Do the little things, Corrie!

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus i chi! (Happy St. David's Day to you!)

St. David's proverb was "Gwnewch y pethau bychain" which translates to "Do the little things!". A couple of years ago I posted a blog urging the writers and producers of Corrie to include the little things that make Corrie special.

One of the things I enjoy to do after a day's work is sit down and watch old Corrie episodes on YouTube on my phone/iPad. There are some fantastic channels dedicated to Corrie that share vintage and classic episodes, clips and specials. While the production side of things has changed significantly over the years which is a positive thing, there is one thing I yearn to see return to our favourite show.

The long scenes between characters talking about 'nowt'. How I've enjoyed seeing Alf, Deirdre, Audrey and Ivy discussing the going-ons of the street in the corner shop for about 5 minutes back in 1986. Or even Ken, Deirdre and Blanche having a discussion over the breakfast table as recent as 2002. Although that is 15 years ago by now! How time flies!! 

Stuart Blackburn once promised that Corrie would return to its roots. I can't remember seeing that! Kate Oates has promised the same. One thing I do like about her reign is the surprise element which is certainly a huge feat in this world of spoilers! What has been promised with the increase in episodes is that the scenes will be longer so who knows, maybe we'll see a return to 5 minute scenes in the Kabin between Rita, Norris, Yasmeen, Brian and Mary where we'll see a return to fantastic and funny dialogue.

Many viewers don't want slapstick humour to make them laugh. An insult or remark can still make people laugh. You just have to think about Blanche, Ena Sharples, Hilda Ogden or Betty Turpin and smile.

While we have had more references to the past that I do constantly ask for, a little more would be great. I suppose we have to be grateful for small mercies.

But yet again on St. David's Day I kindly ask the powers that be to 'do the little things' - more humour and less drama and return Corrie to what makes it unique to all the other soaps.

by Llifon Jones

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Do the little things, Corrie

As it's St. David's Day, whose proverb was "Gwnewch y pethau bychain." ("Do the little things"), I thought I would take the opportunity to urge the writers and producers of Corrie to include more of the little things that make Corrie so special for me.

You know, those golden scenes of characters talking about nowt; sharing tender moments together; or taking a trip down memory lane. I know I've mentioned this before in a blog post but I think it's a fundamental message. 

We were treated a few weeks ago to Gail mentioning Suzie Birchall and this week we've had Rita and Norris sharing a heart to heart. It's those scenes that make Corrie supreme over other soaps. 

Producers believe we want sensationalism or we will turn off. Sensationalism is alright now and then but not all the time. Last year we were treated to great scenes between Roy and Hayley - alright, they sometimes argued but yet it was those small, tender moments we cherished - be it in Blackpool or in the cafe flat. And yet they still won awards.

I am aware that we have come far away from those 5 minute scenes of Betty, Hilda and Bet gossiping in the Rovers before opening time and I'm saddened that we probably won't get them back. But Stuart Blackburn has promised to return to Corrie's roots and maybe we are seeing glimmers of this with Steve and Lloyd but not with many others. Let's hope eh?

So come on Corrie, do the little things we all love about you! More humour and less drama please!

Thanks for reading and now, if you'll excuse me I'm going to have a panad and a teisen gri (cup of tea and Welsh cake)!

Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus i chi gyd! (Happy St. David's Day to you all!)

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Video: Should Corrie have more scenes like this?

Although I'd seen this scene in the full episode on YouTube a few weeks ago, it was only recently that I found out that someone had taken the scene out and produced it as its own clip, which great.

The episode was originally broadcast on the 3rd of January 1999. The residents are all taking the news that former shopkeeper, former mayor and pillar of the community Alf Roberts has died.

Here we have Jim McDonald, Jack and Vera Duckworth, Fred Elliott, Ken Barlow and Betty Williams discussing Alf's life and their opinion of him, in a scene, which in my opinion, what makes Corrie shine!

As I watch it, I ask myself: when did I see that happening in Corrie recently? Okay, maybe you get the rarity of seeing it in the cab office or the Kabin, but I'd like to see it more often. Wouldn't you?

Betty Driver often said that with the increasing speed of the show, with more scenes per episode, you lost those great moments of folk talking about nowt! Even though the clip above is only under two minutes, it's still great!

So please Corrie writers and producers, can we have more of those classic Corrie scenes!

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