ITV - Coronation Street

Of all the various soap operas on UK terrestrial television, there is probably only one of which I would describe myself an avid viewer – and that is Coronation Street. Despite the fact that the series has been running for nearly 40 years, it still has a fresh, vibrant feel to it and for escapist television, I don’t think it can really be beaten. Currently screened on ITV1 at least four times per week, this show is, for me anyway, compulsive ...
...find myself discussing events when in the office.

THE SETTING

As you are no doubt aware, Coronation Street is set in a fictitious district of Greater Manchester called Weatherfield. Most of the action centres around one street – as named in the title – where we observe the events and lives of a mixture of residents in a fly-on-the-wall nature. The focal point of all the proceedings is the much-loved public ... more

Of all the various soap operas on UK terrestrial television, there is probably only one of which I would describe myself an avid viewer – and that is Coronation Street. Despite the fact that the series has been running for nearly 40 years, it still has a fresh, vibrant feel to it and for escapist television, I don’t think it can really be beaten. Currently screened on ITV1 at least four times per week, this show is, for me anyway, compulsive viewing and in spite of my better judgement, I regularly find myself discussing events when in the office.

THE SETTING

As you are no doubt aware, Coronation Street is set in a fictitious district of Greater Manchester called Weatherfield. Most of the action centres around one street – as named in the title – where we observe the events and lives of a mixture of residents in a fly-on-the-wall nature. The focal point of all the proceedings is the much-loved public house, The Rovers Return, and most of the residents seem to spend the larger part of their lives arguing with one another within its walls – and the rest of the time simply listening in on everyone else’s arguments. As well as the pub, there is also a back street café called Roy’s Rolls, a taxi office, a bookmakers, a garage, a corner shop and an underwear factory, which between them almost entirely account for the employment within the area. Coronation Street is very typical of the suburban housing prevalent in Manchester, and has great character with its cobbled streets and dark ginnels – even if the whole thing is actually part of the Granada Studios complex. Coronation Street has always remained true to its Mancunian heritage and the area closely resembles many districts of the Manchester you could walk around today.

THE CHARACTERS

I don’t think it would be entirely appropriate to go through all the different characters in the Street, purely because it would probably be information overload. The premise of Coronation Street has always been pantomime, and as such the street is populated by a host of characters and caricatures of society today. Notably absent from the regular cast list are any members of minority groups. Corrie’s dealings with minority groups over the years have been limited, with very few characters of black or coloured origins. Given the ethnic mix within any UK city, this seems grossly unrealistic to me, and it has always startled me that the few ethnic characters within the show fall foul of stereotyping time and time again. Currently, the only coloured characters are Asians who staff the corner shop – not what you might call original! Similarly, a gay or lesbian character is yet to walk the cobbled streets, with a clumsily scripted transsexual plot being the only close resemblance in the show’s history. This has meant that Coronation Street has continually courted much criticism from the press, who state that it is out of touch with modern Britain and that it portrays British communities in a prejudiced way.

There are lots of arguments for and against this, but the show has remained true to its roots and generally keeps its fans happy. The only time that this has failed is when the writers have experimented with controversial characters and have proven that they lack both the sophistication and intelligence to adequately portray them. Coronation Street also portrays women in a typically downtrodden manner, with very few successful career women living on the street. Most of the female cast members have at one time or another worked behind the bar of the Rovers, and even the supposedly intelligent ones (such as Toyah Battersby) still only appear when they are fulfilling simple jobs, like working in the café.

Fundamentally, the show is, of course, a dinosaur and has failed to embrace any of the values associated with a modern community. Nonetheless, I still find that it has genuine warmth to it, which leaves the more gritty soaps such as Eastenders absolutely cold. Coronation Street has developed a real spirit of community over the years, and whilst I can barely think of 1 or 2 characters in most shows that I like, I think I would probably enjoy a night out with anyone in Coronation Street.

