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Old 16-08-2015, 19:55
KMX
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Here's some story ideas I have for Corrie, which IMO needs a serious kick up the backside as it has been Britain's most boring soap for too long.

Axe:
Robert (turns his back on Tracy)
Dev and the kids
Tony (lands up in prison somehow)
Sean
Lloyd and Andrea (luckily they're actually leaving)
Izzy (decides to move to Portugal as there's no prospects for her in Weatherfield)
Sinead (can't forgive Beth for her part in Sean's death, goes back to her mum)
Callum

Mary's new man played by Tim Robbins is a con man and although he genuinely falls for Mary he sees an opportunity to befriend Dev. He enters a business deal with Dev and defrauds him out of a lot of money before absconding, leaving Dev penniless and having to sell the house and shop. He has no choice but to leave Weatherfield to stay with his uncle. Mary is heartbroken as her new love chose money over love.

Leanne has some happiness for once when she enlists Nick to help her with Simon's attitude problem. Nick walks in on Leanne being attacked by Simon in the bistro office and he sets about counselling him to alter his behaviour and face his issues. Nick can relate following the anger problems he experienced after his car accident. Simon turns a corner and Nick and Leanne grow closer. They realise they are meant to be and marry in a quick but happy ceremony.

Sean is brutally beaten in a homophobic attack while on a night out. He decides to give up drinking after a night out with Billy ends in embarrassment but a few weeks later on an Underworld night out, Beth spikes his drinks with alcohol and he ends up blind drunk and wanders off into the wrong part of town. After his beating he lies in a coma before dying a few days later.

Callum is imprisoned after the police use Bethany as a mole to set him up dealing drugs. He takes her hostage and is chased by the police, but realising he'll never get Max back he throws her into the canal where she's saved by David. Callum speeds off and eventually crashes, is arrested and put behind bars leaving Kylie and David to fully reconcile their marriage.

The Nazirs decide to sell their home and move to Balaclava Terrace as they feel to claustrophobic living and working on the same street. Zeedan decides to join the army and move away to follow in his dad's footsteps. Sharif and Roy continue a strong friendship. Alya moves in to Lloyd and Andrea's old flat.

Michelle falls pregnant which is happy news for her and Steve. She gives birth to twins on Valentine's Day two months premature. Steve battles against depression again as the babies fit to live but they pull through. Steve and Michelle move into the Nazir's old house with their children.

Kevin and Sally have a two-hander episode the night before her wedding to Tim where they argue, laugh and cry about their history but end it as friends and Sally decides her future is with Tim. They marry and stay together as the modern day Hilda and Stan.

Jenny returns and is redeemed after seeking proper help. She stays with Rita and helps out at the Kabin. After Rita has a nasty fall down the stairs she is house bound for a number of weeks and is unable to look after herself so Jenny becomes her carer. Jenny loves being needed by Rita and wants to keep her to herself so she stops people seeing her and does things to hinder her return to full health. The neighbours become concerned, especially Norris, but when the authorities are called Rita has become so dependant on Jenny she tells them she's fine and just doesn't want to see anybody, essentially developing Stockholm syndrome. This goes on over a matter of months as a slow burning storyline and ends when there's a fire in Rita's flat from which she has to be rescued and Jenny can't keep her from everyone anymore. Jenny is ostracised by the community and leaves again for good.

Aiden Connor arrives and is established as a bisexual character, bedding Eva and Todd in his first month onscreen. He begins to date Eva and rebuffs Todd. When Jason finds out about their one night stand he uses Todd to try and ruin Eva and Aiden's budding romance but Aiden again turns Todd down and tells Eva about it, showing she can trust him. The two begin a serious relationship and after several months Eva decides to move in to Victoria Court with Aiden and she admits she wants a baby. Aiden goes a long with it and eventually Eva falls pregnant to which she is elated. Over the pregnancy Eva becomes completely consumed by impending motherhood which causes Aiden to struggle with the intensity and he ends up sleeping with Todd again after a drunk encounter. Todd blackmails Aiden for a share in Underworld, but Aiden refuses and calls his bluff. Todd struggles as he's infatuated with Aiden and says he won't tell Eva if they he can be the bit on the side. Aiden agrees and this continues while Eva gives birth and revels in motherhood. She badgers Aiden to get married but when he says it's too soon she begins to question his loyalty and starts to keep tabs on his whereabouts. Aiden realises he doesn't love Eva anymore and wants to be with Todd so he plays on her insecurity by manipulating her into thinking she's going crazy and is a bad mother. When Aiden engineers an incident which almost puts their baby in danger, he suggests she move out and get some space leaving him to look after their son. When she agrees and moves in with Leanne, he sets the wheels in motion to abduct the baby and start a new life away with Todd. They flee in the night but are spotted by Jason who dashes to tell Eva and they race after them to the airport. At the airport, Jason and Eva chase Todd and Aiden up the escalators and a fight ensues which results in Aiden falling over the side and being hospitalised. It is revealed that he is paralysed from the waist down and will spend his life in a wheelchair. Jason and Eva rekindle their relationship and Todd agrees to help care for a bitter Aiden.
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Old 16-08-2015, 20:13
Belligerence
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In order for Corrie to be exciting, it needs to be believable.

