The word on the Street is that Corrie’s about to get more cinematic, with new hi-tech cameras, directorial wizardry and clever use of technology to rival all the best Netflix hits.
I was confused when I read this too. Corrie being compared to Squid Games? Bonkers. Anyway ITV’s Head of Drama and former Coronation Street producer Iain Macleod has insisted the soap needs to up its game if it wants to keep its fan base and compete with the streaming platforms. There was also a little dig at the superfans in his recent podcast chat with 'This Is Media City's' Stephen Chapman where he suggested criticism on platforms such as Twitter (or ‘X’ if you’re that way inclined) should be taken with a pinch of salt as most viewers don’t post on such sites.
Macleod is probably half right. Twitter is the perfect place to have a collective moan alongside the rest of the Corrie fandom and it can be a bit of a negative echo-chamber. But to disregard thousands of viewers who often have the same feedback, including many in the media would be unwise.
And what are fans saying? Too many camera tricks, flashbacks, unnecessary music in the background and too much crime. It’s a long standing criticism of Corrie that most characters in recent years have spent time behind bars and the show has become more of a crime drama.
But the show’s creators have been listening. Corrie has definitely improved in the past two years. More scenes in the Rovers, a lot more comedy and camp thanks to the likes of Jodie Prenger who is pitch perfect as Glenda Shuttleworth. And it just feels like more care and attention is being taken when it comes to dialogue and those little irrelevant but important scenes that Corrie has always been famous for. The chats about nothing much, not linked to any particular storyline but are absolutely how working class northerners get through their day. The directorial quality control has also improved although still isn’t perfect.
But too many new characters getting too much limelight, and those goddamn flashback scenes and sound effects keep setting Corrie back.
So what can Corrie do to keep the momentum and keep improving? Eastenders, experiencing a bit of criticism itself of late, has had a decent although risky formula to create lots of proper event TV over the past few years. Characters have returned to the show in huge numbers, some even back from the dead. Seeing Pam St Clement return to the Beeb’s iconic soap was so risky, but worked and was very emotional. So it got me thinking - should ITV be taking these kind of risks with Corrie? And who would they bring back? There’s one name that sprung to mind and it would be AMAZING.
Dead Alma.
Amanda Barrie left Corrie in 2001 after her character Alma was written out in an emotional cervical cancer storyline. I’ve written in the past about her final scenes being some of my favourite of all time. Sue Nicholls’ typically brilliant portrayal of Audrey and her heartbreak over losing her best pal was such good telly. But it was a sad loss to soapland. Amanda went on to become a Bad Girls icon, has dipped her toe into reality TV and is still working to this day - she turned 90 last September and has written her second memoir ‘I’m Still Here’ which is a great read.
If Corrie did it right, what’s stopping us having another fix of some of our favourite characters from it’s golden age? It may have to involve Audrey becoming unwell which would be the only down side. Or it could form part of a series of standalone episodes where Audrey is reminiscing and pondering the ‘what-ifs’ of life? Perhaps on a mini-holiday with some of the other older Corrie icons. We could even resurrect Amanda's hilarious hashtag #DeadAlma for the event.
Eastenders have brought back Den Watts, Kathy Beale, Pat, Nick Cotton and many others. I challenge Corrie to resurrect our beloved Alma for one more poignant visit to the cobbles. And while we are talking about death - it would be a good move for writers to send a bit of business to George Shuttleworth's Undertakers this year - starting (but not ending) with the god awful Theo.
Whilst better quality video and new camera techniques are all commendable in the modern age, Corrie viewers want good characters, camp and heartfelt storylines and gripping but not overly-dark and depressing drama. We can even suspend our disbelief if scenes are written and directed well enough. Viewers can tune into Netflix and enjoy their favourite Manchester soap - it’s doesn’t have to be one or the other.
Given the chance - who would you bring back from the dead?
@StevieDawson
