Cosy crimes and gritty sagas by Corrie Blog editor Glenda, published by Headline. Click pic below!

Friday 22 July 2011

Is Phil Collinson a good Corrie Producer - Yay Or Nay?



Last week's Yay Or Nay asked Is There Too Much Drama On Corrie? The comments agreed with a Yay, with user Adam Reckitt saying "The saying truth is stranger than fiction highlights that drama can cross a line and become no longer credible. Corrie certainly did that with Jim's bank robbery, the Max story, Graeme and Xin etc."

This week, we are asking for your opinion on Phil Collinson - Is he a good Producer? Since joining Corrie, he has introduced many great storylines and certainly boosted Corrie from its disastrous Kim Crowther period. He led Corrie into its 50th birthday with the Tram Crash week, one of the best week of storylines since the Hillman era of 2001-2003. He was also at the helm when classic Corrie episodes such as Roy and Hayley's wedding were produced, and turned the stale Kevin/Molly story line into an enjoyable one.

However, he has also had his fair share of bad storylines, most notably the disastrous Graeme/Xin storyline which was an utter bore from start to finish. Truly awful stuff. And let's not forget the return of Tracy Barlow.

However, overall, I have liked his reign as the Producer of Corrie and hope he carries on for much longer, as he seems to understand the Corrie formula, unlike other producers such as Kim Crowther. So I am going to give him a Yay.
What about you?

62 comments:

Apple Cobbler said...

Nay. Although he's been behind some good storylines, his style of production feels too sensationalist for my liking and a lot of the plots which he's helmed seem to revolve around either controversy or violence. I don't strongly dislike him and he's skilled, but Coronation Street doesn't suit him.

Glenda Young said...

I say Nay. Get rid of him now. He says he's a Corrie fan but I can't see any sign of that. He made a pig's ear out of the tram crash week (that's why it's never won any awards), brought back the odious Tracy Barlow, committed crimes against Craig Gazey as the wonderful then woeful Graeme Proctor and now he's on teh telly all the time defending Corrie against Brian bloody Sewell of all stupid people - as if anyone takes anything he or the Daily Mail says seriously. It's time for him to go, for Corrie to have a new lease of life, a fresh approach, a new pair of eyes and a new direction. NAY NAY NAY.

Anonymous said...

He seems to have too many "favourites" and appears to develop too many "gay" storylines and characters.
What we need is "true Northern Grit" !!!!

Glenda Young said...

He does not develop too many gay storylines, that's not true at all, as we've already mentioned on the blog before.

Humpty Dumpty said...

Nay from me. The problem is that most characters now are 2-dimensional and therefore impossible to care about. Peter stands out as being a well-rounded character. And so few of them have friends to confide in and show any depth - and it's characters that make a soap. So I agree with Apple Cobbler. Coronation Street doesn't suit PC.

Lauren Badger said...

YAY! He has done some great stuff as producer of the show. Not only were the tram crash scenes sensational but he is responsible for bringing back TRACY BARLOW! something I will always respect and admire him for, although I only wish it could have been for longer.

Anonymous said...

Doctor Who needed rebranding and a relaunch and Coronation Street didn't, that's why he was so good at the beeb and is so woeful at this.
Remember that a lot of the things Phil is lauded for were started by the Crowther reign and looking back at her stint, at least I cared about the characters (except the Mortons obviously *shudder*).
Its a Yay for Phil Collinson as a Doctor Who producer and NAY NAY NAY for his time at Coronation Street - really, Nay!

Awful...

I mean Xin and Graeme... NAY...
And what about the 'preaching' and 'educational' Marc and Audrey out for a drink episode... NAY...
What about Tommy Duckworth... NAY! Just what is he doing there?
The close-up on the bible as Sophie and Sian consumated their love... NAY - so obvious it hurt...
What about getting rid of Eddie and keeping Faye! NAY...
I could go on...
NAY NAY NAY

Llifon said...

Yay - tram crash, Peter/Leanne storyline, Lewis/Audrey storyline, return of Dennis Tanner

Nay - Graeme/Xin storyline, no stories for Rita, Norris, Emily, Deirdre, not much history (apart from the odd mention of Elsie), lost humour

Anonymous said...

i just want him to get his act together i just dont seem to get him he just seems so insincere when being interviewed

Anonymous said...

Nay. To his credit, tram week was brilliant. But since then it's been hit and, more often, miss.

