EastEnders and Dwight Howard: Difference between pages

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{{Infobox Television
{{Infobox NBA Player
| name = Dwight Howard
| show_name = EastEnders
| image = [[Image:EEnewtitles.JPG|250px]]
| image = Dwigth Howard olympics2008.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = An image from the current opening title sequence of ''EastEnders'' (introduced on 5 September 1999).<ref>"[http://www.greenwich-guide.org.uk/september.htm September]", ''Greenwich Guide''. URL last accessed 2007-02-26</ref>
| height_ft = 6 | height_in = 11 | weight_lbs = 265
| genre = [[Soap opera]]
| creator = [[Julia Smith]]<br />[[Tony Holland]]
| league = [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]
| team = [[Orlando Magic]]
| starring = [[List of characters from EastEnders|Present cast]]
| number = 12
| theme_music_composer = [[Simon May]]<br />Leslie Osborne
| position = [[center (basketball)|Center]]/[[Power forward (basketball)|Power forward]]
| opentheme = [[EastEnders theme tune|''EastEnders'' theme tune]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|12|8}}
| country = United Kingdom
| birth_place = [[Atlanta, Georgia]]
| language = English
| highschool = [[Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy]]
| num_episodes = 4884<!--when updating the episode count, please make sure to update the date of the last episode as well--> (as of 4 October 2008)<ref>"[http://open.bbc.co.uk/catalogue/infax/search/eastenders BBC programme guide]", ''BBC''. URL last accessed 2007-06-12.</ref>
| nationality = [[United States|American]]
| executive_producer = [[Diederick Santer]]
| draft = [[List of first overall NBA draft picks|1st overall]]
| location = [[Elstree Studios|BBC Elstree Centre]]
| draft_team = Orlando Magic
| camera = [[Multiple-camera setup]]
| draft_year = 2004
| runtime = 27-29 <small>[[Minute|mins.]]</small>
| career_start = 2004
| network = [[BBC One]]
| awards = 2004 [[Naismith Prep Player of the Year]]<br>[[2008 NBA All-Star Game#Sprite Slam Dunk Champion|2008 NBA Slam Dunk Champion]]<br>[[All-NBA Team|All-NBA Third Team]] ([[2006-07 NBA season|2007]])<br>[[All-NBA Team|All-NBA First Team]] ([[2007-08 NBA season|2008]])<br>[[NBA All-Defense|NBA All-Defensive Second Team]] ([[2007-08 NBA season|2008]])<br>[[NBA All-Star]] ([[2006-07 NBA season|2007]], [[2007-08 NBA season|2008]])
| picture_format = [[576i]]</br>[[4:3]] (1985-1999)</br>[[16:9]] (1999-present)
| first_aired = 19 February 1985
| last_aired = present
| website = http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/
| imdb_id = 0088512
| tv_com_id = 1505
}}
}}
{{portalpar|EastEnders}}
[[Image:Albertsq.jpg|thumb|200px|Albert Square in the 1980s.]]
'''''EastEnders''''' is a popular and award-winning [[television]] [[soap opera]], first broadcast in the United Kingdom on [[BBC One|BBC1]] on 19 February 1985. It currently ranks within the top of the most watched shows in the United Kingdom.
''EastEnders'' storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in [[Albert Square]], a Victorian square of terraced houses, a pub, a street market and various small businesses in the [[East End of London]], United Kingdom.


'''Dwight David Howard''' (born December 8, 1985, in [[Atlanta, Georgia]]<ref name=usa>[http://www.usabasketball.com/biosmen/dwight_howard_bio.html Dwight Howard], usabasketball.com, accessed [[24 February]] [[2008]].</ref>) is an [[United States|American]] [[basketball]] player for the [[Orlando Magic]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). Howard, who usually plays [[center (basketball)|center]] but can also play [[power forward (basketball)|power forward]], had an outstanding high school career. He chose to forgo college and entered the [[2004 NBA Draft]]. He was selected first overall by the Magic, and has since emerged as one of the top [[rebound (basketball)|rebounders]] and players in the NBA. A two-time [[NBA All-Star]] and [[All-NBA]] member and one-time [[NBA All-Defensive]] member, he has been ranked consistently as one of the best in the league in [[field goal percentage]]. In the [[2008 Olympics]], he was the starting center for [[USA national basketball team|Team USA]] which went on to win the gold medal. Howard's overall play and his spectacular [[dunk]]s have gained him prominence as one of the brightest young prospects in the NBA and the team leader of the Magic. Additionally, Howard, the winner of the NBA 2008 [[Slam Dunk Contest]], is a devout [[Christian]] who contributes substantially to philanthropic causes.
The series was originally screened as two half-hour episodes per week. Today four episodes are broadcast each week on [[BBC One]] (each episode is repeated on [[BBC Three]] at 10pm) and an [[omnibus (broadcast)|omnibus]] edition screens on Sunday afternoons. It is one of the UK's highest-rated programmes, often appearing near or at the top of the week's [[Broadcaster's Audience Research Board|BARB]] ratings. Within eight months of its launch, it reached the number one spot in the ratings, and has almost consistently remained among the top-rated programmes in Britain ever since. The average audience share for an episode is currently between 35 and 45%. Created by producer [[Julia Smith]] and script editor [[Tony Holland]], ''EastEnders'' has remained significant in terms of the BBC's success and audience share, and also the history of British television drama, tackling many controversial and taboo issues previously unseen on mainstream television in the UK.


==Early life==
''EastEnders'' has won five [[British Academy Television Awards|BAFTA Awards]],<ref name="BAFTA">"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/339724.stm Full list of Bafta TV award winners]" ''BBC'', URL last accessed 2006-07-15</ref> and has won the ''[[Inside Soap]]'' Award for 'Best Soap' for ten years running,<ref name="insidesoap">"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5380486.stm Rival soaps tie on awards night]", ''BBC News''. URL last accessed 2006-11-02</ref> as well as ten [[National Television Awards]] for '[[Results of The National Television Awards|Most Popular Serial Drama]]'<ref name="scoops">"[http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/news_content/news_20061101.shtml EastEnders Scoops Gongs]"{{dead link|date=February 2008}}, ''BBC''. URL last accessed 2006-11-02</ref> and six awards for 'Best Soap' at the [[British Soap Awards]]. It has also been inducted into the [[Rose d'Or]] Hall of Fame.<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4951052.stm Rose d'Or honour for ''EastEnders'']", ''BBC News''. URL last accessed 2006-11-02</ref> It's also won six TV Quick/TV Choice Awards for 'Best Soap', three [[TRIC Awards]] for 'Soap of The Year' and two [[Royal Television Society]] Awards for 'Best Continuing Drama'.
Howard was born to Dwight Sr. and Sheryl Howard and into a family with strong athletic connections. His father is a [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] state [[Trooper (police rank)|trooper]] and serves as Athletic Director of [[Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy]], a private academy with one of the best high school basketball programs in the country, while his mother played on the inaugural women's basketball team at [[Morris Brown College]].<ref name=usa/> A devout [[Christian]] since his youth, Howard became serious about basketball around the age of nine; in eighth grade, he resolved to be selected as the number one pick in the [[NBA Draft]] one day.<ref name=beij>Smith, Aran, [http://www.nbadraft.net/2006beijing005.asp "adidas Superstar Camp Asia: Dwight Howard Interview"], nbadraft.net, [[27 May]] [[2006]], accessed [[11 July]] [[2007]].</ref><ref name=jock>[http://jockbio.com/Bios/DHoward/DHoward_bio.html Dwight Howard Biography], jockbio.com, accessed [[2 August]] [[2008]].</ref> Despite his large frame, Howard was quick and versatile enough to play the [[guard (basketball)|guard position]].<ref name=jock/> He elected to attend Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy for high school, and in his four years he played mostly as [[power forward (basketball)|power forward]], averaging 16.6 [[points per game]] (ppg), 13.4 [[rebounds per game]] (rpg) and 6.3 [[block (basketball)|blocks]] per game in 129 appearances.<ref name=usa/><ref name=jock/> As a senior, Howard led his team to the 2004 state title.<ref name=jock/> He averaged 25 [[point (basketball)|points]], 18 [[rebound (basketball)|rebounds]], 8 blocks and 3.5 [[assist (basketball)|assists]] per game.<ref name=jock/> That same year, Howard was widely recognized as the best American high school basketball player, and he was awarded the [[Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award]], the [[Morgan Wootten]] High School Player of the Year Award, [[Gatorade Player of the Year awards|Gatorade National Player of the Year]] and the McDonald's National High School Player of the Year honor.<ref name=bio>[http://www.nba.com/playerfile/dwight_howard/bio.html Dwight Howard Info Page - Bio], nba.com, accessed [[11 July]] [[2007]].</ref> He was also co-[[Most Valuable Player|MVP]] (with [[J. R. Smith]]) of the [[McDonald's All-American Game|McDonald's High School All-American Game]] that year.<ref name=bio/>


==Setting==
==NBA career==
===Early years===
''EastEnders'' is set in the [[fictional]] [[Walford|London Borough of Walford]]. However, the central focus of the show is that of the equally fictional [[Victorian era|Victorian]] square named [[Albert Square]]. The fictional Albert Square was built around the early 20th century, named after [[Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha|Prince Albert]] (1819–1861), the husband of [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]] (1819–1901, reigned 1837–1901). Thus, central to Albert Square is [[The Queen Victoria|The Queen Victoria Public House]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/yourquestions/yourq_content/yourq_queen_vic.shtml |title= What's the history of the Queen Vic? |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061220221434/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/yourquestions/yourq_content/yourq_queen_vic.shtml |archivedate=2006-12-20|publisher=BBC}}</ref>
Following his high school successes, Howard chose to forego college and declared for the [[2004 NBA Draft]]—a decision partly inspired by his idol [[Kevin Garnett]] who had done the same in 1995—where the [[Orlando Magic]] selected him first overall over [[UConn]] senior [[Emeka Okafor]].<ref name=usa/><ref name=jock/> Howard joined a depleted Magic squad that had finished with only 21 victories the previous season; further, the club had just lost perennial [[NBA All-Star]] [[Tracy McGrady]].<ref name=jock/> Howard, however, made an immediate impact. He finished his [[2004-05 NBA season|rookie season]] with an average of 12.0 ppg and 10.0 rpg,<ref name=stats>[http://www.nba.com/playerfile/dwight_howard/career_stats.html Dwight Howard Info Page - Career Stats and Totals], nba.com, accessed [[5 December]] [[2007]].</ref> setting several NBA records in the process. He became the youngest player in NBA history to average a [[double double]] in the regular season.<ref name=bio/> He also became the youngest player in NBA history to average at least 10.0 rebounds in a season and youngest NBA player ever to record at least 20 rebounds in a game.<ref name=bio/> Howard's importance to the Magic was highlighted when he became the first player in NBA history directly out of high school to start all 82 games during his rookie season.<ref name="bio"/> For his efforts, he was selected to play in the 2005 NBA ''Got Milk?'' Rookie Challenge, and was unanimously selected to the [[T-Mobile All-Rookie Team|All-Rookie Team]].<ref name=bio/> He also finished third to fellow [[center (basketball)|center]] Okafor of the [[Charlotte Bobcats]] and [[guard (basketball)|guard]] [[Ben Gordon]] of the [[Chicago Bulls]] for the [[Rookie of the Year (award)|Rookie of the Year]] award.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/features/2005awards.html 2005 Award Winners], nba.com, accessed [[28 March]] [[2007]].</ref>


Howard reported to camp for his [[2005-06 NBA season|second NBA campaign]] having added 20 pounds of muscle during the postseason.<ref name=jock/> Orlando coach [[Brian Hill (basketball)|Brian Hill]]—responsible for grooming former Magic superstar [[Shaquille O'Neal]]—decided that Howard should be converted into a full-fledged center.<ref name=jock/> Hill identified two areas where Howard needed to improve: his post-up game, and his defense. He exerted extra pressure on Howard, saying that the Magic would need him to emerge as a force in the middle before the team had a chance at the [[NBA Playoffs|playoffs]].<ref name=jock/> Even though the big man played tentatively at times, he was able to build on his strong rookie year with an impressive sophomore season. On [[15 November]] [[2005]], in a home game at against the [[Charlotte Bobcats]], Howard scored 21 points and 20 rebounds, becoming the youngest player ever to score 20 or more points and gather 20 or more rebounds in the same game.<ref name=twenty>[http://www.nba.com/magic/news/Howardrsquos_2020-157777-800.html Howard's 20/20], nba.com/magic, [[16 November]] [[2005]], accessed [[28 March]] [[2007]].</ref> He was selected to play on the Sophomore Team in the 2006 [[Rookie Challenge]] during the [[NBA All-Star Weekend|All-Star break]],<ref name=usa/> and on [[15 April]] [[2006]], he recorded a career-high 26 rebounds against the [[Philadelphia 76ers]]; his 28 points in that game also brought him close to an NBA rarity, a 30-30 game.<ref name=jock/><ref name=stats/> Overall, he averaged 15.8 points and 12.5 rebounds<ref name=stats/> per game, ranking second in the NBA in rebounds per game, offensive rebounds, and double doubles; and sixth in [[field goal percentage]].<ref name=usa/> Despite Howard's improvement, the Magic finished the season with a 36–46 win-loss record and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive season since Howard's arrival.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/standings/2005/team_record_comparison/conferenceNew_Std_Div.html 2005-06 DIVISION STANDINGS], nba.com/standings, accessed [[28 March]] [[2007]].</ref>
Fans have tried to establish the actual location of Walford within London. [[Walford East tube station|Walford East]] is a fictional [[tube station]] for Walford, and with the aid of a map that was first seen on air in 1996, it has been established that Walford East is located between [[Bow Road tube station|Bow Road]] and [[West Ham tube station|West Ham]], which realistically would replace [[Bromley-by-Bow tube station|Bromley-by-Bow]].<ref>"[http://underground-history.co.uk/walford.php Underground EastEnders]" URL last accessed 2006-09-24</ref>


===All-Star===
Walford has the [[postal district]] of [[London E20|E20]], and fans have also tried to pinpoint the location using this information. However, in reality London East postal districts stop at E18; the show's creators opted for E20 instead of E19 as it was thought to sound better.<ref name="20years">{{cite book | author=Smith, Rupert | title=EastEnders: 20 Years in Albert Square | publisher=BBC Books, BBC Worldwide Ltd | year=2005 | id=ISBN 0-563-52165-1}}</ref> The strongest claim to being the 'real' Albert Square is held by Ridley Road Market in [[Dalston]], a short pedestrianised road that features a daily market and established street vendors. The postcode for the area, [[London E8|E8]], was one of the working titles for the series.
Howard took another step forward as the franchise player for Orlando in the [[2006-07 NBA season|2006–07 season]], and for the third consecutive season he played in all 82 regular season games.<ref name=stats/> On [[1 February]] [[2007]], he received his first NBA All-Star selection as a reserve on the [[Eastern Conference(NBA)|Eastern Conference]] squad for the [[2007 NBA All-Star Game]].<ref name=usa/> Howard finished the game with 20 points and 12 rebounds.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/games/20070218/ESTWST/boxscore.html Box Score], nba.com, accessed [[28 March]] [[2007]].</ref> Less than a week later, he recorded a career-high 32 points against the [[Toronto Raptors]].<ref>[http://tsn.ca/nba/news_story/?ID=195299&hubname=nba Raptors win sixth straight home game], tsn.ca, [[7 February]] [[2007]], accessed [[28 March]] [[2007]].</ref> As the push for playoff spots intensified, Howard was instrumental, recording another career-high 35 points against the Philadelphia Sixers on [[14 April]] [[2007]].<ref>[http://www.nba.com/games/20070414/ORLPHI/recap.html Howard Carries Magic Past Sixers], nba.com, [[14 April]] [[2007]], accessed [[19 April]] [[2007]].</ref> Under his leadership, the Magic qualified for the [[2007 NBA Playoffs]] for the first time since 2003 as the number eight seed in the Eastern Conference.<ref>Long, Mark, [http://www.nba.com/games/20070418/MIAORL/recap.html Magic Top Heat, Draw Pistons in First Round], nba.com, [[19 April]] [[2007]], accessed [[19 April]] [[2007]].</ref> However, the Magic were swept by the eventual Eastern Conference finalist [[Detroit Pistons]] in the first round.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/playoffs2007/series/index.html At a Glance 2007], nba.com/playoffs2007, accessed [[1 May]] [[2007]].</ref> Howard averaged 17.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game, and finished first in the NBA in total rebounds, second in field goal percentage, and ninth in blocks. He was further recognized as one of the best players in the league when he was named to the [[All-NBA]] Third Team at the end of the 2006–07 campaign.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/news/allnba_070510.html Phoenix Duo Highlights All-NBA First Team], nba.com, [[10 May]] [[2007]], accessed [[12 May]] [[2007]].</ref>


