Coronation Tweet

Despite grumblings over storylines going on forever and there generally being too much death and despair in Corrie, a great many of us still watch regularly. The standard of writing has remained high over the years which has sustained the show as a national institution. The recent 10,000th episode was a particular joy to watch. You only have to look at BARB (The Broadcasters' Audience Research Board) figures from the start of the month to see that even though millions fewer are watching the main channels ‘live’ than they used to in the days when tens of millions would tune in, Corrie is still one of the most popular programmes with around seven million viewers on all the various platforms (TV, streaming on laptop, phone etc).

And it's not just the official viewing numbers that show Corrie is still popular, even with all its TV and online competition. Several times in recent weeks I’ve noticed Coronation Street trending on Twitter. Whether under the #Corrie hashtag or seeing names of characters getting lots of mentions. 

This is really encouraging, not only because it means it’s still one of the most loved shows on telly, but it shows a younger audience is tuning in. Twitter especially is used by a slightly younger crowd (I count myself in that at a youthful 35 years old). Scroll through some of the most popular tweets and you’ll see that it isn’t just the middle aged women, pensioners and gays enjoying regular visits to the Cobbles, but teens and twentysomethings too. 

I’ve picked out a few of my favourite tweets from the past few weeks to share what people are saying about Coronation Street:

Some Tweets could have been plucked from my own mind…

                                

There are lots of very creative memes related to storylines:

And Corrie is always good at getting important messages out, now with the help of social media. As seen here in this Tweet from a media professional relating to Aled's hearing diagnosis:

 Some get REALLY invested in their favourite characters:

And others like to have a bit of a rant. Here over one of the most talked about episodes of recent weeks:

Or heap praise:

Some viewers are impressively observant:

Some simply want to share the love:

Keep Tweeting.

@StevieDawson

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

When #CORRIE hits back

Corrie fans, like Manchester United supporters and Scientologists, can be very loyal to their cause. And at times they can be the most honest. Brutally so. Especially in the era of social media.

Twitter more than any other medium gives television viewers the unique opportunity to engage with cast and crew like never before. We can critique storylines, send gushing praise about individual performances or have a good old rant about there never being enough Rita on screen.

Former Exec Producer Kieron Roberts explained how important social media is to the soap, especially during awards season:

“We’ve done a lot of work on our website and on Facebook and Twitter to persuade people to get involved. That’s what you have to do these days. It’s no longer about filling in a form in the back of the TV Times. People vote by clicking a button on their phones and on their computers.”

He continued:

“A lot of the cast are on Twitter, too, so they are able to drum up support by building a relationship with fans as well.”

I’ve praised Corrie a lot on this Blog and on social media - I always prefer to keep my musings positive. But healthy critique is good and we should never shy away of speaking our minds (remind me of this when I'm next sending a barrage of abuse to Boris Johnson on Twitter).

Here, in my catchily-titled blog from 2015 “Corrie Superfan Seeks Paint Drying Companion”, I explained how I was watching the show more out of habit than enjoyment. And I wasn’t alone. Now though it’s all too easy to write a cutting little tweet directly to the source of your dissatisfaction - be it the writers, actors or producers. I’m never personally too harsh but some of you Corrie fans DO NOT hold back!

Apologies for the expletives and reference to football. 

It can be an unfriendly place the old t'internet, even here on the Coronation Street Blog we get some very unpleasant remarks in the comments section from time to time. In this relatively new era of engagement through social media though we on the Blog can reply to those comments, or delete them from existence if they are really offensive, and Corrie cast and crew themselves can hit back on Twitter. And they often do.

Tristan Gemmill has taken to Twitter this week to engage with a few of Corrie’s armchair commentators. His character Robert is, in Tristan’s own words in “a bit of a pickle” and some fans are not enjoying the long-running storyline and his love triangle with Michelle and Vicky.

Some people had a go at the character.

Others criticised the storyline.

And some just just let rip.

Sensing a social media storm, Tristan had his say.

There was even a hilarious intervention from his on-screen fiancée (or one of them) Kym Marsh.

And Tristan’s not the first to engage in Twitter drama over Corrie feedback. Dan Brocklebank, who plays Vicar Billy received a torrent of hate online after an on screen kiss. He didn’t stay silent.

Actors often use Twitter to respond to media stories about them.

The sassiest of online Corrie stars has to be Sally Ann Matthews. She’s probably the cast member that engages the most with fans, but she doesn't always receive the nicest comments. One particular ‘critique’ Sal gets when the show is on and Corrie Twitter awakens is…her hair colour. She now has a short but effective response.

TMI Sal.

And when it comes to responding to more serious criticism of the show, simple facts are all that are required.

So there.

In responding to some social media users, Corrie stars can reveal some big behind the scenes secrets.

Yummy.

Jane Danson felt she had to set the record straight over comments about her walk when filming pregnancy scenes.

And others simply put people, rightly, in their place.

But Kate has also made a serious point about the down side of social media.

Tina O’Brien, who plays Sarah Platt, let fans on Twitter know back in March that she was aware of their concern for her #BendyFingers

Try picking your nose with THAT. 

Engaging with your favourite soap stars online can be a mixed experience. A bit of sparring is fun. But it’s more fun to be kind. Don’t take it from me though. Take it from a fan.

Join me on Twitter if you dare @StevieDawson

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