Fab Photo - Behind the Scenes

(This post was originally posted by Sunny Jim on the Coronation Street Blog in May 2013.)

It's time for another fab Coronation Street photo. Here are a couple of pictures from behind the scenes. I'm not sure the new production crew are quite up to the job and why on earth are Kylie and David tucking into toast when there are all those olives available?

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Could you ever give up watching Coronation Street?

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog May 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

TV reviewer Paddy Shennan at The Liverpool Echo has given up watching Coronation Street.

"So what?" You might think.

Well, he's been watching it for 45 years.

But he's finally had enough. Read his reasons here, it's a good piece and sadly I know exactly where he's coming from.  I've felt like giving up too over the last few months, mainly because of Stella. But I'm a stubborn old girl and refuse to give in, it'd be like letting the school bully win.

I did stop watching during the silly summer of Stape when I gave up for a few nights when Corrie was on every night.  My heart fills with dread of Corrie being on almost every night next week too.  'Big' weeks aren't my favourite thing. It's the small things I like, the dialogue, the looks.

So I'm still sticking with Corrie and hoping and hoping it'll get better again soon under new producer Stuart Blackburn. There's a glimmer of hope that it might.

Could you give it up? Would you?



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Conversation Street Podcast 43

Gemma and Michael's podcast for the episodes in Canada that aired up to last night can be heard here. Don't worry, they don't do spoilers so you won't hear anything you don't want to!

This week Michael and Gemma talk about the surrogate storyline as it becomes more complicated than a complicated thing and Peter and Rob's feud. No character profile this week as it's a shorter podcast covering only three episodes instead of five.


You can also subscribe to them on iTunes, Like them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter (@conversationstr).


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Time to get rid of rancid Rob?

(This post was originally posted by Graeme N on the Coronation Street Blog in May 2013.)

There are characters that we love to hate. And there are characters that we just hate. Rob Donovan is definitely the latter as far as I'm concerned. There are some characters that get under my skin thanks to good storylines, sharp characterisation and brilliant performances. Rob sadly isn't in any of these categories.

I just can't stick him one little bit. Ryan Connor is bad enough, but Rob is just plain awful. I expected a whole lot more from one of Carla's siblings than what's been delivered so far. He's irritating, smug and big headed. The storylines he's involved in are poor and he really does have to go. I keep waiting for something to happen that makes his presence acceptable  or worth the screen time, but I'm not holding my breath.

As for his relationship with Tracy Barlow. Need I say more?

I also think these factory storylines are wearing rather thin. Some people question whether a factory like that would still exist in a back street in 2013. Whatever you think of that, what goes on at Underworld is a very poor imitation of the glory days of Baldwin's Casuals. I've always liked Carla, but please spare us any more of the dreadful Michelle. I still don't buy her amazing business acumen. Where did that come from?

Anyway, my main beef is with the truly awful Rob. I say he serves no purpose so the powers that be should get rid. Do you agree? Let's have your thoughts on Rob Donovan.



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Corrie A-Z: C is for Controversies

(This post was originally posted by Llifon on the Coronation Street Blog in May 2013.)

Like any other TV show, Coronation Street has endured much controversy over the years, be it involving characters, actors, producers or storylines. Sometimes the controversy proves to be a good thing but sometimes it brings a lot of negativity and backlash to the soap.

 

For many years now the press has been responsible for bringing a lot of publicity to soaps and they have been responsible for leaking storylines and production decisions that have sometimes led to public outcry and outrage and have forced the powers that be to rehash their ideas. And with them come controversies.

 

It has become a common occurrence for the last 15 years when a new producer arrives on the cobbles, the press go into overdrive wondering which characters will be getting the boot. While it was Brian Park back in 1997 that set the trend, there was a cull of characters back in 1964 when 29 year old Tim Aspinall was at the helm. Amongst the casualties back then were Frank Barlow, Florrie Lindley, Harry and Concepta Hewitt, Jerry and Myra Booth and of course Martha Longhurst. It was Martha’s departure that proved the most controversial: why get rid of such a popular character? There was a public outcry and the Corrie cast were also up in arms as well. Nevertheless, the axe was wielded and Martha died in the snug. The characters of Ken and Valerie Barlow, Albert Tatlock and Lucille Hewitt were also on the hit list but were spared at the last minute.