Howard continued posting impressive numbers in the [[2007-08 NBA season|2007–08 season]]; with [[free agent]] [[Rashard Lewis]] added to the ranks to provide an extra offensive spark, this was the Magic's best season yet. Howard's strong and consistent play ensured that he was named as a starter for the Eastern Conference All-Star team, and by the time the mid-season break arrived, he was leading the league in double doubles (he concluded the season with a league-high 69) and had recorded 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game on five occasions (eight by the season's end).<ref>Medeiros, Andrew, [http://www.nba.com/aroundtheassociation/080213.html "Around the Association presented by T-Mobile: Feb. 13"], nba.com, [[13 February]] [[2008]], accessed [[15 February]] [[2008]].</ref><ref name=allnba>[http://www.nba.com/news/all_nba_080508.html MVP Kobe Bryant Highlights All-NBA First Team], nba.com, [[8 May]] [[2008]], accessed [[9 May]] [[2008]].</ref> On [[February 16]] [[2008]], he won the 2008 Slam dunk contest by receiving 78% of the fan's votes via text messaging or online voting; in that contest, he performed a series of innovative dunks said to have rejuvenated the contest, including donning a Superman cape for one of the dunks.<ref>Schuhmann, John, [http://www.nba.com/allstar2008/slam_dunk/recap.html "All-Star Saturday Dwight"], nba.com, [[17 February]] [[2008]], accessed [[17 February]] [[2008]].</ref> Howard led the Magic to their first division title in 12 years and to the third seed for the [[2008 NBA Playoffs]],<ref name=allnba/> and in the first-round match-up against the [[Toronto Raptors]], he was dominant, posting three 20 point/20 rebound games in a series which Orlando prevailed over five games.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/games/20080428/TORORL/recap.html Magic Beat Raptors, Move to Second Round], nba.com, [[29 April]] [[2008]], accessed [[1 May]] [[208]].</ref> In the next round against the Pistons, the Magic lost the first two road games before Howard's 20 point/12 rebound performance in Game 3 salvaged a home win.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/playoffs2008/series/series_e2s2.html Magic Cool Down Pistons in Game 3 Win], nba.com, [[7 May]] [[2008]], accessed [[9 May]] [[2008]].</ref> In that same week, the center was named to the All-NBA First Team for the first time,<ref name=allnba/> and subsequently, the [[NBA All-Defensive|NBA All-Defensive Second Team]].<ref>[http://www.nba.com/news/defensive_team_080512.html Kobe, Garnett Headline All-Defensive Team], nba.com, [[12 May]] [[2008]], accessed [[13 May]] [[2008]].</ref> Detroit played without their star [[point guard]] [[Chauncey Billups]] for Games 4 and 5, but Orlando were unable to capitalize on that and lost the series 4–1 to the veteran playoffs team.<ref>Schmitz, Brian, [http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-magic-pistons-nba-playoffs-051308,0,5376337.story "Pistons end Magic's season in Game 5"], orlandosentinel.com, [[13 May]] [[2008]], accessed [[14 May]] [[2008]].</ref>
In reality, at least two Albert Squares do exist in the [[East End of London]], one in [[Stratford, London|Stratford]] and the other in [[Ratcliff]], E1. However, the show's producers actually based the Square's design on the real life [[Fassett Square]] in [[Dalston]].<ref name="eehistory">"[http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/backstage/crew/qa/qa_content/qa_0005.shtml What is the history of ''EastEnders''?]" ''BBC''. URL last accessed 2006-09-24</ref><ref>"[http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/london.gardens/guides/hackney.htm A Cycle Ride in Hackney]"{{dead link|date=February 2008}} URL last accessed 2006-09-24</ref> The name Walford is both a street in Dalston where Tony Holland lived and a [[blend]] of [[Walthamstow]] and [[Stratford]]&mdash;the areas of London where the creators were born.<ref name="20years"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/yourquestions/yourq_content/yourq_street_names.shtml |title= How was the name Walford chosen? |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070405114814/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/yourquestions/yourq_content/yourq_street_names.shtml |archivedate=2007-04-05|publisher=BBC}}</ref> Adding to the realism of the setting is the local newspaper, the fictional ''Walford Gazette'', in which events such as character arrests or murders appear.<!--in-merger from [[The Walford Gazette]]-->


===NBA career highlights===
==Characters==
{{see also|List of characters from EastEnders}}


*'''NBA All-Star''': 2007, 2008<ref name=bio/>
''EastEnders'' was built around the ideas of relationships and strong families, with each character having a place in the community. This theme encompasses the whole Square, making the entire community a family of sorts, prey to upsets and conflict, but all pulling together in times of trouble. Co-creator [[Tony Holland]] was himself from a large East End family, and such families have typified ''EastEnders''. The first central family was [[the Beale/Fowler Family|the Beale and Fowler clan]] consisting of [[Pauline Fowler]], her husband [[Arthur Fowler|Arthur]], and teenage children [[Mark Fowler|Mark]] and [[Michelle Fowler|Michelle]]. Living nearby was Pauline's twin brother [[Pete Beale]], his wife [[Kathy Hills|Kathy]] and their son [[Ian Beale|Ian]]. Pauline and Pete's mother was the domineering [[Lou Beale|Lou]], who resided with Pauline and her family. Holland drew on the names of his own family for the characters.<ref name="Insidestory">{{cite book |last=Smith|first= Julia|authorlink= Julia Smith|coauthors=[[Tony Holland|Holland, Tony]]|title= [[EastEnders books#Non-fiction books|EastEnders - The Inside Story]] |year=1987|publisher=Book Club Associates|id=ISBN 0-563-20601-2}}</ref>
*'''All-NBA First Team''': 2008<ref name=bio/>
*'''All-NBA Third Team''': 2007<ref name=bio/>
*'''All-NBA Defensive Second Team''': 2008
*'''NBA All-Rookie First Team''': 2005<ref name=bio/>
*'''NBA Slam Dunk Champion''': 2008<ref name=bio/>
*'''Youngest player''' in NBA history to reach
**'''3000 rebounds'''<ref name=bio/>
**'''4000 rebounds'''<ref name=bio/>
*'''Youngest player''' in NBA history to average '''a double-double'''<ref name=bio/>
*'''Youngest player''' in NBA history to record '''20 rebounds in one game'''<ref name=bio/>
*Holds the '''highest career field goal percentage''' in All-Star Game history: '''.810 (17 field goals made of 21 attempts)'''<ref name=stats/>
*'''Youngest player''' in NBA history to lead the league in rebounding at 22 years, 130 days (14.2 rebounds average per game throughout 2007–08 season)


===NBA career statistics===
The Watts and Mitchell families have been central to many notable ''EastEnders'' storylines&mdash;''EastEnders'' in the 1980s having been largely dominated by the Wattses, while the 1990s focused heavily on the Mitchells. [[Peggy Mitchell]], in particular, is notorious for her ceaseless repetition of such statements as "You're a Mitchell!" and "It's all about family!". The 2000s saw a new focus on the largely female Slater clan, before the return of an emphasis on the Watts and Mitchell families. Key people involved in the production of ''EastEnders'' have stressed how important the idea of strong families is to the programme.<ref name="Insidestory"/> From 2006, the [[Branning family]] has become an increasing focus of many of the show's storylines, the family an extension of the popular Jackson family of the 1990s.


{{NBA player statistics legend}}
Some families feature a stereotypical East End [[matriarch]]. Indeed, the matriarchal role is one that has been seen in various reincarnations since the programme's inception, often depicted as the centre of the family unit.<ref name="20years">{{cite book |last= Smith|first= Rupert|title= [[EastEnders books#Non-fiction books|''EastEnders: 20 years in Albert Square]] |year=2005|publisher=BBC books|id=ISBN 0-563-52165-1}}</ref> The original matriarch was Lou Beale, though later examples include [[Pauline Fowler]], [[Mo Butcher]], [[Mo Harris]], [[Pat Evans]] and Peggy Mitchell. These characters are seen as being loud and interfering but most importantly, responsible for the well-being of the family and usually stressing the importance of family, reflecting on the past.


:''Correct as of 1 July 2008''<ref name=stats/>
As is traditional in British soaps, female characters in general are central to the programme. Strong, brassy, long-suffering women who exhibit [[diva]]-like behaviour and stoically battle through an array of tragedy and misfortune.<ref name="redpepper">"[http://web.archive.org/web/20061229113716/http://www.redpepper.org.uk/cularch/xeastend.html Square deal]", ''Redpepper'. URL last accessed on 2007-03-27.</ref> Such characters include [[Angie Watts]], [[Kathy Mitchell]], [[Sharon Rickman]] and Pat Evans. Conversely there are female characters who handle tragedy less well, depicted as eternal victims and endless sufferers, who include [[Sue Osman]], [[Mo Mitchell]], [[Laura Beale]] and [[Lisa Fowler]]. The '[[Hooker with a heart of gold|tart with a heart]]' is another recurring character, often popular with viewers. Often their [[promiscuity]] masks a hidden [[vulnerability]] and a desire to be loved. Such characters have included Pat, [[Tiffany Mitchell]], [[Kat Moon]] and [[Stacey Slater]].<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4695877.stm Will Kat's exit harm EastEnders?]", ''BBC''. URL last accessed on 2007-03-27.</ref>


==== Regular season ====
A gender balance in the show is maintained via the inclusion of various 'macho' male personalities such as [[Phil Mitchell|Phil]] and [[Grant Mitchell (EastEnders)|Grant Mitchell]], 'bad boys' such as [[Den Watts]] and [[Dennis Rickman]] and 'heartthrobs' such as [[Simon Wicks]] and [[Jamie Mitchell]]. Another recurring male character type is the smartly dressed businessman, often involved in gang culture and crime and seen as a local authority figure. Examples include [[Steve Owen]], [[Jack Dalton (EastEnders)|Jack Dalton]], [[Andy Hunter]] and [[Johnny Allen (EastEnders)|Johnny Allen]]. Following criticism aimed at the show's over-emphasis on '[[gangster]]s' in 2005, such characters have been significantly reduced.<ref>"[http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/tv/2007/03/a_new_beginning_for_eastenders.html A new beginning for EastEnders] ''The Guardian''. URL last accessed 2006-11-02</ref> Another recurring male character seen in ''EastEnders'' is the 'loser' or 'soft touch', males often comically under the thumb of their female counterparts, which have included Arthur Fowler, [[Ricky Butcher]] and [[Lofty Holloway]].<ref name="20years"/>


{{NBA player statistics start}}
[[Image:Dot Lou Ethel ee.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Dot Cotton, Ethel Skinner and Lou Beale were Walford's original pensioners.]]
Over the years ''EastEnders'' has typically featured a number of elderly residents, who are used to show vulnerability, [[nostalgia]], stalwart-like attributes and are sometimes used for comedic purposes. The original elderly residents included Lou Beale, [[Ethel Skinner]] and [[Dot Branning|Dot Cotton]]. Over the years they have been joined by the likes of [[Jules Tavernier (EastEnders)|Jules Tavernier]], [[Nellie Ellis]] and [[Jim Branning]]. Focus on elderly characters has decreased since the show's inception. The programme has more recently included a higher number of teenagers and successful young adults in a bid to capture the younger television audience.<ref name="young">"[http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Students/hlr9501.html Why are soap operas so popular?]", ''aber.co.uk''. URL last accessed on 2007-03-18.</ref><ref name="young2">"[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20060708/ai_n16529613 Young viewers switch from BBC to the internet]", ''The Independent''. URL last accessed on 2007-03-18.</ref> This has spurred criticism, most notably from the actress [[Anna Wing]], who played Lou Beale in the show. She commented "I don't want to be disloyal, but I think you need a few mature people in a soap because they give it backbone and body... if all the main people are young it gets a bit thin and inexperienced. It gets too lightweight."<ref name="talk">"[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-122800423.html I STOPPED WATCHING ALBERT SQUARE.. NOW I LIKE EMMERDALE]", ''Talk Walford''. URL last accessed on 2007-03-18.</ref>

''EastEnders'' has been known to feature a 'comedy double-act', originally demonstrated with the characters of Dot and Ethel, whose friendship was one of the serial's most enduring.<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/4678803.stm Remembering EastEnders' Ethel]", ''BBC''. URL last accessed on 2006-10-24.</ref> Other examples include [[Paul Priestly]] and [[Trevor Short]], [[Huw Edwards (EastEnders)|Huw Edwards]] and [[Lenny Wallace]], and [[Garry Hobbs]] and [[Minty Peterson]]. The majority of ''EastEnders''' characters are [[working-class]].<ref>"[http://www.johannhari.com/archive/article.php?id=844 Why Coronation Street Fills Me With Pride]", ''JohannHari.com'. URL last accessed on 2007-03-27.</ref> [[Middle-class]] characters do occasionally become regulars, but have been less successful and rarely become long-term characters. In the main, middle-class characters exist as villains, such as [[James Wilmott-Brown]], [[May Wright]] and [[Stella Crawford]], or are used to promote positive [[Liberalism|liberal]] influences, such as [[Colin Russell (EastEnders)|Colin Russell]] or [[Rachel Kominski]].<ref name="redpepper"/>

''EastEnders'' has always featured a culturally diverse cast which has included [[Black people|black]], [[Asian people|Asian]], [[Turkish people|Turkish]] and [[Polish people|Polish]] characters. "The expansion of minority representation signals a move away from the traditional soap opera format, providing more opportunities for audience identification with the characters and hence a wider appeal".<ref>"[http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/E/htmlE/eastenders/eastenders.htm EastEnders]", ''www.museum.tv''. URL last accessed on 2007-03-27.</ref><ref>"[http://web.archive.org/web/20060412075647/http://www.cre.gov.uk/Default.aspx.LocID-0hgnew06m.RefLocID-0hg00900c008.Lang-EN.htm Coronation Street and EastEnders battle it out for coveted CRE Race In the Media Award]", ''cre.gov.uk''. URL last accessed on 2007-03-27.</ref> Despite this, the programme has been criticised by the [[Commission for Racial Equality]], who argued in 2002 that ''EastEnders'' was not giving a realistic representation of the East End's "ethnic make-up". They suggested that the average proportion of visible minority faces on ''EastEnders'' was substantially lower than the actual ethnic minority population in East London boroughs, and it therefore reflected the East End in the 1960s, not the East End of the 2000s. Furthermore it was suggested that an element of "[[tokenism]]" and [[Stereotype|stereotyping]] surrounded many of these minority characters.<ref>"[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20020421/ai_n12842465 EastEnders hasn't got enough black and Asian actors]", ''Sunday Mirror''. URL last accessed on 2007-03-27.</ref> The programme has since attempted to address these issues. A [[sari]] shop was opened and various characters of differing ethnicities were introduced throughout 2006 and 2007, including the [[Denise Fox|Fox]] family, the [[Masood Ahmed|Masoods]], and various background artists.<ref>"[http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/oct/08/mondaymediasection12 The art of storytelling]", ''The Guardian''. URL last accessed on 2007-03-27.</ref> This was part of producer [[Diederick Santer]]'s plan to "diversify", to make EastEnders "feel more 21st century". ''EastEnders'' have had varying success with ethnic minority characters. Possibly the least successful were the Indian Ferreira family, who were not well received by [[critic]]s or viewers and were dismissed as unrealistic by the Asian community in the UK.<ref>"[http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/3560 'Unrealistic' Ferreira family dismissed by Asian Steve]", ''The Stage''. URL last accessed on 2007-03-27.</ref>

Other recurring characters that have appeared throughout the serial are 'lost girls' such as [[Mary Smith]] and [[Donna Ludlow]], [[delinquent]]s such as [[Mandy Salter]], [[Stacey Slater]] and [[Jay Brown]], villains such as [[Nick Cotton]] and [[Trevor Morgan (EastEnders)|Trevor Morgan]], bitches such as [[Cindy Beale]] and [[Janine Evans]] and cockney '[[wide boy]]s' or '[[Opportunism|wheeler dealers]]' such as [[Frank Butcher]] and [[Alfie Moon]].<ref name="20years"/>

''EastEnders'' has a high cast turnover and characters are regularly changed in order to facilitate storylines or refresh the format.<ref>"[http://www.polity.co.uk/content/BPL_Images/Content_store/Sample_chapter/9780745626543%5C001.pdf The Soap Business]", ''polity.co.uk''. URL last accessed on 2007-03-27.</ref> The show has also become known for the return of characters after they have left the show. Sharon Rickman has so far completed six separate stints on the programme, as did Frank Butcher, and writers stunned viewers by bringing back Den Watts 14 years after he was believed to have died.<ref>"[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a11021/dirty-den-to-return-to-walford.html Dirty Den 'to return' to Walford]" ''Digital Spy''. URL last accessed 2006-09-24</ref> Speaking extras, including [[Tracy (EastEnders)|Tracy the barmaid]] (who has been in the show since 1986), have made appearances throughout the show's duration, without being the focus of any major storylines. The character of [[Nick Cotton]] gained a reputation for making constant exits and returns since the programme's first episode, having left the Square fifteen times since 1985, his most recent exit being in 2001. He is due to return again in December.

