The arrival of a new producer always rings in a period of
change on Coronation Street. In some cases the whole feel and mood of the show
changes, as we saw with Kate Oates’ time in charge. An influx of returning
characters alongside a “culling” of current ones can often be the only major
differences, allowing us to dig up old storylines and return to the comfort of
familiarity. However a producer puts their own stamp on Corrie, there are
always periods of highs and lows, where it looks like some characters aren’t
being used to their full potential, or others simply don’t fit at that particular time. A new
character that looks good on paper can fail to translate on screen. But a new
producer has a limited time to experiment with their own ideas, and as they only
usually get one shot at it, their legacy can be sealed in those early
decisions.
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| "Murderer!" |
Change has definitely arrived on the cobbles now that Iain
MacLeod has got his feet under the table. And it’s been a great period so far,
as far as I‘m concerned. Iain has chosen to embrace comedy in
a major way, and this has meant the laughs have dominated for a couple of
months now, despite major storylines like the roof collapse threatening to
kill the mood. As is often the case with big budget, dramatic events on
Coronation Street, some of us are left asking whether it was really worth it,
and aren’t they dragging out the aftermath a bit?
Going hard on the comedy has not been universally popular.
Mary’s scenes post-Jude have brought back the old character we know and love –
emotional, slightly unhinged, completely unique and in my opinion bloody
hilarious. Not to mention the double act of her a Tracy Barlow which is always
written and acted brilliantly. But some fans have commented that Mary’s outbursts are unrealistic
and a bit too crazy for Coronation Street. Others have mentioned the ramped-up innuendo
that we are seeing and hearing more of, some of which I have had to rewind back to
check I heard correctly. Again I’m all for it, but it's not everyone’s cup of tea.
Lines like “I won’t see a woman fingered for a crime she didn’t commit”; Kirk
belting out “our souls at night” at a christening or even a flat out offer of
“sex in the bogs” are right up my alley. I can see why people think it’s a bit
much on a Monday evening while you’re eating your Quorn sausages though.
(I'm actually re-watching last night's second episode to jog my mind whilst writing this Blog. I've just googled "French tickler" and am crying with laughter).
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| "What's a French Tickler?" |
OUT WITH THE OLD
Pretty soon we’ll see the arrival of a new family on Coronation Street, which looks set to coincide with the long-term departure of Norris who returned to the cobbles last night in the middle of one of Mary’s
meltdowns. The fact that there were more questions than answers over Norris’ whereabouts, who was in the urn, how Emily is and why he was selling the house
made me a little uneasy. And why does Freda keep doing sign language to people
who aren’t deaf? Some were answered last night, but one thing’s for certain,
Number 3 will soon change forever.
The Baileys’ arrival will see the terraced
house get a full makeover, as you would expect, but it will be the end of a
Coronation Street era. Iain MacLeod described the Number 3 set as a "museum piece" and had to think long and hard about changing it. Norris lived there from 2000 and of course it was Emily
and Ernest’s marital home in the 1970s.
A number of other much loved characters also resided there for a time – Percy Sugden, Curly, even Deirdre for a while. The likes of Sean and Spider also came and went. Once the new family move in, a little piece of history will be gone, and perhaps Norris and Emily with it. Iain MacLeod has reassured viewers in the past Eileen Derbyshire hasn’t ruled out a return. And we aren’t yet sure what will happen with Norris, but that could be it for the dysfunctional but much loved family of friends we know and love at Number 3.
A number of other much loved characters also resided there for a time – Percy Sugden, Curly, even Deirdre for a while. The likes of Sean and Spider also came and went. Once the new family move in, a little piece of history will be gone, and perhaps Norris and Emily with it. Iain MacLeod has reassured viewers in the past Eileen Derbyshire hasn’t ruled out a return. And we aren’t yet sure what will happen with Norris, but that could be it for the dysfunctional but much loved family of friends we know and love at Number 3.
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| Much missed Emily Bishop |
Along the rest of the ‘common’ side of the street, as Sally
would put it, there are lots of links to Corrie’s past. Ken at number 1, he’s
part of the furniture. Chesney at number 5 - although a younger member of the
neighbourhood, Ches is now a Corrie veteran. Dev’s at number 7 and Tyrone is in
Jack and Vera’s ‘Old Rectory’ at number 9. The new family, as far as we know,
have few links to the neighbourhood, so it really will be the start of
something new.
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A NIP AND A TUCK
And I'm still tittering at "French Tickler"...
I'm on Twitter: @StevieDawson
All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License
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13 comments:
Perhaps it was explained last night so I may have missed it. Having personal experience of the deaf community, I say Freda is doing it right. A deaf person with speech often signs to the 'undeaf' because that's how they are taught. But also this is a positive move by Corrie to be inclusive so deaf viewers will not have to rely on the subtitles. Good for Corrie! On to other matters, I get the point about Mary being unhinged but she is so much funnier when it's subtle rather than slapstick. Even in her most bizarre version, surely Mary would realise it's pointless screaming at a deaf person inside a house. On a happier note, Norris fitted straight back in. Very pleased to see him on the Street again.
What a juvenile sense of humour you must have.
And why does Freda keep doing sign language to people who aren’t deaf?
I am a deaf person, and I want to ask why does hearing people keep talking to me even if I cannot hear them? At least sign language might give some clues for them to pick up on. It is so much easier for hearing people to learn sign language than a deaf person trying to talk. I am from New Zealand and we are celebrating New Zealand Sign Language this week, have a look (google NZSL week) and you will see our Prime Minister, the wonderful Jacinda Ardern is even signing.
I agree with Humpty Dumpty, it is a pleasure to see sign language on screen. Such a delight.
Got it. I thought perhaps they were going to extra lengths with the sign language to include deaf viewers more, but I suppose if you're deaf it's just natural to do it all the time anyway. Thanks!
Understandable Stevie. I just do it because I am not sure if I am speaking correctly so it is just helping me. But nowadays, I do not speak at all, because people want to learn whatever sign language I am communicating (I am living in Denmark now). Making my life easier! <3
Ah thanks for sharing Smiley that's really interesting! How do you get Corrie in Denmark? Do people know what it is out there?
The sooner Iain MacLeod and his terrible comedy vision is shown the door, the better.
Shredding the show's legacy at every turn.
I've heard Emmerdale had higher ratings than Coronation Street. Last year with Kate Oates in charge, that was unimaginable.
Iain Macleod rather than bringing humour into every day life is trying to turn the show into a comedy.
It won't surprise me if we soon hear an audience laughter track in the background.
I agree. The so called 'humour' is pathetic. If writers have to resort to puerile innuendo to try and get laughs, they are really scraping the barrel.
Its just not funny. I don't know any fans personally who are not complaining about how dire Corrie is at the moment.
Are teenage boys doing the writing as a cost cutting exercise?
Humour does not have to mean people shouting, using stupid voices, pulling faces, exaggerated actions and sexual innuendos.
I suggest Iain MacLeod watches some old episodes of Frasier, these are funny just by clever use of language and misunderstanding of situations.
Well said Jim....it's bordering on Panto! Keep the show character-driven, not story driven. I'm sick of the characters changing personality and history to suit a story!
I've stopped watching until I hear Gemma has left. I won't hold my breath though.
Oh no it isn't.........
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