There are exceptions of course. Hayley remains peerless and we are feasting on her every scene, storing them away for the time when there are no more. Deirdre is an absolute slice of joy. She has slid into wry, ironic 'daughter of Blanche' mode and should Ken never return from Canada, then it's good to know that Deirdre can exist in her own right. Three cheers too for the lovely Beth who finally seems to have shrugged off the 'Cilla-lite' mantle. Yes, she is rough and ready but she also cares. This is always an integral part to the success of a Corrie woman and probably explains why Tracy continues to be so unpopular.
Speaking of which... no, let's not bother. Far too many comments about McBarlow and St Ella so let's leave them alone. It's the other women who are, for me at any rate, a bit of a worry at the moment.
Most of the time she sports the kind of face that could start a war. She presides over the gimlet-eyed Izzy, an unconvincing mother if ever there was one, Kay-teh, who went from sweet sixteen to perma-tanned harridan in the blink of an eye plus Rosemary's Baby, FayE. Together they represent an unedifying bunch. Anna in particular has had more personality changes than a series of Doctor Who regenerations. The woman is a nightmare and for laughs, probably gives herself the evil eye in the mirror.
Tina and Reet. Where to begin? There is something worryingly unhealthy about the way Rita muscles in on the lives of young women. With all the subtlety of a steamroller in a red wig, in she goes, flashing her cheque book which automatically give her the right to an opinion. Rita knows best. There's nothing better than a lesson in life skills from an octogenarian cabaret singer. Who better to receive these wise words than Tina, a study in misery and pent-up rage. A woman so angry that her fury can cook a hotpot before it even reaches the oven. A steady procession of Greater Manchester's finest psychiatrists would have their work cut out wrestling Tina's demons.
They say that apples never falls far from the tree which is a worry if that tree is called Sally. Sophie has dispensed with her Christian values and cosy chats with Emily for a cold and unconvincing relationship with Jenna, coupled with an unforgiving persona. Sophie has now been reinvented so many times that she's becoming a bit of a joke. Her current incarnation is a particularly unpleasant one and arguably, she's becoming as small-minded as her mother, the lovely Sally. The post-Kevin Sally is, we can but hope, returning to her roots as a bit of a slapper. Now in her late forties, Sally may be about to give up her delusions of grandeur and settle for life with a bit of rough. Tim seems to be from the same side of the tracks as her - the wrong side. Fingers crossed that he will bring out the inner scrubber in Sally and before long she'll be necking cans of lager on the Red Rec and investing in some nice hooped ear-rings.Of the rest, I have to admit that Eva is always a joy to watch. Despite the war paint, this lady is fragile. Will she forge a new relationship with Munch's Scream (alias Leanne)? The Sister-In-Laws Connor provide varied viewing. Carla is good value at present whereas Michelle spends most of her days sulking and crossing her arms under her bosom. Maria seems to only exist fleetingly, like a half-remembered dream. Eileen trundles on and we have to 'bear with' until she gets rid of the fireman. She's a bit of a bore and of late, seems to fall into the Audrey and Rita trap of suddenly going a bit 'posh' for no apparent reason. Maybe it's a tribute to Annie Walker.
Audrey battles on, surviving whatever the writers throw at her. Gail however seems to be increasingly marginalised and this once strong, if serious, woman has morphed into some slightly ridiculous Mrs Mop with a less than generous spirit. She is Ivy Tilsley for the new Millennium. Kylie excels in the hands of the talented Paula Lane and it will be interesting to see if the character signs up to mumsnet or cracks open a bottle of Freshco's own-brand vodka, post-baby.
It's good to see Julie back in harness and Fiz in the mix. Mary's extremes seem to have been re-channelled and I think Sinead could turn out to be good news.
Corrie tends to live or die by the strength of its women. The majority of the current crop are entertaining enough but some are starting to grate a little. Can they be saved or should they herded into the Corrie Cupboard for the rest of their days?
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30 comments:
Brilliant stuff, David.
Great post. I'd written one with the same title actually...shan't bother posting it now!
It's a very important thing for Corrie to have strong women, it's what the whole show is based on. But some have indeed lost their way of late!
Great post.
Leanne - Munch's Scream? LOL! BRILLIANT.