I actually thought Kim Crowther was a good producer. I felt she steered some very strong arcs, in particular, the Tony saga. My only complaint about her tenure was putting Becky at the front of the show, however Collinson has kept her there too.

Tvor said...

I don't think he's been all that bad though as someone else said, he can be a bit hit and miss. A wobbly Yay from me

Anonymous said...

A yay from me. The Tram crash was the best thing ever. In my opinion, it should have won awards. I was on the edge of the seat and it was the reason why I return to Corrie. I've watched on and off over the years since Karen left. I think brining back Tracey is a good move (Normally I'd be annoyed, but not this time around.) I think many people on here are too focused on the boring storylines because they jumped into the bandwagon. Look at the ratings, there's more viewers than last year - including me. Phil's the man and I hope he'll continue. P.S crime create drama and it shows human element, we all can't rely on the comedy element all the time. Yes there's huge crime spree, but it's like that in the real world such as many natural disaster - Christchurch, Japan, Chile, etc all just under one year.. Give him time guys.

Anonymous said...

Yay from me. I know some of the stories have been real reekers, but all in all I've been tuning in regularly and am looking forward to the next year..post Becky and hopefully Tracy will take a powder too!

scifiaddict86 said...

Honestly I'm on the fence, historically new heads have taken in time to bed-in and I think Tram Week proved he is capable of greatness. I think if he takes the recent storm of criticism to heart and grows from that he could do amazing things for the show. I think if he slows things down a little and listens to what people say is missing he could do well. Of course he could also go "its my way or the highway" and make things that much worse. He needs a bit more time before I decide how I feel.

Frosty the Snowman said...

Nay from me. Started off well but got very cocky and smug "boy done good" on his website. Brought in far too many characters and then only used a handful. Brought the abomination that is Anthony Cotton to the fore when he is not a strong enough actor to take it, obviously puts personal friends and feelings before the good of the show, Brought in Michelle Collins, we are getting used to her but a BAFTA actress she aint and she could have been cast so much better. Too much violence and sensationalist stories AND TOO MUCH BECKY AND NO DENNIS!!! He needs to go when his contract ends for sure.

Anonymous said...

A Nay from me. Too little humour, too much sensation. Doesn't compare to Tony Wood (he knew how to handle five episodes a week well), Caroline Reynolds, Jane Macnaught and Bill Podmore.

Anonymous said...

The live tram episode was - genuinely- the best Corrie ep ever.

barriet said...

when he started he said there would be a lot of new storylines all happening at the same time and all running over 12 months. Thats exactly what he's done. Maybe it's just about too much for s small back street. Ever since the 60's theres always been an unrealistic amount of drama for one little street, but it seems too much when it's happening all at the same time. In my opinion thats where he's gone wrong..bring back one or storylines every few months and let the rest of the cast talk about mundane life

Anonymous said...

Nay, I'd say!!
The whole program has become too bitty. and the close-up filming makes me cross-eyed.
The street needs some older characters (returning?) and get rid of some of the younger screechers.
Story-lines are drawn out too long and then I loose interest.
Very short of feelgood factor.
Happiness does not seem to exist in the Street? Not natural at all.

Anon

Anonymous said...

I agree with Frost the Snowman that there IS too much of Becky. The sooner she leaves, the better! . . . (here here)!

Anonymous said...

Nay, he's a Russel T. Davis sidekick who cant really function at the helm of a big show like corrie. Doctor who was no great shakes either, just a kids show in disguise with tons of publicity. And thats his trading card. Nay Nay Nay - To the scrapheap with him, and quick. I want to laugh out loud at corrie, not be bored and depressed. I've switched off till he's gone.

Bop said...

There's just not enough of Dennis Tanner for my liking.

;-(

Anonymous said...

I have to say nay - I can never forgive him for "celebrating" Corrie's 50th anniversary with a tram crash.

Anonymous said...

Corrie has gone down the tubes since his reign. He has too many favourites and wants to be more famous than the actors. He must have his own dressing room on this morning by now. Nay I say... He seems so false when he's on the telly.

maggie muggins said...

Yay from me. I think he's doing a fine job of continuing on the traditions of the show. Like keeping up with the times, giving us drama and everyday life in a soapy way. Corrie has never been perfick. I think the reason we don't see the older characters as much as we'd like to is because, let's face it, they're getting older and the schedule is grueling.

