Coronation Street Blog: september 1997

Showing posts with label september 1997. Show all posts

Saturday, 27 November 2021

The Week In Classic Corrie

MONDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 30th August and 1st September 1997

The daughter of Sidney Templeton, Maud's fiance, turned up at the Rovers wanting a word. She was unhappy that she was getting £10,000 off him when his own flesh and blood had been cut out of the will. Maud felt guilty and was about to hand over her inheritance when Blanche intervened: the paper said he'd left £60,000 in his will in total. Steve went off in his van to Amsterdam. He'd swapped cigarette smuggling for something a bit dodgier at the behest of Stephen Graham's Lee. Jim was unhappy, and when Lee showed up in the Rovers, he told him so. They began to argue so Vinny - a drayman who was giving Natalie a hand while Jack was ill - threw them out. Ashley's birth mother Kathleen appeared in Freshco's, buying meat off him without admitting who she was. When Fred saw her he was terrified. He talked to her and she confessed she was now curious about her long-lost son, so Fred told Ashley she lived in Greater Manchester and it was up to him if he wanted to get in touch. Spider told Emily he was going out with Toyah and she was horrified, pointing out he was ten years her senior and she was barely out of school. He said he was doing nothing wrong, so Emily challenged him to prove that was what he really thought - by telling Les.

TUESDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 3rd and 5th September 1997

Vinny got bad news from Nuttall's Brewery, who pointed out that he couldn't be a drayman for them and a potman in the Rovers at the same time. Natalie decided to employ him full time - meaning she'd have to get rid of Jack. Steve received a payment for the dodgy goods from Amsterdam, and Jim kicked off, until Steve revealed it wasn't drugs he'd brought back from Holland - it was a dog called Polly. Maud called Sidney's daughter and told the moneygrabber to get lost. She was going to spend his ten grand flying to the Far East to scatter his ashes, and she invited Emily along. Spider and Toyah told Janice about their relationship and while she wanted her daughter to be happy, she told her not to tell Les or there'd be hell to pay. Ashley got Fred to take him to Oldham to see Kathleen, but he couldn't bear to go inside. It was like that episode of Friends where Phoebe went looking for her dad, except nobody ran over a dog. Ashley eventually decided he was happy with the mother he had and didn't need another. And Alison's mum turned up to talk to her, but she brought up her dead sister again; Alison pushed her out the door and told Kevin she only needed him now.

WEDNESDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 6th and 8th September 1997

Maxine's mate Melanie returned with some news: she'd decided to marry her awful fiance after all, so she wanted her wedding booking back off Maxine. Maxine, of course, being the Bride From Hell, refused point blank. Vera realised Jack had lost his job at the Rovers and worried that he'd take the news badly. It turned out he was perfectly fine with it though, confessing he didn't think he was any use to anyone any more. Meanwhile, Vera asked Tyrone to look at her car; for some reason the door was sticking, and he thought it was out of alignment. Remember that, it'll be important later. Alison took the girls out for the day but was late back. Kevin realised he didn't know where she was and admitted to Sally he was worried. He told her about Alison's maybe-murderous past and the two of them started panicking. Alison soon returned; she'd been getting an astronomically hideous professional photo of her with the girls taken as a present. I hope Kevin still has it in the loft somewhere. When she realised he'd been worried she'd done something to the girls, Alison felt betrayed; she handed him her engagement ring and left.

THURSDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 10th and 12th September 1997

Danny had been on a disappointing dirty weekend with Sharon and he told Sally so. He admitted he had more fun with her than with his girlfriend, and when it came down to it, he still wanted to be with Sally. Blissfully ignorant, Sharon told her all about her great sex life, and how she wanted Danny to move in with her. Alison refused to go back to Kevin, saying he clearly didn't trust her. She bid goodbye to Rosie and Sophie and moved out of the flat. Kathleen turned up at Freshco's again and introduced herself to Ashley. He was upset, since he'd decided he didn't want her in his life; he told her his real mum was the woman who brought him up and that was that. Meanwhile Maxine was so busy faffing about panicking about not having a bridesmaid she barely paid his emotional torment any mind. What a catch she is.

FRIDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 13th and 15th September 1997

Natalie held a farewell party for Jack in the Rovers, presenting him with a silver tankard to mark the end of an era. Tyrone also had a gift for him: his favourite pigeon, Fergie, stuffed and mounted. Jack was shocked but hid it well. Tyrone returned to the garage and Kevin told him and Jim that he'd been talking to Natalie, and she'd decided they had to be fired because the profits were down. However, he was lying, and when Natalie found out she was getting the blame she lost it with him. He admitted he was in a nark because Alison had left him, apologised, and gave the boys their jobs back. It was the Battersby's wedding anniversary and of course Les had forgotten. In an attempt to bring back the romance Janice cooked a posh dinner for him, but she made the mistake of letting slip that Toyah was going out with Spider. Les barrelled over to the cafe and attacked Spider, telling him he'd break his legs if he didn't stay away. Sharon asked Danny to move in with her, but he not only said no, he broke things off with her. She was left an emotional wreck, sobbing in the middle of the Kabin and asking Sally for advice. Sally shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

Next week's Classic Corrie will be a good old mix of tragedy and happiness. Although if he's honest, the tragedy will cheer @merseytart right up.

Classic Corrie is on ITV3 weekday afternoons and is also on the ITV Hub.

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

Sunday, 14 February 2021

The Week In Classic Corrie

MONDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 22nd and 24th September 1997

It was the social event of the year as Fred and Maureen were married at the registry office. He surprised her with a barbershop quartet playing If You Were The Only Girl In The World and a new home: 4 Coronation Street. She was thrilled until he started interfering in her life, telling her there was no room for Maud in their new house and she'd have to kick her ex Bill out of the shop flat. The reception was rather overshadowed by Natalie confronting Sally about flooding her house. Sal happily admitted to it, calling her a tart, and the two of them ended up brawling in the street like a couple of fishwives. Sadly Natalie didn't end up cracking her head open on the cobbles. She reported Sally to the police for the flood but they realised it was a domestic and did nothing. Steve took Alan's assault to heart and decided to leave Weatherfield. It prompted Jim to go to Fiona and tell her that his vasectomy had failed and so her baby could be his after all. She was nauseated, but after letting her stew for a bit, Jim admitted he'd lied. Fiona was rightly livid and told him she was leaving with Alan to get away from his awful family.

TUESDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 26th and 28th September 1997

Martin had a chat with one of his fellow nurses - a young Beth Tinker - and she told him a patient had asked to see him specifically. He was surprised to discover it was Don Brennan, claiming to be on his deathbed and under police guard. Gail went to see him and he asked her to send Alma to the hospital so he could beg forgiveness. Bill was kicked out of the shop flat by Fred, much to Maureen's irritation. She tried to get him to change his mind but Bill was keen to get the hell away from Weatherfield, not least because Natalie was suing Sally for the damage to her home. He was disgusted with Kevin for letting her get away with it and told him so in the Rovers in front of the pub. Maud decided to move into Mayfield Court, saying that she knew when she wasn't wanted, and leaving Maureen wondering about her marriage to Fred. Mavis and Rita went to stay in their guest house in the lakes. Mavis was thrilled by all of it though Rita had her doubts. And Emily worried that Percy had dementia, because he seemed distracted and confused - though his confusion was mainly because his fairy cakes were vanishing.

WEDNESDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 29th September and 1st October 1997

Remember when Bet needed money to buy the Rovers, and Rita agreed to help her out, then changed her mind at the last minute and left her friend in the lurch? Or when Jack needed money to buy the Rovers, and Rita agreed to help him out, then changed her mind at the last minute and left her friend in the lurch? Well, Rita had enough of the country life and decided to pull out of buying the bed and breakfast with Mavis. It didn't help that the previous owner thought that they were a lesbian couple. Fortunately our Mave has a core of steel and she decided she'd move out there anyway and stuff her disloyal friend. Bill decided to leave for Germany, taking time to lay into Natalie for being a trollop on his way out the door. Maureen realised how much she cared for him and how little she cared for Fred. Bill's lecture did make Natalie reconsider her lawsuit and she went into the factory and told Sally she'd overreacted. (Incidentally it's weird seeing how good pals Sal is with Janice Battersby in this era of Corrie). Gail and Martin told Alma about Don and she agreed to visit him in hospital. He asked for her forgiveness and she gave it to him. It helped her feel better about her future. Unfortunately, things were about to take a nasty turn. Don's guard nipped out for a fag and he took the opportunity to do a runner. He was soon loitering in Firman's, taking a souvenir poster of Alma down off the wall and stroking it creepily...

THURSDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 3rd and 5th October 1997

Maureen moved Maud into Mayfield Court, sobbing both at losing her mother and her terrible marriage. Maud told her she needed to make herself happy for once and go to Germany with Bill. She was torn, then decided to take a chance and jumped into the taxi with Bill and disappeared. (Bill will return as a permanent character a decade later, with Maureen making a cameo to break up with him once she discovered he was sleeping with Audrey behind her back). Fred was left upset and alone. Percy began to suspect that Emily was the one who was senile, and when he discovered an empty vodka bottle, he worried she was an alcoholic as well. Don continued to be the least discreet escaped criminal on earth, taking Sarah-Lou out for chips and poking around in the back yard of number 5. He went to the butcher's and Ashley explained that his house had been repossessed and sold on. Don said he'd rather die than go back into prison. Mavis and Rita sniped at one another, with Reet implying that Mave would be a hopeless businesswoman and was buying the B&B just to prove her wrong. She asked Des to have a word with her, but Mavis soon saw through him and explained that she wanted a challenge and a new life. He ended up wishing her luck. And Ken went to the airport for another pick up and spotted Jon in the tie shop - serving customers. He got a whacking great dramatic close up as he realised that Jon was a massive liar.

FRIDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 6th and 8th October 1997

Emily went to the cemetery to visit Ernest's grave (which featured a surprisingly funky font) and when she looked to the side she spotted Don, visiting Ivy's grave. She tried to help him but he fled. Upset, she had a brandy with Ken to calm her nerves, and he told her that Jon wasn't a pilot after all. Emily urged him to tell Deirdre the truth. Meanwhile Don went on to Weatherfield Quays, and Alma spotted him out the window. She phoned the police but he'd already fled. Mike demanded round the clock protection for her, and when that wasn't forthcoming, he insisted she go somewhere public to stay safe. The Kabin continued to be a fractious atmosphere as Mavis worried about the arrangements for her farewell party. Rita became exasperated, and the bickering continued throughout the party, making the rest of the guests feel awkward. However, Betty produced her farewell gift - a framed picture of Mavis and Emily in the Kabin together in the Seventies - and the two old friends became emotional and made up. Mike stayed after work to receive a package, but it turned out there wasn't a delivery at all - it was Don Brennan.

Don smacked Mike round the head and held him captive, blaming him for ruining his life, and saying he was going to kill him as revenge. However, Angie interrupted before he could deliver the coup de grâce, smacking him about with her portfolio (she continues to be the absolute best at all times), and Don fled. He grabbed Alma's sports car and tried to run Mike over. Mike jumped to safety and the car smashed into the viaduct, exploding in a ball of flame and killing Don. (The smear of smoke from the devastation would remain on the set for over a decade, until the bistro was built). If you didn't know that Corrie had changed in 1997, there was your proof; from now on, vehicular violence, attempted murder and gratuitous explosions will be a lot more common.

The changes keep coming next week as we lose not one, but two of the all-time great Corrie characters, while another figure returns with a new head. And abs. Lots and lots of abs. Let me know what you think of the all-new Coronation Street on Twitter @merseytart.

Classic Corrie is on ITV3 every weekday afternoon and is also on the ITV Hub.

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

Sunday, 7 February 2021

The Week In Classic Corrie

MONDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 5th and 7th September 1997

Deirdre and Jon turned up at the posh house, ready to start their life together. However, his key didn't work in the lock, and he found a note on the door telling him that his ex-wife had repossessed the house. She reassured him they'd sort things, not knowing that it was all a lie to get round the fact that Jon was merely housesitting. However, since Deirdre had moved back into the bookie's flat, it meant Chris and Angie had nowhere to go. She returned to Des's house, but Chris, who'd never been keen on living with Des in the first place, camped out at the garage while Natalie took Kevin on holiday. Also making plans to move was Mavis, who told Rita she'd decided to sell up and set up a B&B in the Lake District. The two women sobbed their little hearts out in the Kabin and it was horribly affecting - I wonder how many of those tears were real? Rita was sad to see her friend go and came up with a suggestion: she'd go to the Lake District too and they'd run the place together. Judy and Zoe were spending all their time arguing, including in front of the midwife, and so the Mallets decided to give her the £2000 and send her on her way. She agreed to leave but asked if she could perhaps come back to visit Katie; Gary agreed, but Judy wasn't keen. In the meantime Judy told Audrey that Gary was the baby's real father, confident that the news would soon spread round the Street.

TUESDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 8th and 10th September 1997

Rita and Mavis excitedly made plans for their new life in the Lake District. They told their friends about their plans, leaving Sally heartbroken that everyone seemed to be leaving her, while the Kabin went on the market. Rita went to view a house with Alec and he tried to persuade her to change her mind. Mavis went on a catering course as preparation, but Vera turned up on the same course, much to her horror. She let slip to Mavis that she was learning to cook so that she could replace Betty at the Rovers. Sally was horrified to see Chris sleeping rough in the garage and offered him her sofa. Later, when she worried about her life, he comforted her and reassured her she was still attractive. Oh aye. Leanne tried to persuade Zoe to abscond with the money and the baby but she worried the Mallets would pursue her. She said a tearful farewell to Katie and left an ecstatic Judy and Gary behind. Deirdre gave Ken a quick job, picking up a customer from the airport; when he got to the terminal he spotted Jon in the tie shop. He claimed he was killing time because his flight had been cancelled, then rushed off to phone Deirdre to cover himself.

WEDNESDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 12th and 14th September 1997

Can you believe Jim is still pursuing Fiona? It was one night man, get over yourself. He turned up at the flat and harassed her again and she told her for the thousandth time she wasn't interested. Besides, Fiona had something else on her mind: she was pregnant. Samantha went out for a meal with Des and told him she wanted to make a go of their relationship. They went back to number 7, but there was someone waiting for Sam - her ex-husband, Ritchie, played by the great Shaun Dooley. He'd spoken to her mum and discovered that she'd been raped as a teenager, which explained why she'd run off so quickly after their marriage; he wanted to make another go of it. He stayed on the sofa while she got her head together. Meanwhile Des drowned his sorrows with Angie and Curly. Mavis and Rita put in a bid on a house in Carmel. It looked like the move was all systems go so they went to the Rovers to celebrate with champagne.

THURSDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 15th and 17th September 1997

Ritchie took Des to one side and told him to give it up - Sam was his now. Unfortunately he hadn't agreed this with Samantha, and when he passed out drunk in number 7, she went over to Des and told him he was the one she wanted. They spent the night together which enraged Ritchie and he tried to thump Des. She asked for a divorce and he refused. The Battersby's turned up at Mavis's wanting a viewing, but all they wanted to do was nose round her house and fiddle with her stuff. She became upset but Fred arrived for a viewing and helped see them off. He was taken with the house and made an offer. The news of Fiona's pregnancy rippled through the Street, with Jim doing the maths and wondering if his vasectomy had failed and Steve getting jealous. His girlfriend Rachel clocked his mind was elsewhere and dumped him. Alan meanwhile was confused because he thought Fiona was on the pill. She said that it's not 100% guaranteed but Alan suspected she might have slept with Steve while they'd split up and decided to get his detective mate to harass him again.

FRIDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 19th and 21st September 1997

Des and Samantha went on holiday and, while they were away, Chris moved back in with Angie. Sally found herself sad to see him go. She persuaded him to let her go with him to feed Natalie's cat. She wrote "WHORE" on Natalie's bathroom mirror and left the taps running, flooding the house. Natalie and Kevin returned to the mess, and though Chris pretended it was a broken pipe, the message on the mirror kind of gave it away. (Incidentally I only know that because Corriepedia told me; ITV3 cut out the dirty word to avoid offending our delicate sensibilities). Steve was arrested for dealing drugs and put in a cell. Alan goaded him but Steve said he wasn't after Fiona now she was having his baby - she was clearly Alan's. Jim went round to Fiona's, angry that Steve was getting caught up in her mess, and she asked him to have a test to make sure his vasectomy had worked. He realised she didn't want the baby if it was his. Too right. Back on the Street, Steve joked that Alan didn't believe the baby was his, and got a punch for his trouble. Fiona told Alan she was sick of his paranoia. And Mavis moved out of number 4 and in with Rita, bidding her home with Derek a fond farewell.

It's all go in Classic Corrie next week, and you'll be on the edge of your seat. Let me know what you think on Twitter @merseytart.

Classic Corrie is on ITV3 weekday afternoons and is also on the ITV Hub.

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

Sunday, 31 January 2021

The Week In Classic Corrie

MONDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 18th and 20th August 1997

It was Jack and Vera's ruby wedding anniversary and the rest of the Street joined them in the Rovers to celebrate. They handed out free first drinks but Alec kept a tab on who got one so he could charge the Duckworths for it later. Gail made up with Sally and invited her to the pub. She enjoyed herself - until Natalie and Kevin turned up. Sally lost her temper and called her a hypocrite for celebrating a wedding anniversary when she was a dirty homewrecker; Natalie fought back and told her she'd rescued Kevin from a boring marriage. Vera capped off the night by presenting herself to Jack in a filthy negligee she'd got off Angie, and he realised he was going to have to have sex with her (Bill Tarmey practically broke the fourth wall as he pulled his horrified faces, pleading with the audience for help). The police told Les they'd found his car but (a) it was a write off and (b) it was nicked in the first place. To stop them from suspecting him, he gave them the name of the bloke he bought it off - and threw in the lads who robbed the corner shop as well. Maud identified them down the police station and gave the Battersbys their shopping for free out of gratitude.

TUESDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 22nd and 24th August 1997

Natalie's ex-husband stopped her money because she was living with a new bloke. It meant that Kevin couldn't afford to give Sally the same maintenance but he refused to drop the amount. Natalie took it upon herself to sort it out, and turned up at number 13 to ask Sally to drop her demands. Kevin was disgusted that she'd gone behind his back and they rowed. He finally realised he should never have left Sally in the first place and walked out on her. Good. Samantha decided to leave Weatherfield and move down to London. She had a goodbye meal at number 6, and Des begged her to stay. Alec meanwhile was unhappy to hear Sam was leaving because that meant the pub was lacking a sex bomb. He told Vera that they needed a younger clientele with a jukebox and fewer old faces behind the bar, but she misunderstood what he was hinting at and thought he wanted rid of Betty. Betty did her usual outraged act but Alec said she'd be in charge of the catering; in a first, she didn't storm out in a huff, so they must be saving the 1997 version of that storyline for later in the year. When Vera realised he meant her she was furious and said she'd never leave. Maureen decided to sell the shop, but Fred had a different idea: marry him and combine the shop with the butcher's. She agreed but warned him she didn't really love him.

WEDNESDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 25th and 27th August 1997

Zoe got lathered on vodka and smoked a few fags with Leanne because just because she's pregnant doesn't mean she can't have some fun. In a moment of karmic justice she promptly went into labour. She was forced to have a Caesarian, but soon gave birth to a little girl. Judy was there the whole time and was thrilled that she finally had her daughter. Maud was disgusted to hear that Maureen was engaged to Fred and vented her frustration by dousing him with a fire extinguisher in the shop. She thought Maureen was being a mug again. Fred argued with Maud, telling her that she only cared about Maureen as a nursemaid. Kevin stayed away from Natalie and told Sally it was all over and he wanted to return. She pretended she didn't care, but was secretly thrilled; when he spent the evening with her and the girls she realised how much she wanted him back. Unfortunately in the meantime Kev had made up with Natalie. At the Rovers, Vera decided to take over the catering so they could get rid of Betty. The only problem was she couldn't cook and she promptly burned Curly's insides with her chili. On the plus side, Sam agreed to stay, so they still had a saucepot behind the bar.

THURSDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 29th and 31st August 1997

Natalie, lacking basic human decency as usual, took on a job at the Rovers. She didn't understand why it would be a problem. Everyone except Alec thought this was a bad idea, with Betty refusing to talk to her and Rita boycotting the pub on principle. Vera was disgusted and called her a "known trollop". Alec pointed out that if they barred everyone who'd had a bit on the side the pub would be empty. Sally tried to get Kevin back, but he told her he was with Natalie now, and she sobbed to Gail about how she wasn't wanted any more. Judy tried to persuade Gary to put his name down as the father on the birth certificate, but he was wary as it was a legal document. Also he didn't want everyone to think he was a pervert who had sex with a teenager. However, yet again, Judy sobbed and begged and he caved. They called the baby Katie and brought her and Zoe back to the Street.

FRIDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 1st and 3rd September 1997

The factory girls went in the pub for their lunchtime pints and were horrified to see Natalie. Sally left, and Janice followed; they decided that they were going to boycott the pub while she was working there. In a moment that deeply disappointed me, Ida got bored of it and soon wandered back. Vera took the battle to her marriage, refusing to cook or clean for Jack while Natalie was there. He finally got up the courage to sack her but she resigned anyway. Sally got her own back though and told Natalie Kevin had wanted to return to the family and she'd turned him away. Zoe put on a show for the midwife but she resented the way the Malletts pushed her in the background. She showed the baby to Leanne, but Judy came back in and disapproved. It seemed she was starting to bond with Katie whether she liked it or not. Angie and Chris looked at the flat above the bookies but she wasn't keen. He realised that she might not be that keen on their relationship either. Deirdre was excited to be moving in with Jon and showed Liz the outside of his posh house. As they drove away, the real owner turned up...