I have been watching Hollyoaks since 2007 but lately it has been awful. The storylines are weak and even more far fetched than usual, and the background music and bad acting just make the whole experience unpleasant. I understand the pandemic has affected the way the show is now ran but if anything it has also made us realise Hollyoaks is nothing without big stunts. May I also add that the show is now becoming a haven for washed up celebs to get their last 15 minutes of fame.
61 Reviews
Middle of the road
sonicfuser24 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The decent stories sometimes get stretched out for too long but at least they don't hide away from sexual problems such as a woman who has a certain heritage falling in love with the lesbian who'd slept with nearly every chick in the town. Eventually, they sleep together (we don't see it sadly) but Nadira (the girl with a heritage) has to marry a man. Yet at the wedding, it's revealed that Juliet and Nerdiria are in love. Everyone is shocked as it goes against their beliefs and since Nadira cheated on Shaq. Juliet a few days before was told by Perrie (a woman she slept with and dated) not to ruin the wedding but after Shaq reveals he knows. At the wedding he says he can't marry her then when questioned about it Juliet says it's because "Nadira's in love with me" then everyone is obviously shocked.
This show has seen better days
mulhollandman29 September 2006
Hollyoak's is the brainchild of Phil Redmond. Redmond has provided the British public with some of the best cutting edge drama in the last 30 years. Beginning with Grange Hill in 1978 he established what has now become a legendary national treasure depicting the trials and tribulations of teenagers in their G.C.S.E and A-Levels. He then created Brookside, which changed the story lines of British Soaps forever with its continuous devotion to depict gritty, real suburban live. A programme set in Redmond's native Liverpool that revolved around a community of adults. Then in the 1990's came Hollyoaks. This was Redmond's project to depict live of the twenty something's in Chester.
On its release in 1995 it was considered typical Redmond's style. Its depiction of real live issues was sometimes relentlessly hard to watch but in other areas it was terrifically funny. It's cast were wonderful with the emphasis was on a naturalistic performance. The writing was crisp and fresh and very inventive. It dealt in a very mature fashion with the issues depicted and its sensitive approach meant that the soap was held very high in both the public and industries eyes. But as the old cast began to move on and replacements were drafting in it became clear that the previous hard work was being replaced by glamour and over the top story lines. The new actors were looks friendly and not very talented and the acting descended from well thought out characterizations to populist acting. This consists of over the top performances throughout the episode. It is quite frustrating to see this considering whatever went before them were genuine actors and actresses. This is not helped by the over the top story lines. Since January 2006 there has been a kidnapping, incarceration of a rapist who then escapes and commits mass murder. It is now Sept 2006 and the big action packed story lines are still coming. This is not helped by the cheesy camera direction that is employed in some of the scripts. One particular sequence involved a tomato ketchup mustard shoot out involving two girls. This was shot to the style of a John Woo. Some people say this is inspirational but to me its just rubbish and it quite clearly pisses upon what Phil Redmond set out to achieve in 1995. What was a good British Soap full of characters that you would genuinely care for have now been forsaken for a more Americanised product full of whining wannabes.
In it's time it has tread some ground that has met Phil Redmond's brief of Realism. The most powerful storyline to date was the male rape of Luke Morgan. This was the last time that Hollyoaks generated such a response from the public. Many of whom welcomed such a topic that had until then been swept under the carpet as a taboo issue. Since then the cheese has been processed weekly and distributed on a daily basis. In the film The Insider the Christopher Plummer character says in relation to media " You will only be remembered for what you did last night ". If this statement is true I really hope Phil Redmond has another ace up his sleeve because at the moment it looks like Hollyoaks current mediocrity will be remembered. 4 out of 10
On its release in 1995 it was considered typical Redmond's style. Its depiction of real live issues was sometimes relentlessly hard to watch but in other areas it was terrifically funny. It's cast were wonderful with the emphasis was on a naturalistic performance. The writing was crisp and fresh and very inventive. It dealt in a very mature fashion with the issues depicted and its sensitive approach meant that the soap was held very high in both the public and industries eyes. But as the old cast began to move on and replacements were drafting in it became clear that the previous hard work was being replaced by glamour and over the top story lines. The new actors were looks friendly and not very talented and the acting descended from well thought out characterizations to populist acting. This consists of over the top performances throughout the episode. It is quite frustrating to see this considering whatever went before them were genuine actors and actresses. This is not helped by the over the top story lines. Since January 2006 there has been a kidnapping, incarceration of a rapist who then escapes and commits mass murder. It is now Sept 2006 and the big action packed story lines are still coming. This is not helped by the cheesy camera direction that is employed in some of the scripts. One particular sequence involved a tomato ketchup mustard shoot out involving two girls. This was shot to the style of a John Woo. Some people say this is inspirational but to me its just rubbish and it quite clearly pisses upon what Phil Redmond set out to achieve in 1995. What was a good British Soap full of characters that you would genuinely care for have now been forsaken for a more Americanised product full of whining wannabes.