I agree - The Graeme/Xin fiasco was horrible. But I still think Becky might pull off some kind of interesting exit. I say give him time. I can't imagine anyone else doing the tram crash as well. All those relationships swirling around amid the smoke and ashes! It was riveting.

Anonymous said...

@ Maggie..Give him time? Time for what? He's been at it for over a year, pulling the show to pieces. If I did this in my job I'd be out on my ear after a week. He needs to hop into Doctor Who's tardis and disappear. He's so smarmy on telly - gives me the creeps. Now all this rape stuff as the nights draw in for the Autumn. No thanks. I've switched off. NAY.

Beth said...

NAY, NAY, NAY!!! I have banged on enough about him on these boards already:) I agree with most posted here (especially Frosty once again!).
He has turned Corrie into a whirring dervish of a roller coaster with unbelievable stories with no humour and characters with no depth. He doesn't allow us to get to know anyone before we are onto the next shocking 'headline' - as it's that what I feel is more important to Mr C than anything - grabbing headlines in magazines and newspapers (and appearing on This Morning!). Oh... and the hope of winning awards, rather than the importance of producing a show to a high standard and preserving a national institution!

So NAAAAY from me !

Anonymous said...

Too many plots and not enough character development. Phil is an amateur wannabe actor. No producer material. Steve Frost was the best Corrie producer of late. He's now doing Emmerdale. He just got on with it with having to get on the other side of the camera every 5 minutes to justify how rubbish a job he was doing. Corrie really has become a disaster zone. Trams Rapes and car crashes to name a few Duh !!! Nay, Off you go please mr Collinson. Jake x

Anonymous said...

I was quite annoyed when I watched the tram crash which I was really looking forward to see, as the acting was excellent, but the camera was wobbling all over the place. It would have been filmed much better around ten years ago. Maybe some child filmed it for them!

Anonymous said...

I will be pleased once Becky leaves and hopefully, with no return to the streets!

Adam Rekitt said...

Ooooo! Thanks for the mention, Seanie. I am chuffed to little mint balls!!!

Nay from me. PC has tried to turn Corrie into Eastenders. There is far too much crime, only glimpses of northern humour and the characters change to fit the plot, rather than the storylines evolving from the characters.

There have been terrible errors in continuity like David and Kylie forgetting Max's existence. Some of the casting decisions have been inexplicably bad, like bringing in Dennis and doing nothing with him, yet introducing Stella and immediately trying to place her centre stage. And the crime that was the sacking of Steve Huison.

It all seems lazy to me. There are enough crime shows on the box; we do not need another. No risks have been taken - only a couple of minor characters died in the tram crash. PC is running the show from the standard "How to Produce a Soap in 2011" manual, rather than doing something different and updating Corrie's traditional strengths for the second decade of the 21st century.

IamSimon said...

Simply Yay! I've enjoyed it a lot recently, and am always highly anticipating the next episode! Obviously he's not perfect and has made a few mistakes and bad decisions, but overall he's been very good. I mean the Anniversary week was shear perfection!

Anonymous said...

The fact the question is being asked speaks for itself. Is there a petition we could all sign.... Nay?

Anonymous said...

I find Corrie upsetting and disturbing to watch. I wish Phil would just get a job on this morning.

Anonymous said...

I think carlas rape story line in last weeks sun is HORRIBLE. I wont be watching any of it. Why has the producer become such a wanna be celebrity, there seems to be more talk of him than the corrie stars. I used to love corrie now i find it depressing. A real turn off. Too many plates spinning at once. I hear the bookies is going to be smashed up in a car crash...6 months after the other end of the street was hit by the tram. So stupid, then we had a body in the factory and now rapes - Oh phil give us the viewers some credit of intelligence. It's not Doctor who you know. This is adult telly. And as for Stella Price, even the name sounds bogus never mind the accent. Give us our Corrie back !!

Anonymous said...

Just heard about this thread.. Q.How come all the stories are in the papers months before we see them anyway? The other soaps dont release their stuff so why does corrie? Mind you I'm glad they do as it saves me watching it these days. If this is a phil ploy to get viewers well it a'int helpin' as he's digging his own grave showing what rubbish is ahead. I cant wait to be able to switch back on one day. I miss Corrie so much. Good job there is other stuff to watch like old episodes on DVD. NAY !

Desmond D. said...