 

Thirty-three years passed before such a cull happened on the cobbles. Brian Park was appointed the new producer in 1997 and immediately set to clear out the deadwood characters and give the soap a younger vibe. The characters of Derek Wilton, Don Brennan, Andy McDonald, Maureen Elliott, Bill Webster, Billy Williams, Anne Malone and Joyce Smedley were axed to be replaced by the fresh faces of Natalie Horrocks, Chris Collins, Zoe Tattersall, Spider Nugent and a sexier Nick Tilsley. Long-serving writers Julian Roach, Barry Hill and Adele Rose left the show, angry with the changes. But the most controversial additions were the nightmarish family: the Battersbys. The reserved residents of the street were taken aback with the arrivals of Les, Janice, Leanne and Toyah as they wreaked havoc with their loud music and rudeness towards their neighbours. Their elderly next-door neighbour Percy Sugden left the street for pastures new to a retirement home, exasperated by his new neighbours (Bill Waddington, who played him, sensed there was too much sex scenes in the show and quit). Another veteran member of the cast, Thelma Barlow who had played Mavis Wilton since 1971, left the show. The myth has been that Barlow quit the soap after Peter Baldwin, who played her on-screen hubby Derek, was axed. But in a matter of fact, she had quit the role before Park’s axing of Derek. Park believed that without Mavis, Derek would be lost. What I don’t get is why they just didn’t write Derek and Mavis out together? Wouldn’t it have saved a lot of aggro?

 

Another thing that brings controversy is the sudden departure of a certain member of cast. Many have fallen into that category over the years. Jennifer Moss (Lucille Hewitt) was sacked in 1974 for her drink problem; Stephen Hancock (Ernest Bishop) quit the programme in 1977 when he had a dispute with producers over pay; Peter Dudley (Bert Tilsley) was involved in controversy in 1980 and 1983 and when he was summoned for a re-trial for indecent behaviour in 1983, he died of a stroke; Peter Adamson (Len Fairclough) was also involved in a case of indecent behaviour in 1983, but was actually sacked for breaching his contract (he’d also been previously suspended in 1969 for his drink problem); Doris Speed (Annie Walker) left the programme abruptly in 1983 after the press revealed her true age and she suffered a nervous breakdown; Chris Quinten (Brian Tilsley) quit the serial in 1988 when he decided to move to the USA; and Bruce Jones (Les Battersby) was sacked for breach of contract in 2007.

 

As for controversial storylines over the years they include: Valerie Barlow taken hostage by rapist Frank Riley in 1968; the reveal that Betty Turpin was Gordon Clegg’s mother and not his aunt in 1974; Deirdre Langton being attacked under the viaduct in 1977; the introduction of the first transsexual character in 1998 in Hayley Cropper; the case of ‘The Weatherfield One’ with Deirdre Rachid; and an illegal immigrant storyline in 2007 involving Joanne Jackson at the factory. Some storylines have occurred at the same time as a real-life occurrence: toddler Freddie Peacock went missing the same time as Madeline McCann in in 2007; while there was gun siege in Underworld when there was a siege at Cumbria.

 

And of course there’s that taboo of Michelle Collins/St. Ella’s accent!!

 

Do you remember any other controversies?

 

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Could Gloria be Glorious?

(This post was originally posted by Clinkers (David) on the Coronation Street Blog in May 2013.)

Yes, it's the question on the lips of the nation. Well maybe not but it did occur to me the other night that we may possibly be witnessing the re-birth of Boria Price as something far more glorious.

