned, the siege and then the first whodunnit in UK soap: the rape of Sheila Grant. In fact it was the latter story tied in with Billy Corkhill's dole madness and relationship with Sheila that really brought Barry Grant to the fore.

The soaps stellar years were undoubtedly the 1990's. So many story lines were written that by the middle of the decade all reality had gone, but that only added to the strength of the programme. It was around 1995 that it gained cult status purely because of this unpretentious approach. In no preferential order, the best stories of the 1990's were Jimmy Corkhills cocaine addiction, the close church - in the Grants house, Barry Grant pushing Terry's missus off the scaffolding, the close virus, the body under the patio and The Finnigans. The Finnigans was an extremely well written sub plot that lasted for 2 years. It was at this point around 1997 that the show really took on the big sensationalist stories. Basically as a viewer you just did not know what to expect. It was good though!

So from that point - 1997 - the show developed what can only be described as soap dreamland. For years Brookside went through a phase where every episode contained scenes where all the characters were at each others throats or had agendas. It got really intense around 1999 and half an hour just blew you away. Going in to the 2000's, this continued with the Moffats, who carried on the trend of menacing Brokkie characters. All over the show, left right and centre it was a case of residents who simply had it in for each other.

For me, along with the totally unrealistic stories as mentioned plus loads that i have not (I would like to add that I am very knowledgeable of them) those are what made Brookside such a watchable show. Even in its final phase it carried on the trend with constant characters all arriving with mayhem in mind. Controversial stories kept on coming. Mick Johnson's Euphanasia trial being one example. The show's last stand though was the 2003 drug gang siege, which even by Brookie standards was controversial. Also one story that should not be over looked was the bombing of the health club. I ask you, where else on TV anywhere has there been so many insane story lines?

2003 was the last great year for Brookside The final 4 episodes in 2004 have gained cult status amongst the die hards but in truth the character brought in as a final hurrah, Jack Michaelson was too little too late. Good idea though.

Brookside is one of my favourite programmes ever and I am glad that i watched it, well nearly all of it. I secretly hope one day they bring out the entire series on a 100 DVD Boxset or something.

The music was cool - complete with the armchair hand rest pounding drum beats, the original credits were good. The outro theme was great. The Saturday omnibus - yet again a first for UK soap was called for. I could go on for days...I loved it.

10/10

Sadly they still make them like this!

[Rabical-91 · 1/10 · 5 April 2020]

Many people who read my reviews will be aware that soap operas are not my thing ( with the exception of the early episodes of 'Eastenders' ). I find too many of them badly written and over acted. The worst offender of all in terms of badly written and badly acted soaps is none other than 'Brookside', a dire show set in the fictional cul-de-sac street in Liverpool named Brookside Close.

It is notable today for being the first show to be broadcast on the newly launched Channel 4 in 1982 but one can only wonder at why the decision to allow this show to be commissioned was permitted. I know many soaps dare to touch upon tricky areas but 'Brookside' many times did cross the fine line and I personally found it too upsetting to watch. Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston both appeared here as Bobby and Sheila Grant though were later seen together to better effect when in 1998 they appeared on the set of 'The Royle Family'.

In 1990 Harry Enfield did a hilarious spoof of the show on 'Harry Enfield's Television Programme' when he first introduced us to 'The Scousers'.

A Fantastic Soap but a Poor TV Slot

[Izzit249 · 10/10 · 5 September 2006]

Brookside was one of Britains best soaps/shows before it was axed in the 21st Century......izzit, izzit? Yes it was. Having story lines that were equal to Corrie or an (up to 2003) Eastenders. Unfortunately, Channel 4 did not see it this way. Putting it on at completely the wrong time of day proved to be the death of what could have been Britain's bestest hit soap. Whilst Brookside was equally as good as what today are known as Britains's most popular, they hired fantastic actors, story lines that one can easily compare with, and is sorely missed to this day. I would love for this soap to be brought back by c4, ditching crappy hollyoaks for some real story lines worth watching.

