Coronation Street Episode Review, Wednesday 16th August, 8 pm

Welcome to another Wednesday Weatherfield round-up and to catch up on the latest goings on, on Coronation Street. 

Tonight starts with the continuation of Lauren's absence from the cafe following her pervy pass at Roy. Also in the cafe, Peter is riled at Stephen’s admission to Lou, with Peter clearly in the doghouse with Carla following the stolen watch fiasco. Why Peter would steal a watch, and why a watch would be worth £15K I have no idea, but Carla back at Underworld's helm can only mean that Reid’s days are numbered. Peter's also now onto him which means it's looking ever more likely. However with Peter due to leave the show soon, could he end up going down for it? I digress, I’ll leave that for another review. 

Back to tonight’s offering. Cringe-inducing ‘singing’ aside*, tonight’s stand-out moment was the return of Dame Maureen Lipman, the baptism of soap legend Claire Sweeney onto the cobbles, and Tyrone’s parentage truth being finally revealed, after something like 20 odd years. 

What. A.Treat! those scenes at number 7, (following the Bistro confession) were ridiculously high-quality, and the living room setting sold the scene for me, a claustrophobic fly-on-the-wall viewing of this family fall-out; loved it! Having been privy to the press day over a month ago, introducing the former Brookside legend, I knew tonight was the night for it, but having seen no preview scenes, the dramatics topped anything I could have envisaged. Roy’s involvement was also a clever move, and it blindsided him from Monday’s Lauren drama, leaving the wayward teen to admit her pass at her boss to her former beau, Max. Tonight's narrative did make out as though Lauren would be leaving in a wave of embarrassment, but with no black taxi insight, and reconciliations all around, it concluded with her stealing the salon keys and asking Roy for his job back.

Meanwhile, with Carla back at Underworld, she arranged another meeting with Lou tonight, and Stephen attended on his own! The stolen tie-pin strand of this murderous story arc may be more Wagatha Christie than Agatha Christie, but you can't fault Lou’s dog-eared attempt at solving her ex-partner's murder, unlike Jenny who has forgotten all about Leo. Upon meeting Stephen at the Rovers, Lou is quick to dispel any new business ventures and tells Stephen she knows about the stolen tie-pin and suspects he's stolen it! 

*Although I don't like small people singing, Glenda in circus attire certainly made up for it!

In other news, Hope’s revealed as a Slytherin (of course), Ed and Ronnie argue over their new business venture, and Carla tells 'roid rage' Ryan that he’s boring! Ryan then decides to have a sarnie with Alya, who is anything but boring!

I thoroughly enjoyed tonights offering - what did you think?  

I am @rybazoxo if you want to tweet and let me know!

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Claire Sweeney joins Coronation Street as Tyrone's drug-addict Mother!

It's been a busy week, and as I settle down to write this latest cast chat, I ponder a big Corrie-style question: can we have too much of a good thing? Joining another ITV press day (humble brag) to interview the newest cast member, Claire Sweeney, it hits me that this West-End singing stage star (see Jodie Prenger) is playing a troubled drug addict. Seeing the mandatory preview press shots, I'm immediately thinking of Abi Webster, and the plethora of addiction stories, starting with Peter, that Corrie has given us over these past few years. Am I becoming jaded? As a big fan of Brookside, (what happened with Simon O'Brien?) and musicals, it was a pleasure to witness Claire on my laptop screen and looking as glam and gorgeous as you'd expect. However, when she debuts on our screens this coming week, she's in full drug-addict mode - hair scrapped back, scruffy, and looking anything but glam. 

This Wednesday (June 28th), Evelyn has a blast from the past when she's called into Weatherfield A & E to find that her daughter, Cassandra Plummer (Claire Sweeney) has had a heroin overdose. Finding Evelyn at her hospital bedside, she reveals the last time they met, she stole cash from her bag and found her address. Evelyn is then shocked when Cassie says that she called the garage and found out Tyrone is her son, and wants to meet him. By the end of the week Evelyn lies to Tyrone and explains she's leaving the street to see an old friend, but in fact, has rented a flat to get Cassie through recovery. Off-screen Dame Maureen Lipman is starring in a one-woman stage play, and Claire Sweeney told us that she's back on screen as a full-time character in August. She also told us to expect a 14-page two-hander between these two actresses, with some guaranteed superb writing from Corrie's legendary scribe, Iain Kershaw. With the character going full-time in August, Tyrone will have another scouse Mum but this time it's his 'real' one! Let's not forget the superb Margi Clarke who made that role her own.  

Usually, I would write this as a full interview but my laptop is dying a death and I couldn't record the audio. I can only tell you that it's evident that Claire is a big fan of the show, and as a star on stage and screen, she said this was her 'Hollywood role calling.

So, what do we think, am I getting jaded with Corrie? We've seen this drug-addict role/mould before with Abi, who is now a sober Mrs Webster and a Mum to Imran's baby. I hope they take this down a different route, and let the character bed in a bit longer, before she's supping zero in the Rovers and has pulled through the turmoil. I have to admit, the grimness of Paul's disease has taken the shine off this show for me recently. So, instead of a drawn-out drug addiction recovery (which we've seen a million times now) I hope she comes back as a Ruthie Henshall type, gets best buddies with Glenda, and hosts a weekly Rovers Karaoke? 

I am @rybazoxo Coronation Street Blogger and Cobbles superfan!