A lot of the dissatisfaction with the Gloria character may stem from the high regard in which people hold the actor Sue Johnston. Certainly this blogger anticipated the character with great interest but in my own mind, I'd assembled someone who was three parts Sheila Grant to one part Barbara Royle. In essence, I'd prepared myself for some warm-hearted, late middle-aged northern woman, dispensing common sense and sharp one-liners. Therein lay the disappointment. Instead, we gasped at the bo-ho, ill-mannered, unlikeable harridan who stormed on to t'cobbles and upset the regulars. What was there to warm to? A charmless mother of a character no one seemed to like.

With hope in our hearts, we now look on to see that the influence of Stuart Blackburn may have made inroads into Gloria. In recent episodes she seems to have softened. Her voice is a little lighter and she appears to be interacting with other residents in a much more positive manner. It never really made any sense in having an actor of Sue Johnston's calibre and foisting some hateful old bag of a character on her. As with Stephanie Cole, there is a wealth of talent and experience to be utilised. We have already witnessed some Corrie gold thanks to the Sylvia/Roy/Hayley storyline of recent days. The joy of these scenes however, does tend to make the efforts of others look decidedly ropey which is a pity.

Bringing Gloria in out of the cold could be a very clever move. With a stronger, more likable maternal figure at the head of the Price family, there is always the possibility that the character of Stella can be rescued and that Eva can blossom. Leanne's starting to feel like a lost cause so let's leave her out of the equation.

Having much-loved actors like Sue involved in Corrie should always be seen as a positive. I feel she was not served well by the Gloria of old. Here's hoping Uncle Stuart has rescued her and that Gloria's glory days are yet to come.



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Stuart Blackburn: what do you think so far?

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog May 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

A comment left on this post by Coronation Street fan Danni echos some of my own thoughts so it's time to get a reaction from fans as to what we think of new producer Stuart Blackburn's work so far.

I know it's early days but I think Stuart Blackburn is doing an excellent job. The scenes with Roy, Sylvia and Hayley have been far and above the usual sort of thing we've had for the last couple of years.  The dialogue and acting are at a level of quality the other soaps can only dream of.

Although I'm disappointed that the world is still revolving around Stella, there is other good stuff going on. I even found myself warming to Carla Connor last night in a way I never have done before. When Rob was on the phone to her moaning: "You'll never guess what Peter's done..." and Peter's on the phone to her going; "You'll never guess what Rob's done..." and they're both turing to Carla to wipe their noses for them - and she does - that's a side to her I've never seen before.  More please.

However, much has been forgotten.  Where's Emily Bishop?  And why has Rob Donovan not had any interaction with Tracy's daughter Amy? Speaking of which - where is she? Where's Beth's son Craig gone? And the story with Mary looking after Dev's kids?

Let's hope Stuart stays true to the words our blogger Graeme heard direct from the producer's mouth - that his vision for Corrie  "is to maintain Corrie's position as Britain's best television drama, highlighting its down to earth, working class roots and not forgetting the impact it originally had back in the 1960s."

Mr Blackburn, a nation's eyes turn to you, along with our Corrie-watching hearts. Please don't let us down.



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Georgia May Foote given new 12 month Corrie contract

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog May 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Georgia May Foote, who plays Katy Armstrong, has been given a new 12-month contract to stay on Coronation Street.

The Sun reports that the new deal for Georgia will run until May 2014 and will make the actress one of the top earners among Corrie’s crop of young stars.

Our old friend, Mr Curry Sauce told the paper: “It is really brilliant news for everyone at Corrie that Georgia has agreed to stay on. She’s a brilliant actress who has impressed everyone with the way she has taken to playing Katy. On top of that she is a stunning young girl and very popular with male viewers. The improved deal we’ve given her reflects how highly we rate her.”



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Sally Dynevor celebrates 50th birthday with Hello! photo shoot

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog May 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Sally Dynevor, who plays Coronation Street's Sally Webster, celebrates her 50th birthday this week, on Thursday May 30.  She's had her hair and make up done for a photo shoot with Hello! magazine.

