Coronation Street Blog: Glenda Shuttleworth

Showing posts with label Glenda Shuttleworth. Show all posts

Friday, 6 March 2026

Dead Alma

The word on the Street is that Corrie’s about to get more cinematic, with new hi-tech cameras, directorial wizardry and clever use of technology to rival all the best Netflix hits.

I was confused when I read this too. Corrie being compared to Squid Games? Bonkers. Anyway ITV’s Head of Drama and former Coronation Street producer Iain Macleod has insisted the soap needs to up its game if it wants to keep its fan base and compete with the streaming platforms. There was also a little dig at the superfans in his recent podcast chat with 'This Is Media City's' Stephen Chapman where he suggested criticism on platforms such as Twitter (or ‘X’ if you’re that way inclined) should be taken with a pinch of salt as most viewers don’t post on such sites.

Macleod is probably half right. Twitter is the perfect place to have a collective moan alongside the rest of the Corrie fandom and it can be a bit of a negative echo-chamber. But to disregard thousands of viewers who often have the same feedback, including many in the media would be unwise.

And what are fans saying? Too many camera tricks, flashbacks, unnecessary music in the background and too much crime. It’s a long standing criticism of Corrie that most characters in recent years have spent time behind bars and the show has become more of a crime drama.

But the show’s creators have been listening. Corrie has definitely improved in the past two years. More scenes in the Rovers, a lot more comedy and camp thanks to the likes of Jodie Prenger who is pitch perfect as Glenda Shuttleworth. And it just feels like more care and attention is being taken when it comes to dialogue and those little irrelevant but important scenes that Corrie has always been famous for. The chats about nothing much, not linked to any particular storyline but are absolutely how working class northerners get through their day. The directorial quality control has also improved although still isn’t perfect.

But too many new characters getting too much limelight, and those goddamn flashback scenes and sound effects keep setting Corrie back.

So what can Corrie do to keep the momentum and keep improving? Eastenders, experiencing a bit of criticism itself of late, has had a decent although risky formula to create lots of proper event TV over the past few years. Characters have returned to the show in huge numbers, some even back from the dead. Seeing Pam St Clement return to the Beeb’s iconic soap was so risky, but worked and was very emotional. So it got me thinking - should ITV be taking these kind of risks with Corrie? And who would they bring back? There’s one name that sprung to mind and it would be AMAZING.

Dead Alma.

Amanda Barrie left Corrie in 2001 after her character Alma was written out in an emotional cervical cancer storyline. I’ve written in the past about her final scenes being some of my favourite of all time. Sue Nicholls’ typically brilliant portrayal of Audrey and her heartbreak over losing her best pal was such good telly. But it was a sad loss to soapland. Amanda went on to become a Bad Girls icon, has dipped her toe into reality TV and is still working to this day - she turned 90 last September and has written her second memoir ‘I’m Still Here’ which is a great read.

If Corrie did it right, what’s stopping us having another fix of some of our favourite characters from it’s golden age? It may have to involve Audrey becoming unwell which would be the only down side. Or it could form part of a series of standalone episodes where Audrey is reminiscing and pondering the ‘what-ifs’ of life? Perhaps on a mini-holiday with some of the other older Corrie icons. We could even resurrect Amanda's hilarious hashtag #DeadAlma for the event.

Eastenders have brought back Den Watts, Kathy Beale, Pat, Nick Cotton and many others. I challenge Corrie to resurrect our beloved Alma for one more poignant visit to the cobbles. And while we are talking about death - it would be a good move for writers to send a bit of business to George Shuttleworth's Undertakers this year - starting (but not ending) with the god awful Theo.

Whilst better quality video and new camera techniques are all commendable in the modern age, Corrie viewers want good characters, camp and heartfelt storylines and gripping but not overly-dark and depressing drama. We can even suspend our disbelief if scenes are written and directed well enough. Viewers can tune into Netflix and enjoy their favourite Manchester soap - it’s doesn’t have to be one or the other.

Given the chance - who would you bring back from the dead?

@StevieDawson

Friday, 14 April 2023

Coronation Street Episode Review, Wednesday 12th April , 8 pm

Welcome to another Wednesday Weatherfield round-up and to catch up on the latest goings on, on Coronation Street. Since last week, we've had nothing from Ryan's acid attack, and seen nothing of the consent storyline, however, Glenda's lucky pants pulled a business deal and Sarah committed adultery as Damon's pants got lucky too, but what about Rufus’s underworld dealings? Will he get lucky with Stephen’s share of the money?

Tonight starts in Sarah and Adam's swanky flat (she’s dressed to kilI I noticed) and the solicitor is mulling over Damon’s paperwork ahead of the court case. Dee-dee’s geared up at N0.3 and I quite like seeing all of the Bailey clan in one scene - a rare delight. Leanne and Nick have reunited but are apprehensive about the outcome. In court, Dee-Dee’s dolled up in lawyer attire (RIP Imran) and makes a mean case for evidence mishandling which gets Damon off the hook. With a clean slate, Damon tells Leanne and Nick that he’s hanging around for his Bistro investment, clearly hiding his intentions with Sarah. Sarah tells Damon she’s not interested in further bedroom shenanigans but unfortunately, Dee-Dee sees this and works out the sexual tension between them.

