A. The times they are a changing for the once-No. 1 show in the United Kingdom. In the past year, the show's top soap opera spot has been taken over by the almost ancient "Coronation Street." In the hopes of reclaiming the No. 1 status, a new executive producer has been hired. Dominic Treadwell-Collins says the show must: "reflect the modern world. ... It has been frozen in aspic for too long. ... EastEnders has to sing new songs, otherwise it doesn't feel fresh."

When the show debuted in 1985, it focused on families just trying to make it in the financial world. At that time, that reflected the real life of people who lived in the East end of London. Now that the area has been gentrified, making money will not be such a problem. The real-life areas (Shoreditch and Hackney) are now brimming with high-tech companies, art students and beautiful people. The once-blighted area now has homes that sell upwards of $1 million.

Albert Square, where much of the show takes place, is getting a facelift. The set will look the same, but it will be 20 percent larger, creating more room for storytelling. The show has gone back in time by reintroducing long-ago characters such as David Wicks and Ronnie Mitchell.

"It's good to have one foot in the past while looking to the future. My idea is to make the show feel fresh with the new-to-town Carters, but also a bit nostalgic by bringing back characters we love," Treadwell-Collins said.

Letitia Dean (Sharon) who has been on and off the show since she was a teenager has seen her troubled character grow up. "It's got to reflect the modern world," said Treadwell-Collins. He added that he wanted to see the soap focus less on action and more on character, adding that it "has to be about people and feelings and emotions."

"I've never been a fan of blowing things up," he said, "And there should be more secrets that will make the viewer gasp."

If you are missing "EastEnders," you can catch up by going to the "EastEnders homepage online. It offers present and past storylines, photos and family trees.

To find out more about Lynda Hirsch and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Web page at www.creators.com.