She says this about turning 50: "I think every stage in your life is really lovely and there is no point in trying to be 18. You are what you are and people appreciate you for that stage in your life. Age is insignificant," said the star.

From Hello!: Posing for some landmark birthday snaps, the actress revealed that she has seen her life in a new light since her breast cancer diagnosis four years ago.

"Everything is adjusted slightly and you think, 'I am not going to be here for always, so I need to appreciate everything even more than I do. I might not have this forever,'" said the soap star.

You can view the video and read some of the interview here.

Hello is available on Canadian news stands several weeks after it is published in the UK, so keep you eyes out for this issue here!

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Graeme's trip to Weatherfield (Part 2)

(This post was originally posted by Graeme N on the Coronation Street Blog in May 2013.)

In part two of my report on my very exciting trip to Weatherfield, I'll be bringing you up to speed on what Stuart Blackburn had to say about Coronation Street under his tenure. I'll also be filling you in on what happened when I joined the journalists for round table interviews with some lovely Corrie actors, and finally I'll bring you one or two interesting (and slightly unusual) titbits.

So to begin...incoming Corrie producer Stuart Blackburn used one word to sum up how it feels to sit in that particular hot seat - awe. Mr Blackburn very obviously has a passion for the Street. He spoke quite movingly about what it means to him and where he wants to take the programme while he's in charge. Stuart said he felt honoured to be working with such an outstanding cast and crew. His vision is to maintain Corrie's position as Britain's best television drama, highlighting its down to earth, working class roots and not forgetting the impact it originally had back in the 1960s.

No major spoilers were revealed, although the next few months will see certain storylines peak. The Platt’s will feature heavily – Nick and Kylie’s secret will grow (poor David!) We will also see more of the Price family as Stella and Karl move their relationship to the next level, although there may be a few surprises along the way. There will also be more of Carla, Peter, Rob and Tracy as well as the development of the major storyline focussing on Roy and his family. I’m sure regular blog contributors will all have thoughts on these!

Now the thought of round table interviews with regular journalists put the fear of god into me I freely admit. We gathered in groups at three different tables while the actors rotated round us in pairs, while Stuart Blackburn listened intently from a safe distance. Unfortunately for me, most of the journalists asked what I would call safe, mundane questions – they were obviously very well-versed in the art of such things. I was slightly awestruck by the entire event, however there were a couple of interesting moments!

First up were Stella and Karl, aka Michelle Collins and John Michie. When the journalists introduced themselves, they missed me out (!) so Michelle locked eyes with me and made sure I was included. When I said I was from the Coronation Street Blog, her immediate reaction was to ask whether I was the nice or the nasty blogger! I was like a rabbit caught in the car headlights! Before I could reply, John Michie stepped in and confirmed that as I was a fellow Scot I must be the nice one! I wasn’t going to disagree!

Next up were Cherylee Houston and Mikey North (Izzy and Gary). I really warmed to both these actors – I could have listened to them for much longer. They both very obviously care about their characters and the street in general and were keen to point out how much they had learned and how far they had developed since they arrived on the cobbles.

Finally we met Michelle Keegan and Chris Fountain (Tina and Tommy). By this point I was becoming a tad frustrated with some of the questions my journalist colleagues were asking so I stuck my brass neck out and asked one of my own! All the journalists were asking the same kind of questions about what it was like to work with a baby, how the actors felt about their characters’ storylines...so I chipped in with the last question of the day. I was keen to hear what these younger actors felt about working with Corrie legend, Barbara Knox (Rita).

I was really impressed by how genuine both Michelle Keegan and Chris Fountain were in their replies. Both actors are clearly in awe of Barbara and rightly so. As you would expect Ms Knox is always on time, always knows her lines and never, ever makes mistakes! She is also a very giving actor, helping these younger actors develop and refine their characters. I got the feeling that although both the actress and the character are legendary and much celebrated, the lady behind the Queen of the Kabin is actually very down to earth and normal, while also quietly demanding a bit of respect. And fair play to her I say! Their final comment was that everyone knows when Barbara Knox is on set! I bet she has the same wonderful aura about her that the Street does when you first experience it.