Oh My God... NAY NAY NAY. Corrie is s car crash right now - So painful to see it in this state and appalling nobody has intervened to save it. Phil I'm sure you're a nice man bur please keep off our screens and let go of Corrie. If the Rape hasn't been filmed yet CANCEL IT. I just got a great Corrie DVD of 70's classic eps. Luxury. Cant see any of these episodes being watched over in 20 years from now. :(

Anonymous said...

I left a comment at 13:13 ... Asking for a petition, so many comments on here, I've never seen anything like it. All good too.

Right, how do we get this thread to Corrie? Surely they'll listen to the fans. Who knows we may have it back for Christmas if we act now. That would be so lovveerlly. I hate not having Corrie in my life.

Well done Seanie for starting this off.

Yoda xx

Go Girl said...

how do we get this thread to Corrie bosses? It's wonderful.

annie. said...

Please give us a break from all this horror and rape on corrie. It's not even done that well. It's the actors i feel for, their hearts must sink when they get the scripts. Mine does when I cant watch it anymore,I hear the theme tune and I get anxious, I used to settle down to Corrie. I've written to the bosses and hope they listen. It's a strong Nay from me. where is the petition thats mentioned here please. thanks for this message board whoever you are a big XX from me. I'm disabled and Corrie was my pleasure.

Kylie O'Reilly said...

I say NAY too. My major problem with him is that he seems to treat episodes as 'stand-alone' episodes not a serial drama (as the Award shows' call it.
The tram week was great but never got mentioned again - in real life that street would be awash with compensation money but nobody got a penny.
Fizz is languishing, unmentioned, in a cell while her, also unmentioned, serial killer husband seemingly hitched a ride into some black hole on the tardis.
Deirdre is reduced to a few throwaway lines about her sub standard pottery in her miraculously reconstructed parlour.
Amber is back YAY but unfortunately that means more screen time for Dev (although that has the bonus of giving Harry Hill some material for his next TV Burps).
Max no longer exists!
How can Clare sell the house and the business premises if she is a fugitive? Seriously, how is that even remotely possible?
James Barlow has run the gamut of his emotions from A to A and hopefully has hitched a lift with John on the tardis.
I could go on and on and on but I won't haha. My main point is that although I actually find a lot of these 'Stunt' storylines enjoyable and well scripted/acted - the whole point of Soaps / Serial Dramas is that we are supposed to witness the after effects of these traumas, how people are rebuilding their lives and 'getting on with it'.
Phil has Phorgotten the golden rule xx

Anonymous said...

Gummygobbler 25 July 2011 00:23 . . . What happened to John Stape because I never found out if he died or anything, as I missed a couple of episodes I think due to been away?

outlaw josie said...

@gummygobbler, You are so correct in the things you point out. Phil C. has no idea how to produce this soap. What will it take for the bosses to hear sense from us fans? I just hope he's proud of the mess he's created and I wonder how he'll get out of it. Maybe he'll be on This Morning again with another sensational secret storyline that gets leaked into the papers within days.

SAVE OUR CORRIE.

Deborah said...

It is a big Nay from me. Too many violent stories, stories that don't make sense for the characters used, not enough humour. The same characters used over and over.....and all the other reasons mentioned in the Nay posts above. I'm finding I don't care about the characters like I once did. Time for Mr. C. to leave!!! Bring back the Corrie we used to love!

Anonymous said...

He just doesn't get it, what would he know about Northern humour banter and wit, he's tapped into what he knows about and it's become about as funny as a burning orphanage.

Enas hairnet

gina true fan. said...

SAVE OUR CORRIE !!!! WE'VE HAD ENOUGH OF ALL THIS MADNESS. PLEASE MR COLLINSON, DO THE RIGHT THING AND MOVE ON..

Anonymous said...

NAY NAY NAY!!!

Anonymous said...

N A Y

A

N A Y

Anonymous said...

NAY I repeat if Fred Elliott is reading this, I say NAY. I have just read about Phil Collinson that 'he admits that he uses his show to push gay rights'. I don't think Corrie is the time or the place for this sort of thing. I most certainly think that the sooner he leaves, the better, and let us have a better producer that gives us the real Corrie. New actors keep arriving in Corrie and we don't need this. Instead of using new actors, he should have kept Ashley and others.

Adam Rekitt said...

