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Saturday 24 September 2011

Is Tommy Duckworth a waste of space?

Yesterday I sat and watched nine, yes nine, episodes of Coronation Street back to back. I have to admit, I don't do Corrie in such a marathon way very often, but I'd just returned from two weeks holiday and had a lot of catching up to do.

I agree with Tvor's blogged views of the Carla and Frank storyline and think that storyline was one of the highlights of Corrie for this fan, all year. The acting from Alison King and Andrew Lancel as Carla and Frank, and from Chris Gascoyne and Jane Danson as Peter and Leanne Barlow, was outstanding. The comedy from Deirdre "7 steps" and the drama between Tracy and Steve has been classic Corrie at its best.

But watching Corrie in a chunk like this has also made me realise that there's one character that's very surplus to requirements - Tommy Duckworth.

What's he actually done since he turned up in the Street apart from unsuccessfully trying to chase women?  Either the writers need to give him something to do, apart from leering and ogling, or get rid of him, giving Tina and Tyrone the Duckies house to themselves.

18 comments:

Llifon said...

It seemed to me that his character was introduced too late. It would've been better for him to come in when Jack was ill. At least it would've served him some purpose. I think it's just an attempt to have a muscular man on screen to attract Hollyoaks viewers, as he was in it before!

Gina said...

I think Tommy is playing the part of a friend which is something Tyrone needs very much. Also, he's been there to help people many times when they needed him, even if it all ends up going pear-shaped. I don't mind the muscles either. ;)

Tvor said...

I agree he's pretty much a spare part, cast for his looks more than anything else.

Anonymous said...

He's part of the Street's "Bash Street" gang - likable, roguish and prone to getting into scrapes. A good vehicle for humour IMHO.

If anyone should be given the boot it is the awful Charlie Condou! Is he actually an actor? It's like watching Muffin the Mule (wooden and awkward) The scene where he declared his lurv for Sean reminded me of those send ups of Latin soaps on The Fast Show.

Anonymous said...

I am loving the friendship scenes between him/Tyrone/Kirk etc.

Sea Penguin said...

I agree with anonymous - I like Tommy and am enjoying the blokey scenes with Kirk and tyrone. Keep him in.

Humpty Dumpty said...

It would be nice to see some scenes where when one of the oldies reminisces about his grandparents/parents. It might make him fit into networks. It seems to be a problem with these 'single stand-alone' characters like Dennis, Mary, Tina. Without a family, there isn't much going on. The factory counts as a family as well, I suppose.

Anonymous said...

I think that you picked on the wrong member of Tyrone's household. Tommy may not have done much, but with some decent scripts, he has comedic potential and his heart is in the right place.

On the other hand, Tyrone gave Tina a roof over her head when she needed it and she repays him how? By trying to drive his girlfriend away over a pathetic feud that Tina started. The character is spiteful and vindictive and has nothing going for her but looks.

Anonymous said...

One of the three stooges I suppose. He really hasn't been given anything meaty at all other than just popping up and staying. He's a good looking kid but that's about it...doesn't really add anything to the story at all...much like Cheryl.

Anonymous said...

Sadly, I think that both Tina and Tommy are nothing more than filler with faces. They should either find some purpose or get lost.

Anonymous said...

I quite like tommy especially as he is a friend to Tyrone but Tina is out of place in the duckworths house, I feel that she should of been killed off after the awfulness of the xin storyline and I get the feeling that the corrie writers are keeping her around as she wins the sexiest female award!

Anonymous said...

Tommy seems a bit of a spare so far, but he can be funny, and it's good for Tyrone to have a friend; up till his "Kirsty" scenes, Tyrone might just as well not been seen on the street otherwise.
Tina, oh I'm beginning to dislike her character so much, like Becky, I think she's just about exhausted her role on the street.

Martin S said...

"Either the writers need to give him something to do, or get rid of him."

You could say the same about Dennis Tanner. What was the point of bringing him back after 43 years, other than to win another Guinness award?

Dolly Tubb said...

Tommy and Tyrone are great - loved the 'Likely Lads' scenes when they ate the romantic dinner Tommy had made for Tina, that was really funny and great Corrie.

He hasn't been given any meaty stories but perhaps that isn't a bad thing? He has been a good friend/foil for Tyrone and I think there's nothing wrong with 'space fillers' (eg Emily) for light relief. And I don't find anything about him irritating, unlike Tina, Becky, Tracy, Cheryl, Chris.....didn't realise there were quite so many!

Adam said...

Having just started watching the 90s boxset and being reminded of Lisa Duckworth, I also think it was weird there was no mention of her when Tommy returned. Surely if he was coming back to the street where his mother died, there would be some kind of mention??

Blackie Bird said...

I liked the character of Tommy at first as he came in as a mate to Tyrone which Tyrone sorely needed but now he is just pointless just like Tina, both there just for their looks and bring nothing to the programme. Shows what a shallow lot the producers/directors must be these days.

Anonymous said...

Yes!!!
There's more who are a waste of space - Marie and Kirk to start with.

Anonymous said...

Shona said...

He's never really worked for me and think he should go.

What Tyrone needs is to have Pam back in his life and let's get some really goo Corrie comedy back.

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