The Yvon Era |
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Crossroads returns to ITV1 on the 13th of January 2003. What else is changing about the show? This page was last updated January 6th 2003. Speaking to Inside Soap, Yvon Grace said: "I've changed everything about the show - nothing from the old Crossroads remains - The tone, the writing, the look, and the world of the hotel itself are radically different - its all about extreme now. The new Crossroads is a sexy and glamorous, and has more in common with Dallas and Dynasty than any British soap. "I did have some big names in mind from the start. Jane Asher was attracted to the role of Angel [Samson] because she gets to play a real super-bitch and British soaps need more of those. Kate O'Mara is playing a short term guest, a real-ball breaker. Originally I pictured Betty as quite a dowdy character, but then Anne [Charleston] came on board and we glammed her up. I've loved developing the characters - I'm like a grown girl playing with a giant dolls house! "But the old characters we've kept will still be very much at the centre of the action, particularly Kate Russell. I've based everything around the theme of Romeo and Juliet's warring Montagues and Capulets, so the central theme is the Rusells versus the Sampsons. From the very first episode there is a huge amount of sexual tension, passion and betrayal - as well as a murder! I hope we'll attract a real family audience, because I feel that there's something in there for everyone now." In a Media Guardian article from January 6th 2003, Yvon said this: "We are trying to do a Dallas at British teatime - this is something the British audience won't have seen - certainly not at teatime. There was no other option. I've drawn a line under the old Crossroads. With us, you go through a proscenium arch into a parallel universe. The trick is that I'm not expecting the audience to compare like with like, but accept the new Crossroads for what it is. I've never known a show so focused about what it is. It is not rooted in any level of social realism, not trying to say anything about political issues, just clear storytelling, very inclusive, with daily cliffhangers. There are melodramatic stories, but it's not ironic, we're telling it straight. "I've cut out anything about broken-down washing machines, rats in the cellar, terminal illness. This is about the human condition. We all want great sex, a fantastic body, lots of money, a family, a baby. We're tracing human roots. We've said, 'Look this is not a motel on an M1 slip road, but Hotel California - once you book in, you can't leave.' King's Oak is not parochial, it's a fantasy place where drama happens. All references to Birmingham are taken out. "As a result of the new thinking, I told the designers to take out everything square and functional and corporate-looking, and make it rounded, curvaceous and curly, so it's very female, very glamorous, slightly camp. There's a lot of gold and marble. And all done on 50 pence. We have a Jacuzzi and a sauna that work! As a result, we can be quite naughty and show people half-naked at 5pm." Show Changes In order to increase the show's appeal (the pledge is to increase viewing figures to about 3.5 million up from 2.4million in 2002), a new set is to be drafted in. What we know so far is:
The official site on Carlton.com has this to say: "Crossroads will be back soon under new management and serving a heady cocktail of love, lust and loyalty. Pride, power and passion fuel the day-to-day dramas in the refurbished hotel. "The tempestuous Max and Angel Samson have moved in and twelve months on have stamped their inimitable style on Crossroads. They've given the hotel a glitzy facelift which now boasts a splendid Romanesque entrance lobby, a luxurious spa, swimming pool and health club, stylish cocktail bar and intimate restaurant. "But the glamorous facade canot disguise the simmering undercurrents of power-struggles within the Samson family and towards the remaining Crossroads staff who have loyally stayed on. Secrets and scandal are on the new menu. Check in for a roller-coaster ride. "Crossroads will be back on ITV1 early in 2003." Meanwhile, the publicity machine has now been switched on and is in full flow: Two forum posters have posted accounts of the appearance of one Yvon Grace, Sherrie Hewson and Stuart Milligan on the This Morning TV programme. With a bit of mixing together, we can write this (thanks to the respective posters): Yvon Grace, Sherrie Hewson (Virginia) & Stuart Milligan (husband of Jane Asher's character - can't remember what he said his character's name was !) starred on ITV1's This Morning magazine programme today, December 3rd, 2002. Basically they were promoting the new 'frock show' series that will start early January, every weekday at 5.30pm, so no time change. There was no mention if the episode would be repeated during daytime. Much was said of the new set, described as kitsch/Dallas/Dynasty glamour. The Xroads logo that is up on the official set is the new logo - it appears on the fountain. No clips were shown, they are keeping it all 'under wraps'. They did show three photos - one of Virginia, one of Jane Asher & husband, and one of the new Samson family which included two "hunky" sons & one daughter (the eldest son bores a striking resemblance to Jake & could be a new candidate for heartthrob!) Expect heavy use of the Jacuzzi and sauna. No mention was made of past cast members with the exception of Virginia - Sherrie Hewson enthused that there would be more flesh on display everywhere ! She has been 'sexed-up' with bossom on show and long blue nails... New cast members mentioned in passing were Emma Noble (appearing in a bikini in the jacuzzi), Tim Brooke Taylor (gay character), Vince the new chef, Kate O'Mara. It was emphasised that it was work or die for Xroads, but Yvon Grace is confident it will become 'cult' viewing. Max Sampson gets 'on top' of Kate O'Mara's character at one stage as well... It was also confirmed that Benny Hawkins is not returning and that the sets, scripts and breasts (!) don't wobble either. Other Points
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