 And finally, some interesting little titbits for you:

• Mikey North (Gary) is regularly handbagged by old ladies in the street – regardless of whether his on screen character is misbehaving!
• Michelle Keegan (Tina) quite obviously finds Norris hilarious! Every time he appeared on screen, her distinctive chuckle could be heard quite clearly!
• Michelle Collins quite frequently wants to give Stella a good shake! This pleased me no end...
• Continuity go so far as to give Sally’s garden a name, and update Rita’s intercom to “Tanner” but they leave the Good Luck cards on Stella’s mantelpiece blank!
• According to Chris Fountain (Tommy) Michelle Keegan has a terrible singing voice that nobody can bear to listen to!
• Stuart Blackburn told a story that involved a pair of speedo shorts. However I doubt our readers are quite ready for that particular denouement...

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Corrie Canada weekly awards: May 27 - 31

Plot hole award: Gloria turns out to have inherited cash from Eric. Eric's wife and his solicitor already told her she wasn't getting a penny so when did he rewrite his will? Stella offered Owen half the pub but he still can't pay his men.

Selfish Cow award: Gloria called the money her nest egg. Investing it in the pub would be a nest egg too.

Pants on Fire award: Gary pretended he was upset over the reunion rather than the pass he made to Tina.

Ramping up the guilt award: Now David's asking Nick to be the guardian in case anything ever happens.

Sucking up award: Gary's doing early morning hoovering and making Izzy breakfast. That's his equivalent of bringing flowers when he's done something wrong.

On a quest award: Roy is like a dog with a bone over trying to find his dad and when he finally did, he discovered his father was dead.

Musical ambiance award: "I would give anything I own" to the discussion of Gloria's money.

Dogsbody Award: Peter doesn't care that Rob updated the shop, he's still making him to the grunt work.

Whose job is it anyway award: Wouldn't the leasing company be responsible for the broken coffee machine? Why would Rob as the customer even be allowed to mess with it if it's malfunctioning?

Lines of the week:
Roy "I had the distinct impression that the only reason you'd want to visit his grave is to dance on it"
Owen to Katy "You can't run your life depending on what mood you're in"
Sylvia "With sharp observations like that, we're going to have to start calling you Poirot" Roy "It's a puzzle. I like puzzles"
Eileen "Brian. You're a plonker"
Sylvia "He had a lazy eye. I say lazy, I mean bone idle"
Gloria "I've made an omelette out of me nest egg"
Roy "One thing I know. I love you" Hayley "Belt up, Roy"
Stella about Karl "I know I can trust him" (Phrase of Doom alert)
Sylvia "You wonder how a nation that is so fond of analysing itself can end up such a mess"
Chesney "I don't need cheering up ALLRIGHT!!!"
Rita to Norris "Isn't it funny that the things folk are most interested in are generaly NONE of their business" (but Norris will never change)

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Graeme's trip to Weatherfield (Part 1)

(This post was originally posted by Graeme N on the Coronation Street Blog in May 2013.)

Yesterday I immersed myself in all things Weatherfield. Yes, I was lucky enough to be on the guest list for a very special day at the Coronation Street studios in Manchester. I can’t wait to tell you all about it. It really was a great day.

I last visited Coronation Street back in the mid-1990s in the days when Granada still operated tours. I remember that being pretty exciting, but yesterday was something completely different indeed. We arrived at the studios to be greeted by Corrie’s brilliant Press Officer, Alison Sinclair. After a quick glass of ITV wine I spotted my first Corrie legend – none other than Tyrone himself, the lovely Alan Halsall.