At present, it isn't.

Axing the deadwood and making it streamlined would be a start.

Cut back on episodes. Monday and Friday's first episode cliffhangers are so annoying.

Blackburn needs to stop revealing every little detail. Pointless when the viewers can work out what will happen next.
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Old 16-08-2015, 20:14
inverness1967
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Here's some story ideas I have for Corrie, which IMO needs a serious kick up the backside as it has been Britain's most boring soap for too long.

Mary's new man played by Tim Robbins is a con man and although he genuinely falls for Mary he sees an opportunity to befriend Dev. He enters a business deal with Dev and defrauds him out of a lot of money before absconding, leaving Dev penniless and having to sell the house and shop. He has no choice but to leave Weatherfield to stay with his uncle. Mary is heartbroken as her new love chose money over love.
Think Corrie would be exciting with Tim Robbins as Marys new lover but sadly they ended up with Ted.
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Old 16-08-2015, 20:16
KMX
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Oops yes Ted!
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Old 16-08-2015, 20:20
inverness1967
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Oops yes Ted!
Glad you took it in good spirit as it was meant that way. Glad Marys character is getting a bit of attention though.

I think Corrie needs another axeman like Brian Park.
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Old 16-08-2015, 20:25
ohglobbits
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New transgender serial killer con artist kidnapper befriends Kevin Webster.
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Old 16-08-2015, 20:26
inverness1967
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New transgender serial killer con artist kidnapper befriends Kevin Webster.
Tim in drag
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Old 16-08-2015, 20:33
SoapyMcSoap
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In order for Corrie to be exciting, it needs to be believable.

At present, it isn't.

Axing the deadwood and making it streamlined would be a start.

Cut back on episodes. Monday and Friday's first episode cliffhangers are so annoying.

Blackburn needs to stop revealing every little detail. Pointless when the viewers can work out what will happen next.
Agreed. I can live with it not being exciting, but I would like it to be somewhat believable. At the moment, there are too many newish characters, (including the likes of Sarah, who technically isn't new), who are just boring, and not even particularly good actors / actresses.
Characters also are altered to suit storylines, and this makes them less credible.
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Old 16-08-2015, 20:57
KornerKabin
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In order for Corrie to be exciting, it needs to be believable.

At present, it isn't.

Axing the deadwood and making it streamlined would be a start.

Cut back on episodes. Monday and Friday's first episode cliffhangers are so annoying.

Blackburn needs to stop revealing every little detail. Pointless when the viewers can work out what will happen next.
Precisely this.

Slashing back the number of cast members and cutting down on the number of episodes should be top of the list.

Other things:

Ensure that the show's archivist* is a key member of the production team.

Appoint Daran Little as Executive Producer and do away with the role of 'Producer'.

Explore opportunities for extension of the set to incorporate new areas of Weatherfield that aren't connected to the main Coronation Street 'complex' (such as the Precinct).

*I'm not even sure if the show still has an archivist since Daran Little's unfortunate departure.
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Old 16-08-2015, 21:06
abbottab
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A good Helicopter/plane crash to clear out the deadwood would be a start...
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Old 16-08-2015, 21:43
inverness1967
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The mini bus crash a few months back was the perfect opportunity but as always....wasted.
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Old 16-08-2015, 21:51
KornerKabin
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A good Helicopter/plane crash to clear out the deadwood would be a start...
The mini bus crash a few months back was the perfect opportunity but as always....wasted.
The tram crash five years ago (!!) was the perfect opportunity to have a thorough cast clear out and redevelop the set but both were squandered.
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Old 16-08-2015, 22:08
lou_123
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The mini bus crash a few months back was the perfect opportunity but as always....wasted.
The mini bus crash was a contrived 'storyline' to help Corrie win the NTA's a few days later (Which failed anyway). That's the reason the crash had an awful aftermath.
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Old 16-08-2015, 22:12
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The mini bus crash was a contrived 'storyline' to help Corrie win the NTA's a few days later (Which failed anyway). That's the reason the crash had an awful aftermath.
I'd say the aftermath was mostly ruined by Sean being the first one to wake up

It's a shame the fire was so bad, that was another opportunity to kill some needless characters, but it only killed off Kal & Maddie, the latter who I was beginning to like.
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Old 16-08-2015, 22:13
cooler
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Exciting seems to imply injecting sensationalism. Rather, I suggest to revert the show back to being a character driven drama instead of being plot driven, so story lines develop naturally and are true to each persons character instead of being written to suit the plot.