Cassie Plummer arrives on the cobbles on Wednesday, June 28th. She is in for two episodes then Evelyn takes her away from the street before Tyrone finds out the truth. They will both return on August 16th.

Keep your eyes peeled for a few more Corrie press day chats for July storylines that are still to come. I have recorded Paula Wilcox (Elaine) who's an absolute joy! 

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Coronation Street Episode Review Friday 14 April 2023

Welcome.  Let us face it - you are over sixty and feel the need to do something a little wild, perhaps a bit rock and roll, and the same applies to Coronation Street.  USA soaps have a reputation for going wild at some point and why shouldn't our favourite soap also let down those long locks and do something different?  We will get there, but let us first praise the audition team.  Freddie the Shih Tzu is going to steal every scene, just how many dogs did they have to see before he got the gig?  Feeling loyalty to Melvyn (who believed in the "Greatness of Alfred") Roy has the flat inspected by the rehoming team and following a mass shopping spree (more items on the shopping list dictated by Evelyn than for a new baby when I stopped counting) Roy is awarded custody of Freddie.  And has no idea what he has let himself take on!

Michael is having to do some acting.  He phones Rufus and gives his answering machine a piece of his mind for standing him up last night and makes it clear he needs the job in London.  I am not impressed by the shouting.  Michael decides to cut his losses with Rufus and goes to find Stephen and beg for re-instatement as he no job.

Sarah and Adam have been practicing for about half the night.  Oddly Sarah is suddenly interested in Gabriela Hearst, the Uruguayan ex-wife of Uncle Stephen, who is into sustainable fashion.

Stephen is trying to consume a nice quiet breakfast with Elaine at Roy's. He discusses Michael's sudden departure in earshot of Nina who instantly makes him aware of her competence.  He dismisses her out of hand (well he is trying to eat a full fry-up).  Nina is no shrinking violet and gets her portfolio down - which impresses Elaine if no-one else.  Michael arrives and tells him he has decided not to accept Rufus' job offer and can he withdraw his resignation?  Stephen is able to confirm that he has appointed a new designer as Nina has already been offered the job - which is a surprise to her!  Stephen pirouettes on a pin head implying his earlier comments were merely a test of her attitude and wanting to stick it to Michael for shouting at him last night.  Later Uncle Ronnie advises a visit to Rufus and to try and repair the damage of the phone message.

The reformed Damon (I am taking odds on how long it will last) has identified that they are about to build some local blocks for student residences so he convinces Nick and Leanne that a late night licence will enable the students to consume alcohol at all hours rather than trekking into town.  Neither Nick or Leanne actually like the idea - both are unsure about Damon and the extra hours - but anything which might make money is welcome at the moment!

Ryan is not going to be released until he has seen the side of his face and Alya is making no progress with his reluctance to face up to it.  He reckons he will be celibate for the rest of his life and Crystal has not called - so no Ibiza.  He reckons he could become "MC Face Melt".  Later Carla swings by the hospital and gives him a pep talk.  He is particularly appreciative of Alya's efforts.  

Gorgeous George and Glenda are being taken on a high power, all singing, all dancing con with Little Big Shotz as Estelle gets Glenda ready for the first class.  Estelle tells Glenda she can walk away if she wants - she simply loses 75% of her up front fee plus other costs of marketing!  Anyway the community centre has been booked and the children are coming - and Glenda is testing the facilities!  The first free taster session seems to go well - but how many will turn up for regular lessons?

So as I hinted above tonight Corrie went full comic book mode with Stephen the cereal killer oops he had a full fry up - no Great Expectations of any quality here.  Michael and Ronnie try to visit Rufus but according to the cleaner he has been found dead in the swimming pool and the police have the house as a possible crime scene.  Back in the Rovers they break the news to Stephen that Rufus is dead adding (wrongly) that Michael turned down the job when he saw Rufus last night and if there is anything at the factory Michael would like a job pretty please.  Stephen tells PC Tinker that story so Michael was the last person to see Rufus alive and we all know what that means!!  Craig interviews Michael who tells him that the story is a lie and now Craig does not know who to believe.  Michael then asks Stephen what makes him a good salesman.  Stephen launches on a long monologue about how to be good he has to understand the opposition and get the upper hand so that he can win in negotiations.  This monologue plays over a flashback of Stephen visiting Rufus, drugging his wine with LSD, pushing him into the pool and then holding Rufus under the water until he drowned.  And at the end of it Michael comes away from Underworld with a new job title as Junior Manager!

Many months ago they issued a press release about the resident guide dog and I have missed past outings so thought I would include this shot of the dog passing by in the background!  Damon is trying to convince Sarah that a late licence on the Bistro would be a good idea.

Written by Simon Crowther and Owen Lloyd-Fox.  Directed by Nickie Lister.

Kosmo

@Kosmo100

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Maureen Lipman's Corrie return confirmed

For fans of Maureen Lipman (me included!) who might be worried that she won't be returning to Coronation Street, fear not. 

She is coming back.

The fab Inside Soap magazine last week confirmed that Maureen will be returning to the show as Tyrone's grandmother Evelyn Plummer.

Well, that's a relief, then.

I suspect her absence on screen at the moment was due to the fact that Maureen Lipman was acting in her one-woman show. Our blogger Kosmo went to see it and you can read his review here.

Fancy writing a guest blog post for us? All details here!  
 

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