Shortly after this we (me and a gang of journalists) were allowed to run riot on the Street itself. Cue major photo opportunities! Alison Sinclair described it as a school trip let loose and she wasn’t far wrong! I wandered all over the famous cobbled street, one of the highlights was finding myself in Sally Webster’s so-called “Fairy Garden”. Make of that what you will!

 

It was a truly bizarre experience to find myself right there on Coronation Street. It really is a special place and it has a totally unique feel about it. We were then drafted back in to the viewing room for lunch and a special preview of two upcoming episodes. At this point we were joined by Corrie’s new producer, Stuart Blackburn, the executive producer, Kieran Roberts and six members of the cast. It was a very strange experience to find myself watching an hour of Corrie with Michelle Collins (Stella), John Michie (Karl), Michelle Keegan (Tina), Mikey North (Gary), Cherylee Houston (Izzy) and Chris Fountain (Tommy) all sitting behind us!

 

The episodes focussed on the re-opening of the Rovers Return and the subsequent premature birth of Tina’s baby. I thought both episodes were pretty good – they will be broadcast over the Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May, so stay tuned!

The next treat in store was a trip to the studios to visit the new Rovers set. I’ve waited 30 years to get my hands on those Rovers pumps. Yes, dear reader, I am that sad. I never ever thought I would find myself behind the bar of the Rovers, or standing in front of the wonderful photo of the much-missed Betty.

The set itself is very small and was crawling with journalists but I managed to brazen it out and have my photo taken in all the special places – behind the bar, in one of the booths and with my hand on Stella’s bell (as it were). We even made it into the infamous Back Room! I can confirm I have now been on Stella’s couch. Go me...

I’ve got far too much to say to fit into just one blog, so do stay tuned for my next instalment. Find out what Stuart Blackburn had to say when he took to the floor. And come back to see how I faired when let loose on the Corrie cast for the round table interviews...

Special thanks go to Joe for the lovely photos.


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Sunday Comments - June 2

I'm very glad Tina raked Gary over the coals. He just says he's confused. I do think he's not really thought it through. I believe he's just mixed up the feelings about being a dad and Tina's carrying the baby for the real thing. What she should have done was smack him hard. Now she's really in a hard place having to lie to Izzy as is Gary who is making a career of of lying. Tina went running to Rita but Tommy offered to help instead. Still, these two can't seem to find their way back to each other.

Someone's going to notice the coolness between Tina and Gary sooner or later because Tina has really been thrown for six over all this, second guessing whether she's giving the baby to a loving couple or a volatile nutter. I realize Tina needs to confide in someone but Tommy was absolutely the wrong one, what with his propensity to blurt out in anger but it doesn't stop him from giving Gary an ultimatum. 

Izzy can see there's tension and she doesn't know why, not really. Gary keeps trying to put her off peacemaking because he's guilty and he is no match for Tina's fury, is he? How can Izzy not pick up on all that? Tina and Gary and Tommy are going around the Street glaring at each other. Gary is trying desperately to get them to act like nothing's happened and Tina and Tommy are busy blanking him. People are noticing. They have an argument in the builder's office and guess what? Ryan overhears, because he's come to talk to Owen, man to man, about Katy. There's another one to find out the secret and he's dating Izzy's sister. One little kiss sure seems to cause a lot of trouble on this Street.


Poor Marcus keeps getting corralled into medical advice. At least there's no test they can do. That lets Kylie and Nick off the hook for now. David further pushes the envelope by asking Nick to look after the kids if anything happens to him and Kylie. Awkward! One seizure and he's looking at his own mortality and talking about making a will. Well, really, that's not a bad idea when you have kids but it does ratchet up the uncomfort zone for Kylie and Nick.