Deirdre is on fire at the moment and whatever happens with Ken next year, the writers need to continue doing what they are doing with Deirdre because it's like the character has just been brought to life.
I am currently loving the Awesome Carla's scenes with Hayley, Deirdre and Peter. There are so many layers to the character and I still find her fascinating because there's still so much that we don't know. I think it helps that she is portrayed by an actress who understands her perfectly.
As for Hayley... Will there ever be another character like her? I wish she wasn't leaving...
"necking cans of lager on the Red Rec and investing in some nice hooped ear-rings."
Munch's Scream.
You, sir, have excelled yourself. I was laughing like a little drain. Okay, a large one.
Great article David. "Munchs scream" - perfect. An entire article should be written about poor Leanne. What a mess she is. Good actress though:)
Why do you always spell it st Ella? It's Stella. Your spell check must be broken
Anna used to be great but she's not the caring, down to earth, selfless woman she once was or could've been. Instead, she has transformed into a nasty piece of work. Owen is not that different. In fact I would say they're a very good match. Nobody likes bullies so I can't see them getting a happy ending. Then again, who ever has one of those?
'Munch's Scream' is one of those characters that really needs to take some time out. Leanne has been going round in circles for so long and most people have just given up - so every storyline that she is a part of loses the appeal it would have if she wasn't involved. She should go to visit her sister and stay away for about a year, then come back refreshed.
Never liked Leanne's character, and especially that annoying we she storms out of every scene!
She's already gone away and come back 'refreshed'...a couple of times actually.
I think its tongue in cheek....St (saint) Ella. Too funny.
Jules
Love Leanne - wouldn't want her to go. However, speaking of "gone", where on earth is Tyrone?
Bev
Stevie Dawson - That's true but I personally believe Leanne should leave again and I know the actress would want to return so that's why I said that she should come back refreshed after a year. Isn't it worth a try? Anything has got to be better than the current portrayal and use of Le... erm Munch's Scream.
Great post and I agree entirely. Audrey got posh when she married Alf but now Rita's turned into the lady mayor. Odd. I went off Anna as soon as she became the earth mother. It didn't ring true and she's reverted to type. What they're doing to Sally is very strange because it's too quick. Could we not have had a couple of episodes where she tells Gail that she feels on the shelf. It just seems out of character for her to go upstairs after a can of beer.
Fab post! Beth,Kirk,the brilliant Craig, Chesney and Sinead work so well together not unlike Roy, Hayley and Sylvia. Time for Katy to go!
Somebody please fix Gail: if they can bring Anna back to her original form, they can do the same for Gail. When I started watching, she wasn't a rocket scientist, but she had it together, with Sara & Bethany, schoolboy David, Martin and a decent job. When she was with Richard, she wasn't the simpering weakling who blindly followed Lewis. Getting sacked as an older worker is very difficult and long term un- or under-employment can crush anyone's self-esteem; Gail's been stuck in this rut for a long time. She needs get to the job center, find an older workers support group or counselor and reclaim her life. A decent fella might not be a bad idea, either.
Poor Gail. She's been brain damaged from all the chemicals she uses in Nick's loo. Maybe she's snorting the comet. Her whimpering and whispering whilst gazing wide eyed around the room are some funny stuff. I know they're not supposed to be but, there you have it. Gail needs to grow up - period. She acts like she's 12 years old! Personally, I can't wait until Eva finds out the truth about Kylie and Nick. I don't get the Bistro - one night they're run off their feet-the next Kylie is sent home because there's no customers.
I think it's Anna who's morphing into Ivy Tilsley. Gail is just pathetic lately, but Anna is positively vicious.
Great stuff! Can't agree about Sally, though, I've always enjoyed her and still do, stuck up little madam that she is. She always makes me laugh. I like Gail too though i do agree she needs a bit of an overhaul and a fresh outlook on life. Even Ivy Tilsley found love in her 60s even if it turned out badly. Gail's always do but they always seem to die! She needs to connect more with Tina, her erstwhile step-daughter.
Sorry to admit I felt uncomfortable watching Barbara Knox's crying performance as Rita in the aftermath of her mugging. I found them to be false and too over the top, her crying scenes 25 years ago ( the Alan Bradley saga) and Len's death (30 years ago)were much more real and had abit more depth.
