Tommy O Scores With Tracy M : A Classic Corrie Affair Begins?

It’s been a while, I must admit. With work exams and Corrie's schedule changes, I've been using the weekend to get my Weatherfield fix via the ITV hub. I'm old enough to remember the Sunday morning omnibus, and in this digital age, I guess I'm retreating to old formats as I get a little older. That aside, I’ve been so busy that I don't see Corrie during the week, or on live TV, so my Wednesday episode reviews have stalled. In recent weeks, I've been loving the show, and unlike some online criticisms, I struggle to see any real issues with the drama/comedy/ storytelling balance. Resurrecting a few old characters and sweeping dead wood away is a classic soap trope, (it may be long overdue in some Corrie quarters, I agree that) but resurrecting a character or reintroducing one into the show is also a good start.

With Stephen Reid’s recent return and murderous demise, I think I may be a little offside in assuming the same thing will happen with Weatherfield County striker Tommy O, but it is a soap, so who knows?

Reappearing on Christmas day for a scene with Tracy McDonald, I was already aware of the footballer's return (from a 2023 press event), and that he was due to have an affair with a Weatherfield woman. Still, I had no idea who until I saw that scene. I've already seen some online whinging about another ‘affair’ but without character copulation, subterfuge, scandal, and stolen kisses - you've got no drama, and without the drama, you won't have a show - it's that simple. I would also refer the echo-chamber moaners to the classic corrie affairs of old - such as Mike and Deirdre, Peter and Carla, Kevin and Molly, and the recent Tyrone, Fiz, and Phill affair that prove these scenarios also provide the writers with some dramatic content to work with. 

Wednesday's snog between Tommy and Tracy is only the beginning (I'd guess). And as Steve returns from Paris this week, he'll surely be too blinded by his adoration for the Weathy County star striker status to realise his hero is also scoring with his wife! But for how long?

Can we envisage a classic Mike and Ken battle between Steve and Tommy, for Tracy’s affections, or will this be more comedic (like Tyrone and Phill), as is usually the tone with Steve Mcdonald of late, and what about Amy? Will she side with her mother (who also slept with Adi’s Dad, Dev) or her father? Will Steve react like Fiz (when she found out about Tyrone’s infidelity) and shack up with someone else? I think Steve would be great with Glenda! Will Steve and Tracy reunite after Tommy transfers to another Weatherfield woman? (Toyah, perhaps)? 

Either way, I'm happy to see Tracy get a meaty storyline again ( I adore Kate Ford) and I'd be interested to see how this affair pans out. We may have seen this kind of thing before, but like I say it creates storylines, which we need for the show. As the Corrie (terrestrial TV) schedule changes again this week (football, rugby, or summat), that's worth remembering. Speaking of which, I've got more revision to do.

Ta-ra for now!

I am @rybazoxo Cobbles Connoisseur & Corrie superfan  

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Corrie Comicals week ending 5 February 2021

We will start this week with the obligatory epidemic related observation.  Fiz apparently considers that Ty snores rather loudly and is observing that to reach somewhere he cannot be heard would require a trip abroad - hence the need for a passport.  Hate to say it Fiz luv - but at the moment that simply is not possible even with a passport.

Gloria has apparently been bobbing into Roy's Rolls for years, sometimes stays for an hour or so with a "chatty" spoon (the spoons were introduced by Nina weren't they?) - it says happy to chat - but remember you can no longer sit at the same table so would have to shout across the cafe.  And she only ever eats half the tuna melt having the rest for her supper at home.  Frugal.  Asha and Nina are simply discussing their different business models as Dev would always want to upsell!  Such long words from non-accountants.  It simply should not be allowed!

When I were a lad Simple Simon my parents bought me a bike and a bike lock.  Strict instructions if the bike was being left then you locked it before leaving it, otherwise irksome individuals like the extra skulking around in the back of this shot will half inch the machine when your back is turned.  Especially when the said jerk appears to belong to the same gang as your new best friend Jacob - same hair do; same jacket; in fact is this the return of the grey hoodie gang in a new disguise?

Aadi has just announced that there is no "I" in "team" - Evelyn counters by pointing out the number of "I"s to be found in the words "annoying" and "irritating" which is her summary of Asdi's approach to her PDR and I suspect his Business Studies GCSE.  When asked how the job can be improved Evelyn asks for a sign on the door reading "No credit, no hipsters, no small talk, no buggies, no half-wit knuckle-dragers who, for reasons that defy logic, think it is socially acceptable to come in here in a threadbare dressing gown and candlewick slippers."  Even Dev thinks the last part of that is worth supporting.  Which just leaves the question of who dresses in that way and the only person I can suggest is Bernie the Bolt.  Other suggestions welcomed.  At least it is better than the towel which Alina was sort of wearing earlier in the week!

Leanne has good and bad days.  Friday must have been a bad day because she suddenly started talking about Janice and her old fashioned sayings.  Indeed she was so old fashioned she used to ride everywhere on a penny farthing.  Simon even falls for it briefly.  

History was important on Friday as we were reminded of Ted (1) and Ted (2) both of whom existed before TED talks.  Ted (1) was Mr Rita for a brief while and Ted (2) was never Mr Audrey but did manage to father Gail.  Various other pieces of history were also dropped in, including a reminder of Brian Tilsley whose alter ego, Christopher Quinten, was recently seen in a pre-Corrie role as a soldier in Quartermass which also had a role for very young Brenda Fricker (Staff Nurse Maloney) and Toyah Willcox - who gave ITV permission for her name to be used for R'Toyota!

