Bar Room Brawls

One storyline in Emmerdale that is proving more fun that it ever should do, is the rivalry between Louise at the B&B and Val/Diane in the pub. Turning best friends Diane and Louise into comedy mortal enemies was a masterstroke, and turning Louise is a total Aussie nutcase has revived an otherwise boring character. Let's hope the bitchfest continues for sometime to come - especially with Diane's new-found zest for life.

Thank God They've Been Found

At last the interminably dull Lost-style storyline in Home and Away is over. Watching five young 'uns and an unknown man brough in purely to add conflict wander around the same area of bush for three weeks just hasn't been as exciting as it perhaps sounded on paper. And when they were found, all it took was for Amanda to walk about the jungle for a few minutes. Unbelievable - and not in the usual good way.

Roll on the Summer Bay pyromaniac...

Farewell Steph

Emmerdale, Emmerdale, Emmerdale. You never usually disappoint when it comes to giving high-profile cast members a thrilling send off. Kim flying off after almost killing Chris. Zoe zooming away on the same day she double-crossed Sadie, had charges of attempted murder against her, was taken hostage at gun point and blew up Home Farm. Charity reaping her revenge on the Kings. Cain's demented kidnap plot. EastEnders could learn so much from you (yet it never does).

Anyway, my point (and I do have one) is that last night's exit for bunny-boiling B&B owner Steph was such a let down. It could have been good - it was the final day of her trial for murdering her abusive brother, a crime she didn't commit. Although her confessing to Alan that she killed Shelly was moving, her sudden decision to plead guily, taking fake doctor Adam with her, just doesn't really make sense. Then again, Steph has never been the most logical of characters, so this final attempt to make her father proud (which bizarrely, he did seem to be) probably seemed like a great idea to her.

Still, at least Lorraine Chase got the chance to where her barmiest outfit yet as Steph went to court dressed as an air hostess on an airline controlled by rabid foxes. She will be missed, though hopefully this subdued exit was just a blip on the radar as we cruise towards Tom King's final scenes this Christmas.

Trip or Treat

Why aren't more of you people watching Tripping Over? For the first time in many years, here's a show about young adults not brimming with rubbish sex gags like Two Pints of Lager or two-dimensional blondes and rubbish drug and gangster storylines ala Hollyoaks. In fact, this is the first programme to credit twentysomethings with a modicum of intelligence since This Life. And yet nobody's tuning in.

Within two episodes, Tripping Over has introduced its characters and storylines so effortlessly we already care for the characters (even those played by Two Pints of Lager refugees) and the plethora of plots involving depression, parentage, homosexuality and death are treated without the sensationalism we are accustomed. Perhaps it's the Australian side of the production, playing down the tabloid-baiting elements to focus on the more minute human drama.

Tripping Over is perhaps the best (semi) British drama of the year and, sadly, it'll probably get another chance to prove itself as thus. Please watch.