In it's time it has tread some ground that has met Phil Redmond's brief of Realism. The most powerful storyline to date was the male rape of Luke Morgan. This was the last time that Hollyoaks generated such a response from the public. Many of whom welcomed such a topic that had until then been swept under the carpet as a taboo issue. Since then the cheese has been processed weekly and distributed on a daily basis. In the film The Insider the Christopher Plummer character says in relation to media " You will only be remembered for what you did last night ". If this statement is true I really hope Phil Redmond has another ace up his sleeve because at the moment it looks like Hollyoaks current mediocrity will be remembered. 4 out of 10
This shows needs a serious fix up!
lnwabude11 September 2021
When talking about soap operas, EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale are the big names that come up. However, Hollyoaks is always the odd one out. Why? Because it's cringeworthy at best and horrible at worst.
Nowadays, Hollyoaks is at its absolute worst as it has 3 main issues:
Overall: Hollyoaks is an awful show. Terrible acting, Unfunny humor and Stupid editing. Instead of focusing on creating great storylines with good character development, they keep recycling the same formula over and over again with little to no improvement. Also, they had an episode dedicated towards black people as in only having the black characters in a 48 minute long episode which was not only extremely stupid but clearly shows them pandering towards the black people. I'm a black person myself and I absolutely get infuriated when they do that type of thing. If they want to improve this show, either fire the producers or force them to improve it because as of now, Hollyoaks is an awful show in every way.
Nowadays, Hollyoaks is at its absolute worst as it has 3 main issues:
- Terrible acting = the acting is just plain awful to listen to as characters constantly underreact and overreact. Even the dialogue and writing itself is badly written, it's as if it was written by a 10 year old. This isn't just for the Liverpool actors because even the London actors are horrible.
- Unfunny humor = there's no problem with a show not trying to take itself seriously but this show does it so poorly and just comes off as cringe inducing. Constant jokes that are completely cringe and dumb to listen to. There also come out of nowhere, especially in the "serious" moments. Again, it sounds like a 10 year old wrote this.
- Stupid editing = the editing is so bad that it feels like a dog is waving a camera stick around with its mouth. Pointless shaky cam, unnecessary visual effects, horrible CGI, laughably bad close up cams and questionable zoom outs. And enough with the pointless music at the beginning of each episode because it feels completely out of place.
Overall: Hollyoaks is an awful show. Terrible acting, Unfunny humor and Stupid editing. Instead of focusing on creating great storylines with good character development, they keep recycling the same formula over and over again with little to no improvement. Also, they had an episode dedicated towards black people as in only having the black characters in a 48 minute long episode which was not only extremely stupid but clearly shows them pandering towards the black people. I'm a black person myself and I absolutely get infuriated when they do that type of thing. If they want to improve this show, either fire the producers or force them to improve it because as of now, Hollyoaks is an awful show in every way.
Absolute gash
rosswalke29 November 2020
How is this so popular?
Foux_du_Fafa4 February 2010
I can understand why teenagers might like "Hollyoaks" - it produces a glamorous myth about university/young working life in a somewhat realistic environment (what I mean is a small town that most people would end up residing in as opposed to the centre of London or the hippest part of Manhattan). However, I cannot understand why so many young adults and students can find "Hollyoaks" so intoxicating.
