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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2011 6:52:32 GMT
(From Radio Times 9th-15th July)
'Let's have real life on the Street'
We are told that there is to be a cull of characters from Coronation Street, which the programme-makers reckon will reverse the diminishing viewing figures.
There is a simpler way to reverse the trend. Produce realistic storylines with which the viewer can identify. Credible stories about ordinary people facing up to daily life, without tram crashes, murders or fake marriages.
The great strength of Corrie always lay in its ability to make us laugh and cry at the foibles, inadequacies and resolve of the characters when faced with everyday difficulties. Stan and Hilda, Bet, Elsie, Ken, Deirdre, Norris were and are all believable characters with whom we identify.
Now we are faced with a bewildering series of tragedies and storylines that stretch credulity to breaking point. The avaricious shopkeeper, the square-jawed transvestite, the shellshocked young soldier, the wild child, the overtly gay barman, the token Christian, the freed murderer and of course the disabled person in a wheelchair all seem to have been written in a single dimension.
It really is that simple. The audience isn't made up of fools.
Bill Evans Llangollen, Denbighshire
Couldn't have put it better myself.
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Post by sootycat on Jul 6, 2011 11:02:59 GMT
Nor me.
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Post by Nick on Jul 6, 2011 11:27:47 GMT
Well said Bill..our sentiments exactly
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Post by CG Wendy on Jul 6, 2011 17:53:59 GMT
Lets hope that TPTB at Granada take note. Although I won`t hold my breath.
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Post by pearly queen on Jul 6, 2011 18:46:48 GMT
Spot on. A return to the original style, rather than the recent sensationalism, would be fantastic. Or it would be at least for those of us who appreciate quality, and remember a much better version of the programme.
When it started going daft - for me, at least - was the Deirdre 'credit card fraud' fit up, closely followed by the Richard Hillman stuff. Then there's been all sorts of OTT storylines - usually based around weddings and or festive ratings wars, which just create a need to go bigger and better, and madder and madder, and spoil the show altogether.
Let's hope the damage hasn't already been done - as many younger people might not realise that Corrie hasn't always been like that. Let's hope the programme makers can rescue it and return it to its original glory.
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Post by Nick on Jul 6, 2011 22:28:14 GMT
Trouble is if it did go back to it's original format newer viewers might think it's boring !!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2011 5:03:24 GMT
Much as I hate to admit it, I think you could be right, especially as the younger generation are so used to constant violence and action, both from the news and from films and video games.
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Post by pearly queen on Jul 7, 2011 20:06:14 GMT
Much as I hate to admit it, I think you could be right, especially as the younger generation are so used to constant violence and action, both from the news and from films and video games. Although I hardly consider myself as old at 45 - I'm far from a youngster either, but I'd rather be associated with the older people when it comes to remembering good quality on programmes like Corrie. Decent soaps/dramas IMO are all about characterisation, and making a small place come to life. If the writers can only write about multiple murderers and crazy stuff, then something's gone wrong. Young people might expect a lot of sex and violence in their tv, because it's what they've become used to, but I'm hoping that they can appreciate subtler stuff too if it is well written and well acted.
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Post by Nick on Jul 16, 2011 11:32:58 GMT
I got part of my letter to the Mirror published in the paper today...they only printed the first paragraph.
Here is the full letter.....
In reply to your article (13/07/11) Yes I think Corrie IS in crisis. They get rid of good 'ordinary' characters like Curly Watts,Martin Platt,Ashley & Claire Peacock and replace them with serial killers,thieves,drunks and lunatics. I mean do the writers really believe that a man (John Stape) can jump off a hospital roof onto paving stones and just get up and walk away and leave the country with no money and no passport,if they do then they are living in cloud cuckoo land. The writers need to sit down and watch old episodes of Corrie to see that you don't need beatings and murders and endless sensationalist plots to make good telly,you need good dialogue and realistic characters that people can believe in. Jonathan Harvey is one of the worst writers,about 2-3 years ago all he did was steal comedy material from Victoria Wood's 'As Seen On TV' series. Also some characters such as The McDonalds,The Platts,The Stapes and the Websters seem to get storyline after storyline whereas other characters like Kirk Sutherland get absolutley nothing..it must be galling for Andrew Whymet who plays Kirk,he hasn't had a good storyline since he joined the show in 2000. I think the main problem for all the soaps is that there are too many episodes which require more characters which thus requires more storylines and because of this the quality is suffering and I'm afraid they are in danger of killing the goose that lays the golden egg. I remember when Crossroads was critisized for having characters that dissapeared for weeks sometimes months on end and hastily thought up and then forgotten storylines (In Corrie they seem to have forgotten Hayley has a son,Ryan isn't Michelles real son,Tracey has had a kidney transplant,David has epilepsy or in fact has a dad called Martin). Pat Phoenix,Violet Carson,Doris Speed et al will be spinning in their graves. Thank...Nick,Brighton
It's pretty similar to othe one I sent to Corrie via the ITV website
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Post by CG Wendy on Jul 16, 2011 14:25:18 GMT
Bravo Nick - that was brilliant. I especially loved the comment about Jonathan Harvery. How very true. What a shame the Mirror didn`t post the whole letter. The paragragh about the number of episodes should have been printed too.
Have a *K* - you`ve earned it. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2011 14:56:45 GMT
Yes - good stuff Nick.
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Post by pearly queen on Jul 16, 2011 15:55:27 GMT
Well said, Nick.
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Post by Nick on Jul 16, 2011 22:13:13 GMT
Thankyou all and Wendy for the K
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Post by RitaLittlewood on Jul 25, 2011 21:20:39 GMT
Pat was cremated. Seriously, how long have we said the same? I think TPTB insult the intelligence of the demographic they aim at. So many love OLD stuff with loooooooooooooong scenes and wobbly sets where bog all happens. Yet copying America they think everyone has the attention span of a senile old git! Patsy
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