Combine this with cutting down to 4 episodes per week broadcast on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday so there are no contrived cliffhangers like now happen on the Monday and Friday double episodes. That would be exciting enough.
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Old 16-08-2015, 22:33
bananaman_007
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First of all get rid of all the face pullers.

Kevin
Nick
Steve
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Old 16-08-2015, 22:42
craig_25
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Exciting seems to imply injecting sensationalism. Rather, I suggest to revert the show back to being a character driven drama instead of being plot driven, so story lines develop naturally and are true to each persons character instead of being written to suit the plot.

Combine this with cutting down to 4 episodes per week broadcast on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday so there are no contrived cliffhangers like now happen on the Monday and Friday double episodes. That would be exciting enough.
I agree with this, there is no emotion in Coronation St these days it's all very forced humour or OTT sensationalist drama. Where's the quiet, slow burning, sensitive and character driven stories? The heart of the show seems to have died a death and what we're left with is the dross.
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Old 16-08-2015, 22:51
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Axing them characters won't improve anything only Callum is used often, the stories are just shit, although I enjoy the Leanne abuse story.
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Old 16-08-2015, 22:56
ForGodsSake
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I like Corrie because it isn't sensationalist.
It's just real life.
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Old 17-08-2015, 01:39
Catmittens
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Belligerence is spot on here.

All Corrie needs are characters and stories that are ordinary and true to life. Nothing flashy, nothing OTT, just compelling storytelling. Blackburn has definitely cut down on the continual sensationalism we got under Collinson, but I'd say the Hat's gone too far in the opposite direction. Everything on-screen right now isn't ordinary, true to life and compelling - it's bloody BORING. Lank, rank and flat.

Literally the ONLY things I enjoy about Corrie now are Tracy and the all too brief cameos from Emily, Rita, Norris and Audrey. That's all. (I said Blackburn would sideline the oldies, didn't I?! )

Of course the real problem with Corrie isn't Blackburn, it's the production staff who've remoulded the show into something completely detestable over the last ten or so years. The last time Corrie had everything spot on was 2002-2005. It's all fallen flat since then and I've only enjoyed bits and pieces since.

When you think about the high calibre of writer Corrie used to employ, it really does make you wince. Someone like Jonathan Harvey would have been laughed out of the writers room in the 1960s or 1970s.

Precisely this.

Slashing back the number of cast members and cutting down on the number of episodes should be top of the list.

Other things:

Ensure that the show's archivist* is a key member of the production team.

Appoint Daran Little as Executive Producer and do away with the role of 'Producer'.

Explore opportunities for extension of the set to incorporate new areas of Weatherfield that aren't connected to the main Coronation Street 'complex' (such as the Precinct).

*I'm not even sure if the show still has an archivist since Daran Little's unfortunate departure.
BRILLIANT ideas as usual KK, especially the expansion away from the areas we see right now - and yes, they do have an archivist, but she's so inept that you'd never notice she was there.
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Old 17-08-2015, 02:03
Brando_
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Get rid of 95% of the cast and bring back Jerry Morton.
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Old 17-08-2015, 08:12
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Top of the list should be get rid of SB
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Old 17-08-2015, 10:01
Adrian_Ward1
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Cast overhaul Storyline Writers too. Bring in mods gripping plots. Better bad boys. A new family that people can take too
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Old 17-08-2015, 10:15
emilyb
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Exciting seems to imply injecting sensationalism. Rather, I suggest to revert the show back to being a character driven drama instead of being plot driven, so story lines develop naturally and are true to each persons character instead of being written to suit the plot.

Combine this with cutting down to 4 episodes per week broadcast on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday so there are no contrived cliffhangers like now happen on the Monday and Friday double episodes. That would be exciting enough.
Excellent post cooler. CS doesn't necessarily need to be more exciting but it does need to be more realistic & character driven with characters who we actually care about. Leave the OTT sensationalist stuff to the other soaps.
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Old 17-08-2015, 11:08
KornerKabin
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Belligerence is spot on here.

