Five things we've learned from Classic Coronation Street this week

 

I was overjoyed when the announcement came that ITV3 would start re-running classic episodes of Coronation Street. To begin with, I was disappointed the network wasn't going to show episodes from earlier on - I believe the mid 1970s to early 80s to be the golden age for the show - however I can now see the benefits in starting in 1986. The episodes broadcast this week are modern enough to feature a vast number of characters viewers today will still be aware of, either because they are still regularly on our screens or because their time has only recently been and gone.

Coronation Street in 1986 featured regular characters who stlll appear today - Ken, Rita, Jenny, Audrey, Gail, Sally and Kevin. The likes of Deirdre, Emily, Jack and Vera, Betty and Hilda are still very much in our consciousness too. Early '86 also began some long running stories, introducing Sally Seddon to enliven Kevin's life for many years to come and most of all, the start of the three year Alan Bradley saga. 

I have been tasked with cobbling together a blog on five things we've learned from this week in the life of Classic Coronation Street on ITV3. I have immersed myself even more than usual in these repeats from 1986 this past week as I'm afraid I've given up on 2017 Coronation Street which, without moaning on about it, has become a depressing, grim affair. It's gotten so bad for me I can't even bring myself to write about it in any great detail. Moving away from The Phelan Show, I've decided to blog my Classic Corrie review a day earlier this week. Five years ago this very day I wrote my first ever Coronation Street Blog. It's still a joy for me to be part of this wonderful team and I'm incredibly proud of what we have achieved and continue to do.

The Snug gently smokes...

Kev reacts quickly when Bet is sick down her nightie

No, Deirdre hasn't nipped in for a quick fag. We must start this week with the biggest dramatic happening not only of the week but also probably of 1986. The times were a-changing as the Rovers Return, mainly unchanged since the show began in 1960, burned to the ground thanks to Jack Duckworth's dodgy electrical knowledge. A new Rovers emerged from the ashes later in '86 and the Snug and the Select were sadly no more. How much of this big event was due to the surge in popularity of new soapy rivals in Brookside and EastEnders I don't know, but it certainly worked. The landmark episode which saw Bet and the rest of the street regulars wake to the smell of smoke was extremely popular and featured the first big technological shift in outdoor filming which would become more of a thing from this point on.

The scene was set in the previous episode as most of the regulars gathered for a rather high octane sing a long with Rovers pianist (don't say that too quickly or Betty will walk out) Julian. Oh why don't we still have a piano in the Rovers? The gentle tinkling is very evocative and really helps build an atmosphere of community spirit. As Hilda and Ivy warble away with our Jules, down in the cellar Duck-egg is fiddling with Bet's box and it's clear as the credits roll, all is not well. As Bet's nods off, Barbara Cartland in hand, things begin to crackle and burn down below. It mattered so much more when something like this happened back then because it didn't happen every other week. Fire, tragedy, police sirens were rare in Weatherfield and this made sure that when it did happen, the effect was much greater. The audience cared more and a genuine cliffhanger was created to hook viewers in to come back for more. 

Everybody needs good Neighbours...

I really don't know where Gail got it from...

I think Gail was spending far too much time watching the latest Australian import on t'other side in 1986 instead of dealing with young Nicky's beans and potato waffles. She obviously craved an adventure down under as that's exactly what she got thanks to the rather orange in the face Ian Latimer. Brian's cousin took the direct route to Gail's nethers while toothy Bri was off up north with a sleazy number in a Miami Vice suit. Gail was mad for it back then and she and Ian were soon getting down to it in an exotic variety of locations - her marital bed at the dingy Hammond Road, the back of Ian's maroon Sierra and probably atop the Delicious Hot Snacks sign in Jim's Cafe. Thankfully, Gail drew the line at a bit of a bunk up back at Ivy's - I doubt any of us could manage anything amorous there. 

