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

Thursday 15 September 2011

Rita- Time to Go?



Many would argue that Rita Sullivan was the soul of Coronation Street. For many years she was proprietor of the local newsagents but now all she seems to do is make little digs at Norris.

Now I know she is a Corrie legend but she doesn't seem to do much these days. As I said, she makes little digs at Norris and acts like a sort of mother figure to Tina but...that is it! 

Is it time for Rita to go or could a meaty storyline completely change the character for the better?

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

No way, the older cast should be kept on and used as much as possible.

Anonymous said...

Rita is an iconic, long standing character who has wonderful on screen presence. She only had a small scene with Tina today, yet for me it was one of the highlights of the episode. Most of the senior cast members aren't heavily featured (eg Emily and Betty), understandably because the actors don't want the heavy workload. But that certainly does not mean that there is no place for them on the show.

Humpty Dumpty said...

Not every character in the street has to have a major story, although I'm sure Barbara Knox could carry it off. I wouldn't want her to have a meaty story, anyway, because it would probably be burglary, or ill health (more screaming headlines) unless she got a love interest like Audrey. Rita is part of the Greek chorus. I want her to stick around and comment on what everyone else is up to.

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty sure they have something in mind for Rita and it's not going to be pretty. Perhaps Dennis Tanner will show his true colours. I love Rita although I wish they'd tone it down with the eye-liner. She looks almost garish!!! Also the banter back and forth with Norris is great.

Ange said...

Rita must stay! She floats nicely between many storylines, like Sally's and Tina's among others and is always there for others. There are a few who probably need to go (I could name 5 or 6), but Rita is definitely not one of them.

Anonymous said...

It is wonderful that the Street is loyal to long standing, well loved characters. It is one of the advantages it has over its rivals. Both Hollyoaks and Eastenders are much newer but have the same number of original cast members as Corrie and fewer long standing characters.

People have grown up with characters like Ken, Rita, Betty and Emily. They would feel their loss. For many years Rita provided a lot of comedy that is sadly lacking in the Street now, as well as carrying major storylines. She and others have earned the right to appear as little or as much as they like, without "doing much". In fact we could do with a lot fewer stupid bank robbery/rape stories and a lot more of interesting, iconic characters not "doing much".

Frosty the Snowman said...

Rita is a character that is sorely underused - give her a story instead of Tracy and Becky all the flaming time! I noticed she suddenly has a car now when its never been mentioned before or we have seen her drive, very convenient for Miss Scrounger Tina to use for free as she has just passed her test.

John McE said...

I'd rather have a storyline with Rita anyday, than any of the young cast. And if Barbara Knox finds it too exhausting to carry major storylines, I'd far rather have her feature on other characters stories, rather than not at all. Long may she reign.

Dolly Tubb said...

Rita should stay until only Barbara Knox decides it's time to go, and only then.

She is a class actress, fantastic with Norris and Emily and a breath of fresh air in the rest of the drivel we are served up. As many have commented, we don't need car-crash TV in every scene. It's the light-hearted one liners and 'human' moments that makes Corrie streets ahead of every other soap. Sorry - no pun intended!

Llifon said...

Axe Rita? Are you mad? She's still an intergal part of Corrie and when she appears, it's a highlight. Unlike Emily and Betty, she appears in more scenes and has strong links with the residents. Her hayday was in the 70s and 80s, but like any OAP, she's taking things easy, apart from scrapping with Audrey and rekindling with Dennis. Hope his upcoming storyline will be good. Long may the Queen of the Kabin and the Duchess of the Street reign!

Layman Battler said...

And there, Simon, is your answer!

Steven said...

Never! Love Rita!

Sea Penguin said...

Rita's being sidelined at the moment and it's a shame. She's a class act and deserves better.

Frank Blackstone said...

The producers should use her more. But god forbid if they used more of her, as that time would not be given to Becky, Tracy, Sean, etc, the same characters all the time. And come on producers, please use Dennis Tanner more. According to Philip Lowrie, we are apparently meant to find out more about what he has been up to in the time he was absent.

Anonymous said...

Wash your mouth out!= Micky

Cat said...

Rita is not being used much lately - although I suppose Barbara Knox is happy to take a bit of a back seat after years of service. But no, I don't want our Reet to go just yet. :)

Frank - I agree. Come on Corrie, get your fingers out... give us some more Dennis!!! He's been back four months and you've given him didely squat to do!

Anonymous said...

I agree with most of the comments. She is classic Corrie and needs to stay in - even if you (Coronation Street Blog) aren't keen on her anymore.

We do need the older characters to stay in - maybe the writers should take more consideration into what they write for them, rather than putting to much into the 'young ones' for sensationalism and everything that is EastEnders!

Anonymous said...

Stupid posting. The answer is self-evident from the comments above.

ChiaGwen said...

Rita needs to own the newsagents again - far better when she was the one in charge. Good to have her thrown in here and there with other storylines - the rolling of eyes at Norris is becoming tedious though.

Anonymous said...

Keep Rita as long as she wishes to stay. She is a class act. I can name 1/2 dozen characters I would love to see the back of...Kevin, Mary, Tracey, Ken, Diedre and Gail.
Nothing whatsoever against the actors it's just their characters have run their course and need to go.

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