Ok, Corrie doesn’t need ‘saving’, but it’s been a tough old year for the ITV institution. Despite some epic storylines, great cast additions and a few much-needed departures (Gail definitely not included), there’s been a heavy dose of criticism not only from us superfans but across the media and the British TV-watching public.
There’s a common theme to the dissatisfaction; there are just too many characters, and many of them are given storylines that don’t tug at the heartstrings because we haven’t been given enough time to care about them. And to be frank there’s a fair few that have been around a while that we still don’t give a monkeys about. Discuss among yourselves. Not to mention the numerous kids, teens and young adults causing chaos across the Street that don’t seem to be adding much…I’m not sure how many more scenes of forlorn mouth-breather Mason skulking around Victoria Gardens I can take.
We’re about to lose the much-loved Gail Platt and I’m still coming to terms with the news that Debbie Webster’s leaving storyline has been set-up - I refuse to believe it’s true until I see it on screen. There’s even a petition to keep actor Sue Devaney in the show. Get it signed! Losing Sue would be a significant loss to the show in my opinion.
But the New Year might bring new fortunes for the beleaguered soap, and there’s a tried and tested way of adding a bit of camp and comedy to the cobbles - celebrity cameo appearances. Some have been utterly ridiculous - I’m looking at you Lorraine Kelly - and others fall flat; the late Girls Aloud icon Sarah Harding gave it a good go on her limited run but it just didn’t work. But other short celeb stints have worked like magic - remember Ian McKellen as devious conman Mel Hutchwright? And Status Quo at Les and Cilla's wedding?
PETER KAY
I'm a big fan of all Peter's work from 'Phoenix Nights' to 'Britain's Got the Pop Factor and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice' and am glad to see him back on tour after a few years out of action. Peter is no stranger to Coronation Street having had a small speaking part back in the late 90s and then as Shelly's love interest Eric Gartside in 2004. Absolute TV gold. Corrie is missing the laughs these days as it tries to draw a younger crowd the way Easternders has. Maybe Peter is the man to bring back the comedy by bringing back Eric Gartside? What would Jenny Bradley think of him?
MEGHAN MARKLE
Despite turning their backs on the UK for a better life away from our dreadful paparazzi, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle often come back to Blighty for their various charities. And of course Meg is a former actress. Could she add a bit of glamour to Corrie and maybe provide a new love interest for Kirk? Or how about Gary Windass...she is partial to a ginger afterall...
Despite never having found her baby, Lisa Stansfield still tours the world and is a soul superstar. She still however lives in her beloved Rochdale, just a few miles from Media City where Corrie is filmed. Producers apparently offered her a role as landlady of the Rovers, a role Michelle Collins later took. Time to reconsider?
ANDY BURNHAM
Politicians have visited the cobbles for decades. From Thatcher to Ed Miliband, desperate for votes they've pulled pints and had selfies with our Corrie favourites in the hope of soaking up some of that working-class popularity. With Manchester's buses coming into public ownership and council elections to come in 2025, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy could do worse than a trip to Weatherfield on one of those famous yellow trams.
DONALD TRUMP
9 comments:
If either of the Harkles were to show up on my beloved CORONATION STREET, not only would I completely stop watching I would get rid of my telly! NO! JUST NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
That would be a hard NO to Trump. I might have to boycott the show if ever that nonsense comes to fruition!
While there has been much praise for the many story lines focusing on important issues in today's society, the producers need to remember they are making an entertainment show. All of the issues focused on are important and need to be delivered appropriately and this has been done. The problem is there are way too many and too many at one time. One of the hallmarks of Coronation St. was the comedy and interpersonal relationships, both of which seem to have almost disappeared. It's time to get back to get back to the roots of the show and give us some light entertainment. In a a few word "lighten up".
Hi Stevie, some really good suggestions there, especially Peter Kay, Lisa Stansfield and Craig Cash. The Street is too focussed on "Storylines", what it is adored for though are the "Characters". Too much of the writing is to get across a topic of the day or have some villian up to something dastardly. The good writing is when the characters get to expose more of their quirks and foibles. Having a funeral parlour in the street could be an absolute gold mine. George and Todd endlessly bantering about the industry. Jokes around the prepaid funeral business, is it good value, etc? The writers for Minder would say they could write an entire episode with Arthur and Terry stuck in lift, they knew the characters that well and there was depth to it. A good example is the writing for David/Jack P Shepherd and when he gets to chat up one of old dears, as they're stuck in chair with him, teasing up their hair to Phyllis Diller levels. He has great delivery. Peter Barlow was also a great character with depth. Jenny and Glenda are good too, they need more around the banality of running a back street boozer; the barrels need changing, etc. Jack Duckworth was often emerging a little worse for wear from the cellar. The toilet terrorists, "who left the Ladies in such a state?" And if, they want Debbie to have dementia, have her trying the many different treatments and therapies available. They could keep it going for at least a decade with all bitter sweetness of looking after someone with this common and sad affliction. Here in Oz we had a brilliant series, Mother and Son, which depicted the affliction with humour and compassion. Don't write Debbie out, keep her in and show the frustrations, humour and sadness around this disease. Kevin and Ronnie trying to keep her safe and happy. Young Jack helping his Dad too with Debbie. Keeping the essence of her at the forefront, not letting her decline.
Julie Walters could definitely blend in. As well as the wobbly waitress, her shoe shop assistant was pretty memorable. Maybe a stint in the charity shop?
But an absolute failure was Sue Johnston, much as I love her. It was a huge mistake to cast her as an unpleasant character. She should have been more like Barbara Royle.
No to Meghan Markle....I would definitely stop watching Corrie for good, as that is when I know they've scraped the bottom of the barrel for talent (or lack of). I haven't been happy with the stories lately, the characters are terrible. Rather than try the cameo thing, save that money and work on the storylines,take a little feedback from the fans...and whoa...slow down on the hospital and cop scenes. Show people behaving as normal people, we can only suspend belief for so long.
Phil Mealy (Early doors) and Arrabella Weir (2 doors down) were great as snobby former neighbours of The Bailey's. These 2 comedy actors were an absolute hoot and I'd love to see the couple as regulars of the street, maybe downgrading to a flat in Victoria court. I can see Sally all out to impress them, with her hot tub and conservatory!
They'd certainly bring a touch of humour to the cobbles.
Absolutely, Bobby Dazzler. Let's get back to a depiction of real life and the famous Corrie humour. Recent scenes with Audrey and David have come close.
Loved those scenes.
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