“Well, what on Earth DO you do?”
“I have a life.”
“But it’s brilliant.”
“No, it’s for old ladies and gays.”
“You may have a point.”
And so the conversation continues. It’s a conversation I’ve
had too many times to remember. Usually with a person (stranger or friend, but
usually a stranger) you wouldn’t normally associate with the ‘Corrie demographic’.
As a lover of all things cobbled I try my best to share my passion (addiction)
for Coronation Street with those that haven’t taken the time to sit with a cup
of Yorkshire tea (Lancashire hasn’t yet come up with a suitable alternative) and
see what Rita, Norris and Roy are getting up to in Weatherfield. But therein
perhaps lies the clue to their disinterest. Who cares what a bunch of ageing,
working-class residents are getting up to in a made up Northern town? Indeed
the most interesting of Corrie’s characters, in my opinion anyway, are the
older ones. They are the backbone of the Street.
Corrie surely appeals to more than just the blue-rinse
brigade? Yes it does. People of all ages and backgrounds watch. But all too
often it seems difficult to get people ‘on board’ with sacrificing their Monday,
Wednesday and Friday evenings for the sake of this multi award-winning institution. There are numerous younger and edgier characters
the more modern television viewer can relate to. David, the tearaway
pusher-of-mums-down-stairs turned responsible young dad. Jason Grimshaw, who is
quite (very) nice to look at and is a dab hand at grouting. Nick, the
brain-damaged businessman. And until recently, Tina, who was tossed off the
builder’s yard balcony and whacked on the back of the head, ending a glittering
and very orange Corrie career much too soon.
After many debates about the virtues of Coronation Street,
I’ve come to the conclusion that you can’t win ‘em all. Try as I might to
persuade my colleagues at work that a) Corrie is must-see telly, and b) that
photo on my desk is Hayley Cropper and not my mum, I have to sometimes resign
to the fact Corrie isn’t everyone’s cup of (Yorkshire) tea.
But take a look on twitter. It looks promising for a
thriving and wide ranging army of Corrie addicts. People young and old, British
and otherwise. Times columnists, Tories, students and yes, the odd homosexual. There’s
nothing better than seeing people engaged in Britain’s best soap (continuing
drama).
Here's my final conclusion. If you don’t watch Corrie,
you’re either daft…or we’ll get you eventually. So be careful if you ever come
across me in a London pub (which is quite likely). I’m on a recruitment drive.
Corrie Needs You!
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