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Corrie is rapidly hitting crisis point
boogie woogie
Posts: 16,439 Forum Member
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Back in 2001-2002, the show was in dire straits as ratings began to plummet in the face of EastEnders enjoying a golden period with massive storylines like Sharon's return, You Ain't My Muvva and Who Shot Phil? The warmth and humour in Corrie was a notable absence as it wrongly attempted to emulate their rival's grittiness, leading to a show that was a pale shadow of the one that viewers used to love and left them feeling alienated.
History has repeated itself.
Today we've seen reports that Anne Kirkbride, one of the show's longest serving and popular characters, is considering leaving her iconic role for good. This comes amidst reports that some of the cast members themselves are aghast at the lack of humour the show now has and Blackburn's lack of people skills with his cast. Furthermore, we've seen how disastrously the show has fared in the National Television Awards with only a single nomination. Tomorrow night we see the ailing soap air a much hyped stunt that appears to many to be a desperate attempt to claw back lost viewers.
Internet forums and social media has been awash with people deriding the quality of the show's output with hyped storylines like Tina's murder, Todd's attack and the Godawful racism plot from summer 2013 proving to be real damp squibs. Coupled with this, we've seen the show's ratings tumble at an alarming rate- the show hasn't hit 8m in the overnights so far this year.
In my opinion the show is currently at one of the lowest point in its history with ill-conceived storylines, inconsistent characterisation, falling viewership, negative backlash from both viewers and critics and terrible writing. When the hell are ITV actually going to take action here?!
History has repeated itself.
Today we've seen reports that Anne Kirkbride, one of the show's longest serving and popular characters, is considering leaving her iconic role for good. This comes amidst reports that some of the cast members themselves are aghast at the lack of humour the show now has and Blackburn's lack of people skills with his cast. Furthermore, we've seen how disastrously the show has fared in the National Television Awards with only a single nomination. Tomorrow night we see the ailing soap air a much hyped stunt that appears to many to be a desperate attempt to claw back lost viewers.
Internet forums and social media has been awash with people deriding the quality of the show's output with hyped storylines like Tina's murder, Todd's attack and the Godawful racism plot from summer 2013 proving to be real damp squibs. Coupled with this, we've seen the show's ratings tumble at an alarming rate- the show hasn't hit 8m in the overnights so far this year.
In my opinion the show is currently at one of the lowest point in its history with ill-conceived storylines, inconsistent characterisation, falling viewership, negative backlash from both viewers and critics and terrible writing. When the hell are ITV actually going to take action here?!
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I agree 100%. ITV need to take action before there is more damage done. To loose stalwarts like Deirdre is aa disaster for a show that has always had continuity with long running characters. With older characters like and Emily and Rita till on board the show needs to keep Deirdre, Gail, Kevin and Sally at all costs.
Clearly there are major problems behind the scenes and it's been showing onscreen for ages. ITV need to take action now!
Link?
Digital Spy forum members always hate on Corrie, so I wouldn't draw any conclusions from it.
Corrie's long-running stalwarts have always been one of the advantages that it had over soaps who have few characters who have served 25 years +. The older characters under Blakcburn, however, have been treated terribly. Dennis Tanner's exit and turning Rita into a cold hard faced harridan have been detrimental to the show.
Apparently there's an article about it in today's Sunday Express.
All the words correct and in the right order speaking sense |OP.
I had the feeling that some of the actors knew SB was bad news and when Stephanie Cole left my suspicion grew. Over the year several have left. They are professional and give various reasons for leaving but I believe it's because of him ruining the show and they don't want to be part of such a failing, dire, gruesome,sleazy kitchen sink drama.
Also note this SB...don't try to attempt humour beacuse you don't have any.
You could say it must be the way EE do those three storylines
sharon is back as Sharon not that wimpy awful mother she was pretending to be, we had a who shot phil and a you aint my mother type storyline with shirley and mick.
I would say the lack of decent storylines and the poor writing is corries problem and the consistancy is just way off, one good episode followed by 3/4 eps of complete filler drivel
SB doesnt actually write the lines?
The Muslim family are growing on me ever so slightly, but they still don't really fit at the moment.
I've said it before, but I really loved Phil Collinson and its a shame that his (In my opinion) good work has been left in tatters.
I really hope ITV do something about it this year, in terms of replacing Blackburn. The direction of the show is just heading further south, and I think its clear - from the lack of NTA nominations, to declining viewers, that something IS NOT right.
EE could eclipse Corrie next month what with the Lucy murderer reveal and the aftermath of that. We shall see...
But.... given they can't manage to introduce decent new characters that we like, they can't afford to get rid of any of the deadwood either.
I can't believe I'm saying this but Mary, Roy, Carla, David and even Tony and Julie are carrying the show at the moment. It can't survive like that. Heaven help if Mary left.
They should never have killed Tina. She could have returned in the future and Rob need never have left. Dimwits.
How are the ratings - high/dropping?
Oh and bear in mind during this latest 'crisis' that it is still one of the most watched shows on tv, (just as it has been for decades), hence the advertisers will be happy enough and theirs is the only opinion that matters to any commercial channel. :kitty:
I do laugh when this forum bleats on about a "crisis" and Corrie being "worse ever". Clearly they don't remember all the times it was slated when the wonderful flawless Phil Collinson was in charge. His stories and characters where just as bad. Then their little conspiracy theories about cast members leaving the show because they allegedly dislike the state of it, without any evidence to back it up.
SB has also had a lot of his plate since taking over. We had William Roache and Michael Le Vell having to take a break due to the rape allegations, which would put a lot of pressure on behind the scenes. Not that the forum would understand that of course.
I would hate Deidre to leave the show she is a great character.
Should really be the new family to leave, as i too dont think they really "fit in" and take their chickens with them! Such a stupid storyline IMO
Maybe they will get a wake up call at the noms this year!!
Dear oldnjadad...I don't flippin watch it anymore ! I leave it on while I'm doing stuff .But I can still have an opinion and voice it on here as long as I'm not rude or offensive.
I think SB has ruined a much loved show.
You just have to look at the awful mess he made of Emmerdale and fan reaction to his time of the show. History has repeated itself and he has done the same to Corrie.
ITV bosses can put their fingers in their ears as much as they want but if they fail to act Corrie will sink. Production is based upon advertising revenues created and if ratings continue to fall then ITV will not be able to command top prices during Corrie's ad breaks.
Brian Park would be a welcome face to the show just now. And maybe bring back a character from the 60's, 70's and 80's and 90's too.