Chesney's miserable face is really annoying me. Why is he accusing Katy of dumping the baby... on his own father. You'd think Chesney would be thrilled to spend more time with Joseph. Katy's date with Ryan went south because Chesney ruined her mood. Then she really did palm the baby off on Anna because she didn't want to get into another row with Chesney who moans and hollers about it but hates to mind the baby to let Katy spend time with Ryan. He's always starting rows in the middle of the street. Everyone else is criticizing Katy too and it's pushing her right out the door. Who the heck cares. I don't. What's Katy using for money now that she's not working at the kebab shop? Is Chesney giving her money? Is she on single mum benefits?

Ryan and Katy are also making me ill. I hate them. I hate this story. I hate how they've changed Chesney into a miserable jealous old man all because of one kiss. He pushed Katy straight into Ryan's arms. Owen nearly pushed Ryan right out of them, too, in his usual bully way when he caught Ryan and Katy just after doing the rumpy pumpy. A lot of that going around, eh wot?


Owen's already got his solicitor onto Stella. Gloria is looking more and more guilty. Eva's back from yet another holiday and shocked to see the pub up for sale and even more shocked to see her mother scrubbing floors and she's blaming it all on Leanne. With that crisis coming to a head, it all comes out. Gloria's got the cash after all. How? Plot hole of the week, that's how. Eric's wife and his solicitor both said Gloria wouldn't get a cent. When did Eric change his will? And if she did inherit, why wouldn't the former wife contest it? Why would Gloria watch Stella struggle for weeks and keep the secret of her money to herself and spending it on her own, hoping Leanne would pay up or the bank would? I liked her before but this really is the limit of selfishness and she's off my Christmas list. And even after all that, she didn't offer it to Stella, preferring to keep it as her nest egg, at first anyway.

But everyone's put pressure on her and added to the guilt so she went to Owen and offered him her inheritance. She pointed out that he'd still get nothing if he took Stella to court and everyone would know he'd be the one that shut down the Rovers. After everything she'd said about not giving the money to Stella, it was quite a surprise when she told them. At least they're putting Karl to work...for free too! You notice that they're going to have to find second hand tables and fittings so that means the pub is already going to have a lived-in feel, nice and traditional. Even Leanne was guilted into contributing a bit towards the decorating. It's certainly given Stella the opportunity to quit the cleaning job. That didn't last long.

Why on this green earth would Karl have the slightest hope that Nick would give him a job given the way Leanne feels about him? Anyway he's having to be a builder for no money at all to help with the rebuilding expenses.

But what I wanted to know is, if Gloria is so worried about having no security, why didn't she offer the money as a buy-in partnership rather than just a gift which is what it sounds like she was doing? Well apparently they are doing just that as she's calling herself co-owner. The pub is nowhere near being ready but Gloria's already inviting people to an opening in less than a week and Stella's putting pressure on Owen so he's going to concentrate on the pub and leave the living quarters to later. Karl continues to make me ill by being all loved up over Stella.

Paul and Eileen have had their days away in London. Brian's at a loose end without Julie. That bit with the vegetables was mystifying wasn't it? Brian talking about Paul's dangerous job isn't helping Eileen, though. She got through his first day back at work with a little help from the wine bottle.

Tim's not paid for the school trip. One more point against him. Faye's realizing it's not so green on her Dad's side of the fence. Anna's right, if Tim can't afford the school trip, and Anna can find the money, she's still her mother and it's only right she contribute. She's just trying to make a point but she couldn't disappoint her either.

Peter and Rob are still rutting like stags on the hill, both moaning and complaining, Peter pulling rank and Rob pushing back. The coffee machine is pouring coffee when it's not asked for and making a mess but Rob delays fixing it mainly because Peter told him to. I would think the company he leased it from is responsible, not Rob as the customer. Anyway, Tracy distracted Rob from his rant with a bit of rumpy pumpy in the back room and Peter arrived back to find the machine spewing coffee all over the floor again. Not happy.

Roy's read the letter. It's full of regrets and his father wants him to get in contact. Sylvia thinks that should be an end to it but Roy isn't sure. Letting a phone ring for 3 minutes is a pretty safe bet someone isn't home. He's even made a list of questions except when he finally gets through to someone, his dad isn't there. He's moved out ages ago and apparently the new owners took over the old phone number. That is doable in the UK, in case you were wondering. Roy has decided to find his father now and nothing will get in his way.