Pauline Fowler's death in December 2006 means that, as of 2008, Ian Beale is the only character to have been in ''EastEnders'' from the first episode without officially leaving. His portrayer, [[Adam Woodyatt]], is also the only remaining original cast member appearing in the show. Other long-running characters include Dot Branning who joined in July 1985 but had a four-year break in the mid 1990s, and [[Pat Evans]] who first appeared in 1986 and has never officially left.

==Production==
===Production team===
{{main|List of EastEnders crew members}}

===Filming===
''EastEnders'' is filmed at the [[Elstree Studios|BBC Elstree Centre]] in [[Borehamwood]], [[Hertfordshire]]. An aerial photo of the set can be seen [http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=51.658708&lon=-0.277718&z=19.7&r=0&src=msa here]. There are four episodes filmed per week.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/howcani/howcani_content/howcani_0010.shtml |title= Educational resource (part two) |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070206193347/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/howcani/howcani_content/howcani_0010.shtml |archivedate=2007-02-06|publisher=BBC}}</ref> When ''EastEnders'' went to four episodes a week, more studio space was needed. As a result, ''[[Top of the Pops]]'' was moved from its studio at Elstree to [[BBC Television Centre]] in April 2001.<ref>{{cite news |title= Revamped 'Top of the Pops' returns to old home after a decade in exile |url= http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/revamped-top-of-the-pops-returns-to-old-home-after-a-decade-in-exile-631515.html|publisher= ''The Independent''|date=16 October 2001 |accessdate=2008-02-28}}</ref>

The episodes are usually filmed about six to seven weeks in advance of broadcast; however, during the winter period, filming often takes place up to eight or nine weeks in advance, due to less daylight for outdoor filming sessions.<ref name="eehistory"/><ref name="20years"/> This time difference has been known to cause problems when filming lot scenes. On 8 February 2007, heavy [[snow]] fell on the set of ''EastEnders'',<ref>"[http://web.archive.org/web/20070210160540/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/news_content/news_20070108.shtml Winter Wonderland]", ''[[bbc.co.uk]]''. URL last accessed 2007-02-10</ref> and filming had to be cancelled as the scenes due to be filmed on the day were to be transmitted in April.<ref>"[http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/tm_method=full%26objectid=18596588%26siteid=89520-name_page.html Lets it snow - airports and schools closed]", ''The Mirror''. URL last accessed 2007-02-10</ref>

Although episodes are predominantly recorded weeks before they air, occasionally, ''EastEnders'' includes [[current affairs]] in their episodes. In 1987, ''EastEnders'' covered the [[United Kingdom general election, 1987|general election]]. Using a plan devised by co-creators Smith and Holland, five minutes of material was cut from four of the pre-recorded episodes preceding the election. These were replaced by specially recorded election material, including representatives from each major party, and a scene recorded on the day after the election reflecting the result, which aired the following Tuesday.<ref name="first10years"/> During the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]], actors filmed short scenes following the tournament's events, that were edited into the programme in the following episode.<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5076722.stm World Cup fever hits Walford]", ''BBC News''. URL last accessed 2006-11-02</ref>
On 22 October 2007, a scene was shot featuring characters [[Garry Hobbs]] and [[Minty Peterson]] mentioning the results of the [[2007 Rugby World Cup Final]], which was played two days before. The scene was aired in an episode later the same day.<ref>{{cite news|title=EastEnders film rugby scene |url=http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=191711&command=displayContent&sourceNode=191710&contentPK=18744329&folderPk=112383&pNodeId=191800|publisher=This Is North Scotland|accessdate=2007-10-23}}</ref>

Several times a year ''EastEnders'' is filmed [[on location]], away from the studios at Elstree. These episodes have a practical function and are the result of ''EastEnders'' making a "double bank", when an extra week's worth of episodes are recorded at the same time as the regular schedule, enabling the production of ''EastEnders'' to stop for a two-week break at [[Christmas]].<ref name="first10years">{{cite book |last=Brake|first= Colin|authorlink= Colin Brake|title= [[EastEnders books#Non-fiction books|EastEnders: The First 10 Years: A Celebration]] |year=1995|publisher=BBC Books|id=ISBN 0-563-37057-2}}</ref> The famous [[EastEnders two-hander episodes|two-handers]] (when only two actors appear in an episode) were originally done for speed; while a two-hander is being filmed, the rest of the cast can be making another episode.

Online, fans are able to watch filming on the ''EastEnders'' [[webcam]], which is on the official BBC ''EastEnders'' website, [http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/webcam/ here]. It shows updated stills of Albert Square, [[Walford#Turpin Road|Turpin Road]] and [[Walford#George Street|George Street]]. The page also displays which episode is currently being filmed, the date it will be broadcast, and an extract of the script from that episode.

During Summer 2008, the Mitchell family was supposed to go to Spain for a handful of episodes to introduce the highly anticipated character [[Archie Mitchell]]. Due to budget restraints they were sent to [[Weymouth]] in [[Dorset]] instead-the second time in less than 2 years they have filmed there, the other when [[Shirley Carter]] was introduced. While there, it was reported the cast were harassed by some locals.<ref>[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a93440/enders-cast-abused-by-yobs-in-dorset.html Soaps - News - 'Enders cast abused by yobs in Dorset - Digital Spy<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

==Social realism==
''EastEnders'' programme makers took the decision that the show was to be about "everyday life" in the inner city "today" and regarded it as a "slice of life".<ref name=Geraghty1>{{cite book
| last = Geraghty
| first = Christine
| authorlink = Christine Geraghty
| title = Women and Soap Opera: A Study of Prime-Time Soaps
| publisher = [[Polity (publisher)|Polity Press]]
| year = 1991
| pages = p 32
| isbn = 0745604897 }}</ref> Creator/producer Julia Smith declared that "We don't make life, we reflect it".<ref name=Geraghty1/> She also said, "We decided to go for a realistic, fairly outspoken type of drama which could encompass stories about [[homosexuality]], [[rape]], [[unemployment]], [[Racism|racial prejudice]], etc., in a believable context. Above all, we wanted realism".<ref name=Geraghty2>{{cite book
| last = Geraghty
| first = Christine
| authorlink = Christine Geraghty
| title = Women and Soap Opera: A Study of Prime-Time Soaps
| publisher = [[Polity (publisher)|Polity Press]]
| year = 1991
| pages = p 16
| isbn = 0745604897 }}</ref>
[[Image:Wilmmott kathy.jpg|right|thumb|180px|The rape of Kathy Beale was one of the more controversial storylines tackled in 1988.]]
In the 1980s, ''EastEnders'' featured gritty storylines involving drugs and crime, representing the issues faced by working-class Britain much as ''[[Coronation Street]]'' did in the 1960s, although 20 years on, many of the issues facing working-class Britain were much more harrowing than those endured by the earlier generation. Such storylines include the cot death of 14-month-old [[Hassan Osman]], [[Nick Cotton|Nick Cotton's]] [[homophobia]], [[heroin]] addiction, and murders of [[Reg Cox]] and [[Eddie Royle]] (both of which failed to result in a conviction),<ref name="issues">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/yourquestions/yourq_content/yourq_issues.shtml |title= Which issues have been highlighted by ''EastEnders''? |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070223225130/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/yourquestions/yourq_content/yourq_issues.shtml |archivedate=2007-02-23|publisher=BBC}}</ref> the rape of [[Kathy Beale]] in 1988 by [[James Wilmott-Brown]]<ref name="issues"/> and Michelle Fowler's [[teenage pregnancy]]. The show also dealt with [[prostitution]], mixed-race relationships, [[shoplifting]], [[sexism]], [[divorce]], [[domestic violence]] and [[mugging]].

As the show progressed into the 1990s, ''EastEnders'' still featured hard-hitting issues such as Mark Fowler discovering he was [[HIV positive]]<ref name="issues"/> in 1991, the death of his wife [[Gill Fowler|Gill]] from [[AIDS]]-related illness in 1992, [[murder]], [[adoption]], [[abortion]], [[Peggy Mitchell|Peggy Mitchell's]] battle with [[breast cancer]],<ref name="issues"/> and [[Phil Mitchell|Phil Mitchell's]] [[alcoholism]] and violence towards wife Kathy.

In the early 2000s, ''EastEnders'' covered the issue of [[euthanasia]] ([[Ethel Skinner|Ethel Skinner's]] death in a pact with her friend [[Dot Cotton]]), the unveiling of Kat Slater's abuse by her uncle [[Harry Slater|Harry]] as a child (which led to the birth of her daughter [[Zoe Slater|Zoe]], who had been brought up to believe that Kat was her sister), the domestic abuse of Little Mo Morgan by husband [[Trevor Morgan|Trevor]] (which involved [[rape]] and culminated in Trevor's death after he tried to kill Little Mo in a fire),<ref name="issues"/> [[Sonia Fowler|Sonia Jackson]] giving birth at the age of 15 and then putting her baby up for adoption, and [[Janine Butcher]]'s prostitution, [[agoraphobia]] and [[drug addiction]]. The soap has also recently tackled the issue of [[mental illness]] and carers of people who have mental conditions. This has been illustrated with mother and daughter [[Jean Slater|Jean]] and [[Stacey Slater]]; Jean suffers from [[bipolar disorder]], and teenage daughter Stacey was her carer (this storyline won a Mental Health Media Award in September 2006<ref name="mental">"[http://web.archive.org/web/20070207053634/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/news_content/news_20060905_n1.shtml Mental Health Media Awards 2006]" ''[[BBC]]''. URL accessed on 2008-02-28.</ref>). Mental health issues were also confronted in 1996 when 16-year-old [[Joe Wicks]] developed [[schizophrenia]] following the off-screen death of his sister in a car crash. The issue of [[illiteracy]] was highlighted by the characters of middle-aged [[Keith Miller (EastEnders)|Keith]] and his young son [[Darren Miller|Darren]].<ref name="issues"/> ''EastEnders'' has also covered the issue of [[Down's syndrome]], as [[Billy Mitchell (EastEnders)|Billy]] and [[Honey Mitchell|Honey]]'s baby, [[Janet Mitchell|Janet]], was born with the condition in 2006.<ref>{{cite news
|url = http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article56854.ece
|title = Down's baby in Enders
|publisher = The Sun
|date = 22 July 2006
|accessdate = 2006-07-22
}}</ref> ''EastEnders'' recently covered [[child abuse]] with its storyline involving Phil Mitchell's 11-year-old son [[Ben Mitchell (EastEnders)|Ben]] and [[lawyer]] girlfriend [[Stella Crawford]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=39858&in_page_id=7&in_a_source=|title=EastEnders to tackle child abuse|publisher=[[Metro (Associated Metro Limited)|Metro]]|date=5 March 2007|accessdate=2007-03-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.politics.co.uk/press-releases/domestic-policy/children/child-abuse/nspcc-research-reveals-childcare-professional%E2%80%99s-concerns-over-rise-in-emotional-abuse-$468374.htm|title=NSPCC research reveals childcare professional’s concerns over rise in emotional abuse |publisher=politics.co.uk|date=14 March 2007|accessdate=2007-03-14}}</ref> Later in 2007, the programme featured storylines dealing with cocaine abuse and prostitution when [[Tanya Branning|Tanya Branning's]] sister [[Rainie Cross|Rainie]] arrived in Albert Square for a brief stay. In 2008, Lucy Beale ran away. Aside from this, soap opera staples of youthful romance, jealousy, domestic rivalry, gossip and extramarital affairs are regularly featured, with high-profile storylines occurring several times a year.

''EastEnders'' will soon be tackling a story of [[child grooming]] involving the characters Tony King and Whitney Dean.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sentryparentalcontrols.co.uk/news/eastenders-tackles-paedophilia-with-grooming-plotline.aspx|title=EastEnders Tackles Paedophilia with 'Grooming' Plotline|publisher=[[Sentry Parental Controls]]|date=15 September 2008|accessdate=2008-09-16}}</ref>

==History==
{{main|History of EastEnders}}
The idea for a new soap opera on BBC1 was conceived in 1983, by BBC executives, principally David Reid, the then Head of Series & serials, who was keen for the BBC to produce a new evening soap opera. They gave the job of creating this new soap to script writer [[Tony Holland]] and producer [[Julia Smith]], famous for their work together on ''[[Z Cars]]''. They created twenty-four original characters for the show, based upon Holland's own family, and people they remembered from their own experiences in the East End.

They cast actors for their characters, and began to film the show at the [[Elstree Studios|BBC Elstree Centre]] in [[Borehamwood]], [[Hertfordshire]]. [[Simon May]] and Alan Jeapes created the title sequence and [[EastEnders theme tune|theme tune]], and the show with a working title of ''East 8'' was renamed ''Eastenders'', when Smith and Holland realised they had been phoning casting agencies for months asking whether they had "any real East Enders" on their books. Julia Smith thought "''Eastenders''" "looked ugly written down", and capitalised the second 'e', and thus the name ''EastEnders'' was born. The show was first broadcast on 19 February 1985, and became wildly popular, displacing ''Coronation Street'' from the top of the ratings for the rest of the 1980s, much of the 1990s, and to some extent in the 2000s.

==Scheduling==
[[Image:EastEnders Radiotimes 3nights.jpg|right|thumb|220px|A ''[[Radio Times]]'' cover marking the third episode in a week being added, and the Vic siege storyline in 1993, with the characters [[Grant Mitchell (EastEnders)|Grant]] and [[Sharon Rickman|Sharon Mitchell]] (top and centre) and [[Michelle Fowler]] (bottom) being shown.]]
For the past 20 years, ''EastEnders'' has remained at the centre of BBC One's primetime schedule. It currently airs at 19:30 on Tuesday and Thursday, and 20:00 on Monday and Friday. The [[omnibus (broadcast)|omnibus]] is aired on Sunday, though the exact time differs.