All actor i don't care or what people think or read or say deserve high comments why they act the seen s out brilliant

[bruceleedragon · 10/10 · 20 February 2016]

Here's my review read barry grant is and all way's will be number 1 TV bad guy no matter what am doing a petition soon to get all full uncut brookside close of barry grant on DVD he deserves it iv spoke to bazzer Paul usher aka am doing this for all you brookside fans and myself and barry grant call it unfinished business no not tin head or Steve from lost weekend and the lost footage phil redmond and lee Brady are going to have to help me out and fans to get all the full uncut unseen footage on DVD the best of barry grant and the other side from bad guy to the bill this is for you my old Muker friend in other words Paul usher as barry grant people who try conpair barry with Phil make me laugh barry s proper TV actor six bend trap excellent 10\10 for lost weekend brookside close

A soap that fell victim to sensationalism

[walfordqueen · 6 November 2005]

Brookside was a classic soap opera that was brilliant at character building however things started to go wrong in the late 1990s. Whilst the real rot didn't set in until about 2001 onwards things were starting to go wrong for a period of time before then. The final straw for me was when they had the lesbian storyline involving Jackie Corkhill and Lindsey Corkhill. Jackie Corkhill was one of the most believable characters ever to grace a soap before that plot line. Her and Jimmy were so believable with their fighting and arguing however the character of Jimmy was eventually exhausted as well. It's a shame really but the show just fell foul to sensationalism, gone were the nitty, gritty dramatic days that were good drama yet true to the characters. There was a great friendship going on between the delightful Jacqui Dixon, Rachel Jordache and Katie Rogers for instance that focused on character building over the years. I loved Brookside in it's heyday but it should have been axed before the rot really had a chance to set in. I blame Phil Redmond and Channel 4 for letting the show go down the pan though, Phil Redmond just had to be in charge of his show, nobody else could have touched Brookside. Channel 4 showed no support whatsoever for what was once the most popular programme airing on the channel. I stuck with Brookside up until the end out of loyalty and it still had some great characters like the wonderful Bev however all the time shifting before it's demise was disgusting, you just didn't know when the programme was on half the time.

Paul usher Barry grant brookside close settling up payback

[Markashworth74aka · 10/10 · 10 May 2020]

Paul usher Barry grant aka is the best bad and good guy actor I no he only likes the acting only he dose not like the Lime Light fame side brookside close six bend trap Robin Hood Bill unfinished business settling up Egg heads tv show I asked BBC before Paul usher joined the show eastenders I ask why don't you hire Paul usher the best they did I wanted him back on screen because I no fans wanna see the best Barry grant he's brilliant actor that's for sure I talk t to him about 5 half years ago he's cool guy on and of screen 10/10 the best lostweek end starts from being to end on video tape as far as I no no spoliers thanku for reading 👍

Gimmicks And Quick Fixes Over Characterization

[Big Movie Fan · 12 December 2002]

I started watching Brookside in 1982. I last watched it at the end of 2001. I don't know what is has been like in 2002 but I can tell you how I felt about it from 1982-2001.

My favourite soap was always Emmerdale Farm (now Emmerdale). I liked it because it didn't need fancy gimmicks to gain temporary ratings increases. Emmerdale had good characters which made the soap what it was.

Brookside was a different kettle of fish. To be fair, some of the characters were good but Brookside preferred gimmicks such as explosions and shootings.

In it's favour, there were some good stories for Brookside. Two of my favourite ever characters were Sinbad (real name Thomas Sweeney) and Mick Johnson. Sinbad left the show a couple of years ago. His last storyline had him accused of child abuse and it was powerful stuff. Mick Johnson also had some great stories, particularly one where he was in court for euthanasia.

Jimmy Corkhill was also a good character but by the time I stopped watching Brookside, he had lost all credibility. He had been a drug addict, a schizophrenic, a crook and a fake teacher-there was nowhere else for him to go really.

A couple of things I didn't like about Brookside were it's long drawn out stories and gimmicks. Some storylines lasted for an eternity, especially the one where Nikki Shadwick was raped by a mystery suspect. It lasted just over a year. As I stated earlier, Brookside seemed at times to rely on gimmicks such as explosions, plagues and the like. I feel it could have done more to develop characters because in a lot of cases, some characters became caricatures after awhile.

