Preview of tonight's double Corrie - Monday 24 November

Monday 24th November
STEVE CAN’T FACE UP TO THE TRUTH OF HIS CONDITION. Steve lies in bed, utterly depressed. Liz is frustrated by Steve’s attitude, worried about the impact it’s having on Amy. With this in mind Steve plucks up the courage and goes to see the doctor. It’s clear he’s suffering a panic attack but the doctor calms him down and diagnoses Steve with depression. But when the doctor suggests psychotherapy for Steve’s condition how will he react?
GAVIN FALLS FOR MICHAEL HOOK, LINE AND SINKER. As Michael heads out on a fishing trip with Gavin, Gail reminds him that he must tell his son about his heart condition. In conversation Michael explains how he burgled Gail’s house but she forgave him. When Michael then lets slip that Gail sold her house to David so must have some substantial savings, Gavin’s all ears.
TRACY FEELS IT’S HER AGAINST THE WORLD. Tony calls in Barlow’s Buys and offers to supply Tracy with some more gear. Tracy gives him short shrift, telling him she wants nothing to do with him.
ELSEWHERE Julie makes a point of telling Dev about her forthcoming date with Dominic. Dev feigns disinterest whereas Mary’s thrilled with this news. Norris finally tracks down his elusive parcel. He’s touched to discover it’s a telescope from Ramsay that he must have sent before he died.

Monday 24th November
STEVE FINDS HIMSELF ON THE ROAD TO NOWHERE. When Michelle gets a call from school to say Steve has failed to collect Amy, she sets off. Meanwhile Steve sits parked up in his car and tries to summon the courage to text his Mum but can’t bring himself to do it. Discovering the car won’t start, Steve’s forced to phone Kevin to tow him home. Back on the street Liz and Michelle lay into Steve, demanding to know where he’s been and what he’s playing at. Unable to handle their hostility, Steve turns and walks away. The doctor approaches Steve and implores him to talk to his family about his depression. Will Steve finally open up?
MICHAEL HASN’T THE HEART TO TELL GAVIN THE TRUTH. Michael introduces Gavin to Audrey, who’s interested to hear that Audrey owns her own hair salon. However when Audrey quizzes Gavin about his Mum, Gavin’s evasive. In the Rovers Michael admits to Gail he still hasn’t told Gavin about his heart condition, explaining he wants to get to know his son better before he drops the bombshell.
FINANCIAL WOES FORCE TRACY TO MAKE A HARD DECISION. With Beth’s help, Tracy sorts through Rob’s things hoping to sell them in the shop and make a bit of much needed money.
ELSEWHERE Dev calls on Julie intending to admit his feelings but will he bottle it?

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Happy Birthday Sue Nicholls!

On behalf of everyone at the Coronation Street Blog I'd like to wish the wonderful Sue Nicholls a very happy birthday! 

Audrey Roberts has long been my favourite Corrie character and I hope Sue will grace our favourite soap for many more years to come. 

Many happy returns Sue!


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My issue with Steve's depression storyline

Over the past few days I have been thinking about how appropriate it is for Coronation Street to feature issue-led storylines. Steve McDonald's depression is the most current example of this. It's making uncomfortable viewing, in more ways that one.

When I blogged about Tim's literacy issues last week I received a lot of feedback from people who wished Corrie would ditch the big issues and focus on entertaining us viewers. While I would hate for Coronation Street to turn into EastEnders and I still believe character-led drama and comedy are Corrie's strengths, I think the programme does handle sensitive, thought-provoking issues well on the whole. Whether it be Sally's breast cancer or Tyrone's domestic violence plot, I really do think Corrie has a lot of power when it comes to educating the viewing public. 

Simon Gregson is terrific as Steve. He has brought his character on leaps and bounds since his first appearance as a gobby delinquent teenager back in 1989. In recent times Steve has mellowed from the bad lad we used to love into a softer, middle aged comedy character that most characters on the show send up and in some cases, belittle. I have been quite out-spoken on this blog in the past about the treatment Steve receives from his partner Michelle and to a lesser extent from Liz. Although often played for "comedy", it frequently leaves a bad taste in my mouth and I just don't like it. After all Steve is a successful businessman, a doting dad and a good friend to those close to him. 

I still believe Steve is a good character to put at the centre of a mental health storyline. On the surface of it, he has it all. Things have come a little unstuck of late with his involvement in the Peter and Tina story and that, coupled with turning 40 has hit him hard. I think Simon Gregson is a good enough actor to pull this one off and I know that a lot of research will have gone into writing this plot. There is one thing that just jars for me in all of this and I can't escape it. Michelle. 

It was a mistake to put Steve and Michelle back together. It didn't work the first time and it doesn't work now. Putting it bluntly, she treats him like dirt. Everything is about her. She is rude, obnoxious and always thinks she knows best. She knows something is not right with Steve's current behaviour but she still manages to put herself before anything else. The way those closest to Steve have treated him has made a massive contribution to his current state of mind. The trouble is he won't admit it and they just can't see it.

Stuart Blackburn promoted this as a love story between Steve and Michelle. I'm sure his intentions are genuine and true but I just cannot see this for a moment. A Coronation Street love story is Hilda and Stan. It's Roy and Hayley. It's Alf and Audrey. It's not Steve and Michelle. Michelle is a deeply unsympathetic character and therefore during all of their recent relationship woes, I cannot empathise with her at all. This has a massive impact on the dramatic effect this storyline can generate. Had it been Julie or Sally or even Beth it would have been a richer, more layered story I could believe in. 

When Steve eventually shares his diagnosis with his close family I really hope Michelle and Liz show some remorse and work hard to both help him through it and understand their part in the problem. I also hope the writers see sense and bring an end to Steve and Michelle's relationship. It does neither character any favours. 

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Singers and Musicians wanted for Christmas on the Cobbles

Know your 'Twelve Days of Christmas' from your 'First Noel'? Your Wizzard from your Mud? Your Little Donkey from your Little Drummer Boy?

Coronation Street The Tour wants to hear from you!

I attended a preview of Christmas on the Cobbles on Friday, and learned that they are inviting local talent in the form of choirs, singing groups and brass bands to entertain visitors to the cobbles with carols and festive numbers between 13 and 24 December. 

Singers and musicians "can range from 8 years old to 108" we're told, and will need to be available for a minimum of one performance on either a morning or afternoon between these dates.

To apply to sing or play on the street in the lead up to Christmas, e-mail corriechristmas@continuum-group.com by 5pm on Friday 28 November.

By Emma Hynes
www.emmahynes.wordpress.com
Twitter: @ELHynes

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