So why not provide them with a decent, high profile storyline? They are crying out for one!
Longstanding Coronation Street legends are becoming increasingly thin on the ground these days. We have lost so many classic characters in recent years that we must make the most of the ones we still have. Gail and Audrey still feature fairly prominently and I'm pleased we're seeing more of Deirdre, Roy and Hayley, however the feeling persists with me that there are a lack of storylines for the Tanners.
Dennis pops up infrequently in the background of fairly insignificant scenes while Rita tends to appear as the voice of reason in whatever Tina and Tommy are getting up to. I can't help but find it all a bit unsatisfying. We don't even see many of the classic Kabin scenes these days with Rita, Emily and Norris. These characters may be getting on in years but I think they still have plenty of spirit left in them. And more importantly they are a great deal more interesting and entertaining than the younger crop of Weatherfield residents.
So what would make a good story for the Tanners? Well, when Dennis returned, so did a large chunk of wonderful, amazing Coronation Street history. All those early days in black and white - another link back to the likes of Elsie Tanner, Annie Walker and Ena Sharples. When do we hear these brilliant characters mentioned or even given a name check? Yes, I know Corrie must keep moving forward in order to survive, but the reason it is held in so much affection is its rich past.
I would love to see Rita and Dennis delve into their back catalogue. To my knowledge, Dennis hasn't mentioned his sister Linda since his return. I believe the actress who played her back in the early 1960s is still around, so why not bring back another Tanner, at least for a guest appearance? It would be great to see the Tanner siblings interact once again.So do you agree? What ideas do you have for future Rita and Dennis stories?
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26 comments:
Yes, yes and YES!! They are both Corrie gold and too precious to fritter away on trivial token appearances. Phil Collinson said he had big plans for them as a couple...dunno what happened to THAT promise:( I too have been hoping Linda would at least be mentioned - or better still pop over for a visit. Anne Cunningham last appeared as Linda in Corrie in 1984 when she sold Elsie's house to Bill Webster...on whom she had a crush! She also appeared in a 1987 video The Life And Loves of Elsie Tanner - after the death of Pat Phoenix...
I'm starting to think Dennis was brought back just for the novelty of having a Tanner on the street again. When we do see them, they're wonderful, but it's not enough!
I'd love it if Dennis mentioned Ena, Minnie and Annie in passing with other characters.
Rita's scenes last night were Corrie gold, and it would be great for them to have a big storyline.
I'd love if Linda returned or what about Terry Bates, who was Rita's common law son in the 70s. Or maybe Dennis' ex wife Jenny!
I like the Tanners, particularly Dennis who isnt seen enough. Rita does ham it up a bit though but I can forgive her. What I dont like is the way she panders and throws money at Tina all the time and more of it is coming up, then she carped about Dennis's over spending
The oldies have nowhere to meet since the Rovers burnt down and they might feel out of place in the bistro. How about Dennis takes to making moonshine and he and Rita lay on little soirees for their contemporaries? It could get a bit raucous at times with the younger residents complaining about the noise.
ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!! I LOVE Dennis and Rita! I have always wanted them to find a way to get the 'new Tanner's' living back at number 11 where the Tanner's belong! Having Linda back on screen would be brilliant. Really wish the writer's would take these things in to consideration and bring Corrie Gold back to all! Eden x
I totally agree with all the above comments, I would love to see Anne Cunningham make an appearance as Linda again, also what about bringing in Dennis' nephews ( Elsie's Grandsons) Paul and Martin Cheveski, Paul was the first baby born on the street I remember Elsie receiving a letter from him in the 1982 video 'The magic of coronation Street' at that time he was 21 and just got into the navy, he could come back now to see where he was born he would be 52 and might even have his own family, if Martin came back he would remember Rita as he did some labouring for Len Fairclough back in 1980. Theres lots of possibilities for the Tanner's ...come on writers !!!!
I would love to see a storyline where corrie goes on location again, this time Dennis and Rita go to Portugal for some reason, maybe something to do with Property left by Elsie and Bill Gregory, maybe Linda or her sons could be involved in that as well, and us the viewers would finally get to see the home Elsie Tanner made for herself in the last 20 years of her life in Portugal !!
Definitely get Linda Cheveski back. Anne Cunningham, the actress who plays her, is on record as saying she is prepared to return again if asked. It would be interesting to find out why Linda wasn't invited to Dennis and Rita's wedding (Perhaps there was a family feud over the inheritance Elsie left after her death in Portugal?).
I would like it if Dennis had some children who turn up on the Street. He was away for 43 years and so who is to say in that time he didn't become a father and maybe even a grandfather? The thought of Rita being a stepmother would be the fulfillment of her life-long quest for a proper family.
I didn't know Anne Cunningham had said that Nathan - I think it would be a great move, the return of another original cast member :)
I'm amazed they haven't explored more of what happened to Dennis during the 43 years he was away - it's more than a little ridiculous when you think about it!
I was also surprised that there wasn't more about Dennis's missing years. When he first came back, I thought that was going to be a major part of the story, especially as there were some intriguing hints thrown out initially.
I was loving the medicinal marijuana storyline but it was cut way too short - and with a patronising, overly moralistic full stop. What if it had developed from mere slapstick to a more serious exploration of a fairly important social issue (maybe involving Emily for example).
There are so many interesting and potential story lines for the older characters but I suspect that the hectic pace of filming is too much these days. They'd need to revert to 3 episodes per week, which wouldn't be such a bad thing but unlikely to happen.
I have liked the return if Dennis Tanner from day one, he and Rita are pure gold
Seeing all the comments on here, both good and bad, makes me so frustrated that the powers that be always appear to take no notice whatsoever!
If they don't want to bring back Linda, then why not develop a younger generation of Tanners?
This NEEDS to happen!
I think Rita would make a great step-grandmother. And she's going to need someone to look after once Tina leaves.
I think the pension-age actors don't want a lot of hectic line-learning at their time of life - when they can draw the same pay just for turning up.
I like Rita n'all but I don't think I could take a lot more of her yoda like one liners on a constant basis. I think Mavis P is bang on..IMO.
I agree Nemo - a younger generation of Tanners would be great. They have the opportunity to do it now so I don't know what's stopping them!
I think some posters have a point- it may be just too much to give some of the older characters big stories. Another bad reason for having so many episodes a week in my opinion!
Llifon - a great idea about bringing back Jenny - i don't think Dennis has even mentioned her has he?
No he hasn't mentioned Jenny - it was stated back in the mid-70s that their marriage had finished after just a few years. Presumably they lost contact way back then...
I think it rather ageist to say the older actors can't keep up with the pace..we don't know as they aren't seemingly ever given a chance! I would love to see some of this historic characters brought back for whatever reason. Just so their is some continuity.
The stories need to stop catering to the young..who aren't in the biggest demographic for supporting sponsors. The stories here in the US didn't pay attention to this and now there are but few left.
I think that's a good point :) There may be a future post about how Corrie portrays its older characters...
Well, at least Corrie features its older characters regularly and consistently, even if they don't have any big storylines. Look at Sylvia's scenes on Friday where she had several cracking one-liners during other character's scenes.
Compare that to Emmerdale, where all the older characters vanish for months and then reappear to say one line of script, then disappear again. :/
I agree. And Stephanie Cole has been a great addition to the cast as Sylvia.
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