Originally, ''EastEnders'' was shown twice weekly at 19:00, however in August 1985 it moved to 19:30 as Michael Grade did not want the soap running in direct competition with ''Emmerdale Farm''; the BBC had originally planned to take advantage of the 'summer break' that ''Emmerdale Farm'' usually took in order to capitalise on ratings, but ITV added extra episodes and repeats so that ''Emmerdale Farm'' was not taken off air over the summer. Realising the futility of the situation, Grade decided to move the show to the later 19:30 slot, but to avoid tabloid speculation that it was a 'panic move' on the BBC's behalf, they had to "dress up the presentation of that move in such a way as to protect the show" giving "all kinds of reasons" for the move.

''EastEnders'' output then increased to three times a week, on 11 April 1994.<ref name="edures">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/howcani/howcani_content/howcani_0011.shtml |title= Educational resource (part one) |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070403175032/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/howcani/howcani_content/howcani_0011.shtml |archivedate=2007-04-03|publisher=BBC}}</ref> ''EastEnders'' then added its fourth episode (shown on Fridays) on 6 August 2001.<ref name="edures"/> This caused some controversy as it clashed with ''Coronation Street'', which at the time was moved to 20:00 to make way for an hour long episode of rural soap ''Emmerdale'' at 19:00 The move immediately provoked an angry response from ITV insiders, who argued that the BBC's last-minute move&mdash;only revealed at 15:30 on the day&mdash;broke an unwritten scheduling rule that the two flagship soaps would not be put directly against each other. In this first head-to-head battle, ''EastEnders'' claimed victory over its rival.<ref>{{cite news
|url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2001/aug/13/broadcasting
|title = EastEnders wins soap battle
|publisher = The Guardian
|date = 2001-08-13
|accessdate = 2006-07-16
}}</ref>

From February to May 1995, as part of the programme's 10th Anniversary celebrations, Episodes from 1985 were repeated each morning at 10:00, starting from episode one. Selected episodes from 1985 and 1986 were also repeated on BBC1 on Friday evenings at 20:30 for a short while. In 1998, ''[[EastEnders Revealed]]'' was launched on [[BBC Choice]] (now [[BBC Three]]). The show takes a look behind the scenes of the ''EastEnders'' and investigates particular places, characters or families within ''EastEnders''. An episode of ''EastEnders Revealed'' that was commissioned for BBC Three attracted 611,000 viewers. In early 2003, viewers could watch episodes of ''EastEnders'' on digital channel BBC Three before they were broadcast on BBC One. This was to coincide with the relaunch of the channel and helped BBC Three break the one million viewers mark for the first time with 1.03 million who watched to see [[Mark Fowler]]'s departure.<ref>{{cite news
|url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2003/feb/14/bbc.overnights
|title = BBC3 breaks down the barriers
|publisher = The Guardian
|date = 2003-02-14
|accessdate = 2006-07-16
}}</ref> In February 2005, there were reports that the ''EastEnders'' schedule was threatened due to production problems. Newspaper reports indicated that the show faced being taken off air for a fortnight after a storyline shortage. However, this was denied by the BBC. In March of the same year, as [[Peter Fincham]] became the BBC One controller, rumours were sparked that ''EastEnders'' could air in a new time slot.

''EastEnders'' is usually repeated on BBC Three at 22:00 and old [[reruns]] can often be seen on [[UKTV Gold]] (as of July 2008, UKTV Gold are showing episodes originally aired in October 2005. They are showing five episodes which means that five week's worth of episodes are shown every four weeks, which results in a catch-up rate of around three months per year.)<ref>"[http://www.uktv.co.uk/index.cfm?uktv=tv.series&tvSid=535 ''EastEnders'' - when is it on?]"{{dead link|date=February 2008}} ''UKTV''. URL last accessed 2006-09-25</ref>

As part of the BBC's digital push, ''[[EastEnders Xtra]]'' was introduced in 2005. The show was presented by [[Angellica Bell]] and was available to digital viewers at 20:30 on Monday nights. It was also shown after the Sunday omnibus. The series went behind the scenes of the show and spoke to some of the cast members.

A new breed of behind-the-scenes programmes have been broadcast on [[BBC Three]] since 1 December 2006. These are all documentaries related to current storylines in ''EastEnders'', in a similar format to ''EastEnders Revealed'', though not using the ''EastEnders Revealed'' name. ''[[List of EastEnders television spin-offs#EastEnders Unveiled: A Weddings Special|EastEnders Unveiled: A Weddings Special]]'' gave viewers an insight into how the show's weddings are produced, and took a look at the past weddings of Walford. It was broadcast straight after the wedding of Ian Beale and [[Jane Collins]].<ref>"[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a39255/behind-the-scenes-special-for-enders-wedding.html Behind-the-scenes special for 'Enders wedding]", ''Digital Spy''. URL last accessed 2006-11-10</ref> ''[[List of EastEnders television spin-offs#EastEnders Sweethearts: The Story of Martin and Sonia|EastEnders Sweethearts: The Story of Martin and Sonia]]'' aired on 2 February 2007, following the departure of Martin and Sonia Fowler.<ref>"[http://web.archive.org/web/20070202034007/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/news_content/news_20070118_n2.shtml EastEnders Sweethearts]", ''bbc.co.uk''. URL last accessed 2008-02-28</ref> ''[[List of EastEnders television spin-offs#EastEnders Scandals: The Wicks Family|EastEnders Scandals: The Wicks Family]]'' aired on 9 March 2007, coinciding with [[Kevin Wicks]]'s return to Walford.<ref>"[http://web.archive.org/web/20070221125451/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/news_content/news_20070216.shtml EastEnders special]", ''[[bbc.co.uk]]''. URL last accessed 2008-02-28.</ref> ''[[List of EastEnders television spin-offs#EastEnders Vixens: The Rise and Fall of Stella|EastEnders Vixens: The Rise and Fall of Stella]]'' was broadcast on 20 July 2007 after the death of Stella Crawford and looked at the various female characters in EastEnders past and present.

On 2 March, BBC signed a deal with [[Google]] to put videos on [[YouTube]]. A behind the scenes video of ''EastEnders'', hosted by [[Matt Di Angelo]], was put on the site the same day,<ref>"[http://youtube.com/watch?v=UVrzGOoQf5Q Behind The Scenes on EastEnders]", ''YouTube''. URL last accessed 2007-03-06</ref> and was followed by another on 6 March.<ref>"[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RULI2afa_Rk&mode=related&search= BBC One - EastEnders - Down Memory Lane with Matt Di Angelo]", ''YouTube''. URL last accessed 2007-04-23.</ref> In April 2007, ''EastEnders'' became available to view on [[mobile phone]]s, via [[3G]] technology, for [[3 (telecommunications)|3]], [[Vodafone]] and [[Orange SA|Orange]] customers.<ref>"[http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/7202/8226/doctor-who-mobile-phone-bbc.phtml Doctor Who episodes coming to your mobile phone]", ''pocket-lint.co.uk''. URL last accessed 2007-03-30.</ref> On 21 April 2007, the BBC launched a new advertising campaign using the slogan "There's more to ''EastEnders''".<ref>"[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a45679/eastenders-new-tv-promo.html 'EastEnders' new TV promo]", ''Digital Spy''. URL last accessed 2007-04-29.</ref> The first television advert showed Dot Branning with a refugee baby, [[Tomas Covalenco|Tomas]], who she took in under the pretence of being her grandson.<ref>"[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWAGZFQA_7I Eastenders - Dot's baby]", ''YouTube''. URL last accessed 2007-04-23.</ref> The second and third featured Stacey Slater and Dawn Swann, respectively.<ref>"[http://youtube.com/watch?v=Y00_LCq3MsI BBC One - EastEnders - Stacey's Trail]", ''YouTube''. URL last accessed 2007-04-29.</ref><ref>"[http://youtube.com/watch?v=q_XS7pHivvk Eastenders - Rob and Dawn]", ''YouTube''. URL last accessed 2007-04-29.</ref> There have also been adverts in magazines and on radio.

===International screenings===
''EastEnders'' is aired around the world in many [[English language|English-speaking]] countries, including New Zealand and Canada. The series aired in the United States until [[BBC America]] ceased broadcasts of the serial in 2003, amidst fan protests. It is shown on [[BBC Prime]] in Europe and [[BBC Entertainment]], since 1 September 2008 in Africa and is approx, six episodes behind the UK EastEnders.<ref>"[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2002/08_august/bbcprime_hillandknowlton.shtml BBC Prime]" ''BBC''. URL last accessed 2006-09-25</ref> It was also shown on [[BBC Prime]] in Asia, but when the channel was replaced by [[BBC Entertainment]], it ceased showing the series.<ref>"[http://asia.bbcentertainment.com/faq.html#2 Frequently Asked Questions]" ''BBC Entertainment''. URL last accessed 2007-10-11</ref> It is also shown on [[BBC Canada]].<ref>"[http://www.bbccanada.com/faq/ Frequently Asked Questions]" ''BBC Canada''. URL last accessed 2006-09-24</ref>

In June 2004, the [[Dish Network]] picked up ''EastEnders'', airing episodes starting at the point where [[BBC America]] had ceased broadcasting them, offering the serial as a pay-per-view item. Dish first broadcast two weeks' worth of shows each week to catch up. In approximately February 2005, the programming reached the point of being one month behind the new shows being aired in the UK. At that point, Dish stopped its double-helping schedule, and now maintains the schedule of airing the new programmes consistently one month behind the UK schedule. Episodes from prior years are still shown on various PBS stations in the US.

In the United States, the [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] station [[KOCE-TV]] ran the show one episode per week from 1990 to 1993, and currently shows two episodes weekly on Friday at 12:30 and 13:00 but has now ceased broadcasting. Their last repeat is on Sunday. [[Houston, Texas|Houston]]'s [[KUHT]] runs two episodes every Sunday night at 22:00 and 22:30. Similarly, [[WLIW]] in [[New York City]] schedules two episodes on Fridays at midnight with a recap of last weeks episodes. [[North Carolina]]'s public television outlet, [[UNC-TV]], runs two episodes per week, and receives generous financial support from the fundraising efforts of the North Carolina ''EastEnders'' Fan Club. Except on one occasion where public support dried up, [[KTEH-TV]] of [[San Jose, California]], has run the series, between two to four episodes weekly, since the early 1990s. TPT, Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St Paul) airs two episodes every Friday evening. Miami's PBS station WPBT airs two episodes every Saturday morning at 11:00 and 11:30 and two episodes on Mondays at 02:00 and 02:30. Most PBS stations are nearly five years behind in the storyline, and those showing fewer than four episodes weekly are falling further behind.

The series was screened in Australia by the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] from 1987 until the early 1990s. Currently the series is seen in Australia only on pay-TV channel [[UK.TV]]. In New Zealand, it was shown by [[TVNZ]] on TV One for several years, but is now on [[Prime Television New Zealand|Prime]] each weekday afternoon at 13:00. In [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], it is shown on [[RTÉ One]] at the same time as [[BBC One]], which is also widely received in the country. This sometimes creates the situation whereby RTÉ completes the airing of an episode before the BBC (usually only by a few seconds, or minutes at most). This is due to the same scheduled start times for the episodes (also differs by several seconds or minutes), but different advertisement formats which causes one to always marginally finish before the other. The series is also screened in [[the Netherlands]] due to BBC One being receivable for viewers there. EastEnders is also shown on the [[British Forces Broadcasting Service]]'s main TV channel, BFBS1, to members of [[Military of the United Kingdom|HM Forces]] stationed around the world.<ref>"[http://www.ssvc.com/bfbs/ BFBS homepage]" ''BFBS''. URL last accessed 2006-09-25</ref>

==Popularity and viewership==
''EastEnders'' proved highly popular and Appreciation Indexes reflected this, rising from 55–60 at the launch to 85–95 later on, a figure which was nearly ten points higher than the average for a British soap opera. Research suggested that people found the characters true to life, the plots believable and, importantly in the face of criticism of the content, people watched as a family and regarded it as viewing for all the family. Based on market research by BBC commissioning in 2003, ''EastEnders'' is most watched by 60–74 year olds, closely followed by 45–59 year olds. An average ''EastEnders'' episode attracts a total audience share between 35 and 40%. Aside from that, the 10 p.m. repeat showing on [[BBC Three]] attracts an average of 500,000 viewers, whilst the Sunday omnibus attracts 3 million. ''EastEnders'' is one of the more popular programmes on [[British television]] and regularly attracts between 7 and 19 million viewers<ref name="19mil">"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5180518.stm EastEnders ratings hit record low]", ''BBC News''. URL last accessed 2007-04-01.</ref> and while the show's ratings have fallen since its initial surge in popularity and it generally rates lower than its ITV rival ''Coronation Street'', the programme continues to be largely successful for the BBC. In order to maximise ratings, the BBC and ITV are usually careful to avoid scheduling clashes between their flagship soaps. In 2001 however, the soaps clashed for the first time. ''EastEnders'' won the battle with 8.4 million viewers (41% share) whilst ''Coronation Street'' lagged behind with 7.3 million viewers (36% share).<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1483729.stm Soaps battle in TV showdown]", ''BBC News''. URL last accessed 2007-04-01.</ref>
[[Image:Den Ange Divorce.jpg|right|thumb|200px|30.15 million viewers watched [[Den Watts]] serve [[Angie Watts|Angie]] divorce papers (Christmas 1986).]]
The launch show attracted 17 million viewers in 1985; this was perhaps helped by the amount of press attention it received, something which continues today.<ref>"[http://susilo.typepad.com/nurani/2005/02/the_soap_that_j.html The soap that just won't wash]", ''Rumah Kecil''. URL last accessed 2007-04-02.</ref>

On [[Christmas]] Day 1986, ''EastEnders'' attracted 30.15 million viewers who tuned in to see Den Watts hand over divorce papers to wife Angie. This remains the highest rated episode of a soap in British television history.<ref name="xmasdenange">"[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=346942&in_page_id=1773 The biggest TV audience ever... it is now]" ''The Mail'' URL last accessed 2006-09-24</ref>
On 21 September 2004, [[Louise Berridge]], the then executive producer, quit following criticism of the show.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2004/sep/22/broadcasting.bbc
|title = Axe falls on EastEnders boss
|publisher = The Guardian
|date = 2004-09-22
|accessdate = 2006-07-16
}}</ref> The following day the show received its lowest ever ratings at that time (6.2 million) when ITV scheduled an hour long episode of ''[[Emmerdale]]'' against it. ''Emmerdale'' was watched by 8.1 million people. The poor ratings motivated the press into reporting viewers were bored with implausible and ill thought out storylines.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3679776.stm
|title = EastEnders loses out to Emmerdale
|publisher = BBC News
|date = 2004-07-22
|accessdate = 2006-07-16
}}</ref> [[Kathleen Hutchison]], who had been the executive producer of hospital drama ''[[Holby City]]'', was announced as the new executive producer.<ref>"[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a15865/berridge-quits-eastenders.html Berridge quits ''EastEnders'']" ''Digital Spy''. URL last accessed 2006-09-24</ref> Within a few weeks, she announced a major shake-up of the cast with the highly-criticised Ferreira family, first seen in June 2003, written out at the beginning of 2005.<ref name="ferreiras">"[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a16288/eastenders-entire-ferreira-family-axed.html ''EastEnders'': Entire Ferreira family axed]" ''Digital Spy''. URL last accessed 2006-09-24</ref> Hutchison went on to axe other characters including Andy Hunter, [[Kate Mitchell]], [[Juley Smith]] and [[Derek Harkinson]].<ref>"[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a17058/confirmed-eastenders-axe-for-andy-hunter.html Confirmed: ''EastEnders'' axe for Andy Hunter]" ''Digital Spy''. URL last accessed 2006-09-24</ref><ref>"[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a16160/confirmed-eastenders-actress-axed.html Confirmed: ''EastEnders'' actress axed]" ''Digital Spy''. URL last accessed 2006-09-24</ref><ref>"[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a18463/eastenders-actor-to-leave-soap.html ''EastEnders'' actor to leave soap]" ''Digital Spy''. URL last accessed 2006-09-24</ref> Whilst she was there, she set about reversing the previous executive producer's work. It indicated a fresh start for ''EastEnders'' after declining ratings in 2004.