A great number of my friends are addicted to this and will rush home for 6:30 so as not to miss it, and then watch the sneak-peak for tomorrow's episode on E4 after that has finished (they will most likely also watch this episode when it is screened nearly 24 hours later on Channel 4). I cannot get my head around how they could moderately enjoy this. It makes mid-range productions like "EastEnders" and "Coronation Street" seem like productions from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Pretty much everything is bad, from the corny acting and contrived story lines to the awkward use of pop-music and the often shoddy direction. Somebody actually told me once that the cast of "Hollyoaks" are actually hired through modelling agencies and not through acting agencies, which would make a lot of sense giving the show's banality.
I understand that I shouldn't expect the pinnacle of sophistication in a soap-opera, but it frankly sinks far below any level of quality to be worthwhile. Avoid.
A great number of my friends are addicted to this and will rush home for 6:30 so as not to miss it, and then watch the sneak-peak for tomorrow's episode on E4 after that has finished (they will most likely also watch this episode when it is screened nearly 24 hours later on Channel 4). I cannot get my head around how they could moderately enjoy this. It makes mid-range productions like "EastEnders" and "Coronation Street" seem like productions from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Pretty much everything is bad, from the corny acting and contrived story lines to the awkward use of pop-music and the often shoddy direction. Somebody actually told me once that the cast of "Hollyoaks" are actually hired through modelling agencies and not through acting agencies, which would make a lot of sense giving the show's banality.
I understand that I shouldn't expect the pinnacle of sophistication in a soap-opera, but it frankly sinks far below any level of quality to be worthwhile. Avoid.
Addictive stuff...
pocketcolors30 November 2003
It's only been the past 6 months or so that I've started watching Hollyoaks (finishing a-levels left me with free evenings after work until uni started) but I have to say it's pretty damn addictive! I think you just have to take it as it is - a lighthearted soap with a mix of serious and not-so-serious storylines. Great stuff!
Worst thing ever created! Horrid! Horrid! Horrid!
CuriosityKilledShawn3 July 2000
There are some things I bet mankind would wish he could un-invent. The atom bomb, religion and Hollyoaks would be at the top of that list. I only ever watched this to pass time at a crappy job on Sunday mornings. Thank heavens I don't have that job anymore as this show was giving me high-blood pressure. That's how angry it got me. That's how bad the acting is.
I know people comment on movies that have okay acting as having terrible acting and I am well aware that a lot of American soaps like Sunset Beach and Days of Our Lives have rather poor acting but THIS has THE ABSOLUTE WORST and THE MOST PITIFUL excuse for acting I have ever seen.
The characters of Max, OB and Justin are performed quite well but the all of the rest are simply awful. I know for a FACT that many of the so called actors are chosen by their looks alone and not for their acting abilities. A rather stupid way of casting a TV show it is. Many TV shows do this but no other show has such A DISGRACEFUL DISPLAY of acting than Hollyoaks.
The direction is dull, miserable and very bleak. Every scene is lit with grey light that puts an incredibly depressing atmosphere on everything. When this ain't the case it's painfully obvious it's being helmed by a film-school graduate desperate to show off his non-skills.
Even the pathetic stories are nothing more than childish morality plays and Sunday-school style 'don't do this' kind of lessons. Since the target audience is mainly teenagers the producers tend to condescend to them with endless amounts of these simple cautionary tales. They don't even attempt to make it subtle. I'd be really offended watching this as a teenager if they thought I was as ignorant and naive as the badly written characters. They are SO VERY BAD you'll either be rolling around on the floor in laughter or be enraged at such an atrocity.
I know people comment on movies that have okay acting as having terrible acting and I am well aware that a lot of American soaps like Sunset Beach and Days of Our Lives have rather poor acting but THIS has THE ABSOLUTE WORST and THE MOST PITIFUL excuse for acting I have ever seen.
The characters of Max, OB and Justin are performed quite well but the all of the rest are simply awful. I know for a FACT that many of the so called actors are chosen by their looks alone and not for their acting abilities. A rather stupid way of casting a TV show it is. Many TV shows do this but no other show has such A DISGRACEFUL DISPLAY of acting than Hollyoaks.
