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Post by sallywebster on May 21, 2008 10:37:59 GMT
I thought I would try and start a debate about some of Corrie's long time fave's such as Ken, Deirdre, Emily, Betty, Reet (although she has her own thread!) etc
These characters have been in Corrie for so long they are part of the show's foundations now. However, are these characters going anywhere or just there to give the show a link to the past? Apart from the long term characters there isnt very much the same about the Corrie of today to the Corrie of say 30 years ago.
And where are these characters going - Ken and Deirdre were involved in the Tracy storyline last year and had lots of episodes/scenes but since that ended over a year ago they havent done hardly any episodes (apart from Ken briefly getting involved in the Roy/Becky scenes in the cafe). Emily has done hardly any episodes and hasnt had a storyline since Ed came back in 2006.
Audrey and Gail seem to be the only long serving characters who have regular storylines, in particular Gail.
Obviously some of these actors might not want to do many scenes as a lot of them are over 70. But I think Corrie need to have a better mix of storylines. It seems the younger cast dominate far too much. There was a better mix in the old days and there were only a small amount of characters in their teens/20s.
So should Corrie be giving better storylines to their longest serving characters or should they just remain in the background?
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Post by RitaLittlewood on May 21, 2008 11:15:55 GMT
Where are they going? Nowhere! I don't know about now as I don't watch but certainly when I was a viewer of Emmerdale their older characters were better written for. EE's are too generally. They aren't pigeon holed with the same people. They mix with all ages.
Patsy
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Post by sootycat on May 21, 2008 11:36:40 GMT
I think the writers have trouble coming up with storylines for the older characters ( Lazy really )
They seem to just drift along in the background ( Apart from Blanche, who is always written well for )
The Emmerdale 'oldies' are never without a storyline, even though a lot of the time it's daft, at least you see them on the screen all the time.
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Post by RitaLittlewood on May 21, 2008 11:57:45 GMT
Agreed, Sooty. Or when they do it's really, REALLY stupid. I totally despair with Reet because it's drivel 99% of the time. I can't remember the last time I actually enjoyed watching her. Oh it was probaby when they thought little baby Freddie died in the fire and she put in a cracking performance. Emmerdale have it right and it's good to know they still don't underuse their oldies.
Patsy
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Peter
Cellarman
Posts: 276
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Post by Peter on May 21, 2008 12:18:55 GMT
I agree they need to make more use of them, not only because of the ridiculously high salary, but because they are much loved. It's Emily I feel the most sorry for, you always see her outside now as well, when was the last time we saw inside Emily's house? I always look forward to any Betty scene in the rovers, she's still got that acid tongue at times!
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Post by RitaLittlewood on May 21, 2008 13:43:54 GMT
I thought, after Kieran Roberts put all his eggs in his Richard basket they'd forgotten how to write for the rest. They were all glorified extras and once Richard was dead you could see it had lost its way writing and character-wise. Many people, including my late aunt, stopped watching then because it was boring. If they had the storyline rotation like the old days then that wouldn't have happened. Older characters obviously can't do the kind of things they used to. But the writers and storyliners could at least think of something interesting if they bothered instead of STILL focusing on the same couple of characters which began under Kieran. I think that's why I haven't gone of EE this time. You very rarely get weeks and weeks of the same characters. They remember there's others there and use them. Even Barbara Windsor, who I've never particularly liked, has impressed me over the past 12 months and that's due to the writing she'd been given. Corrie have a lot of work to do to make their oldies great and worth watching again (apart from Blanche!).
Patsy
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Post by CG Wendy on May 21, 2008 16:47:31 GMT
Agreed 100% Peter.
After all, that`s what Corrie was built on in the very beginning. Tony Warren decided in 1960 he wanted Coronation Street centered around marvelous characters like Ena, Minnie, Martha, and the Walkers and that`s how it should be now.
We need Emily back. Her storyline doesn`t have to be spectacular...just let her be there.
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Post by RitaLittlewood on May 21, 2008 16:57:30 GMT
And not tied with Reet and Norris for god's sake.
Patsy
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Post by sallywebster on May 21, 2008 18:07:12 GMT
Well I agree, they should write a decent storyline for at least some of the characters. Even if they cant do many scenes they can do some or they wouldnt be there!
It looks like next week Emily finally reappears as he picture was on the front of TV Choice with Norris and Reet! (not the main picture of course lol!)