In January 2005, after just four months, Kathleen Hutchison left ''EastEnders''. [[John Yorke]] who led ''EastEnders'' through what [[Mal Young]] (the then head of BBC drama) said was one of its most successful periods in 2001, returned to the BBC as the head of drama, meaning his responsibilities included the running of ''EastEnders''. He also brought back long serving script writer [[Tony Jordan]].<ref>"[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a18782/exec-producer-hutchison-to-leave-eastenders.html Exec producer Hutchison to leave ''EastEnders'']" ''Digital Spy''. URL last accessed 2006-09-24</ref> It is reported that the cast and crew did not get on well with Hutchison as she had them working up to midnight and beyond.<ref>"[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a16550/overworked-eastenders-are-losing-sleep.html Overworked ''EastEnders'' are losing sleep]" ''Digital Spy''. URL last accessed 2006-09-24</ref> She is also said to have rejected several planned storylines and demanded re-writes. This was one of the reasons storylines such as the Real Walford football team were suddenly ignored. But through her short reign she led ''EastEnders'' to some of its most healthy viewing figures in months. John Yorke immediately stepped into her position until a few weeks later when [[Kate Harwood]] was announced as the new executive producer.<ref>"[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/02_february/24/harwood.shtml BBC appoints new Executive Producer for ''EastEnders'']" ''BBC''. URL last accessed 2006-09-24</ref>

In the autumn of 2005, ''EastEnders'' saw its average audience share increase. This was thanks to a succession of ratings-grabbing storylines which included the arrest of [[Sam Mitchell (EastEnders)|Sam Mitchell]] for the murder of [[Den Watts]], the marriage of Sharon and Dennis Rickman, the return of the Mitchell brothers, Chrissie Watts being arrested after she was discovered to have been Den's real killer, and the death of Dennis Rickman at the hands of a mysterious attacker. Weeks after this, ITV again scheduled episodes of ''Emmerdale'' against ''EastEnders'', in which Emmerdale came out on top for a few times. The episode of ''Emmerdale'', which saw the departure of one of its more popular characters, [[Zoe Tate]], attracted 8.3 million viewers, leaving ''EastEnders'' with 6.6 million for the funeral of Den Watts.<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4275032.stm Emmerdale tops ITV 50th ratings]", ''BBC News''. URL last accessed 2007-04-02.</ref> However, this indirectly helped increase the audience of digital channel BBC Three as 1 million (10% share) tuned in to see the second showing. However, the battle between ''EastEnders'' and ''Emmerdale'' saw ''EastEnders'' come out on top with 200,000 more viewers on 1 December 2005. ''EastEnders'' was the top-rated soap on Christmas Day 2005, attracting 10.6 million viewers while ''Coronation Street'' got 9.8 million.<ref>"[http://www.clivebanks.co.uk/Christmasinvasion.htm 'The Christmas Invasion']", ''clivebanks.co.uk''. URL last accessed 2007-04-02.</ref> 12.6 million viewers watched as [[Dennis Rickman]] was stabbed by a mystery attacker on 30 December 2005, and the aftermath attracted 12.34 million viewers on 2 January 2006.

Since then ''EastEnders'' has beaten ''Coronation Street'' in the ratings several times, although ''Coronation Street'' continues to average more on a regular basis. Ratings reached an all-time low in July 2006 with 5.2 million viewers, followed two days later by only 3.9 million when the series was scheduled against the action packed hour long episode of ''Emmerdale'' on ITV1 featuring several characters trapped in an exploding show home.<ref>"[http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006320673,,00.html 3.9 m, Ratings drop to a new low]"{{dead link|date=February 2008}} ''The Sun''. URL last accessed on 2006-07-15</ref>
[[Image:Pauline dead.jpg|left|thumb|10.7 million viewers watched the death of [[Pauline Fowler]], following nearly 22 years on-screen.]]
Christmas Day 2006 saw ''EastEnders'' as the top rated soap; 10.7 million viewers watched to see the death of Pauline Fowler.<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6209697.stm Vicar of Dibley tops Christmas TV]", ''[[BBC News]]''. URL last accessed 2007-01-02</ref> In previous two weeks to that, it reached 9.90 and 9.85 million viewers.

In February 2007, the show was criticised for boring storylines and acting. ''EastEnders'' was consequently snubbed from the [[Royal Television Society]] awards.<ref>"[http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article19783.ece ''EastEnders''? Leave it out!]", ''The Sun''. URL last accessed 2007-03-05</ref> ''EastEnders'' received its second lowest ratings on 17 May 2007, when 4.0 million viewers tuned in to see Ian Beale and Phil Mitchell's car crash, part of the show's most expensive stunt. This was also the lowest ever audience share, with just 19.6%. This was attributed to a conflicting one hour special episode of ''Emmerdale'' on ITV1 which revealed the perpetrator in the long running [[Tom King (Emmerdale)|Tom King]] [[Who Killed Tom King?|murder mystery storyline]]. ''Emmerdale'''s audience peaked at 11.1 million. Ratings for the 10 p.m. ''EastEnders'' repeat on BBC Three reached an all time high of 1.4 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article229840.ece|title=EastEnders is car crash TV|publisher=The Sun|date=19 May 2007|accessdate=2007-05-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=49623&in_page_id=7|title=EastEnders slumps to record low|publisher=Metro.co.uk|date=19 May 2007|accessdate=2007-05-19}}</ref> However, on Christmas Day 2007, ''EastEnders'' gained one of its highest ratings for years and the highest ratings for any TV programme in 2007, when 13.9 million viewers saw [[Bradley Branning]] find out his wife [[Stacey Branning|Stacey]] had been cheating with his father, [[Max Branning|Max]].<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7160322.stm EastEnders tops Christmas ratings]", ''BBC News''. URL last accessed 2007-12-26.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7195761.stm|title=EastEnders tops 2007's TV ratings |publisher=BBC News|date=2008-01-18|accessdate=2008-01-18}}</ref><ref>[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a82272/enders-wins-christmas-day-ratings-battle.html Soaps - News - 'Enders wins Christmas Day ratings battle - Digital Spy<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The earlier first half had achieved 11.8 million viewers. The second half of the double bill was the most watched programme on Christmas Day 2007 in the UK, while the first half was third most watched, surpassed only by the [[Voyage of the Damned (Doctor Who)|Doctor Who Christmas special]]. When official figures came out a few weeks later, it was confirmed 14.38 million viewers had watched the Christmas Day episode of EastEnders, and that it wad the highest UK TV Audience for ANY TV show during 2007.
On 24 March 2008, EastEnders attracted a strong audience of 11.4 million viewers a 42.4% audience share, which saw Max Branning buried alive by his wife Tanya Branning. This episode beat the double bill of ''Coronation Street'' which attracted 10.9 million viewers at 7.30pm a 41% audience share and 9.9 million viewers a 36.5% audience share at 8.30pm.

On the special week of episodes which saw Sean, Ronnie and Peggy head over to Dorset to find Roxy, attracted an approximately 11.85 million viewers. (7th-11th of July){{Fact|date=July 2008}}

On 22 July 2008 4.9 million viewers and a (27.0% share) watched the soap, it's lowest audience since May 2007 where it had 4.0m.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}

Between 2001 and 2002, ''EastEnders'' was the 10th most searched-for TV show on the Internet.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/content_pages/record.asp?recordid=58318 |title= Most searched-for TV show |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060902153207/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/content_pages/record.asp?recordid=58318 |archivedate=2006-09-02|publisher=[[Guinness World Records]]}}</ref> It was the 2nd most popular UK search term in 2003,<ref>"[http://www.google.com/press/zeitgeist2003.html 2003 Year-End Zeitgeist]", ''Google Press Center'', URL last accessed 2006-07-15</ref> and the 7th in 2004.<ref>"[http://www.google.com/press/zeitgeist2004/intl-zeitgeist.html International 2004 Year-End Zeitgeist]", ''Google Press Center'', URL last accessed 2006-07-15</ref> ''EastEnders'' holds the record for the most watched soap episode in Britain.<ref name="xmasdenange"/> In 2001, ''EastEnders'' went head to head with rival soap ''[[Coronation Street]]'' for the first time. ''EastEnders'' won the battle with 8.4 million viewers (41%) while ''Coronation Street'' attracted 7.3 million (36%).<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1485953.stm EastEnders wins soaps showdown]", ''BBC'', URL last accessed 2006-07-15</ref> Since ''EastEnders'' began in 1985, at least one of its episodes have rated higher than any other British soap opera throughout each decade. This includes the 1980s, 1990s and so far the 2000s.

===Critique===
''EastEnders'' has received both praise and criticism for most of its storylines, which have dealt with difficult themes, such as violence, rape and murder. In 1997 several episodes were shot and set in Ireland, resulting in criticisms for portraying the Irish in a negatively stereotypical way. Ted Barrington, the Irish Ambassador to London at the time, described the portrayal of Ireland as an "unrepresentative caricature", stating he was worried by the negative stereotypes and the images of drunkenness, backwardness and isolation. Jana Bennett, the BBC's then director of production, later apologised for the episodes, stating on BBC1's news bulletin: "It is clear that a significant number of viewers have been upset by the recent episodes of ''EastEnders'', and we are very sorry, because the production team and programme makers did not mean to cause any offence." A year later BBC chairman Christopher Bland admitted that as result of the Irish-set EastEnders episodes, the station failed in its pledge to represent all groups accurately and avoid reinforcing prejudice.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/172718.stm BBC sets out pledges], ''BBC News''. URL last accessed 2007-06-21.</ref>

[[Mary Whitehouse]] argued at the time that ''EastEnders'' represented a violation of "family viewing time" and that it undermined the [[Watershed (television)|watershed]] policy. She regarded ''EastEnders'' as a fundamental assault on the family and morality itself. She made reference to representation of family life and emphasis on psychological and emotional violence within the show. She was also critical of language such as "bleeding", "bloody hell", "bastard" and "for [[Christ]]'s sake". However, Whitehouse also praised the programme, describing [[Michelle Fowler]]'s decision not to have an abortion as a "very positive storyline". She also felt that ''EastEnders'' had been cleaned up as a result of her protests, though she later commented that ''EastEnders'' had returned to its old ways. Her criticisms were widely reported in the tabloid press as ammunition in its existing rivalry with the BBC. The stars of ''Coronation Street'' in particular aligned themselves with Mary Whitehouse, gaining headlines such as "STREETS AHEAD! RIVALS LASH SEEDY EASTENDERS" and "CLEAN UP SOAP! Street Star Bill Lashes 'Steamy' EastEnders".

The long-running storyline of Mark Fowler's [[HIV]] was so successful in raising awareness that in 1999, a survey by the National Aids Trust found teenagers got most of their information about HIV from the soap, though one campaigner noted that in some ways the storyline was not reflective of what was happening at the time as the condition was more common among the [[gay community]]. Still, heterosexual Mark struggled with various issues connected to his HIV status, including public fears of contamination, a marriage breakdown connected to his inability to have children and the side effects of combination therapies. However, in early 2003, when the makers of the series decided to write Mark out of the series, he left Walford to travel the world, and his death was announced a year later.

The [[child abuse]] storyline with Kat Slater and her uncle Harry saw calls to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children ([[NSPCC]]) go up by 60%. The chief executive of the NSPCC praised the storyline for covering the subject in a direct and sensitive way, coming to the conclusion that people were more likely to report any issues relating to child protection because of it. In 2002, ''EastEnders'' also won an award from the Mental Health Media Awards held at BAFTA for this storyline.

''EastEnders'' is often criticised for being too violent, most notably during a [[domestic violence]] storyline between Little Mo Morgan and her husband Trevor. As ''EastEnders'' is shown pre-watershed, there were worries that some scenes in this storyline were too graphic for its audience. Complaints against a scene in which Little Mo's face was pushed in [[gravy]] on Christmas Day were upheld by the Broadcasting Standards Council. However, a helpline after this episode attracted over 2000 calls. [[Erin Pizzey]], who became internationally famous for having started one of the first [[Women's shelter|Women's Refuges]], said that ''EastEnders'' had done more to raise the issue of violence against women in one story than she had done in 25 years. The character of [[Phil Mitchell]] (played by [[Steve McFadden]] since early 1990) has been criticised on several occasions for glorifying violence and proving a bad role model to children.

Originally there was a storyline written that the whole Ferreira family killed their pushy father [[Dan Ferreira|Dan]], but after actor [[Dalip Tahil]] could not get a visa for working in the UK the storyline was scrapped and instead [[Ronny Ferreira]] got stabbed and survived. This storyline was criticised by many as it seemed rushed and no reason was given for Dan's disappearance.<ref>"[http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/tm_objectid=16708351%26method=full%26siteid=94762-name_page.html 21 Years of EastEnders: Secrets of Walford]" ''The Mirror'', last accessed on 2006-07-15</ref>

In 2003, [[Shaun Williamson]], who was in the final months of his role of [[Barry Evans (EastEnders)|Barry Evans]], said that the programme had become much grittier over the past ten to fifteen years, and found it "frightening" that parents let their young children watch.

The BBC was accused of anti-religious bias by a [[House of Lords]] committee, who cited ''EastEnders'' as an example. Dr. [[Indarjit Singh]], editor of the Sikh Messenger and patron of the World Congress of Faiths, said: "''EastEnders''' Dot Cotton is an example. She quotes endlessly from the [[Bible]] and it ridicules [[religion]] to some extent."
[[Image:Eeowendenise.JPG|thumb|right|200px|The scene involving Owen and Denise that prompted 128 complaints.]]
[[Susan Tully]], who played Michelle Fowler from the show's inception until 1995, has caused controversy with fans after refusing to return to the show for important events regarding the Fowler family such as Mark and Pauline's weddings to [[Lisa Fowler|Lisa Shaw]] and [[Joe Macer]], respectively, and Michelle's father Arthur and Mark's funerals. The actress rejected offers to return again for Pauline's funeral, and [[Scarlett Johnson]], who played [[Vicki Fowler]], wasn't asked to return.<ref>"[http://orange.co.uk/entertainment/television/14208.htm?linkfrom=entertainment_television_default&link=box_main_pos_1_1_link_title&article=entertainmenttvtop2ndstory Family snubs Pauline's funeral]", ''Orange''. URL last accessed 2006-11-13</ref> It has been a common practice in the programme for former characters not to return for important events regarding their family members.

In July 2006, former cast member [[Tracy-Ann Oberman]] suggested that the scriptwriters had been "on [[Cocaine#Crack cocaine|crack]]" when they penned the storyline about Den's murder and described her 18 months on the show as being "four years of acting experience".<ref>"[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a35246/ex-eastenders-star-slams-script-writers.html Ex-EastEnders star slams script writers]", ''Digital Spy'', URL last accessed 2006-07-25</ref> [[Wendy Richard]], who played Pauline Fowler for 21 years, has also claimed that she quit the show because of the producers' decision to remarry her character to Joe Macer (played by [[Ray Brooks (actor)|Ray Brooks]]), as she felt this was out of character for Pauline.<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5252028.stm Richard 'quit soap over wedding']", ''BBC News''. URL last accessed 2006-11-02</ref>

In August 2006, a scene involving [[Carly Wicks]] ([[Kellie Shirley]]) and [[Jake Moon]] ([[Joel Beckett]]) having sex on the floor of [[Scarlet (EastEnders)|Scarlet]] nightclub, and another scene involving Owen Turner violently attacking Denise Fox, prompted 129 and 128 complaints, respectively.<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4776447.stm BBC defends ''EastEnders'' sex scene]" ''BBC News''. URL last accessed 2006-11-02</ref> Carly and Jake's sex scenes were later removed from the Sunday omnibus edition.