The direction is dull, miserable and very bleak. Every scene is lit with grey light that puts an incredibly depressing atmosphere on everything. When this ain't the case it's painfully obvious it's being helmed by a film-school graduate desperate to show off his non-skills.
Even the pathetic stories are nothing more than childish morality plays and Sunday-school style 'don't do this' kind of lessons. Since the target audience is mainly teenagers the producers tend to condescend to them with endless amounts of these simple cautionary tales. They don't even attempt to make it subtle. I'd be really offended watching this as a teenager if they thought I was as ignorant and naive as the badly written characters. They are SO VERY BAD you'll either be rolling around on the floor in laughter or be enraged at such an atrocity.
Probably one of the best soaps in the UK, here's why!
martinimulder17 February 2007
Firstly, I am a big fan, but for good reasons! Hollyoaks has an amazing ability to not take itself too seriously and then at other times it can deal extremely well with story lines or issues over soaps dare not touch. Teacher student relationship, cot death, racism, and it does so brilliantly. The character development has been great and the cast is getting better and better, I wasn't too happy with the Hunter family leaving but the Ashoworth's are pretty cool. Give it a try you might like it! Oh, and just stay tuned for a few episodes, actors like Chris Fountain and Gemma Atkinson have made this the show it is. It rocks, there's just so much good in it!
Midsomer Murders has nothing on this!
Victor-fitforlife17 January 2019
A village with probably more serial killers than in the whole of the UK in the last 50 years!
It's Midsomer Murders with a Northern accent!
But it also has its fair share of usual soap dramas...adultery, long lost children, serious illnesses, homosexuality, transgenderism, family dramas, abuse, underage sex, teen pregnancies...you know, usual stuff that goes on in soapland but in reality you would be (un)lucky to come across two or three times in your life.
Hollyoaks has absolutely everything! If you suspend reality, you will love this hard hitting over the top soap. But if you're looking for something mildly resembling reality, this is most definitely not for you!
Me...I quite like it!
Used to love this show but now I have gone off it
layahutchinson200022 August 2023
I have watched Hollyoaks for a while and some of the storylines were really good back in 2000's it's starting to get boring with storylines. I think they need to think of some better storylines instead of the same story getting repeated again and again. I stopped watching Hollyoaks a few weeks ago. The storyline with with Rayne is getting on my nerves and has put me off. The show needs new writers and certainly needs new producers who know what they're doing. I hope who ever is the new producer is i hope they don't drag on storylines and doesn't make the show deppressing. Do better with your storylines.
Underrated when compared to other Soaps
lucky_star_125 March 2007
Currently, Hollyoaks is my favourite Soap. It's the one I never miss during weekdays In fact, it's been my favourite for quite a few years now, given that Eastenders has certainly suffered a great 21st century downfall The viewers' ratings for this Soap always suffer in comparison to the universally watched Soaps (Eastenders, Coronation St), much to do with the fact that Channel 4 suffers in comparison to BBC1 and ITV Nevertheless, I would say it is the most realistic of all the Soaps, and doesn't overstretch the boundaries in storytelling. In fact it is more in touch with human nature than all the other soaps, relating its plots to real teenage problems and even parental problems Moreover, it doesn't need to bring a character back from the dead to boost ratings; and most of the families are central to the main plots so you become familiar with them My current favourite characters are Louise, Warren, Carmel, Tony, John-Paul and Jacqui, all of whom are very much involved in the current gripping episodes I would recommend this Soap to both genders and to people in their teens and above, however the Late Night Specials include more adulterated content
Watch this show...it may even surprise you
oh_lala8 September 2006
"life better when you put some Hollyoaks on it" the headline says it all, Hollyoaks deals with the life and loves (and everything in-between) of the residents of Chester. I find particular this show enjoyable and to be one that in my late teens I found more enjoyable and could relate too, sure some the story lines and going on are cheesy (like Izzy doing a babe watch number many moons ago) however is this what makes Hollyoaks different to other soaps, and sure all the girls are hot and this is offend seen as its downfall (ohhh greens not your colour) but its had/has some great story lines and some little gems of talent, the writing is going from strength to strength, but what always surprises me about Hollyoaks is that it can deal with even the most sensitive problems in a real way and also bring some light hearted humour to the episode as well. Hollyoaks is underestimated in my opinion Give it a chance you will be surprised
Career killing show!
richard_kitchen25 February 2022
Have you ever noticed that the actors who started in Hollyoaks, stay in Hollyoaks!!