Excellent point Gummygobbler. I couldn't agree more. The publicity for the tram crash said something like the lives of the residents will never be the same again, but in fact it's had little impact from Peter's miraculously quick recovery to Kevin and Sally living under the same roof again. The Street's characters seem to have the memories of goldfish.

Anonymous said...

Gunmmygobbler - you are clever pointing out those things,even the press missed that lot. You should be producing here. Oops...

Anonymous said...

S
S A Y
N A Y
N A Y
N A Y
N A Y
N A Y
S A Y
Y

Anonymous said...

Ha ha well funny this blog.. You'd never guess where this is being read. hahaha oh dear me. Phils come a 'CROPPER'

flying duck hotpot said...

Gummy gobbler for producer... so right about the compo' the residents would be awash with cash from claims..And just who funded the entire street rebuild so quickly without an investigation?

I'd say I'm dreading the rape scenes ....But I'm not cos I wont be watching. Stopped weeks ago. I watch old eps now.. Who are you gummygobbler?

Anonymous said...

Get out of town and leave our Corrie alone... :( :( :(

Anonymous said...

Gummy Gobbler ..... Who are you? You work upstairs at Corrie? We think we know you !! Lol...

blake 7 said...

56 comments... That has to be a record. I suspect gummygobbler is a certain master of the time lords. That comment of his is so spot on.

Anyway, for what it's worth a NAY from me too. Corrie is unrecognisable these days. Brian Park had a bash at restructure and wielding the hatchet, but he was a pro. Knew what he was doing, keeping us laughing and nail biting as he chopped away at the dead wood.

Poor Phil hasn't a clue, he ought to be made to stay on through the next six months, sitting upstairs suffering the rubbish he has had the writers script.

I hope recovery is possible for Corrie. it is not invincible anymore in these days of multi channel TV.

I will miss it if it slides down the pan completely.

Here's hoping.

Well done for staring this thread.

Blake 7.

Kylie O'Reilly said...

'Gummygobbler' here - haha thanks for all the comments on my RANT lol - It took forever to change, but I'm after changing my posting name, so that people can see that I'm in Ireland and although I do have a very tenuous connection to Corrie (I once appeared as a guest on a TV show with Ken)- I'm just a fan that has grown up watching it and loving it xx
This is a video of me just to introduce myself xx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ7FdrvwtEw

Angela Hasselgreen said...

Coronation St is dreadful these days. Good characters have been sacrificed in the interest of trendy issues. The down to earth Audrey relishing in cross dressing funtions. Feisty Becky reduced to a misery.The lovely Fizz and Chesney duo gone (as John gave whole UK police a slip after falling off roof!). Shrewd glamorous Carla panting after Peter!! This is nonsensical fantasy. Characters with no other appeal but rather adolescent 'issues' are boring us stiff. Give us more of Ken, Sally, Rita, Norris, Sean. From long standing loyal fan, about to give up!

Anonymous said...

I studied drama at one time and honestly 'Corrie' used to demonstrate exactly how to write a TV drama. You could have used it to teach scriptwriting. Now it is like most other TV drama trying to compete with teenage-targeted blockbusters. 'Corrie' has become full of stupid adolescent rubbish - and not even recognisably Northern adolescents! Probably the soap is just not sustainable any longer in the context of modern popular culture, which is moronic in the extreme. Please let Corrie die quietly while our fond memories are still intact: It's losing it's personality - it doesn't know what it is any more. Is it 'Prisoner Cell Block H' or yet another medical drama? It certainly has no memory of the life it once knew. Its like seeing a beloved friend suffer the slow death of Alzheimers. Let it go, please.

Phil B said...

Been watching Corrie since 1970.,
Am open to new characters - young, old, gay, str8 and cutting edge story lines.......
but, Phil Collinson., you have single handedly ruined the show.
AND why oh why is EVERY home on the Street now decorated with crap furniture and wallpaper from HARVEYS .....?
Viewers need to voice there concern to ITV ASAP
before too much damage is done

Mr Collinson, please do the honorable thing and move on from Corrie., it's not right for you and you most certainly are not right for it

Phil B

Anonymous said...

NAY in bold capitals from our house. Hubbie has bearly missed an episode since before we were married and that was 32 years ago. He is happy to say he hasn't watched it for two months now. When was the last time any one laughed or smiled. Too many grudges leading to complete vendettas. And although it has happened MANY times in Corrie now every crime seems to lead to a miscarriage of justice or is just ignored. Our police aren't that bad!

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