The birth of Billy and Honey Mitchell's baby, Janet, diagnosed with [[Down's syndrome]], has attracted a lot of criticism. The storyline has been criticised by the Royal College of Midwives, who claim the storyline was inaccurate and unrealistic. They claim that Honey should not have been refused an [[epidural]] and should not have been told about her daughter's condition without her husband being present. They also claim that the baby appeared rigid when in fact she should have been floppy, and that nobody opened the baby's blanket to check.<ref name="24dash">{{cite news
|title = BBC soap EastEnders slammed over Down's Syndrome baby birth
|url = http://www.24dash.com/content/news/viewNews.php?navID=47&newsID=10388
|publisher = 24dash.com
|date = 2006-09-13
|accessdate = 2006-09-28
}}</ref> The BBC say a great deal of research was undertaken such as talking to families with children who have Down's syndrome, and liaising with a senior midwife as well as the Down's Syndrome Association. The BBC say Honey was not refused an epidural but had actually locked herself away in the bathroom. They were also unable to cast a baby with Down's syndrome for the first few episodes, which is why the baby appeared rigid.<ref name="24dash"/> The Down's Syndrome Association say that the way in which Billy and Honey found out about their baby's condition and their subsequent support is not a best practice model, but is still a realistic situation.<ref name="bbcnews">{{cite news
|title = Midwives attack EastEnders plot
|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5339012.stm
|publisher = [[BBC News]]
|date = 2006-09-12
|accessdate = 2006-09-28
}}</ref> Conversely, learning disability charity [[Mencap]] have praised the soap, saying it will help to raise awareness.<ref name="bounty">{{cite news
|title = Mencap praise for Down syndrome soap story
|url = http://www.bounty.com/News.aspx?Article=17638151
|publisher = bounty.com
|date =
|accessdate = 2006-09-28
}}</ref>

The showdown of Rob, Dawn and May's storyline where May stated to Dawn she could give her an elective caesarean (Dawn being handcuffed to the bed) prompted 200 complaints reported by The Sun.<ref>"[http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article237964.ece 200 complaints for eastenders]" "The Sun". URL last accessed 2007-07-20</ref> The 2007 domestic abuse storyline involving Ben Mitchell and Stella Crawford has attracted sixty complaints from viewers, who found scenes where Ben was attacked by bullies as Stella looked on "upsetting".<ref>"[http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article23676.ece Fan fury at Ben's bullying]", ''The Sun''. URL last accessed 2007-03-31.</ref>

In May 2007, it was decided that the ending of a current storyline featuring characters of [[Dawn Swann]], [[Dr. May Wright]] and [[Rob Minter]] would be substantially rewritten due to the [[Disappearance of Madeleine McCann|disappearance of toddler Madeleine McCann]]. The storyline would have seen May ran off with Dawn and Rob's baby shortly after it had been born.<ref name="Maddie">"[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a58142/eastenders-axe-baby-abduction-plot.html 'EastEnders' axe baby abduction plot]", ''Digital Spy''. URL last accessed 2007-05-25.</ref> The move has attracted some criticism as to how it relates directly to the disappearance of the toddler,<ref>"[http://www.thesun.co.uk/mysun/comment/view.page?storyId=2007230631&submissionId=76482 Enders cancel Maddie plot]", ''The Sun''. URL last accessed 2007-05-25.</ref> but the BBC has defended its actions by stating that "In the current circumstances it was felt any storyline that included a child abduction would be inappropriate and could cause distress to our viewers."<ref name="Maddie"/>

In 2008, the show was criticized for stereotyping their Asian and Black characters, by having a black single mum, [[Denise Wicks]], and an Asian shopkeeper, [[Zainab Masood]].<ref>http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a112057/report-brands-soaps-too-white.html</ref>

In March 2008, scenes showing Tanya Branning and boyfriend, Sean Slater, burying Tanya's husband Max alive, attracted many complaints. Tanya was seen drugging Max before she and Sean pulled him out to a van and drove him to nearby woods. They then placed him in an open coffin and filled it with soil before driving away, leaving him for dead. However, in the next episode Tanya did go back to rescue him. Tanya tried to keep the 'burial' in secret and Max left the square soon after. However, Max returned to the square and told his brother, Jack (Tanya's boyfriend at that time) the truth. Jack thought Tanya was right burying Max but nobody else knows about any of the burial.

In September 2008, ''EastEnders'' began a paedophilia storyline involving characters [Tony King] [(Chris Coghill)], [Whitney Dean] [(Shona McGarthy)], [Bianca Jackson] [(Patsy Palmer)] and [[Peter Beale]] [[(Thomas Law)]]. The storyline has attracted over 150 complaints thus far, with more expected in the coming months.{{Fact|date=September 2008}} Over 30 complaints were filed on 25th and 26 September 2008 involving a scene where Tony King hit 15-year old Peter Beale.{{Fact|date=September 2008}}

===Awards===
'''THE BRITISH SOAP AWARDS'''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| align="left" | [[2004–05 NBA season|2004–05]]
! Year
| align="left" | [[Orlando Magic|Orlando]]
! width="35%" | Category
| '''82''' || '''82''' || 32.6 || .520 || .000 || '''.671''' || 10.0 || .9 || '''.9''' || 1.7 || 12.0
! width="38%" | Nomimee
! width="18%" | Episode-Storyline
! Result
|-
|-
| align="left" | [[2005–06 NBA season|2005–06]]
| 2008 || Best British Soap || Eastenders Cast and Crew || ||style="background: #ddffdd"| '''Won'''
| align="left" | [[Orlando Magic|Orlando]]
| '''82''' || 81 || 36.8 || .531 || .000 || .595 || 12.5 || 1.5 || .8 || 1.4 || 15.8
|-
|-
| align="left" | [[2006–07 NBA season|2006–07]]
| 2008 || Best Storyline || Jake Wood,Lacey Turner,Jo Joyner and Charlie Clements || The Aftermath of Max and Stacey's Affair ||style="background: #ddffdd"| '''Won'''
| align="left" | [[Orlando Magic|Orlando]]
| '''82''' || '''82''' || 36.9 || '''.603''' || '''.500''' || .586 || 12.3 || '''1.9''' || '''.9''' || 1.9 || 17.6
|-
|-
| align="left" | [[2007–08 NBA season|2007–08]]
| 2008 || Best Actor || Charlie Clemants || ||style="background: #ffdddd"| '''Nominated'''
| align="left" | [[Orlando Magic|Orlando]]
| '''82''' || '''82''' || '''37.7''' || .599 || .000 || .590 || '''14.2''' || 1.3 || '''.9''' || '''2.2''' || '''20.7'''
|-
|-
| align="left" | Career
| 2008 || Best Actress || Jo Joyner || ||style="background: #ffdddd"| '''Nominated'''
| align="left" |
| 328 || 327 || 36.0 || .567 || .100 || .603 || 12.2 || 1.4 || .9 || 1.7 || 16.5
|-
|-
| align="left" | All-Star
| 2008 || Best Actress || Lacey Turner || ||style="background: #ffdddd"| '''Nominated'''
| align="left" |
|-
| 2 || 1 || 25.5 || .810 || .000 || .250 || 10.5 || 2.0 || 1.5 || 1.0 || 18.0
| 2008 || Best Single Episode || Jake Wood,Lacey Turner,Jo Joyner and Charlie Clements || Christmas Day ||style="background: #ffdddd"| '''Nominated'''
{{end box}}
|-

| 2008 || Sexiest Male || Robert Kazinsky || ||style="background: #ffdddd"| '''Nominated'''
==== Playoffs ====
|-
| 2008 || Sexiest Male || Scott Maslen || ||style="background: #ffdddd"| '''Nominated'''
|-
| 2008 || Sexiest Female || Samantha Janus || ||style="background: #ffdddd"| '''Nominated'''
|-
| 2008 || Villain Of the Year || Sophie Thompson || ||style="background: #ffdddd"| '''Nominated'''
|-
| 2008 || Villain Of the year || Jake Wood || ||style="background: #ffdddd"| '''Nominated'''
|-
| 2008 || Spectacular Scene of the year || Steve McFadden and Adam Woodyatt || Phil's car roll over ||style="background: #ffdddd"| '''Nominated'''
|-
| 2008 || Best Newcomer || Stephen Lord || ||style="background: #ffdddd"| '''Nominated'''
|-
| 2008 || Best Newcomer || Rita Simmons || ||style="background: #ffdddd"| '''Nominated'''
|-
|}


{{NBA player statistics start}}
{|class="wikitable"
|-bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center"
!Year
!Ceremony
!Award(s)
!Reference(s)
|-
|rowspan="4"|2008
|[[Television and Radio Industries Club]] awards
|'Soap of the Year'
|<ref>{{cite news|title=EastEnders wins TV industry gong|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7290198.stm|publisher=BBC News|date=11 March 2008|accessdate=2008-03-14}}</ref>
|-
|-
| align="left" | [[2006–07 NBA season|2006–07]]
|[[Digital Spy Soap Awards]]
| align="left" | [[Orlando Magic|Orlando]]
|'Best Soap'
| 4 || 4 || 41.8 || .548 || .000 || .455 || 14.8 || '''1.8''' || .5 || 1.0 || 15.3
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Digital Spy Soap Awards 2008: The Winners|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a92054/digital-spy-soap-awards-2008-the-winners.html|publisher=Digital Spy|date=21 March 2008|accessdate=2008-03-21}}</ref>
|-
|-
| align="left" | [[2007–08 NBA season|2007–08]]
|Soaper Star Awards
| align="left" | [[Orlando Magic|Orlando]]
|'Best Soap'
| '''10''' || '''10''' || '''42.1''' || '''.581''' || .000 || '''.542''' || '''15.8''' || .9 || '''.8''' || '''3.4''' || '''18.9'''
|-
|-
| align="left" | Career
|[[All About Soap]] Bubble Awards
| align="left" |
|'Best Soap','Best Secret Reveal', 'Best Soap Slap', 'Best Tearjerker'
| 14 || 14 || 42.1 || .572 || .000 || .517 || 15.5 || 1.1 || .7 || 2.7 || 17.9
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Lacey and Jo clean up in the Bubble awards|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/news_20080401.shtml|publisher=BBC|date=1 April 2008|accessdate=2008-04-05}}</ref>
{{end box}}
|-
|TV Quick and Choice Awards
|'Best Soap'
|-
|Inside Soap Awards
|'Best Soap'
|-
|[[The British Soap Awards]]
|'Best British Soap'
|-
|rowspan="3"|2007
|[[National Television Awards]]
|'Most Popular Serial Drama'
|<ref>{{cite news|title=EastEnders wins best soap 2007.|url=http://www.itv.com/Entertainment/celebrity/NationalTelevisionAwards/NTAwinners/default.html|publisher=ITV|date=31 October 2007|accessdate=2007-10-31}}</ref>
|-
|All About Soap Bubble Awards
|'Best Tearjerker', 'Biggest Wedding Shock', 'Best Double Act'
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Eastenders is sitting pretty|url=http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news_detail.html?sku=1332|publisher=Daily Star Sunday|date=4 March 2007|accessdate=2007-03-04}}{{dead link|date=February 2008}}</ref>
|-
|[[Banff World Television Festival]]
|'Best telenovela and drama serial programme'
|<ref>{{cite news|title=BBC bags four Banff awards|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a60814/bbc-bags-four-banff-awards.html|publisher=Digital Spy|date=12 June 2007|accessdate=2007-06-12}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="6"|2006
|Rose D'or
|'Best Soap'
|<ref name="scoops"/>
|-
|National Television Awards
|'Most Popular Serial Drama'
|<ref name="scoops"/>
|-
|Mental Health Media Awards
|'Soaps and Continual Drama'
|<ref name="mental"/>
|-
|[[Inside Soap]] Awards
|'Best Soap'
|<ref name="insidesoap"/>
|-
|[[TV Quick]] and TV Choice Awards
|'Best Soap'
|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/news_content/news_20060905.shtml |title= ''EastEnders'' scoops best soap |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070309051831/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/news_content/news_20060905.shtml |archivedate=2007-03-09|publisher=BBC}}</ref>
|-
|The British Soap Awards
|'Best British Soap', 'Best Single Episode'
|<ref name="beatcorrie">"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5001856.stm ''EastEnders'' beats ''Corrie'' at awards]", ''BBC News''. URL last accessed 2006-11-02</ref>
|-
|[[British Academy Television Awards]]
|'Best Continuing Drama'
|<ref name="BAFTA"/>
|-
|rowspan="3"|2005
|Smash Hits T4 Pollwinners' Party
|'Best TV Show'
|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/news_content/news_20051121.shtml |title= EastEnders voted best show |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060709115612/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/news_content/news_20051121.shtml |archivedate=2006-07-09|publisher=BBC}}</ref>
|-
|National Television Awards
|'Most Popular Serial Drama'
|<ref name="imdb">"[http://imdb.com/title/tt0088512/awards Awards for ''EastEnders'']", ''IMDb''. URL last accessed 2006-11-02</ref>
|-
|Inside Soap Awards
|'Best Soap'
|<ref name="insidesoap"/>
|-
|rowspan="2"|2004
|British Soap Awards
|'Best British Soap'
|<ref name="custardBSA">"[http://www.thecustard.tv/linksandlists/soapawards.html British Soap Awards]", ''thecustard.tv''. URL last accessed 2006-11-02</ref>
|-
|Inside Soap Awards
|'Best Soap'
|<ref name="insidesoap"/>
|-
|rowspan="3"|2003
|National Television Awards
|'Most Popular Serial Drama'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|Inside Soap Awards
|'Best Soap'
|<ref name="insidesoap"/>
|-
|TV Quick Awards
|'Best Soap'
|<ref name="misc">"[http://www.thecustard.tv/linksandlists/tvawards.html Miscellaneous Television Awards]", ''thecustard.tv''. URL last accessed 2006-11-02</ref>
|-
|rowspan="7"|2002
|British Soap Awards
|'Best British Soap', 'Best Single Episode'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|National Television Awards
|'Most Popular Serial Drama'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|British Academy Television Awards
|'Best Soap'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|[[Royal Television Society#Awards|Royal Television Society Awards]]
|'Best Soap'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|[[Television and Radio Industries Club|Television and Radio Industries Club Awards]]
|'TV Soap of the Year'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|Inside Soap Awards
|'Best Soap'
|<ref name="insidesoap"/>
|-
|TV Quick Awards
|'Best Soap', 'Best Soap Storyline'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|rowspan="5"|2001
|British Soap Awards
|'Best British Soap'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|National Television Awards
|'Most Popular Serial Drama'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|Royal Television Society Awards
|'Best Soap'
|<ref name="misc"/>
|-
|Inside Soap Awards
|'Best Soap'
|<ref name="insidesoap"/>
|-
|TV Quick Award
|'Best Soap', 'Best Soap Storyline'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|rowspan="4"|2000
|British Academy Television Awards
|'Best Soap'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|National Television Awards
|'Most Popular Serial Drama'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|British Soap Awards
|'Best British Soap'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|Inside Soap Awards
|'Best Soap'
|<ref name="insidesoap"/>
|-
|rowspan="4"|1999
|British Academy Television Awards
|'Best Soap'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|British Soap Awards
|'Best Storyline'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|Inside Soap Awards
|'Best Soap'
|<ref name="insidesoap"/>
|-
|TV Quick Award
|'Best Soap', 'Best Soap Storyline'
|<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/440217.stm Square win for Eastenders]", ''BBC News''. URL last accessed 2007-02-26</ref>
|-
|1998
|Inside Soap Awards
|'Best Soap'
|<ref name="insidesoap"/>
|-
|rowspan="3"|1997
|British Academy Television Awards
|'Best Drama Series'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|National Television Awards
|'Most Popular Soap'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|Inside Soap Awards
|'Best Soap'
|<ref name="insidesoap"/>
|-
|1996
|National Television Awards
|'Best Soap Opera'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|1995
|National Television Awards
|'Most Popular Serial Drama'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|-
|1986
|Television and Radio Industries Club Awards
|'TV Theme Music of the Year'
|<ref name="imdb"/>
|}


