To think coronation street is rubbish now?

[noaccess]

I mean it is, isn’t it? Stupid storylines, boring characters … shame really as it was really good once (obviously it’s always been a soap and some cliches but still.)

Can it survive once the older established characters leave? I don’t know anyone young who watches it. Or am I out of touch and everyone else thinks it’s amazing?

I agree. You can’t keep up the quality at that rate, and you need too big a cast to maintain the volume.

I have the book Bill Podmore (longest-running producer) wrote after he retired. He left just as it had been decided to step up production to three episodes a week, and commented in the book that he hoped they could maintain the quality. I wonder what he’d think if he knew they now produce double that.

It started to go downhill when it became an activist propaganda machine. Trying to push left wing woke storylines down people’s throats. As though working class communities of Greater Manchester are pre occupied with that nonsense rather than real issues.

Switched off that time, as I suspect many did.

The classic ones at the moment are great. The writing is brilliant and there is a sprinkling of comedy.
I stopped watching after Pat Phelan it dragged on so bloody long it was boring.
Started again, tried to get into it, and then Gail’s brother started killing people.
Watched a few episodes a few weeks ago and it was all about Joel, and there were a load of new characters.
They need a clear out. I’m sorry but Chesney, Gemma, Fiz and Tyrone need to go.
The best characters remain female - Sally, Carla, Jenny, Daisy and Kevin’s sister - sorry her name has slipped my mind. They should move Claire Sweeney’s character along a bit as she’s a great soap actress.
Those new shops are awful.
Out of the male characters, I still love David and Tim.
Steve is absolutely awful as is Kevin.
I think the trend for shock has ruined it. Family and friendship dramas are the best, it’s what made the show great.

"think the trend for shock has ruined it. Family and friendship dramas are the best, it’s what made the show great"

Agree with this. I don't want big budget or special effects or BIG storylines (I'm talking soaps in general, I don't actually watch Corrie), I want friendships and the small joys and sadness and the quiet moments. It should be a place for drama writers to hone their skills, I want two handers. You've got to up your game considerably to write a two hander.

There is so much tv that covers the special effects and the shock. People can get that anywhere, any channel. The thing that should make soaps different is the longevity. I want to see the families I grew up with. Maybe not the exact same people (actors move on, as they should) but the extended family, new generations etc. Soaps are really missing a trick by trying to compete with the wrong type of programme.

Where's the Alan Bennet of Soaps?

When they started classic Corrie reruns (about 8ish years ago) it started in 1985. It was brilliant to watch. There was a two week storyline about someone trying to get a mortgage. Really a snippet of real life and real
Issues.

It's always been rubbish , I can't believe so many people watch soaps tbh!

They need a clear out.

Agree on Chesney and Gemma. Their storylines are one long boring round of “Ches-neh, we’ve got nooo mon-eh!” - and what are the scriptwriters going to do with four kids all the same age in one family in years to come?

Brian is another one that needs to go. What is he for? And when did we even last get a scene in The Kabin? It’s time to accept that a newsagents with no alcohol licence just wouldn’t survive in 2024 (unless purely as a parcel collection point) and use the location for something else; even catch up with reality and convert it to residential.

I’m not sure where’s left to go for Yasmeen now she’s split up with Stu. I haven’t missed Alya while she’s been on maternity leave either. Michael Bailey is never more than a supporting character in his family’s stories. And I know long-term characters are treated like sacred cows, but Sean and Kirk outlived their usefulness years ago. Kirk at least is quite likeable in a way, but they’ve taken him from a loveable dope to “Should he even be allowed out alone?” levels of stupidity. Sean is just irritating and hasn’t been amusing since around 2007.

I'm incredibly pissed off with the Joel whodunnit. It was absolutely fucking shit.

However, Nick is the one who really needs to go. He's an arsehole and a total wet wipe. Not to mention Toyah. As if you would forgive your sister that quickly for shagging your bloke! If that was a thread on Mumsnet everybody would have been raging.

It's the first programme I remember watching in the 60's. And I watched it since then all the way up until a few years ago. I felt I was being preached at and some of the stories were ridiculous. I think the rot set in when they increased the number of weekly episodes. It must be really hard for writers to constantly come up with new stories.

Is anyone else old enough to remember that scene after Stan Ogden died? You really couldn't top Hilda at the dining table, with his glasses.

I watched emmerdale and Corrie for years as I watched them with my mum and so carried on watching. I gave up probably 4-5 years ago when life was just too busy and I didn’t miss it. My new DP watches them so now I do see some of them again but can’t be bothered! He also watched classic Corrie in a morning, I despair!! 😂

THAT was acting. Quiet, moving, heartfelt, nothing outrageous, barely any budget, incredible.

However, Nick is the one who really needs to go. He's an arsehole and a total wet wipe.

I remember a TV newspaper columnist describing Nick as “permanently dressed for a distant relative’s wedding” 😄 I couldn’t unsee it after that.

OMG he does! Thanks for sharing that. 🙄😂

When is the last time anyone saw him in a t-shirt and jeans?

Yes, I do remember it. She was a great actress. I also remember when Jack Duckworth was caught on a video dating site, calling himself Vince St Clair

I think the question is:

"Is television rubbish now?"

I think it's great, the current storylines are complicated, intriguing, exciting. The characters are multi-faceted. There is still some comedy. I watch it regularly, have done so since it started and I also watch Classic Coronation Street since retirement. I'm happy with it.

I do this. More of a ritual than anything.

I remember it well. I don’t normally get too emotionally involved (it’s a soap, for heavens sake), but that scene made me cry! Brilliant acting, and great writing. Pity they can’t come up with such excellent Tv today.

I love Corrie, always have. There is much going on at the moment and very good acting. It has had some rather stale periods over the years but it is a soap so must expect that. I also watch Classic Corrie, have done so for a few years and see how storylines/ideas are often repeated. So much happens in a small area!

I haven’t watched it for years now. I stopped watching it then because it was rubbish. Have no idea why it’s still aired. Same for Eastenders. Stopped watching that after a particularly depressing Christmas Day episode.

Agree re Gemma and Chesney. I like Julie. It is not great lately..

This is me completely.

I think the fact it’s in just as I get home from work work makes it habbit

That Christmas Day episode when Gail left got really low ratings, lower than Emmerdale and EastEnders. I did watch it but only because of Gail / Helen Worth who I grew up watching so I remember all of her must famous stories. But the episode felt oddly unemotional.

I used to watch Doctors until it ended last year a few actors out of that The one was doctor Heskey mad on space and Janice Knight as his Mom the elderly receptionist ex Peter Kay show These would make a funny pair Mom and son a bit like Sorry they could fit in nice in the empty house next to Sally They dont film outside much as they are too busy with paid tours,