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Tuesday 30 April 2013

Yay or Nay - is Rob Donovan the new Mike Baldwin?


Last night on Coronation Street, Ken pulled Peter to one side in the kitchen when Rob and Carla were sitting down to Deirdre's coq au vin, from scratch, you know.  

"You know who he reminds me of?" Ken whispered to Peter.
"Mike Baldwin," we whispered back at Ken from the sofa.
"Mike Baldwin," Ken whispered to Peter.

Does Rob remind you of the Weatherfield wheeler-dealer or was there more to Mike than there'll ever be to robo-Rob?  I think you know where I stand on this one.  Mine's a big fat Nay. 

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22 comments:

Llifon said...

To be honest, I never did think about Rob as the new Mike, and tbh I still don't.

There was something likeable about Mike which I can't find in Rob.

So, it's a nay from me.

Rosie said...

Early days for Rob, if the writers allow he could easily become a loveable rogue,

Anonymous said...

I agree with Lilfon. My immediate reaction was "Rob is no Mike Baldwin." I do think, though, that tptb are trying to push us to see him that way.

Tvor said...

I think there are similarities but I always felt Mike, though ruthless, had a certain charm where Rob has the smarm but not much else.

ChiaGwen said...

Agree Mike had charm...Rob, well....nothing. NAY, NAY.

Anonymous said...

Tvor, I think you nailed it. Charm over smarm.

Anonymous said...

I would also add that, although Mike could be ruthless, you also got the impression that he was a very capable business man who had a lot of experience before he came to Weatherfield. With Rob, he doesn't seem to have much experience and sometimes seems to be out of his depth.

Humpty Dumpty said...

The only successor to Mike Baldwin so far has been Danny Baldwin. They played a blinder getting Bradley Walsh for the part. Mike had charisma - so did Johnny Briggs. Danny and Bradley Walsh likewise. Rob's just not in the same league and Marc Bayliss may be a perfectly competent soap actor but he has no range.

Anonymous said...

Mike Baldwin was overrated and unlikable. Rob is quite handsome and your average great bloke and a bit cheeky. Mike was just a complete show off with a stupid grin on his face. Plus Rob is a better actor, Mike's attempt at death was laughable.

Unknown said...

Nay for me, he'll never b a Mike B.

Anonymous said...

Nay, nay and thrice nay. Which means Mr Blackburn, without doubt, will renew Marc Baylis's contract. Sigh.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely not! Rob might be easy on the eyes, but he has all the charm of a wet dish rag. Hey, let's pair him up with St Ella.

Joseph said...

SO nay! Rob will never compare to Mike. For a start, Mike was likable!

Is this what Blackburn is getting at? This whole Ken-Mike next-generational feud thingy? Granted Rob isn't a Baldwin (yet?) but still....

Anonymous said...

There are similarities so YAY.

njblas said...

Ha! AS IF!! Rob is the worst character on the show - even surpassing Tracy and Stella - and that's saying something:)

Jo said...

I didn't like Rob in the beginning but I do now. I can see why he's becoming popular and I can see why he reminds Ken of Mike Baldwin.

Rob and Tracy are not a good combination, though.

Tvor said...

I think Rob and Tracy are a perfect combination. The Smarm Queen and King!

Anonymous said...

I have nothing against the actor, but Rob has been weakly written from the get go...add to that he hasn't had enough screen time, or a decent storyline to make much of an impression. Ryan was annoying from the word go, but at least the writers ran with it. Well, until Ryan began disappearing for weeks at a time, an affliction that seems to be affecting many a character right now (is Tommy even part of the regular cast anymore?)Right know all that really stands out to me with Rob is he's attractive, and that only goes so far.

Frosty the Snowman said...

I dont think Rob has quite the charisma of a young Mike Baldwin but in a way YAY. I like Rob and enjoy him winding up the sulky selfish high maintence Peter.

Jo said...

Tvor - You're right there. In that sense they are the perfect combination.


Frosty the Snowman - I'm actually looking forward to Peter and Rob winding each other up more. So far their scenes together have been very entertaining.

Ruth owen said...

Rob just doesn't have the charm and charisma that Mike had. So, NAY!

Anonymous said...

YAY! He is the new Mike Baldwin for sure.

GRITTY SAGAS BY CORRIE BLOG EDITOR GLENDA YOUNG, PUBLISHED BY HEADLINE. CLICK PIC BELOW!

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