==United States national team==
==In popular culture==
{{MedalTableTop}}
{{main|EastEnders in popular culture}}
{{MedalCountry|{{USA}}}}
Since its premiere in 1985, ''EastEnders'' has had a large impact on British [[popular culture]]. It has frequently been referred to in many different media, including songs and television programmes.
{{MedalCompetition|[[Basketball at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]] | [[Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics|Team competition]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIBA World Championship]]}}
{{MedalBronze| [[2006 FIBA World Championship|2006 Japan]] | [[2006 FIBA World Championship|Team competition]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIBA Americas Championship]]}}
{{MedalGold| [[2007 FIBA Americas Championship|2007 Las Vegas]] | [[2007 FIBA Americas Championship|Team competition]]}}
{{MedalBottom}}


Howard was named on [[5 March]] [[2006]], to the 2006-2008 [[United States men's national basketball team|USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team]] program.<ref name=usa/> As the team's regular starting center, he helped lead the team to a 5–0 record during its pre-World Championship tour, and subsequently helped the team win the bronze medal at the [[2006 FIBA World Championship]].<ref name=usa/> During the [[FIBA Americas Championship 2007]], Howard was on the team which won its first nine games en route to qualifying for the finals and a spot for the [[2008 Olympics]].<ref>[http://www.nba.com/usabasketball/ USA Routs Puerto Rico, Advances to FIBA Finals], nba.com/usabasketball, accessed [[4 September]] [[2007]].</ref> He started in eight of those nine games, averaging 8.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg and led the team in shooting .778 from the field.<ref>[http://www.usabasketball.com/seniormen/2007/stats/USA.HTM#team.ind Season Box Score], usabasketball.com, accessed [[4 September]] [[2007]].</ref> In the finals, he made all seven of his shots and scored 20 points as the USA defeated [[Argentina national basketball team|Argentina]] to win the gold medal.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/news/usa_defeats_argentina_070902.html James Leads U.S. Squad Past Argentina to Claim Gold], nba.com, [[2 September]] [[2007]], accessed [[4 September]] [[2007]].</ref>
On 2008, EastEnders had recently launched their new video channel on [[YouTube]].


On [[23 June]] [[2008]], Howard was named as one of the members of the 12-man squad representing the United States in the 2008 Olympic Games in [[Beijing]].<ref>[http://www.nba.com//news/usab_announcement_080623.html USA Basketball Announces 12-Member 2008 Men’s Senior National Team], nba.com, [[23 June]] [[2008]], accessed [[4 July]] [[2008]].</ref> With Howard starting as center, Team USA won all of its games en route to the gold medal, breaking their drought of gold medals dating back to the [[2000 Olympics]].<ref>[http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/basketball/news;_ylt=AuGHmuNqSb9u8mF3f8TKyce8vLYF?slug=ap-bko-spain-us&prov=ap&type=lgns US hoops back on top, beats Spain for gold medal], sports.yahoo.com, [[24 August]] [[2008]], accessed [[25 August]] [[2008]].</ref> Howard averaged 10.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in the tournament.<ref>[http://www.usabasketball.com/seniormen/2008/stats/USA.HTM USA], usabasketball.com, accessed [[25 August]] [[2008]].</ref>
==Further reading==
[[Image:Who's who EE.jpg|200px|right|thumb|''Who's Who in EastEnders'' by Kate Lock.]]
{{main|EastEnders books}}
Many books have been written about ''EastEnders''. Notably, from 1985 to 1988, author and television writer [[Hugh Miller (writer)|Hugh Miller]] wrote seventeen [[novel]]s, detailing the lives of many of the show's original characters before 1985, when events on screen took place.


==Player profile==
Kate Lock also wrote four novels centred around more recent characters; Steve Owen, Grant Mitchell, Bianca Jackson and [[Tiffany Mitchell]]. Lock also wrote a character guide entitled ''Who's Who in EastEnders'' (ISBN 0-563-55178-X) in 2000, examining main characters from the first fifteen years of the show.
Howard is the current [[franchise player]] and leader of the Magic.<ref>Wurst, Matt, [http://www.nba.com/features/wurst.html "New Arrivals To The Playoff Party"], nba.com, [[18 April]] [[2007]], accessed [[21 April]] [[2007]].</ref> He is one of the NBA's best rebounders (his 14.2 rebounds per game in 2007–08 meant he became the NBA's youngest rebound champion);<ref>Reed, Travis, [http://www.nba.com/games/20080510/DETORL/preview.html "Pistons keep hope for Billups, but ready to go with Stuckey"], nba.com, [[9 May]] [[2008]], accessed [[10 May]] [[2008]].</ref> in a game against the [[Golden State Warriors]] on [[10 January]] [[2007]], his 25 rebounds for the Magic outnumbered the total number of boards grabbed by the starting five of the Warriors.<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=270110009 Box Score], sports.espn.go.com, [[10 January]] [[2007]], accessed [[28 March]] [[2007]].</ref> Howard's rebounding is in part facilitated by his extraordinary athleticism; his vertical leap is estimated at almost 40 inches, rare for a player of his size (6'11", 265 pounds).<ref name=leap>Bucher, Rich, [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=magdwighthoward/060906 "The man who just can't wait to be king"], sports.espn.go.com, [[10 December]] [[2006]], accessed [[28 March]] [[2007]].</ref> He demonstrated this skill memorably in the 2007 [[Slam Dunk Contest]] during the [[NBA All-Star Weekend]], during which he completed an [[alley oop]] dunk from teammate [[Jameer Nelson]] and slapped a sticker onto the backboard which reached {{height|ft=12|in=6}}.<ref>[http://espn.go.com/nba/allstar2007/lineup/slamdunk.html Just a 42 for 12'6" sticker slap? Bigs get no respect], espn.go.com, accessed [[28 March]] [[2007]].</ref> The sticker showed an image of his own smiling face with a handwritten "All things through [[Christ]] Phil: 4:13," a paraphrase of [[Epistle to the Philippians|Philippians 4:13]].<ref>Abbot, Henry, [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/allstar2007/columns/story?columnist=abbott_henry&id=2769976 "Howard's sticker slam wins buzz but not contest"], sports.espn.go.com, [[17 February]] [[2007]], accessed [[28 March]] [[2007]].</ref> As of April 2008, Howard's 12.2 rebounds per game (in the regular season) places him 15th in NBA all-time leaders.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/statistics/default_all_time_leaders/AllTimeLeadersRPGQuery.html?topic=4&stat=2 All Time Leaders: Rebounds Per Game], nba.com, accessed [[25 April]] [[2008]].</ref>


Howard is also one of the game's best finishers; he has led the NBA in dunks in each of the last two seasons. He normally relies on his athleticism to get open for shots, but has demonstrated an increasing awareness of how to play offense, and now regularly employs a [[hookshot|jump hook]] in the post. Howard's abilities and powerful physique have thus drawn attention from fellow NBA All-Stars. [[Tim Duncan]] once remarked in 2007: "[Howard] is so developed... He has so much promise and I am glad that I will be out of the league when he is peaking."<ref name=chat>[http://www.nba.com/magic/news/chat_howard_060411.html Chat Transcript: Dwight Howard], nba.com/magic, accessed [[28 March]] [[2007]].</ref> [[Kevin Garnett]] echoed those sentiments: "[Howard] is a freak of nature, man... I was nowhere near that physically talented. I wasn't that gifted, as far as body and physical presence."<ref name=chat/> In December 2007, [[ESPN]] writer [[David Thorpe]] declared Howard to be the most dominant center in the NBA.<ref>Thorpe, David, "Scouting Report: What makes Dwight Howard so dominant?", ''ESPN Insider'', [[11 December]] [[2007]].</ref> In addition, the center has not missed a single regular season game in his four years in the NBA.<ref name=bio/>
Show creators Julia Smith and Tony Holland also wrote a book about the show in 1987, entitled ''EastEnders: The Inside Story'' (ISBN 0-563-20601-2), telling the story of how the show made it to screen. Two special anniversary books have been written about the show; ''EastEnders: The First 10 Years: A Celebration'' (ISBN 0-563-37057-2) by Colin Brake in 1995 and ''EastEnders: 20 Years in Albert Square'' (ISBN 0-563-52165-1) by Rupert Smith in 2005.
{{-}}


While many sports pundits rate Howard as one of the top young prospects in the NBA today,<ref name=leap/><ref>Anthony, Greg, [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dailydime-061215 "Biggest man, biggest honors"], sports.espn.go.com, [[15 December]] [[2006]], accessed [[28 March]] [[2007]].</ref><ref>Neel, Eric, "No ceiling in sight", ''ESPN Insider'', [[19 December]] [[2006]]</ref> Howard has some weaknesses in his game. Offensively, his shooting range remains limited; he is also mistake-prone, having led the NBA in total number of [[turnover (basketball)|turnovers]] in the 2006–07 season.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/statistics/player/Turnovers.jsp?league=00&season=22006&conf=OVERALL&position=0&splitType=9&splitScope=GAME&qualified=Y&yearsExp=-1&splitDD= 2006-07 TURNOVERS LEADERS: Turnovers Per Game], nba.com, accessed [[9 May]] [[2008]].</ref> Like many centers, he has a low [[free throw]] conversion percentage.<ref name=stats/> As a result, he is a target of the so-called [[Hack-a-Shaq]] defense. During the 2007–08 regular season, Howard led the NBA with 897 free throw attempts while shooting only 59% from the free throw line.<ref> [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/statistics?stat=nbaftpct&qual=true&sort=fta&league=nba&split=0&season=2008&seasontype=2&avg=none&pos=all NBA Free-Throw Shooting: Total Free Throws Att.], sports.espn.go.com, accessed [[21 April]] [[2008]].</ref>
==References==

{{reflist|2}}
==Personal life==
Howard has stated he believes in reaching out to his community and fans and thus contributes substantially in the field of [[philanthropy]].<ref name=beij/> An avid listener of [[Gospel music]], he attends the Fellowship of Faith Church when he is back home in Atlanta and is involved and active with the youth programs at the church.<ref name=off>[http://www.dwight-howard.com/bioupclose.html UP CLOSE & PERSONAL], dwight-howard.com, accessed [[28 March]] [[2007]].</ref> Together with his parents, Howard also established the Dwight D. Howard Foundation Inc. in 2004.<ref name=offound>[http://www.dwight-howard.com/foundationwhatwedo.html Dwight D. Howard Foundation Inc. WHAT WE DO], dwight-howard.com, accessed [[28 March]] [[2007]].</ref> The Foundation provides [[scholarship]]s for students who want to attend his [[alma mater]], Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, and [[grant (money)|grants]] to Lovell Elementary School and Memorial Middle School in [[Orlando, Florida]].<ref name=offound/> The Foundation also organizes summer basketball camps for boys and girls, and together with high school and college coaches and players, fellow NBA players are invited to be on hand at the camp.<ref>[http://www.dwight-howard.com/summercamp.html 2006 Howard & Howard Basketball Camps], dwight-howard.com, accessed [[28 March]] [[2007]].</ref> For his contributions in the Central Florida community, Howard received in 2005 the Rich and Helen De Vos Community Enrichment Award.<ref name="off"/> Within the NBA itself, Howard has participated in several NBA "Read to Achieve" assemblies encouraging children to make reading a priority.<ref name=off/>

Elsewhere, Howard appeared as a special guest on an episode of the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] series ''[[Extreme Makeover: Home Edition]]'' that aired [[2 April]] [[2006]], in which [[Ty Pennington]] and his team built a new home and ministry offices for Sadie Holmes, who operates a social services ministry in the Orlando area.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/nbabuzz/nbabuzz-extrememakeover.html Extreme Makeover: Magic Style], nba.com/nbabuzz, accessed [[28 March]] [[2007]].</ref>

Howard and Royce Reed, a former dancer for the team, have a son Braylon.<ref>Schmitz, Brian, [http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-magic1708apr17,0,5891634.story Orlando Magic get easy win in season finale], orlandosentinel.com, [[17 April]] [[2008]], accessed [[17 August]] [[2008]].</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist|2}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
*{{NBA-profile}}
*{{basketball-reference}}
* {{bbc.co.uk|eastenders|''EastEnders''}}
*[http://www.dwight-howard.com Dwight Howard Official Site]
* {{imdb title|id=0088512|title=EastEnders}}
* [http://www.walford.net/ walford.net] archive of ''EastEnders'' updates
* [http://www.wgazette.com/ The Walford Gazette]
* [http://popmatters.com/tv/reviews/e/eastenders.shtml PopMatters] ''EastEnders'' review
* [http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/E/htmlE/eastenders/eastenders.htm ''EastEnders''] at the Encyclopedia of Television
* [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/eastenders/ ''Digital Spy''] Spoilers etc.


{{EastEnders}}
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Revision as of 19:34, 10 October 2008

Dwight Howard
No. 12 – Orlando Magic
PositionCenter/Power forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1985-12-08) December 8, 1985 (age 38)
Atlanta, Georgia
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High schoolSouthwest Atlanta Christian Academy
NBA draft2004: 1st overall
Selected by the Orlando Magic
Playing career2004–present
Career highlights and awards
2004 Naismith Prep Player of the Year
2008 NBA Slam Dunk Champion
All-NBA Third Team (2007)
All-NBA First Team (2008)
NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2008)
NBA All-Star (2007, 2008)
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at NBA.com
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at Basketball-Reference.com

Dwight David Howard (born December 8, 1985, in Atlanta, Georgia[1]) is an American basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Howard, who usually plays center but can also play power forward, had an outstanding high school career. He chose to forgo college and entered the 2004 NBA Draft. He was selected first overall by the Magic, and has since emerged as one of the top rebounders and players in the NBA. A two-time NBA All-Star and All-NBA member and one-time NBA All-Defensive member, he has been ranked consistently as one of the best in the league in field goal percentage. In the 2008 Olympics, he was the starting center for Team USA which went on to win the gold medal. Howard's overall play and his spectacular dunks have gained him prominence as one of the brightest young prospects in the NBA and the team leader of the Magic. Additionally, Howard, the winner of the NBA 2008 Slam Dunk Contest, is a devout Christian who contributes substantially to philanthropic causes.