All this erratic intercourse did lead to a marvellous scene this past week when Audrey popped round to Gail's, already sensing something was amiss. As Audrey and Gail sat sipping red wine, Ivy "just a cup of tea for me" Tilsley joined the party and while she wittered on about this and that, Audrey suddenly worked out what her darling daughter had been up to. All this was achieved with a series of telling looks between the pair, not a word was spoken. The apple certainly doesn't fall far from the tree, cockers. This beautiful little scene reminded me just what assets Helen Worth and Sue Nicholls both are and how lucky Corrie still is to have them as part of the repertory in 2017. Surely it's about time they were both more involved in the narrative?

Milking a Duck-egg

Vera Duckworth, Super Nova

I've written before about why I think less is often definitely more for continuing drama. Subtle plotting is out of the window most of the time these days and the simple, every day happenings are often glossed over which can frustrate long time viewers. It's the little things that can make us love a character. Take Vera Duckworth's new car in 1986. We've so far had about two weeks' worth of scenes focussing on Vera's new Vauxhall Nova and the battle of wills chez Duckworth for who gets to drive it. Vera is undergoing driving lessons in a tight skirt and worrying beret while Jack grimaces and moans about her chances of success. I loved Jack and Vera's comedy skriking. Bill Tarmey and Liz Dawn were just so good at it. It was thoroughly entertaining, well written, believable, funny and at times quite sad. The whole coin, as it were. The writers milked so much out of such an ordinary situation and it was glorious. 

Alan Bradley - Babe Magnet

Yes Gloria, all this could be yours...

This past week saw the first glimmer that Alan Bradley may not be all he seemed. His temper saw him give smart alec Terry Duckworth a good hiding in the Rovers and although Alan was a character I loved to hate, I did quite enjoy seeing him wipe the smug grin off Terry's fizzog. Instead of our Reet backing off, recognising the next generation Len Fairclough for what he was, Rio Rita seemed to be roused by Alan's thuggery and instantly agreed to a ride out after she'd done the papers. The fast cat. Meanwhile the lovely Gloria was despondent over the Newton and Ridley pumps as she confided in Betty how much she liked Alan. Gloria thought she was no competition for the more experienced Mrs Fairclough. I think we all know where this is heading and Alan is going to be a very busy boy as the summer of '86 gets going. 

Nasty little Jenny B obviously prefers Gloria because she fancies nicking the contents of her DayGlo wardrobe. Forgetting all Rita did for her a mere thirty episodes earlier, Jenny switches allegiances faster than you could say ginger backcomb. For the moment though it's just nice to see someone behind the counter at the Kabin with a post-coital smile on their boat race. When questioned by Bet about her love life, poor old Mavis revealed the only nibble she'd had of late was an invite to an over sixties tea dance from Percy Sugden. All this and as Rita reminded her, her batteries were still on recharge...

Old fashioned morals at No. 13

Sally's got clinkers to riddle and pots to scythe!

 

Finally this week, a quick update on the goings on at Hilda's. This past week saw Sally Seddon get her feet well under the table at the Ogdens. Despite a quick catch up with Betty in which Hilda claimed Sally never so much as washed a pot and Betty, arm tightly clamped under bosom, added that Ms Seddon was a "cavorting little article", Hilda showed her sense of humanity by allowing Sal to stop the night as long as randy Kevin slept on the settee. Still not keen on Sally, Hilda softened slightly after a run in with Sal's unpleasant, grasping mother. Before you could say stay 31 years and run for Mayor, Hilda had set the table and rustled up the most synthetic sherry trifle known to man. At this point, watching with my own mother, we both agreed that Jean Alexander, in profile, resembled my late, dear departed great aunt Agnes. 

I look forward to the comedy scenes to come as Kevin and Sally, according to the episode summary "make love freely around the house while Hilda is laid up". What a menagerie-a-trois that will make for, cocks. 

Until next week!

Classic Coronation Street is broadcast on ITV3 every week day at 14.40 and 15.15, repeated from 6am the next day.

You can follow me on Twitter @GraemeN82

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