There's a trip through the family photo album with gems from Sylvia non-stop. Wonderful, wonderful stuff! Sylvia tracked down an old friend of St. John's and then Roy got all nervous again. Roy is really thrown off centre. He is already questioning his life and fears that he will not hear the answers he wants. He also fears his father will be disappointed him him, too. But the end result was not what was expected. St. John has been dead for 3 months, dying with many regrets. Roy's got half-brothers and a half-sister, will he want to meet them? Probably not.

Even now that Roy knows his dad is dead, Hayley keeps pushing. Now she wants him to talk about his feelings and to visit the grave. I am really loving the Cropper storyline. It's really developing the relationship between Roy and his mother for one thing. Some amazing scenes between Roy and Sylvia especially when Sylvia was emphasizing how different Roy is from his father. You know St. John's abandonment hurt her as much as Roy.  Roy really is resisting getting in touch with his feelings. LIkely as not he doesn't know how he feels, very mixed emotions i should imagine, knowing Roy. But Sylvia and Hayley manage to get him to the cemetery because Sylvia herself wants to go anyway. Lovely scenes with Sylvia telling Roy how she met his father and how different things where back in the day, then hissing about hating him for leaving her and her young son.


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When Corrie's good, it's very, very good

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog May 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Thursday's Canadian Coronation Street ended with Roy and Hayley on the sofa, in a scene that brought a lump to my throat and reminded me why I continue to watch Coronation Street after 40 years a fan.

It was a scene with no fireworks, no hunk with their top off, no cleavage being shoved in our face, no Stella.

It was a scene that sung out with brilliant acting, a moment that could signal the change of one of our favourite characters, showing a chink in the armour of what is one of the strongest marriages and relationships in Coronation Street's history.

Roy opened up his heart, as much as he's ever done, to Hayley, to his mum and to us the viewers about the disappointment he felt about opening up an old wound - at Hayley's insistence.  The writer was Susan Oudot.

"I had no desire to read that letter," he tells Hayley.
"No, I know that, but..." she tries to interrupt.
"When one is abandoned there is a void as a child," he continues, "even as a teenager and a desire for that relationship which no longer exists, and there are, as you rightly suppose, many unanswered questions. But all of this I'm glad to say is diluted by age, healed by time and I can honestly say that I was contented."
"I know that but he wanted to see you," she butts in again.
"Yes yes, yes and I, I allowed myself to be intrigued by what he might have to say but now I'll never know."
"But you had to read the letter, how could you not?"
"Very easily, at first very easily, but you pushed and you pushed and well, now.... I'm no longer contented."
"Roy, I'm so, so sorry, I only did what was best for you. If I'm in any way to blame..."
"But you are. You are, Hayley. You are to blame."

Bravo to David Neilson and Julie Hesmondhalgh for a wonderful performance.  This is the sort of stuff that should be winning the soap awards for our favourite serial drama.



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Samia Ghadie says boob job lifted her spirits

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog May 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Samia Ghadie, who plays Maria Connor, has confirmed she's had a boob job. She's also moved in with her Dancing on Ice partner Sylvain Longchambon.

Samia's interviewed in this week's OK Magazine and says this about Sylvain: "We’re pretty much living together now. We spend so much time with each other anyway," while her hunky beau (OK's words, not mine) added: "It seemed like the natural thing to do. I don’t have a big place in England either."

Samia also took the chance to set the record straight about those recent boob job rumours, telling OK: "Yes, I have had a boob job, but it wasn’t something that was done on a whim. After Freya was born, my boobs just disappeared. Anybody who knows me will know that it’s something I talked about having done. I wanted to feel womanly again."

After leaving her husband, Samia was going out with Corrie co-star Will Thorp, who played Chris Gray.

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