Are we beginning to see Kate Oates' influence on Corrie?
boogie woogie
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Desperately in need of a distraction after the abomination that is Brexit>:(>:(>:(
I know that we won't be seeing Oates's work on screen until September, but are we beginning to see her influence on the production and certain aspects of the writing already? I know this won't be a popular opinion, but I genuinely feel that there's been a Slight improvement since the very underwhelming BGT week. I feel that we're seeing more characters interacting, some interesting friendship groups emerging and a smoother balance between drama and humour. Let's look at some subtle examples:
- Tim inviting Ken, Dev, Freddie and Kevin over for a garden party.
- More of a sense of community- practically the whole street bore witness to Sarah barricading herself in at No. 8. Not just that, but we saw a number of them (Fiz, Alya, Norris, Rita etc) discussing it afterwards. There's a definite sense of people crossing paths in larger circles and less instances of things happening in isolation with pockets of characters.
- the friendship scenes of Eva, Kate and Maria going to the belly dancing classes at the gym and then having drinks afterwards.
- The very subtle and affecting hints at Norris's secret loneliness since Emily's departure. These scenes were very much secondary to what was going on at No. 8 but they are quietly powerful and had a subtle sense of pathos. I highlight the word subtle, because that never appeared in Blackburn's dictionary.
These are just some of things that I have noticed lately. Given that Oates took over at the beginning of April and this week's scenes would roughly have been shot in early to mid May, she'll surely have had a chance to become more hands on with material at that point. All of what we're seeing on screen is still Blackburn's stuff but I definitely think that Oates is making subtle tweaks here and there as we move towards her reign.
I know that we won't be seeing Oates's work on screen until September, but are we beginning to see her influence on the production and certain aspects of the writing already? I know this won't be a popular opinion, but I genuinely feel that there's been a Slight improvement since the very underwhelming BGT week. I feel that we're seeing more characters interacting, some interesting friendship groups emerging and a smoother balance between drama and humour. Let's look at some subtle examples:
- Tim inviting Ken, Dev, Freddie and Kevin over for a garden party.
- More of a sense of community- practically the whole street bore witness to Sarah barricading herself in at No. 8. Not just that, but we saw a number of them (Fiz, Alya, Norris, Rita etc) discussing it afterwards. There's a definite sense of people crossing paths in larger circles and less instances of things happening in isolation with pockets of characters.
- the friendship scenes of Eva, Kate and Maria going to the belly dancing classes at the gym and then having drinks afterwards.
- The very subtle and affecting hints at Norris's secret loneliness since Emily's departure. These scenes were very much secondary to what was going on at No. 8 but they are quietly powerful and had a subtle sense of pathos. I highlight the word subtle, because that never appeared in Blackburn's dictionary.
These are just some of things that I have noticed lately. Given that Oates took over at the beginning of April and this week's scenes would roughly have been shot in early to mid May, she'll surely have had a chance to become more hands on with material at that point. All of what we're seeing on screen is still Blackburn's stuff but I definitely think that Oates is making subtle tweaks here and there as we move towards her reign.
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Also, Jason leaves next week and Kate was on set when he filmed his final scenes. There's still an issue with the amount of spoilers being released. Less is more!
Agree with both these posts!!
Another thing I liked about last night was the whole of the platt family being involved in Sarah's breakdown scenes, along with Todd and even Jason showing concern despite all his issues with them atm!!
This new community feel & especially the friendships is a vital ingredient in making Corrie not just watchable, but enjoyable again for me!!
I agree that there were a lot of babies and affairs during her tenure at Emmerdale, but she also crafted some incredibly hard-hitting and thrilling storylines involving a lot of the cast. She generated a much needed buzz around the show again, and played a significant role in the show bagging numerous awards and receiving acclaim from critics and audiences.
Todd and Sarah have a complex history dating back to when the show enjoyed a golden period between 2002 and 2004. It's been great to see that rich history explored once again with this storyline.