Early life

Howard was born to Dwight Sr. and Sheryl Howard and into a family with strong athletic connections. His father is a Georgia state trooper and serves as Athletic Director of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, a private academy with one of the best high school basketball programs in the country, while his mother played on the inaugural women's basketball team at Morris Brown College.[1] A devout Christian since his youth, Howard became serious about basketball around the age of nine; in eighth grade, he resolved to be selected as the number one pick in the NBA Draft one day.[2][3] Despite his large frame, Howard was quick and versatile enough to play the guard position.[3] He elected to attend Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy for high school, and in his four years he played mostly as power forward, averaging 16.6 points per game (ppg), 13.4 rebounds per game (rpg) and 6.3 blocks per game in 129 appearances.[1][3] As a senior, Howard led his team to the 2004 state title.[3] He averaged 25 points, 18 rebounds, 8 blocks and 3.5 assists per game.[3] That same year, Howard was widely recognized as the best American high school basketball player, and he was awarded the Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award, the Morgan Wootten High School Player of the Year Award, Gatorade National Player of the Year and the McDonald's National High School Player of the Year honor.[4] He was also co-MVP (with J. R. Smith) of the McDonald's High School All-American Game that year.[4]

NBA career

Early years

Following his high school successes, Howard chose to forego college and declared for the 2004 NBA Draft—a decision partly inspired by his idol Kevin Garnett who had done the same in 1995—where the Orlando Magic selected him first overall over UConn senior Emeka Okafor.[1][3] Howard joined a depleted Magic squad that had finished with only 21 victories the previous season; further, the club had just lost perennial NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady.[3] Howard, however, made an immediate impact. He finished his rookie season with an average of 12.0 ppg and 10.0 rpg,[5] setting several NBA records in the process. He became the youngest player in NBA history to average a double double in the regular season.[4] He also became the youngest player in NBA history to average at least 10.0 rebounds in a season and youngest NBA player ever to record at least 20 rebounds in a game.[4] Howard's importance to the Magic was highlighted when he became the first player in NBA history directly out of high school to start all 82 games during his rookie season.[4] For his efforts, he was selected to play in the 2005 NBA Got Milk? Rookie Challenge, and was unanimously selected to the All-Rookie Team.[4] He also finished third to fellow center Okafor of the Charlotte Bobcats and guard Ben Gordon of the Chicago Bulls for the Rookie of the Year award.[6]

Howard reported to camp for his second NBA campaign having added 20 pounds of muscle during the postseason.[3] Orlando coach Brian Hill—responsible for grooming former Magic superstar Shaquille O'Neal—decided that Howard should be converted into a full-fledged center.[3] Hill identified two areas where Howard needed to improve: his post-up game, and his defense. He exerted extra pressure on Howard, saying that the Magic would need him to emerge as a force in the middle before the team had a chance at the playoffs.[3] Even though the big man played tentatively at times, he was able to build on his strong rookie year with an impressive sophomore season. On 15 November 2005, in a home game at against the Charlotte Bobcats, Howard scored 21 points and 20 rebounds, becoming the youngest player ever to score 20 or more points and gather 20 or more rebounds in the same game.[7] He was selected to play on the Sophomore Team in the 2006 Rookie Challenge during the All-Star break,[1] and on 15 April 2006, he recorded a career-high 26 rebounds against the Philadelphia 76ers; his 28 points in that game also brought him close to an NBA rarity, a 30-30 game.[3][5] Overall, he averaged 15.8 points and 12.5 rebounds[5] per game, ranking second in the NBA in rebounds per game, offensive rebounds, and double doubles; and sixth in field goal percentage.[1] Despite Howard's improvement, the Magic finished the season with a 36–46 win-loss record and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive season since Howard's arrival.[8]

All-Star

Howard took another step forward as the franchise player for Orlando in the 2006–07 season, and for the third consecutive season he played in all 82 regular season games.[5] On 1 February 2007, he received his first NBA All-Star selection as a reserve on the Eastern Conference squad for the 2007 NBA All-Star Game.[1] Howard finished the game with 20 points and 12 rebounds.[9] Less than a week later, he recorded a career-high 32 points against the Toronto Raptors.[10] As the push for playoff spots intensified, Howard was instrumental, recording another career-high 35 points against the Philadelphia Sixers on 14 April 2007.[11] Under his leadership, the Magic qualified for the 2007 NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2003 as the number eight seed in the Eastern Conference.[12] However, the Magic were swept by the eventual Eastern Conference finalist Detroit Pistons in the first round.[13] Howard averaged 17.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game, and finished first in the NBA in total rebounds, second in field goal percentage, and ninth in blocks. He was further recognized as one of the best players in the league when he was named to the All-NBA Third Team at the end of the 2006–07 campaign.[14]

Howard continued posting impressive numbers in the 2007–08 season; with free agent Rashard Lewis added to the ranks to provide an extra offensive spark, this was the Magic's best season yet. Howard's strong and consistent play ensured that he was named as a starter for the Eastern Conference All-Star team, and by the time the mid-season break arrived, he was leading the league in double doubles (he concluded the season with a league-high 69) and had recorded 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game on five occasions (eight by the season's end).[15][16] On February 16 2008, he won the 2008 Slam dunk contest by receiving 78% of the fan's votes via text messaging or online voting; in that contest, he performed a series of innovative dunks said to have rejuvenated the contest, including donning a Superman cape for one of the dunks.[17] Howard led the Magic to their first division title in 12 years and to the third seed for the 2008 NBA Playoffs,[16] and in the first-round match-up against the Toronto Raptors, he was dominant, posting three 20 point/20 rebound games in a series which Orlando prevailed over five games.[18] In the next round against the Pistons, the Magic lost the first two road games before Howard's 20 point/12 rebound performance in Game 3 salvaged a home win.[19] In that same week, the center was named to the All-NBA First Team for the first time,[16] and subsequently, the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.[20] Detroit played without their star point guard Chauncey Billups for Games 4 and 5, but Orlando were unable to capitalize on that and lost the series 4–1 to the veteran playoffs team.[21]

NBA career highlights

  • NBA All-Star: 2007, 2008[4]
  • All-NBA First Team: 2008[4]
  • All-NBA Third Team: 2007[4]
  • All-NBA Defensive Second Team: 2008
  • NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2005[4]
  • NBA Slam Dunk Champion: 2008[4]
  • Youngest player in NBA history to reach
    • 3000 rebounds[4]
    • 4000 rebounds[4]
  • Youngest player in NBA history to average a double-double[4]
  • Youngest player in NBA history to record 20 rebounds in one game[4]
  • Holds the highest career field goal percentage in All-Star Game history: .810 (17 field goals made of 21 attempts)[5]
  • Youngest player in NBA history to lead the league in rebounding at 22 years, 130 days (14.2 rebounds average per game throughout 2007–08 season)

NBA career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
Correct as of 1 July 2008[5]

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2004–05 Orlando 82 82 32.6 .520 .000 .671 10.0 .9 .9 1.7 12.0
2005–06 Orlando 82 81 36.8 .531 .000 .595 12.5 1.5 .8 1.4 15.8
2006–07 Orlando 82 82 36.9 .603 .500 .586 12.3 1.9 .9 1.9 17.6
2007–08 Orlando 82 82 37.7 .599 .000 .590 14.2 1.3 .9 2.2 20.7
Career 328 327 36.0 .567 .100 .603 12.2 1.4 .9 1.7 16.5
All-Star 2 1 25.5 .810 .000 .250 10.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 18.0

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2006–07 Orlando 4 4 41.8 .548 .000 .455 14.8 1.8 .5 1.0 15.3
2007–08 Orlando 10 10 42.1 .581 .000 .542 15.8 .9 .8 3.4 18.9
Career 14 14 42.1 .572 .000 .517 15.5 1.1 .7 2.7 17.9

United States national team

Dwight Howard
Medal record
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2008 Beijing Team competition
FIBA World Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2006 Japan Team competition
FIBA Americas Championship
Gold medal – first place 2007 Las Vegas Team competition

Howard was named on 5 March 2006, to the 2006-2008 USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team program.[1] As the team's regular starting center, he helped lead the team to a 5–0 record during its pre-World Championship tour, and subsequently helped the team win the bronze medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship.[1] During the FIBA Americas Championship 2007, Howard was on the team which won its first nine games en route to qualifying for the finals and a spot for the 2008 Olympics.[22] He started in eight of those nine games, averaging 8.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg and led the team in shooting .778 from the field.[23] In the finals, he made all seven of his shots and scored 20 points as the USA defeated Argentina to win the gold medal.[24]

On 23 June 2008, Howard was named as one of the members of the 12-man squad representing the United States in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.[25] With Howard starting as center, Team USA won all of its games en route to the gold medal, breaking their drought of gold medals dating back to the 2000 Olympics.[26] Howard averaged 10.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in the tournament.[27]

Player profile

Howard is the current franchise player and leader of the Magic.[28] He is one of the NBA's best rebounders (his 14.2 rebounds per game in 2007–08 meant he became the NBA's youngest rebound champion);[29] in a game against the Golden State Warriors on 10 January 2007, his 25 rebounds for the Magic outnumbered the total number of boards grabbed by the starting five of the Warriors.[30] Howard's rebounding is in part facilitated by his extraordinary athleticism; his vertical leap is estimated at almost 40 inches, rare for a player of his size (6'11", 265 pounds).[31] He demonstrated this skill memorably in the 2007 Slam Dunk Contest during the NBA All-Star Weekend, during which he completed an alley oop dunk from teammate Jameer Nelson and slapped a sticker onto the backboard which reached 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m).[32] The sticker showed an image of his own smiling face with a handwritten "All things through Christ Phil: 4:13," a paraphrase of Philippians 4:13.[33] As of April 2008, Howard's 12.2 rebounds per game (in the regular season) places him 15th in NBA all-time leaders.[34]

Howard is also one of the game's best finishers; he has led the NBA in dunks in each of the last two seasons. He normally relies on his athleticism to get open for shots, but has demonstrated an increasing awareness of how to play offense, and now regularly employs a jump hook in the post. Howard's abilities and powerful physique have thus drawn attention from fellow NBA All-Stars. Tim Duncan once remarked in 2007: "[Howard] is so developed... He has so much promise and I am glad that I will be out of the league when he is peaking."[35] Kevin Garnett echoed those sentiments: "[Howard] is a freak of nature, man... I was nowhere near that physically talented. I wasn't that gifted, as far as body and physical presence."[35] In December 2007, ESPN writer David Thorpe declared Howard to be the most dominant center in the NBA.[36] In addition, the center has not missed a single regular season game in his four years in the NBA.[4]

While many sports pundits rate Howard as one of the top young prospects in the NBA today,[31][37][38] Howard has some weaknesses in his game. Offensively, his shooting range remains limited; he is also mistake-prone, having led the NBA in total number of turnovers in the 2006–07 season.[39] Like many centers, he has a low free throw conversion percentage.[5] As a result, he is a target of the so-called Hack-a-Shaq defense. During the 2007–08 regular season, Howard led the NBA with 897 free throw attempts while shooting only 59% from the free throw line.[40]

Personal life

Howard has stated he believes in reaching out to his community and fans and thus contributes substantially in the field of philanthropy.[2] An avid listener of Gospel music, he attends the Fellowship of Faith Church when he is back home in Atlanta and is involved and active with the youth programs at the church.[41] Together with his parents, Howard also established the Dwight D. Howard Foundation Inc. in 2004.[42] The Foundation provides scholarships for students who want to attend his alma mater, Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, and grants to Lovell Elementary School and Memorial Middle School in Orlando, Florida.[42] The Foundation also organizes summer basketball camps for boys and girls, and together with high school and college coaches and players, fellow NBA players are invited to be on hand at the camp.[43] For his contributions in the Central Florida community, Howard received in 2005 the Rich and Helen De Vos Community Enrichment Award.[41] Within the NBA itself, Howard has participated in several NBA "Read to Achieve" assemblies encouraging children to make reading a priority.[41]

Elsewhere, Howard appeared as a special guest on an episode of the ABC series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition that aired 2 April 2006, in which Ty Pennington and his team built a new home and ministry offices for Sadie Holmes, who operates a social services ministry in the Orlando area.[44]

Howard and Royce Reed, a former dancer for the team, have a son Braylon.[45]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Dwight Howard, usabasketball.com, accessed 24 February 2008.
  2. ^ a b Smith, Aran, "adidas Superstar Camp Asia: Dwight Howard Interview", nbadraft.net, 27 May 2006, accessed 11 July 2007.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Dwight Howard Biography, jockbio.com, accessed 2 August 2008.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Dwight Howard Info Page - Bio, nba.com, accessed 11 July 2007.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Dwight Howard Info Page - Career Stats and Totals, nba.com, accessed 5 December 2007.
  6. ^ 2005 Award Winners, nba.com, accessed 28 March 2007.
  7. ^ Howard's 20/20, nba.com/magic, 16 November 2005, accessed 28 March 2007.
  8. ^ 2005-06 DIVISION STANDINGS, nba.com/standings, accessed 28 March 2007.
  9. ^ Box Score, nba.com, accessed 28 March 2007.
  10. ^ Raptors win sixth straight home game, tsn.ca, 7 February 2007, accessed 28 March 2007.
  11. ^ Howard Carries Magic Past Sixers, nba.com, 14 April 2007, accessed 19 April 2007.
  12. ^ Long, Mark, Magic Top Heat, Draw Pistons in First Round, nba.com, 19 April 2007, accessed 19 April 2007.
  13. ^ At a Glance 2007, nba.com/playoffs2007, accessed 1 May 2007.
  14. ^ Phoenix Duo Highlights All-NBA First Team, nba.com, 10 May 2007, accessed 12 May 2007.
  15. ^ Medeiros, Andrew, "Around the Association presented by T-Mobile: Feb. 13", nba.com, 13 February 2008, accessed 15 February 2008.
  16. ^ a b c MVP Kobe Bryant Highlights All-NBA First Team, nba.com, 8 May 2008, accessed 9 May 2008.
  17. ^ Schuhmann, John, "All-Star Saturday Dwight", nba.com, 17 February 2008, accessed 17 February 2008.
  18. ^ Magic Beat Raptors, Move to Second Round, nba.com, 29 April 2008, accessed 1 May 208.
  19. ^ Magic Cool Down Pistons in Game 3 Win, nba.com, 7 May 2008, accessed 9 May 2008.
  20. ^ Kobe, Garnett Headline All-Defensive Team, nba.com, 12 May 2008, accessed 13 May 2008.
  21. ^ Schmitz, Brian, "Pistons end Magic's season in Game 5", orlandosentinel.com, 13 May 2008, accessed 14 May 2008.
  22. ^ USA Routs Puerto Rico, Advances to FIBA Finals, nba.com/usabasketball, accessed 4 September 2007.
  23. ^ Season Box Score, usabasketball.com, accessed 4 September 2007.
  24. ^ James Leads U.S. Squad Past Argentina to Claim Gold, nba.com, 2 September 2007, accessed 4 September 2007.
  25. ^ USA Basketball Announces 12-Member 2008 Men’s Senior National Team, nba.com, 23 June 2008, accessed 4 July 2008.
  26. ^ US hoops back on top, beats Spain for gold medal, sports.yahoo.com, 24 August 2008, accessed 25 August 2008.
  27. ^ USA, usabasketball.com, accessed 25 August 2008.
  28. ^ Wurst, Matt, "New Arrivals To The Playoff Party", nba.com, 18 April 2007, accessed 21 April 2007.
  29. ^ Reed, Travis, "Pistons keep hope for Billups, but ready to go with Stuckey", nba.com, 9 May 2008, accessed 10 May 2008.
  30. ^ Box Score, sports.espn.go.com, 10 January 2007, accessed 28 March 2007.
  31. ^ a b Bucher, Rich, "The man who just can't wait to be king", sports.espn.go.com, 10 December 2006, accessed 28 March 2007.
  32. ^ Just a 42 for 12'6" sticker slap? Bigs get no respect, espn.go.com, accessed 28 March 2007.
  33. ^ Abbot, Henry, "Howard's sticker slam wins buzz but not contest", sports.espn.go.com, 17 February 2007, accessed 28 March 2007.
  34. ^ All Time Leaders: Rebounds Per Game, nba.com, accessed 25 April 2008.
  35. ^ a b Chat Transcript: Dwight Howard, nba.com/magic, accessed 28 March 2007.
  36. ^ Thorpe, David, "Scouting Report: What makes Dwight Howard so dominant?", ESPN Insider, 11 December 2007.
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  44. ^ Extreme Makeover: Magic Style, nba.com/nbabuzz, accessed 28 March 2007.
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External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by NBA first overall draft pick
2004 NBA Draft 		Succeeded by
Preceded by NBA Slam Dunk Contest Champion
2008 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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