The Sopranos - Weatherfield style

I'm a recent convert to The Sopranos and am now catching up slowly, watching it series by series on DVD. My Carmela impression is coming on a treat: "Toawnee! Wan' sum cworfee?" Anyway, I'm noticing some similarities between the family Soprano and Coronation Street.

Jack Duckworth is Tony Soprano. The similarities between Tony's Freudian dreams about losing his ducks and Jack Duckworth's pigeon fetish has not gone unnoticed. Also, just like Tony, Jack has friends on the other side. You know, Blackpool.

Liz McDonald is Carmela Soprano. She's a good wife when she needs to be but she's not averse to flirting with her husband's friends and colleagues. And Liz has been a gangster's moll in her time.

Peter Barlow is Christopher Multisanti. He runs the local gambling gig, has an addiction problem and after his years in the Navy, knows how to take and follow orders.

Becky Granger is Adriana La Cerva. Loose-tongued and easily led, hoping - and failing - to be saved by the love of a good man.

Luke Strong is Furio Giunta. Both are mad, bad, dangerous to know - but charming with it. And both of them would go back for the wabbit.

Betty Williams is Silvio Dante. Upset either of these two and you'll get a scowl and a shrug. And both of them are real-life singers too.

And finally, Blanche Hunt is Uncle Junior Corrado Soprano. They head up the family and neither are willing to give that power up. Also, both spend far too much of their time in court.

And as for a theme tune, who needs Alabama 3 when Corrie has the Weatherfield 1.