A wonderfully entertaining post, David, and I agree with much of what you and everyone else are saying. I have always enjoyed Corrie for its headstrong, fiery and independent women.
Kylie and Eva are two of my favourite Corrie women at the moment and I think Paula Lane is one of the programme's best and most versatile actresses. I also really like Beth and Sinead and I thought we saw a new side to Beth last week. I think these two characters have plenty of potential. Carla is always brilliant and I love her friendship and scenes with Hayley.
I agree with the comments about the Windass/Armstrong women too. I cringe during many of their family scenes together, more so now that baby Jake has entered the picture.
Although the programme focuses on the northern working class, I have always wished for a young, intelligent and university educated woman to be written into the show. Despite Jenna being university educated, her character hasn't fitted into the street and many viewers haven't warmed to her.
Thanks David, I always enjoy your posts :-)
I think Sally threw the 'adopted' remark at Anna to highlight how mean and vindictive she is keeping Faye from Tim Tim the birth dad. Owen is nothing at all just Anna's sidekick and a bully and thug and he shouts the odds all over the place. I don't think it was meant as a low blow in general to adopted parents.
Up until now Tim has been very quiet and gentle and not been at all mean towards the Windass' Armstrongs. It was Faye who pushed and pushed to want to stay at 'me dads'. But old Sal's got a vicious tongue in her and will be quite a match for Anna so she'll provide plenty of back bone for Tim that the W/A's will hate. Can's wait!
Rita is an old ham and I am fed up with her creepily fawning around young girls. Sally has a razor sharp tongue and nobody could be happier than Frosty in that she put the windbags in their place, she is a fiesty lass and wont be scared by bully boy Owen. Eva can be a good character but she needs to get away from Beige and Boria so she can shine and be the comedic character that she does so well.
Kylie excels in the hands of the talented Paula Lane and it will be interesting to see if the character signs up to mumsnet or cracks open a bottle of Freshco's own-brand vodka, post-baby.
Love that! And PL will do either scenario justice, too.
Great post! Agree with much of it, although, not sure I'm feeling the love about the Eva character as she's soooo dull. Gail is off her rocker, just doesn't know it yet. As for the Windass/Armstrong clan it's just white noise. Will miss the talented Julie H's Hailey so much! No matter what, I can't stop watching!
"Sally will be investing hoop-earrings."
If she had real class she would just use those beer can tabs as earrings.
The beer tabs would make a great belt for Deirdre!
Hey! Do you know who you forgot? And apparantly the writers have too....MARY! Where is she? (Where are Dev and the kids too for that matter?) That is a character that had such potential then they warped her...then they seemed to remake her...now there is no word of her at all. I personally miss Mary and I am disappointed that the Dev Mary storyline seems to have led to nowhere.
Otherwise... I have to say I enjoyed reading this post very very much. :-)
Ugh. Reading an article by a man sitting in judgment of all the women. Just what I needed. Sleeping with one guy, years after your marriage ended, doesn't make you a "slapper." WTF?
Also, I'm seriously disturbed by people who think it's okay to lay into Faye. Abused and neglected child who lost her mother at a young age and got raised by an inept adoptive mother. What has she ever done to anyone? Nothing. Why does she deserve your scorn? She doesn't. As someone who works with children, it's sickening to see the amount of bile directed towards a deprived child who somehow manages to act like a totally normal child despite all the odds. Some people are obviously too detached from the real world to realise what life is like for such children.
Annon above..I think you might direct those first ten words from your last sentence at yourself.
Anonymous...Corrie is not the real world. The character is mauled over by writers changing their mind as to the direction of the child. I liked early on when it showed that Faye had a nack for looking after babies (remember when Katie was being neglectful of little Joseph).
What I find odd is that they say Faye is 10 years old, when the young actress is 12 or 13 and looks it. This is one of the most confusing child characters on Corrie if you ask me.
The writers have turned Simon into a brat, we hear hints of Amy showing traits similar to Tracy, and the Alahan twins who were becoming interesting have pretty much disappeared. This is not the season for Corri kids.
I am loving Deidre lately, Ken going to Canada should have happened a long time ago to bring her out of her shell.
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