RBlanche will have a proper sendoff later in the spring on screen but Digital Spy reports that producer Kim Crowther has confirmed that they have no plans to create another Blanche type "battleaxe" character. There could never be anyone that could deliver the barbs and insults and lines like the late Maggie Jones could but Ms. Crowther says ""We try and make even the blackest situations comic with sharp and witty observations, which is our unique talent." I reckon they already have Norris to do Blanche's job, even if not in quite the same way. While I don't like Norris Cole, the actor, Malcom Hebden, has superb comic timing and plays his character to perfection.
Friday, 12 February 2010
No new Blanche type character
RBlanche will have a proper sendoff later in the spring on screen but Digital Spy reports that producer Kim Crowther has confirmed that they have no plans to create another Blanche type "battleaxe" character. There could never be anyone that could deliver the barbs and insults and lines like the late Maggie Jones could but Ms. Crowther says ""We try and make even the blackest situations comic with sharp and witty observations, which is our unique talent." I reckon they already have Norris to do Blanche's job, even if not in quite the same way. While I don't like Norris Cole, the actor, Malcom Hebden, has superb comic timing and plays his character to perfection.
You simply can't replace Blanche so I think it's the best decision.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Blanche was the Queen of Comedy on Corrie, we still have Norris, Betty, Rita, Graeme, Eileen and Steve to bring comedy. But they'll never come up to Mrs Hunt.
ReplyDeleteBut Corrie NEEDS a battle axe, it's rule number 3 of soap isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWe've got one. Norris ;) And I think Eileen has the makings of a grumpy old lady, too, don't you?
ReplyDeleteNo-one could replace Blanche but how about old bird Enid making a grumpy appearance every now and again?
ReplyDeleteI think Claire's got "future battle-axe" written all over her.
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely like another battleaxe character, Blanche herself was pnly the latest in a long line of battleaxes that can be traced all the way back to Ena Sharples. As long as it's not a copycat character I don't think there's any harm.
ReplyDeleteIt shouldn't stop there either - Corrie has been sorely missing a pompous shopkeeper type character since Fred Elliott was killed off.
Wouldn't Dev count as a pompous shopkeeper?
ReplyDeleteOr Norris?
ReplyDeleteBetty Williams always used to be the queen of the devastating comebacks, but she is given few lines to learn these days so I guess they don't see her as a long-term investment!
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame - her non-nonsense style ran rings round Blanche's nastiness.
Are you all missing the obvious?
ReplyDeleteWe have a comedy battle axe who is massively underused and it's none other than the great Aunty Pam.
A great character who purrs through comedy and can also do serious - remember the amazing scenes telling Kevin what for.
I think you're all missing the obvious; the way to go is to play the long game, maybe two or three years of subtle development, and slowly ease Diedre into the role. Everyone marvels at how much alike Annie & Maggie became. Remember that, back in the '70s, Blanche Hunt was no where near the nasty old biddy she later became. On her own admission, it was age and disappointment that had embittered her to the point where her only real pleasure was taking delight in the misfortunes of others. Diedre has had an ample share of disappointments, maybe genetics should out. She's already started throwing out the odd barb ("And stop away from that canal!" for example) I think she's already on her way and at least THIS course has the virtue of authenticity about it.
ReplyDeleteLaura, I think you're right that Claire IS a future battleaxe, but shudder at the thought of having her in the show for the next 40 years. Maybe she could leave and come back in her 60s, like Maggie did?
I'm glad they're not replacing Blanche, but I think that Betty is quite the battleaxe too, she's just not as comical or scathing as Blanche was. Norris is a bit more comical and scathing as she was.
ReplyDeleteI think Eileen would make a nice battle-axe in the making.
Ah, Blanche...we all know her barbs were nasty, but weren't all/ most of them deserved? And her being frail and older gave her that standing to be able to utter them at whomever she pleased...
ReplyDeleteOf course, I'd be extremely hurt myself as was Dierdre who had just had it with her and kicked her out around the time of Ken's affair with Martha! That was also funny as well because it also showed that as nasty as Blanche could be, she was also not indestructible and could also be hurt.
But then perhaps it wasn't really so much what she said but how Blanche said it...
I think Eileen has the best makings for a bitter old battleaxe. She's already got a good delivery on come back lines and a few more years of men letting her down ought to do it just nicely.
ReplyDelete