I agree Kate Oates did some great stuff, she was phoning it in the last 6 months of her tenure at Emmerdale though. What we are seeing now at Corrie has been good and I hope she's learned from her mistakes at Emmerdale (Ross/Debbie, breaking Zack and Lisa up, ect..) and doesn't repeat them on Corrie.
No producer is without their faults. Not every decision she makes will be the right one, but I have enough confidence in her to make Corrie good again. Notice how much screen time Phelan is getting and the link that new character Vinny will have to him. Are we likely to see the pair scheme together to cut corners on a construction job or sabotage some building work to the point that they accidentally cause an entire building to collapse in this "big" October week?
I agree, Kate Oates is good at what she does no doubt. I disagree that the show wasn't good though. I've really enjoyed Corrie in its current state, Blackburn made some mistakes but he has also done good things as well.
BIB: Interesting because all of that is exactly what what was missing from Emmerdale while she was in charge and Iain MacLeod has started to fix. He politely referred to it as making the show feel warmer again ;-):)
If she can put that back into Corrie why did she strip ED of it? :kitty: >:(
The forum's logic regarding which producer is in charge is laughable.
When there is a crap episode, it is Blackburn's doing.
However when a half decent episode, Kate Oate's work is starting to show, despite the fact (as you pointed out) he is still producer.
I think there might be a few hints of Oates work, but not enough for me to start watching. Currently its still full of Blackburn crap and I think I may start watching upon Kate Oates 1st episode which wil be I think mid July/Early Sept
I remember the period of Sept/Oct under Phil Collinson when Corrie was at its very best, the exit of Natasha, Lewis Archer - Phil Collinson really made Corrie must-see.
I really cannot wait for Corrie to be strong again so the memory of Blackburn's tenure can only be a past nightmare.
They can't just turn Todd back into a nice guy and hope people will forget about his nasty phase. He was rivalling Tracy Barlow in the sociopath stakes.
I've heard good things about Tina O'Brien's recent performances but like H of De Vil nothing is grabbing me in the spoilers. I think I'll wait/stick to my one episode a month if that routine.
Phil Collinson was a great producer, wish we could have had him for longer.
I love scenes with Todd and Sarah as well, they seem to have an emotional impact with me just because I know what they've been through, if they take it further it could become really powerful. I think deep down they still love each other, obvious differences aside!
I loved the majority of Phil Collinson's tenure and was sorry to see him go. It beggars belief that Stuart Blackburn was then let loose on the show for over three years. But enough about Blackburn, I have spoken at length of how I hated his work.
Was out for a friend's birthday last night, so just about to catch up on last night's double now, which I'm actually looking forward to.
It wasn't even facing any football. Corrie has never been this low for this period of time.
Agreed. Surely current episodes of Corrie are still Stuart Blackburn episodes?
The other week there were some great scenes - in particular between Michelle and Carla but the show itself feels really weak right now. Of course with any show there are some great moments but that doesn't shy away from the fact that Corrie is still missable.
I am hoping the new producer takes the show back to basics and injects some earthiness and character drama which is sorely missing.
Some of the characters I used to adore I am now bored of as they have veered catastrophically into caricatures.
Corrie received its lowest ever audience on Thursday, with just 4.7 million viewers.
Ouch, that's an awful rating for the show.
I haven't watched full-time for years and years but in recent years Collinson is the producer I tuned in most for. He did know how to get people talking about the show and there was always something going on. However, a lot of storylines relied on stunts, sensationalism, characters turning on each other for no reason as well as innocent ones being ostracised completely (Tyrone) by people who've known them for years.
The show was simply too focused on cheap drama and issues under him. I didn't see many of those brilliant character moments one associates with Corrie under him. At least Blackburn has tried to bring those back but because of the subpar writing, many come across as forced and cringeworthy. The whole thing just isn't as effortless as it once was.
I agree with KK in that Corrie's problems actually go further than one person. Kate Oates is coming in to an already assembled team who've been running Corrie like this for years. Even the set has numerous issues eg. too many businesses on Coronation Street itself, Jack and Vera's house being like a museum to them etc.