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Post by RitaLittlewood on May 21, 2008 18:10:44 GMT
Yep the hoody storyline which is in the spoilers. And yet again the bloody three of them.
Patsy
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Post by CG Wendy on May 21, 2008 20:06:41 GMT
I`m not looking forward to this hoody storyline at all.
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Post by RitaLittlewood on May 21, 2008 20:08:47 GMT
It'll be all over and forgotten within weeks as per.
Patsy
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Peter
Cellarman
Posts: 276
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Post by Peter on May 21, 2008 20:11:12 GMT
Well I agree, they should write a decent storyline for at least some of the characters. Even if they cant do many scenes they can do some or they wouldnt be there! It looks like next week Emily finally reappears as he picture was on the front of TV Choice with Norris and Reet! (not the main picture of course lol!) I really mis-read that as - "Emily finally reappears as a picture on the front of the TV.." |
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Post by RitaLittlewood on May 21, 2008 20:19:28 GMT
LOL! You never know. That could be her new storyline lasting all of an episode!  Patsy |
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Post by sallywebster on May 22, 2008 12:11:33 GMT
LOL Peter!
So, what storylines do people think the writers could do for Reet, Emily, Ken etc - serious suggestions please!
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Post by RitaLittlewood on May 22, 2008 12:57:14 GMT
Emily and Reet could murder Norris and hide the body. After a few episodes with residents asking where he is, it will soon be forgotten and they got away with it. They then embark on a career as Go Go Girls. Patsy |
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Post by Nick on May 22, 2008 13:29:36 GMT
Maybe Rita could by the old Orinocco club and try and resurect her cabaret show..
All togethern ow...to the tune of 'Copacabana'..................................
'Her name was Rita she was a showgirl,but that was 40 years ago when they used to have a show...now she sells papers not enough for Rita still in that dress she used to wear painted feathers in her hair she sits there so refined and drinks herself half blind..she lost her Len and she lost her Teddy now she's lost her mind...at the Orinocco....blah blah'
Emily could work there as hat check girl and Blanche could be on the door
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Post by sallywebster on May 22, 2008 13:40:52 GMT
Patsy, I said serious suggestions although I know you'd love Reet to kill the peasant LOL!
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Post by RitaLittlewood on May 22, 2008 13:48:44 GMT
LOL! Doubt she could even get into the dress so will need to wear her surgically attached trousers and an enormous coat. That was entirely serious, my little Jezziekins. Nick's got the right idea. Let's take over Granada! We can bring Corrie back on form with storylines like that! ;D Patsy |
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Post by sallywebster on May 22, 2008 15:24:25 GMT
OK what about a storyline for Ken or Betty then?
For Reet - how about she takes up fostering again or something like that?
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Post by RitaLittlewood on May 22, 2008 15:31:04 GMT
Ken and Betty could have a secret affair. He hasn't shagged her yet. Fostering? Oh that's boring. SS are more choosy this time so drunken old trollops wouldn't stand a chance. I prefer my and Nick's ideas. Ratings winners! Imagine the comments Blanche could make as Reet tried squeezing into her seqinned frocks then shattered glasses when she caterwauled. Blanche would also have a few things to say to the undesirables wanting her to let them in. LOL! Patsy |
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Post by CG Wendy on May 22, 2008 16:16:05 GMT
I`m ticked off that the storyline a few years ago of Ken becoming a magistrate was nipped in the bud. I think it was because of Tracey luv that he didn`t go through with it.
I`d love to see Ken enter into politics again. When he was in his 20`s, he had so much fire in his belly. I`d love to see the return of the old Ken. As much as I enjoy the too brief scenes of Ken in the cafe with Roy and Becky, I`d like to see him in a different setting with local political characters. And with some decent writing, the 'political Ken' and Blanche putting in her 'two pennarth worth would be excellent.
It`s no secret that I`ve always loved Ken, and in his hey day he was the most gorgous man in the street. Even now he looks marvelous for his age.
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Post by RitaLittlewood on May 22, 2008 16:34:55 GMT
I don't remember that. Was it before Aiden Critchley because his criminal record would have ended that career. Nah. Dennis Tanner was. Patsy |
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Post by Nick on May 22, 2008 17:30:04 GMT
They could bring Dennis back........
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Post by RitaLittlewood on May 22, 2008 18:01:56 GMT
Give Ken something to do. LOL!
Now who should be the love interest? Norris?
Patsy
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