In next week's Coronation Street, Brian's going to get a bee in his bonnet over the litter left in Weatherfield. And he takes on Pat Phelan, berating the builder with a megaphone. You can read more on that here.
Now then, I like Brian Packham. I like him a lot and I always have done. He fits in well in the tradition of the comedy male that there's always been the likes of in Coronation Street. But I know not everyone agrees with me and judging by the comments left from fans here on the Blog, I might even be in a minority in my appreciation of Brian.
So what do you reckon to Brian Packham? Is he, as I think, a comedy hero? Or do you reckon he's more of a boring buffoon?
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20 comments:
buffoon, in my opinion. i don't find him funny at all, and the whole cathy charade bored me to death. i'm sorry, flaming nora!
I used to find him funny in his first stint, with John Stape and with Julie. Now he's just an idiot. Greedier, lazier, more selfish. He was these things before but he also had respect for Julie and would compromise a bit, even if he was usually officious and overbearing. He had Julie to temper him but Cathy doesn't seem to be doing the same thing.
I was a fan during his first stint, then when he came back for a few weeks to stay with Ken, I thought he worked wonderfully; giving support and good advice. Have to admit though, they're writing overblown comedy for him now and I think it jars. Just tone him down a bit; he can be full of himself and annoying - many people are - but don't paint him as an obnoxious buffoon! There's no way, anchored in the real world, he would ever seek to fine Roy for an accedently-dropped receipt. They're clearly pitching for an Odd Couple vibe, but it needs to remain grounded in the plausible.
BUFFOON!!!!
I just find him annoying.
He used to have just the right touch of comedy when he was with Julie. Now he is just plain stupid. I think the actor is fine. It is the writing which is ruining this character.
I am opposite of most people on here, I didn't like him when he was with Julie, and I wasn't happy that he came back, but I like him now, I agree that the Brian/Cathy storyline is silly and boring, but I hope it developes into something better.
Brian used to be pompous and it was gratifying when Julie and others took him down a peg or two. There was humour without overplaying it too much. Now it's being milked to death and there is zero chemistry with Cathy. In fact, I find their relationship toe-curling, just doesn't work. Nothing to do with the actors, they're trying their best. Brian's not lazy like Stan Ogden but there is a similarity: physique, always looking for a freebie, fairly disgusting table manners. However, Stan had Hilda which made them a great double-act. Maybe that's what Brian needs, a new partner to bring him into line.
I never liked Brian then or now and think he's a buffoon.
I liked Brian before, and was glad to hear he was coming back. I also liked him when he first returned, until he started pursuing a relationship with Cathy. The actor is good, it's the writing that needs to be toned down, kind of how it was with Rosie when she came back recently. At first she was over the top, then settled down.
I have to say I find Brian's relationship with Cathy boring. I find Cathy drags down any scene she's in, whether it's with Gemma, Brian, Yasmeen or Roy. Maybe it's because the character is selfish and sees herself as a perpetual victim, maybe it's because watching two self-centered people in a relationship is too grating.
They're so self-absorbed and convinced of their own importance they thought they had to hide their relationship, because surely it would wound Roy deeply once he found out. PLEASE! Romeo and Juliet, they surely are not. The only person who cared was Zeedan, and only because their selfishness was leading them to impose on that household.
Get rid of Cathy and tone down the writing for his character and I would like to see Brian stay.
So which storyline have you liked him in since his return?
Roy's almost-wedding to Cathy. Brian and Tyrone realized that Roy didn't really want to marry her, and did their best to make him see that he needed to be honest with himself and Cathy about how he really felt. I thought the writing for Brian at that time was spot on.
I agree with Laura but hate both characters. Get rid of them.
you can always tell when 'the powers that be' have decided a character needs to be funny ... Diggory Crompton, Fred Elliott, Reg Holdsworth etc all suffered from it eventually. As my old granny used to say 'it's too daft to laugh at'.
Brian is brilliant. He's funny and a good sparring partner for Roy - better than Cathy ever was. Love him.
Unfunny, obnoxious, selfish. Not even a buffoon which by definition means amusing.
I found the whole scenario of him and Cathy trying to hide her in Roy's bathroom embarrassing. Not funny. Her cramming a towel in her mouth trying to disguise her voice? OMG was that lame. There has to be something better coming down the pike for David N. His character needs to be toned down. He's good with Ken...both are as boorish as the day is long.
Referring to Brian, not Roy..sorry...;)
He was tolerable, though a jerk, when Julie was around. Now I just can't stand him. He's relentlessly tiresome and one of the most badly written Corrie characters ever. Cathy being the other. Their scenes at Yasmeem's and Roy's were completely ridiculous and I'm sure letting the actors adlib would be an improvement on this nonsense.
I just finished some late May/early June episodes where Brian is relatably hung up on superstition and my vote is for "comedy hero"!
If anyone is a buffoon/caricature, it is Norris, not Brian.
I agree with the relationship with Cathy not working and would prefer Julie back.
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