The Banned (EastEnders)
The Banned | |
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Background information | |
Genres | Pop/rock |
Years active | 1986 (fictional) |
Past members |
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The Banned is a fictional band in the
Storyline development and impact
In 1986, the creators of EastEnders, scriptwriter
The storyline proved to be a successful merchandising tool for the serial, as it spawned two hit
Although the plot produced two hit singles in the real world, the actual storyline was not a great success with viewers. EastEnders creators Julia Smith and Tony Holland both felt it lacked credibility and branded it an experiment that failed.[3] The plot has since been described as "a horrific scenario where fact and soap merged in messy fashion to give the fictional band a real-life hit with the appalling 'Something Out of Nothing'."[2] The songs, which "were recorded when the show was riding high on huge ratings success", have not aged well in critical opinion.[11] A critic for The Guardian newspaper has commented that "The Banned" was EastEnders' "Eighties bid to add a pop angle to their socially conscious template", which "went down like the proverbial ton of bricks". The critic goes on to say: "Worse was the record; an acne-scarred 'song' of no merit whatsoever, called 'Something Out of Nothing'. You said it, kid." In 2004, "Something Outa Nothing" was voted the 9th worst single ever released by a soap star.[12] Though extremely popular at the time, "Every Loser Wins" has since been branded "a tuneless ode".[11]
Plot
The band started life off-screen, where
The reformed group consist of Simon, Eddie,
They are due to have their debut in
Simon and Harry constantly disagree with the direction the band is taking. Harry loses his argument to make the band a vehicle for
Simon allows the band to continue using his song, "Something Outa Nothing", for the competition. The day of the competition comes and for some reason Harry, who is a political activist, decides to sabotage their performance by switching the cartridge in the synthesizer, wrecking any hopes the group have of getting anywhere. They are humiliated, and the rest of the band are furious when Harry confesses that he sabotaged their performance to show them up.
Specially introduced characters
As well as the regular characters featured in the storyline (Sharon, Simon, Ian and Kelvin), a number of new characters were introduced specifically for the duration of the storyline.
Harry Reynolds
Harry Reynolds | |||||
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EastEnders character | |||||
Portrayed by | Gareth Potter | ||||
First appearance | Episode 137 10 June 1986 | ||||
Last appearance | Episode 178 30 October 1986 | ||||
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Harry Reynolds, played by Gareth Potter, is a college friend of
Soon after his arrival, Harry, Kelvin and several other
Simon and Harry begin to disagree with the direction the band is taking. Harry loses his argument to make the band a vehicle for
Tessa Parker
Tessa Parker | |||||
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EastEnders character | |||||
Portrayed by | Josephine Melville | ||||
First appearance | Episode 137 10 June 1986 | ||||
Last appearance | Episode 145 8 July 1986 | ||||
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Tessa Parker, played by
Their romance quickly fades when Kelvin becomes more interested in
Eddie Hunter
Eddie Hunter | |||||
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EastEnders character | |||||
Portrayed by | Simon Henderson | ||||
Duration | 1986–1987 | ||||
First appearance | Episode 140 19 June 1986 | ||||
Last appearance | Episode 201 15 January 1987 | ||||
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Eddie Hunter, played by Simon Henderson, is a flamboyantly dressed friend of
The Banned take part in a competition for a music contract, but Harry, who is a political activist, sabotages their performance and they end up being booed off stage. The Banned split up after this and Eddie disappears. Months later, Eddie attends Kelvin's eighteenth birthday party and tells Simon and Ian that Harry is managing a band in Twickenham.
References
- ^ ISBN 0-563-20601-2.
- ^ a b c Coe, Gideon (28 February 2004). "Soundtrack of their lives". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ ISBN 0-563-37057-2.
- ^ "Sylvia Young Theatre School". www.sylviayoungtheatreschool.co.uk. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ "In pictures: EastEnders' 20 years (pic no.2)". BBC. 19 February 2005. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ Left, Sarah (26 November 2001). "Singing thespians". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ "HEARTBEAT'S POP STARS". Archived from the original on 21 June 2007. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ "Pop: UK Charts". The Independent. Retrieved 21 October 2007. [dead link]
- ^ "Simon May". www.cityspeakersinternational.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ "Soap stars turned pop stars". CBBC Newsround. 11 March 2003. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ a b Gibson, Owen (19 February 2005). "After 20 years, is EastEnders going south?". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ "The 10 worst soap singers". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 21 October 2007.