All Corrie needs are characters and stories that are ordinary and true to life. Nothing flashy, nothing OTT, just compelling storytelling. Blackburn has definitely cut down on the continual sensationalism we got under Collinson, but I'd say the Hat's gone too far in the opposite direction. Everything on-screen right now isn't ordinary, true to life and compelling - it's bloody BORING. Lank, rank and flat.

Literally the ONLY things I enjoy about Corrie now are Tracy and the all too brief cameos from Emily, Rita, Norris and Audrey. That's all. (I said Blackburn would sideline the oldies, didn't I?! )

Of course the real problem with Corrie isn't Blackburn, it's the production staff who've remoulded the show into something completely detestable over the last ten or so years. The last time Corrie had everything spot on was 2002-2005. It's all fallen flat since then and I've only enjoyed bits and pieces since.

When you think about the high calibre of writer Corrie used to employ, it really does make you wince. Someone like Jonathan Harvey would have been laughed out of the writers room in the 1960s or 1970s.
I agree with everything you say as usual Catmittens.

There are slight glimmers of brilliance every now and again (I'm thinking of the episodes following Deirdre's funeral with the Barlows battling it out at No.1. and the oldies in the Rovers talking about Deirdre).

Like you, I've been bleating on about it for a long time but Blackburn is merely the tip of the Corrie iceberg. The entire senior production team needs a vast overhaul including a big shake up of the storylining and writing teams. I'd like to see ITV try and nurture some young writing talent from the north, while also winning back high-profile writers such as Paul Abbott and Russell T Davies.

They could even try and coax some writers out of retirement such as John Stevenson, Peter Whalley and Adele Rose for one off episodes here and there. Adele left in bad blood so she'd take quite a bit of convincing. In fact, what about Tony Warren? Why not get him back to write something?

Naturally, the best thing that could happen for Corrie is having Daran Little back as sole Executive Producer.

First and foremost the production team need to understand Coronation Street. It's not characters and storylines that keep the show exciting, it's Coronation Street itself. Tony Warren's original premise is what's kept the show going for approaching 60 years. Where is Coronation Street in 2015? Where does it fit into the wider world? What's it got to say about the world we live in? As many cast members have said over the years, Coronation Street is the star. That means it needs to be looked after and nurtured as much as any character.

The times Corrie has been at its worst is when it has lost touch with what exactly it's all about. This applies to periods in the 1960s, 70s and 80s as well as over the past 20 years or so. Currently, however, the show is in one of its biggest crises and I think it's mainly because nobody working there actually 'gets' Coronation Street.

The production team need to get out of their offices and spend some time in the real world. Every single member of the production team should have to take part in a ongoing 'naturalisation' programme where they go out and spend time in and around the suburbs of Manchester to see what life is really like. This isn't about finding stories or characters per se (although that will happen), it's more about having a level of connection with something that allows you to write from an honest and authentic perspective. One of the things that jars with me - and I know it does with many other FMs too - is the cringeworthiness of some of the dialogue. Characters saying things or speaking in a way that is so unbelievable it's painful. Viewers can see right through it. They need to get out and listen to how people speak today and then craft their writing around that.

BRILLIANT ideas as usual KK, especially the expansion away from the areas we see right now - and yes, they do have an archivist, but she's so inept that you'd never notice she was there.
I've gone on about this set extension for what feels like years. I'm disappointed that it's been overlooked in favour of more low-quality 'toy town' style additions to the set such as that hardware shop beneath the Rosamund Street viaduct ... just why?

My precinct idea would give all the flexibility of a permanent exterior set that gives a feel of a wider Weatherfield, where characters are not imprisoned between three streets. The show has fallen into the trap it did in the late 80s where it became so insular it felt completely disconnected from the real world.

The precinct would be typically mid-century brutalist in style, a little run down but with a brand new Frescho's store bringing a modern edge. There'll be trees, seating and an open square in the middle. As well as a large Frescho, it could be home to a Costa/Starbucks style coffee shop, a pound shop, a charity shop and a phone shop. Exploring the possibilities of some kind of clothes shop would be good. From Gamma Garments to the Western Front, Corrie has a long tradition of clothe shop settings - maybe an Asian dress shop or an Underworld outlet? The finishing touches would come from some smaller units like an optician, a phone shop, an estate agent or a travel agent (the return of SunLiners, anyone? ). Having these different locations could bring in different characters or offer new opportunities for current cast members. Not every set has to be in use - some can merely be frontages to create the feel of the precinct.
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