Do we always have it in for the Corrie producer?

We always get loads of interesting comments posted on this blog. It's really wonderful when something you blog about is well received or generates discussion. One theme seems to run through a lot of discussions though - disliking the Corrie producer.

I don't know if this is a recent phenomenon. We revere producers from the good old days like H.V Kershaw or the legendary BIll Podmore, however more recent incumbents of this role have faired less well. Maybe it's because the entire medium of television and the media has changed during Corrie's long run, who knows? Certainly Corrie producers are much more visible these days.

The current producer, Stuart Blackburn, receives his fair share of criticism from across the board. I've seen plenty of comments warning us that Mr Blackburn will do the same to our favourite show as he did to Emmerdale. As I've never watched Emmerdale, I don't really know what that means.

Stuart Blackburn isn't alone though. His predecessor Phil Collinson was frequently targeted as the villain of the piece with claims that he didn't understand the essence of Coronation Street and was merely interested in filling the show full of his mates. Before Phil came Kim Crowther and she too faced criticism for the storylines she introduced and the castings she made. 

Going back further, I remember the late Jane MacNaught coming in for serious complaints when she introduced more issue-led storylines in the early 2000s. I certainly remember the outrage that came with Toyah's rape storyline and Alma's death due to cervical cancer. Perhaps one of the most controversial Corrie producers of all time was Brian Park, dubbed the "axe man" for killing off Derek Wilton and sacking many favourite, longstanding actors. 


So why do fans always seem to have it in for the Corrie producer? Is it because we think we could do the job better? It's clear to me that whoever does sit in the producer's chair these days needs a thick skin to survive!


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Legendary TV producer Jane Macnaught has died

From Prolific North:

Jane Macnaught, who produced Coronation Street has died suddenly at her home in Cheshire.

While producing Coronation Street, the show was regularly pulling in more than 18m viewers, with one programme in 1999 becoming the year’s most watched show with 19.82m.

Macnaught would also introduce some headline-grabbing plot twists, such as the return of Raquel Watts (Sarah Lancashire), Bet Lynch (Julie Goodyear) and Reg Holdsworth (Ken Morley). As well as the arrival of Dev, Sunita and Fiz.

Promoted in 2000 she’d exec produce a further 229 episodes of the soap, before taking on responsibility for ITV’s drama department in Manchester.

However, the final years at Coronation Street were seen as difficult. Its 40th anniversary, live episode didn’t have the impact the channel was expecting and there was reported friction between Macnaught and the cast with the introduction of a new pay regime.

In a statement, ITV said: “Colleagues at ITV are extremely saddened to hear of the death of former executive producer, Jane MacNaught.

“Jane started her career at Granada Television in 1977, initially as a production assistant, before moving in to the entertainment department where she produced Stars in Their Eyes, University Challenge and the first ever series of You’ve Been Framed.

“Jane became producer and later executive producer of Coronation Street. From 1999 to 2002 Jane produced more than 500 episodes and oversaw the show’s 40th anniversary, including the hugely successful live episode in 2000. Following her time in Coronation Street Jane moved in to drama and was the first producer of Blue Murder. She left ITV in 2003.”

Executive producer Kieran Roberts, who worked with Jane in the late 80s and 90s before following her to Coronation Street, added: “Jane was a hugely successful producer, a Granada stalwart and someone who touched many people’s lives and careers in her time with ITV. She will be remembered fondly by us all.”

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