It's because the reputation is in the toilet. It's an awful show with awful acting. Some of them are stealing a career as an 'actor'. Even those who try leave, end up crawling back when no one will touch them.
Late 90's and early 00's it was pretty good, tackled some good storylines and was enjoyable. But then days are LONG gone!! Awful Awful Awful.
It's because the reputation is in the toilet. It's an awful show with awful acting. Some of them are stealing a career as an 'actor'. Even those who try leave, end up crawling back when no one will touch them.
Late 90's and early 00's it was pretty good, tackled some good storylines and was enjoyable. But then days are LONG gone!! Awful Awful Awful.
Hollyoaks still going strong!!!
Jawad715 October 1998
Totally crap acting
colinhart-095073 January 2019
Terrible acting
karenwright-6737227 June 2021
Just tried to watch Hollyoaks. I thought with winning best soap awards it must have changed and become brilliant, how wrong was I. The acting wasn't even worthy of a Sunday evening comedy drama. The storylines might be good, but the acting made me cringe. I'm not sure how it's still on our screens.
What a load of rubbish.
darrell-2371515 April 2020
Disappointing
Siadradiannon18 January 2012
Hollyoaks can get really rather addictive, but no matter how juicy the storyline you've been following is, there is no doubt that it will have a VERY anti-climatic conclusion and all the characters will return to normal within the next week and completely forget anything remotely traumatic ever happened to them.
The acting is dreadful, there is no real emotion, the dialogue is stilted and the accents are painful. There are one or two gems in among a bad, bad bunch which make the show bearable, but recently (end of 2011ish) the show has been attempting to impersonate skins, one of the key shots being a direct copy of the DVD cover of the first generation, which makes it just awkward. It's brought in a bunch of new characters, all of which have intoxicatingly overdone personalities.
There are also many cringe-worthy moments where the show attempts comedy, and fails.
The show gets a 3 out of 10 for being mildly entertaining at times, and for a few crazy story lines that did get me hooked (I'm ashamed to say.) However, the writing is terrible. The acting is terrible. The plots string you along and then completely disappoint you.
Just...don't watch it.
The acting is dreadful, there is no real emotion, the dialogue is stilted and the accents are painful. There are one or two gems in among a bad, bad bunch which make the show bearable, but recently (end of 2011ish) the show has been attempting to impersonate skins, one of the key shots being a direct copy of the DVD cover of the first generation, which makes it just awkward. It's brought in a bunch of new characters, all of which have intoxicatingly overdone personalities.
There are also many cringe-worthy moments where the show attempts comedy, and fails.
The show gets a 3 out of 10 for being mildly entertaining at times, and for a few crazy story lines that did get me hooked (I'm ashamed to say.) However, the writing is terrible. The acting is terrible. The plots string you along and then completely disappoint you.
Just...don't watch it.
actually a pretty good show
princess9199 September 2006
My sisters and I love to watch Hollyoaks all together. At first I was a bit put off as it all seemed a bit stereotypical but I have come to love it despite that. The humour is fun and the story lines rarely get too serious which is a nice change from soaps that insist on always being a bit too depressing.
Every now and then they do have a storyline that has us jumping for joy or staring in dismay. The recent fire was incredibly dramatic and we almost cried over some of the departed characters.
The acting can be a bit off at times but ultimately this is a great soap to watch if you want to relax and suspend reality after a long day at work or school.
by the way the fact that most of the guys are quite cute doesn't spoil it at all!
Every now and then they do have a storyline that has us jumping for joy or staring in dismay. The recent fire was incredibly dramatic and we almost cried over some of the departed characters.
