In the Corrie producer's chair

I haven't played this game for a while so I thought I'd have a bash to cheer myself up. I'm playing armchair producer again. So in no particular order, here's what I would do if I was in charge of Corrie in 2014:

I'd ditch the current, awful updated theme tune. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the old one. It was perfect, beautiful even. Watching old pre-2010 episodes, the theme tune really does make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. The current tune feels lightweight and jars with cliffhangers at advert breaks.


Having said that, I'd remove the theme tune altogether when a character dies. It used to happen as a mark of respect and I think it is a fitting tribute which should certainly have been used when Hayley died.

I would also ditch the titles - the out of focus shots of what I presume is Manchester really don't do the programme any justice.

Give Deirdre Barlow a storyline!! For goodness sake writers, Anne Kirkbride is an asset - use her!

Send Dev and the twins off with Stella when she leaves. I know Dev has his supporters but he always makes me cringe. The comedy is forced and laboured, the dramatic moments always just miss the mark.

Install a middle aged woman as manager of the Corner Shop - it needs a matriarch character, someone other characters can confide in and gossip with. The Corner Shop used to be a focal point of the show and nowadays we don't see it as much as we should.

Audrey needs a pal. Never mind fixing her up with inappropriate men, I loved her exploits with Alma back in the day, and more recently with Claudia Colby (Rula Lenska). Why can't they bring Claudia back and let's see them let their hair down a bit.

The cast is still too big. I baulked the other evening during the Corrie documentary when a cast of 70 was mentioned. Realistically how can Coronation Street tell 70 characters' stories, even if we are bombarded with five half hours a week?

Cut the episodes back. There are too many and it dilutes the magic. What's wrong with three half hours - Monday, Wednesday and Friday?

More scenes where nothing happens, letting the dialogue dominate.

Get Steve McDonald away from that Michelle! She was no good for him the first time around so who knows why they decided to rehash this one.

Get Gail away from her family, her mop and that awful tabard! Rejuvenate the character!

Put Tracy Barlow back in jail and bring in Blanche's sister.

Get rid of Katy Armstrong. I don't care how, just make it happen.

Do something with the butchers shop - Remember that Sally has money and let's see her do something with it.

Get rid of Sophie Webster. I don't care how, just make it happen.

Don't let Philip Lowrie leave - find something interesting for Dennis to do.

I want to see more of Kal - and I mean that in every sense.

Introduce some interesting older characters.

Finally, spread the action out so more than a handful of characters dominate. I feel that the Windasses, Peter, Carla and Tina are in EVERY scene. Make it stop!


I'm sure some of these will divide opinion, so feel free to add your own thoughts! What would you do if you were in charge?

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Top 50 Corrie Couples - No. 5

5. Kirk Sutherland and Beth Tinker 2012- (192 votes)

Despite only beginning a relationship a year ago, the placing of this couple shows how quickly they’ve won fans’ hearts.

This relationship began when Kirk chauffeured Beth to meet her online date. However, the date didn’t work out and Beth realised that Kirk was the man for her. Since then they have been in a relationship and Kirk has become a father figure to Beth’s son Craig.

Although they haven’t had a lot of screen time, whenever they are, they’re shown to have a wonderful chemistry and loving relationship with Beth endearingly calling him 'Kirky'.

Are you fans of Kirk and Beth? What storyline would you like them to have next?

Should they be in the top 5?


Check out who was at 6.

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Sneak video preview for tonight's Corrie - Carla thinks she's pregnant!

Here's a sneak video preview from tonight's second episode of Coronation Street:

Michelle is surprised that Carla is drinking a soft drink. Carla puts it down to  a headache. Michelle asks her if everything is OK. Carla tells her everything is fine between she and Peter but she thinks she might be pregnant, then runs off before Michelle can say anything.


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Preview of tonight's double Corrie - Monday 10 March

Coronation Street, MONDAY 10TH MARCH 2014 at 7.30pm

PHELAN PUSHES GARY TO BREAKING POINT Gary’s fuming as Phelan continues to goad him. Phelan’s smug as he thanks Gary for beating him up - it’s given him the best profit of his life. But when Phelan tells him and Owen to take the newly fitted mill windows out again, will Gary be able to contain his anger?
THERE’S SOMETHING WRONG WITH CARLA Tina tells Steph that her ‘friend’ who is having an affair told the guy that she loves him but he didn’t return the compliment. Steph tells her she knows she’s talking about herself. Meanwhile, Carla admits to Michelle she’s worried she might be pregnant.
SOPHIE ASKS SALLY A BIG FAVOUR Sophie tells Maddie she’s coming home with her and she can’t be on her own with a broken wrist. Sophie begs Sally to let Maddie stay with them for a few nights, can Tim persuade her to let Maddie stay?
ELSEWHERE Knowing Dev is unimpressed by his apparent lack of progress, Jason reluctantly calls Tony and asks for his help. 