THE STORYLINES

Coronation Street’s greatest nemesis is its rivalry with Eastenders on BBC1. In the constant struggle to win ratings wars and attract viewers, the writers have often had to move away from the light-hearted story lines of old and have strayed into controversial territory. Generally, this has been very unsuccessful, not because the cast were unable to portray the events with conviction, but simply because the events were such a contrast to what we would normally expect. This was never more evident than a few years ago when one of the characters, Toyah Battersby, was raped in an alleyway alongside the pub. Although the scenes were sanitised, the concept was so shocking in itself that the soap vehicle seemed unable to carry its weighty cargo. As Toyah lay battered and bruised in an alleyway, the rest of the cast were enjoying themselves in the Rovers Return, and the merriment sat uncomfortably with the sexual violence. Indeed, it was a story line that was largely regretted and the character’s recovery was greatly accelerated to enable the audience to move on. Contrast this with the rape story line of Kathy Beale in Eastenders, which intermittently ran for several years. Coronation Street has always thrived on its social story lines – gossip, affairs, betrayal, fun and pomp – these are the watchwords by which the show has become known.

And let’s be fair here – when it turns its hand to such thing, Coronation Street produces some marvellous entertainment. The cast is full of semi-humorous members, whose tribulations provide endless opportunities for mirth and the characters are so strong that they can support most plot lines with conviction. Coronation Street has always thrived on its aged female characters – we seem to have an insatiable demand to see these “battleaxes” in action. The current favourite is Blanche (Deirdre’s mother) who seems to have the ability to make me laugh out loud with just one look. Coronation Street is like a perennial pantomime, with a barrage of unbelievable characters that we still find endearing. Only Coronation Street could have a man as obviously camp and gay as Fred Elliott playing a lovelorn heterosexual – and Alec Gilroy did much the same before him. The pantomime can fail, of course. Bet Lynch’s much-publicised return last year was swiftly brought to a halt when the makers realised that the Street had simply outgrown her role.

The current controversy surrounds the key story line in the show, which is that of the serial killer Richard Hillman. Having left Duggie to die after an accident, he then proceeded to kill his ex-wife in a fit of rage and was last night seen beating Emily Bishop and Maxine to death with a crow bar. The “Killer Corrie” story line has grown to feverish proportions, with constant press speculation about who his next victim will be – having just signed a full year’s contract, it has been rumoured that Richard will kill twelve cast members before he finally meets his own demise. The story line has been greeted both warmly and coldly. The press today is full of comments that the show has gone too far and that last night’s episode was unacceptably violent. Certainly, the “Killer Corrie” concept seems to be moving the soap into more serious territory. On the other hand, never before has everyone been talking about the show as much as they are now. Who will be next? How will he do it? These are the questions on everyone’s lips at this moment in time.

My view is that the story line is hugely entertaining, and is not in the least bit offensive. Despite the very serious nature of the concept, the events are generally portrayed in true pantomime fashion. Richard is the classic pantomime villain, and as Emily Bishop sat on the sofa unaware of the attacker approaching her from behind, millions of people were crying, “He’s behind you!” at their television screens. The violence is very sanitised and it is the reaction of Richard to the events that provides the most entertainment.

MY VERDICT

Coronation Street is extremely successful and rightfully so. It provides genuine comedy, heartache and escapist entertainment that is so often lacking on modern television. I feel much more familiar with the characters in Corrie, and simply find the show very entertaining. Emmerdale is full of village idiots, Brookside is dull, Eastenders is depressing and Hollyoaks is too childish. Long may Corrie continue to thrive and despite its many faults, I hope it never changes.

Killer TV – in more ways than one….

Recommended

Afterthought:

In case any Granada TV executives are reading this, please accept the following as my suggestions for Richard's next victim:

Doreen Heavey - Maxine's mother

Reason - Face like a horse and the actiing ability of a small wart

The Guy That Works Behind The Bar in the Rovers

Reason - He's a twat

Ashley Peacock

Reason - Crimes against Masculinity

Dev Allahan

Reason - He looks like a frog. A very slimy one.

Roy Cropper

Reason - So that everyone could say that he'd come a cropper. {groan}
 

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