The lawyer tells Sarah her evidence and Mrs Barlow admits her guilt. Stood outside the Bistro, the girls gossip over wine, and I like this production shot - a new set-up for summer evenings perhaps? The lawyers take the rest of the afternoon off for more champagne and Damon decides to hold on to their legal services as a retainer. As the wine flows, Damon is quick to work out that Dee-dee knows about his indiscretion with Sarah. He’s quickly warned off by Dee-Dee but then Sarah texts him so she meets him in the ginnel. He may be a bad lad but you can't blame him for the mixed signals he’s getting! Later, Sarah decides she wants to try for a baby with Adam after all - the little minx!

Meanwhile, Rufus meets with Stephen at the factory using blackmail for 50% of the profits. Stephen succumbs to the deal but is fuming at losing and promises serious repercussions - just as the gazette walk in for the nippersnapper's press interview. Michael's left out of proceedings (even though he designed the gear) and after speaking to Sean, decides to quit and take Rufus up on his London offer. Michael arranges to meet Rufus at his swanky rented pad later that evening and tells Stephen to stuff his job.

Elsewhere- Glenda readies to open little big shotz, with Eileen discovering the truth about George’s £5K gift. It’s a comical light affair, and even though we can't be sure if Ruthie Henshall is playing a musical baddy, I love any scene with George and Glenda, with Todd also on form tonight (telltale signs of a Damon Alexis-Rochefort script) as the gang mulled over Glenda’s new venture (and Eileen’s disgust at George) over a pint at the Rovers.

Roy’s having a ruff time (not sorry) with Freddie as Melvin’s family isn't interested in keeping the little dog after his owner's death. Roy confers with Evelyn who remains unconvinced that Roy can care for a dog so he decides to take it to a shelter. Evelyn is later upset at Roy and disgruntled at winning the rovers raffle.

Paul’s desperation for money leads him to borrow Chesney’s car to steal a posh one. He finds a posh one to steal, which is sat outside Rufus’ upmarket rental gaff and he nicks it. Michael turns up at the posh house for his meeting, and Rufus is nowhere to be seen!... I think we can guess what has happened here!

I loved the production shots tonight (wine alfresco, the big house), the gang in the rovers, Rufus’ taste in 90s dance music, and Glenda!

What did you think of tonight’s offering? I am @rybazoxo if you want to tweet and let me know!

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Saturday, 4 February 2023

Coronation Street Episode Review, Wednesday 1st February, 8 pm

As I sit down to write this Wednesday Weatherfield episode review, my kitten, who is in heat, is making a set of weird purring noises whilst rubbing herself against me. She’s furry, funny, and equally annoying, but I adore the ground she walks on! We can guess how Hope felt about her Chincilla and Beth's feelings about Peanut, but would I slap a child for my cat? No, and I doubt Beth did either.

Tonight's Corrie starts with Tyrone discovering Hope harbouring David’s stuffed weasel and realises that she used taxidermy to create the bite mark, which led Fiz to report it to the police, putting Peanut in pet purgatory. Fiz reluctantly relays the truth to Beth and Kirk. Fuming with rage, Beth confronts Hope out in the street. We don't see what happens next, but Hope heads home and tells her parents that Beth has slapped her in the face!

Meanwhile, drug dealer Damon, and his control of the Bistro are starting to grate Nick’s temperament. Sam’s charmed by his DJ lesson, and even Leanne has a cosy chat in the flat with him. Nick tells Damon his feelings, only for Damon to tell Nick that another drug deal is coming into the restaurant. Struggling to hide his problem with Damon, Leanne is slowly becoming suspicious of the animosity between the business associates. With the Bistro buzzing, Beth's also out boozing but is interrupted by a call from Fiz. At N0.9 - Beth tells Fiz and Ty a few home truths about Hope, and her parents seem as clueless as ever, married or otherwise. Hope struggles to get them to believe her. Elsewhere, Damon mingles with the bistro clientele, tries some flattery on Dee-dee and manages to get her number.

Still smarting from her social media stalker, Daisy confides her worries in Glenda, whose presence in the Rovers (and with all the women in the backroom) makes her my favourite new barmaid in absolute aeons. Jenny and Christina’s vendetta, and barroom bickering, are also good to see; that bar has been too quiet for too long. Daisy decides she's had enough of the rabble and goes to the wedding fair (at the Chariot Hotel, obviously) on her own! She may have blocked him online, and Daisy thinks she’s gotten rid of Justin, until he turns up at the event, pretending to be Daniel.

Disturbed, Justin believes that he will be the one to marry her whilst fantasising that Daniel is some control freak. Justin soon gets the message and leaves the venue, but Daisy is very scared. Later, Daniel tells Daisy all about it, only for her to receive another gift - funeral flowers. Fearing the worse, Daisy soon learns that the flowers are just a twisted gift from Tracy. Daisy confides in Jenny, leaving Christina to depart, and surrogate Mum Jenny sheds a tear over the heart-to-heart. Ches and Gemma also head to the Weatherfield wedding fair giving Gemma a few ideas, but all are out of their budget range, so they decide to book the Rovers instead.

Elsewhere, Max’s guilty plea has David relishing in the realities of his premise, whilst Alya is forgiving, telling him that it's not his fault. David then receives a call from Shona, who knows about everything, and he tells her to stay in London.

A lot to like tonight, but my favourite moment was Daisy dressed up at the hotel. That's some superb art direction -look at the colour match! Is that the first time we've seen the hotel logo?