The acting can be a bit off at times but ultimately this is a great soap to watch if you want to relax and suspend reality after a long day at work or school.
by the way the fact that most of the guys are quite cute doesn't spoil it at all!
Good teenage soap opera.
TheLittleSongbird29 July 2009
Hollyoaks is something I do like watching on a weekday, and is mildly entertaining. Sure it is in the shadow of EastEnders and Coronation Street, and doesn't always tackle the serious issues conveyed in those two soaps. But it is a good soap opera, directed mainly at teenagers. (I am a teenager, so that may explain why I like it) Yes, sometimes the writing's a bit clumsy, and the acting is rather amateurish. Though I do like Gemma Merna as Carmel, she is very funny in a quirky sort of way, and I have always liked Gemma Bissix's Clare Devine.(aka Cunningham) Hollyoaks have recently been brave with dealing with serious issues like drugs and teenage pregnancies, not to mention Hannah's annorexia, and that is commendable. I will confess some of the climax episodes have been rather disappointing, Warren's death certainly could have been done much better. Still, I do like it, it is mildly entertaining. 7/10 Bethany Cox.
One of the worst TV shows ever
DavidYZ26 April 2017
The writing and acting in this Chester-set Channel 4 / E4 soap opera are awful. I can't understand why this is on prime-time national television.
There have been many specials and spin-offs, which are just as bad as the main series.
There have been many specials and spin-offs, which are just as bad as the main series.
The Best soap Better than other soaps
tiago_lima01121 December 2017
Hollyoaks is very very awesome.
It's nice for all ages mainly for youngs.
I am a big fan, but for good reasons! Hollyoaks has an amazing ability to not take itself too seriously and then at other times it can deal extremely well with story lines or issues over soaps dare not touch. Teacher student relationship, cot death, racism and it does so brilliantly.
The acting can be a bit off at times but ultimately this is a great soap to watch if you want to relax and suspend reality after a long day at work or school.
Highly recommend this show.
English soap seems typical, but Guy Burnet intrigues.
reviewerinoimdbino6 November 2007
I've caught the storyline of this show that involves the character played by Guy Burnet and t'other male character and enjoyed it very much. As an American, my reaction is probably a bit different than that of people over in England. The regional or working class accents, however real they may be, sound put-on, like something that upper-class actors like the Redgraves use for a stage performance. And then you have the relentlessly mundane, everyday settings that you just don't find in American soaps. It's like this "Coronation Street" / "The Archers" self-mythologizing view of England, where it's all real, see?, and true and gritty-like, see? Sort of an imaginary world of pure-hearted common folk, salt of the earth, and all that.
But that Guy Burnet, oof, he is exquisite. I don't typically look upon delicate, elegantly slender people with such favor, and I'm sure he's straight in real life, but my gosh he is good-looking. Thank god he's cut his hair--he looks a zillion times better with it short.
Bring him back for further story lines, or give him other movie and television roles!
But that Guy Burnet, oof, he is exquisite. I don't typically look upon delicate, elegantly slender people with such favor, and I'm sure he's straight in real life, but my gosh he is good-looking. Thank god he's cut his hair--he looks a zillion times better with it short.
Bring him back for further story lines, or give him other movie and television roles!
Hollyoaks: Attack of the Clones
AlbusDumbledore14 May 2007
This show did show promise it being the brainchild of Brookside creator Phil Redmond. Nowadays every time I see this show there seems to be populated by an inordinate amount of "blonde clones". Has someone created an underground laboratory no-one is aware of? Frankly I'm surprised this hasn't attracted the attentions of the Jedi Council. I keep half expecting Obi-Wan Kenobi to turn up any minute to investigate this.
Furthermore everyone seems to be surrounded and binded by some strange influence known as "The Farce." They have learnt to harness "The Farce" quite well.
If George Lucas is thinking of another direction to take his Star Wars franchise he should check this out.
Furthermore everyone seems to be surrounded and binded by some strange influence known as "The Farce." They have learnt to harness "The Farce" quite well.
If George Lucas is thinking of another direction to take his Star Wars franchise he should check this out.
See also
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