Coronation Street, MONDAY 10TH MARCH 2014 at 8.30pm

GARY AND OWEN SAVOUR A LITTLE VICTORY Overcome with anger, Gary eyeballs Phelan with pure hatred but Owen points out if he loses his temper he’ll be looking at prison. They feel a small sense of achievement when Owen tells Gary the bill he gave Phelan was a fake and the pints they’re drinking are with Phelan’s money. But will that small bit of joy be ruined when Phelan arrives telling them he’s bringing the deadline forward?
PETER LIES TO KEEP TINA ONSIDE A worried Peter watches Tina and Steph across the bar as Steph talks to Tina about her affair. Peter later corners Tina and demands to know what she’s told Steph. Tina lies that she hasn’t told Steph anything. Peter’s relieved and tells Tina he loves her too. Tina’ over the moon but has Peter only told her this to keep her on side?
NO.4 WELCOMES A FEISTY NEWCOMER Maddie’s attempting to settle in at No.4 but Sally remains mistrustful of Maddie and takes her handbag upstairs with her. When Maddie tries to kiss Sophie, will she resist?
ELSEWHERE Eva pressures Jason into thanking Tony for his help on the gym conversion and Roy arrives home with a large parcel but when Fiz enquires what it is, he ignores her and heads up to the flat.

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Will Tony be good for our Liz?

So what do we think of Liz and Tony so far? I think Liz McDonald is one of those Corrie women who needs a man. The trouble is some of her choices have been less than clever. I guess that's where the good stories come from though.

Personally, I'd love to see Jim McDonald make a return from the Big House. If the writers can spring Tracy out of jail at the drop of a murder conviction, they can surely get Jim back on the street. Liz and Jim have real presence together on screen and I think it would be great to reunite them.

However, I digress. Tony is the latest in a fairly long line of fellas Liz has dallied with. I think Terence Maynard is doing a good job so far, and it's good to see Jason interacting with his dad again. I did initially wonder why Alan Igbon had not reprised his role having originally played Tony about ten or so years ago. As an aside, it was Alan Igbon who played the young soldier back in the 1970s who informed Bet Lynch that her son had been killed. 

Anyway, I like Terence Maynard in the part and I think it will be interesting to see how Liz and Tony get on. It hasn't taken long to put Eileen's nose out of joint and I doubt Steve will be too thrilled either. What Tony's longterm plans are remain a mystery. He seems to genuinely want to reconnect with Jason, however his recent underhand doings have shown that he's still a tad on a shady side. Perfect for Elizabeth then!

So what do you think of Liz and Tony so far? Are you looking forward to seeing how this relationship develops?


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Corrie Weekly Awards for March 3 - 7

Reality check award: Tina now has to share Peter with Carla again and she's got a roomie that's going to make things difficult to see him as well. Dev thought Stella was inviting him to hers for a romantic evening. It was his birthday surprise party instead.

Cheeky award: Steph's brother, Luke. But he might be kind of fun to have around on first impressions.

Fashion What? award: Liz's onesie.

No tact award: Tim called Dev out on his big embarassment where everyone else was a lot more tactful.

Doing it the hard way: Why did Peter offer a whole night in a hotel to Tina now that Carla's back? Wouldn't it have been easier to do it while she was still in Paris?

Referee Fail award: Deidre wasn't able to keep Liz and Eileen from a loud scrap in the Bistro.

Ironic award: Todd telling Eileen that Honesty is the best Policy.

Masterchef Fail: Carla can barely open a tin or operate the microwave. What made her think she could cook Indonesian?

Rock and a hard place award: Phelan has video evidence of the attack. Gary and Owen are up against that hard wall.

Lines of the week:
Val "If you see him, tell him there's a warpath and I'm on it" and "He's my husband to slag off, luv, not yours"
Peter to Carla "Let's get you out of them wet clothes" Carla "You're not still using that one?" Peter "Never fails me" (dog)
Tim about charity shop workers "I bet some of them can remember when Stonehenge were a field"
Deirdre to Eileen "We're too long in the tooth to be falling out over fellas" (too right)
Gary "Why make him suffer as well" Owen "Because I can."
Maddie about Norris "He's like Golum without the personality"
Liz to Tina "You are just another bottle of booze to him. And when he's had his fill, he'll chuck you out like all the other empties"
Graham the builder "It's beautiful. Ireland that is, not my wife"


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Updated opening titles to be used in Monday's Corrie

Digital Spy has confirmed that Coronation Street will be getting an updated set of titles starting with the next episode on Monday, to coincide with the switch to the Trafford set.

I loved the titles when they were first introduced in 2010, but they quickly dated when a tram came flying onto the cobbles, not to forget the Bistro being built and the Rovers getting a new look.

I'm glad Corrie have used the switchover as an opportunity to update the titles, while the bulk of the titles will be staying the same, the two shots showing the street will be updated to reflect the past few years of changes on the street.

I do wonder if the new set will still feature the tram, which has appeared in the opening titles since 2002.

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Here's my take on Corrie lately

I thought it was time I had a good, long witter about current Coronation Street storylines. I've enjoyed pretty much all of it, to tell you the truth. I hate the Peter and Tina pairing but it's a classic soap storyline and it's kind of like watching another tram crash.

I'm really enjoying the Windass storyline with the creepy Phelan. The Conversation Street podcast folks made a great comparison between Phelan and another classic villain and I concur.  I'm really interested in where this is all going to end. The Windasses are already starting to implode. It's going to get far worse before it's over.

I don't even mind Sophie and Maddie though it's not for the two of them that I am enjoying watching it.There's been some funny scenes lately and I'm hoping the writing is turning around on that side of things.

You can read all the details over here.


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