As I quite like the modern re-incarnation of Tracy (and Kate Ford) I thought that she deserved a slot as there was a lot of competition with Mary calling Debbie "the Debster" and much else fun on Friday.  However poor David has to explain that "dis" actually means "disrespect" to Tracy in response to the above.  Anyway come Monday I predict both will be outbid in trying to buy number 8 by Jacob who clearly has money coming out of his ears from his many scams.

And I would like to thank Jonathan Harvey for his wise and extended discussion of female safe spaces and for Mary indicating that perhaps David was seeking to identify as a female when he entered the Bistro "safe space".  We all need reminding of the importance of our identities.  Mary also told us about stalking Jan Leeming and I can only hope that the next time there is a funeral on the Street that Jan Leeming can be invited to join the mourners.

I could have done without the drugs and the money lending (Jacob is hardly Rick Neelan is he?) as it is clear that we are back in "ishoo" land which always undermines characters - but at least we have had a couple of weeks free of such matters.  

Written by: Chris Fewtrell & Jan McVerry (Monday); Damon Alexis-Rochefort & Mark Burt (Wednesday); Jonathan Harvey (Friday)

Directed by: John Anderson (Monday & Wednesday); Adia Nkrumah (Friday)

Kosmo

@Kosmo100

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All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License

Corrie Comicals week ending 19 June 2020

Out of the mouths of babes -  well in this case Sean.  Having lambasted the lack of factory scenes recently I thought I should record that we had one and whilst Geoff's physical scars are healing Sean is concerned about the emotional scars - and Sally has not noticed Geoff suffering much in that department but perhaps the current "Weatherfield One" (there always one isn't there?) is the one with the scarring?

Even Daniel realises that talking to a photo-frame is probably not a good idea!  Yup this lockdown can have strange mental impacts - and the virus has not reached Weatherfield yet!

And apart from that just where on the Street can you find a babysitter - it has been a running joke for years.  Then it struck me - Summer, Kelly, Asha, Faye, Amy, Nina, Alina, Emma, Simon maybe - all of an age when a bit of baby sitting money comes in useful.  Indeed we always used to complain that there were no babysitters apart from Aunty Emily and now the Street has a whole army; always plenty of people to sit the Street urchins!  And Ken VE Day was a few weeks ago - did you miss it?

Adam introduces Daniel and Jacinta.  Ever the old fashioned gentleman Daniel extends his hand.  Jacinta being one of these modern women leans in for an air kiss on the cheek.  Daniel's hand collides with Jacinta's breast.  I have news for Daniel from the future.  This will never happen again.  Initially she will have to stand so far away you cannot shake hands.  Then even when  a closer approach is permitted all of this air kissing and hugging will all go away.  We can go back to being polite at best shaking hand and possibly elbow biffing.  (Although when watching football I see goal scorers are still getting the odd hug from team-mates!).

Turning to Friday Alya is talking to Imran about Sally and she goes onto say that the underlying Sally is a deeply moral woman - Alya knows her.  The deeply moral woman who had an affair with Alex Jordan, flooding a bathroom and writing "whore" on a mirror (to make sure that Natalie knew that she knew!) and then had an affair with Ian Davenport.  Still "deeply moral" Alya?  If only you knew what we know (well Corriepedia knows but I thought it)

And I am not sure what game Evelyn is playing but Arthur makes a point of it being her round so she orders herself some water.  Later he just gets another round in - and of course she gets another water which I think makes her a camel.  Come on Evelyn - equality.  Then when it is her round again, it turns out Carla is buying everyone in the pub a drink!  Evelyn it does not count - stand your round.

See you next week I hope.

Writers: Cameron McAllister (Monday); Sam Holdsworth (Wednesday); Damon Alexis-Rochefort (Friday).
Directors: Emma Lindley (Monday); Tim Finn (Wednesday & Friday)

Kosmo
@Kosmo100

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All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License

Corrie Comicals week ending 1 May 2020

Much of this week revolved around the occupants of Number 6 and to be perfectly honest until I cannot include either of them here.  I think we will miss Liz.  She claimed on Monday to be 28 (and her face does look remarkably smooth) - so Eileen was checking behind her ears for signs of a facelift.  In lockdown I gather that Beverly Callard is laying parquet flooring - I bet she is desperate to return to work!  Liz went on to discuss "Spammy Pammy" and events which happened many decades ago!

The boiler has broken at Number One and Tracy is lumbered even though she has not bought the house yet and she is not asking Ken (who looks well settled in his corner chair) to open his wallet in fear of the moths which would fly out.  And I just about managed to catch Tracy's face!

Gary does not want people overhearing his pack of lies about how he knows Kelly's mother and pleasingly even Maria, far from the sharpest pair of scissors in the hairdressers, who has noticed that he has a "dead busy shop"!  Maria with that fringe it is very easy for Gary to keep your eyes covered up - please wake up and smell the dead bodies!

Nice touch from Ken.  He gets a text message from Tracy summoning him to a meeting and he pretends he is scared and does some pretend shaking.  No Ken is not scared of his daughter and indeed as she will soon find out he has the perfect solution to the broken boiler!  Ken is back and Number One remains in his hands.

In the Rovers and Carla has asked what Geoff, Yasmeen, Tim and Sally are celebrating - the money Geoff has skimmed off of Speed Dahl to pay for the rewedding of his son.  Tim's response is above!  And that was the best I could manage from Friday.

Can I just remind people that originally Yasmeen was a power house, I never quite believed her being blind sided by her husband and best friend for "years" allegedly and given her intelligence I just don't think she would have fallen for this treatment.  But then who knows what happens behind closed doors?

Written by: Jonathan Harvey (Monday & Wednesday) and Jan McVerry (Friday)
Directed by: Brett Fallis (Monday & Wednesday) and Diana Patrick (Friday).

Kosmo
@Kosmo100

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All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License