As I write this, Brookside may be axed in 2003. I know the show has a lot of fans and I thank Brookside for providing some entertainment and addressing a lot of taboo issues but maybe it has run it's course and 2003 will be the right time to lay it to rest.

A shadow of its former self

[HurtsDonut · 1 March 2002]

Up until early 2001 I was prepared to give this show the benefit of the doubt. I defended it to my friends who said it was past its best and tried to convince me to watch EastEnders instead. But no more; this show is utter drivel now compared to the relevant and dramatic storylines that were being effortlessly pumped out in its late 80s/early 90s heyday. Now it's all about sex, sensationalism and whiny Scouse angst. What a shame. Channel 4 should cancel it now and leave the show with some shred of dignity.

Goodbye Brookside

[rossrobinson · 31 October 2003]

Well Brookside has had it's 21 years on Channel 4 and sadly it had to end because of the less viewers they had with it. Who knows, it could be on the sky channels showing old episodes. It's last ever episode will hire on 4th November 2003. So that brings it to the end for good. I'm sure there will be a few more viewers paying their last respects to Brookside. Well Goodbye then Brookside

RIP: 16th October 1982 - 4th November 2003

an ex-fan

[chuffnobbler · 27 November 2001]

Once upon a time, Brookie was the best thing on telly. It had deep, believable, real characters. Motivations were drawn out over years, stories not rushed through and integrity on show. In the mid-nineties, attempts for each storyline to out-do the previous one and characters arriving with masses of emotional baggage to unload before we even knew who they were, all managed to undermine Brookie's place as the most controversial, and the ultimate soap.

Later on, the need to shock, married to tacky stories and two-dimensional characters turned the series into self-parody.

One of the best things on British TV, until approx. 1995.

Over the hill

[richteabiscuit · 24 August 2003]

Like so many people I eagerly waited for the 1st episode on the new TV channel 4. Quickly I became a fan of the great story-lines and strong characters. "Brookside" boasted a number of fantastic soap characters (Barry Grant was my favourite). It even had a "Hollyoakes" like ability to attract some good-looking female actresses. But what I really liked was the realistic stories and the way "Brookside" was so different to the much more camper offerings like "Eldorado" offered by other channels. It pushed boundaries and broke new ground. However by the late 90's the soap was a pale shadow of its former self. Gone were the interesting, likable characters and compelling stories and in were boring irritating families with completely stupid plots. I no longer watch "Brookside" and will not miss it when it ends this year.

Compulsive viewing

[JayeB · 6 September 1999]

Yes I know I'm bias because I am British myself but truly this is a superb show!! Yes its slightly far fetched, yes its very depressing at times (no one can be happy for more than one episode I think that the quota) but who cares when you have excitement and good acting?? I mean Sunset Beach is ridiculous and how many of you watch it (me included and I'm not ashamed!!). For those in America comprehension of what the characters are saying may be impossible as they speak in a 'scouse' accent (think the Beatles multiplied by one hundred)so for viewing subtitles may be needed (ho-hum!!). May I also add that Liverpool is not in the North of England but the North West of England, there is a huge difference between the North and North West of England, I just want to add this because I am a Northern lass myself.. erm sorry. Watch out for excellent performance by Alexander Fletcher who plays Jacqui Dixon.

Everything that has a beginning must have an end

[wellthatswhatithinkanyway · 29 October 2003]

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs

And this show's end is next week,hah hah hah hah.

Well,it's had a pretty long run.I must confess,I've only really started watching it and showing an interest in it these last few weeks as it tick tocks toward it's final episode.Bloody hell,they don't half overact in this show though,don't they?That and some utterly sensationalist storylines make it a show I don't think I could ever have made a permanent fixture in my life,i.e. East Enders or,more regrettably nowadays,Coronation Street.

Having said that,weirdly enough,a lot of the characters are pretty believable for a Liverpool set soap,with names like Sinbad,Bazza and Jordache,as well as an impressive regional dialect.From what I've seen of it it's never been a brilliant show in my eyes but I'd certainly watch it over Emmerdale or,perish the thought,Hollyoaks.**