Cosy crimes and gritty sagas by Corrie Blog editor Glenda, published by Headline. Click pic below!

Monday 31 August 2009

Blog readers win Corrie prizes

Congratulations to both Nikki Reardon and Andrew Smith whose names were pulled from the hat after they correctly guessed that the right answer to the question here was Gamma Garments.

Both Nikki and Andrew have won a copy of the 2nd series of the DVD of Pardon the Expression, Corrie's first ever spin-off, now on DVD. Prizes are on their way soon to both Nikki and Andrew - well done!

Thank you to everyone who entered the competition. Look out on the blog for a very interesting competition coming soon for the autumn as winter drawers on. And yes, that is a lingerie pun because it's an exciting Corrie underwear prize that'll be on offer in a few weeks' time!

Jason Grimshaw wins Mr Gay Weatherfield

It had to happen really... he's more camp than he reckons. Yes, Jason Grimshaw wins Mr Gay Weatherfield in Coronation Street this week. I wonder how Eileen'll take it and whether Gail will stick her oar in and gloat?

Sunday 30 August 2009

Corrie weekly awards, August 27 2009

AC/DC moment of the week: Ashley admits to Graeme he's bottled it and didn't have the snip. Graeme: "Hell's Bells!"

Ironic award for the week: Claire. She's hoping to seduce Ashley but has to cover up quickly when Graeme walks in... using an apron with a sexy body on it!

Armed truce award: Eileen and John the parrot. And I think the parrot's going to lose that war.

Lines of the week:
Joe: "What do you want from me Audrey? I'm tryin'!" Audrey: "That is a polite word for what you are."
Audrey to David: "This is why you end up with a face looking like the Northern Lights!"
Norris: "I've got a tongue sandwich waiting at home" (There are so many things I could say about this!)

Friday 28 August 2009

Who's top of my Corrie character dislike list? Norris!

From gnome-napping through to competition obsession and gossip spreading, Norris Cole has a lot to answer for. A lot of people find him funny but not I; I can't stand him and I never could.

Our blogger Yoork had a lot of criticism for him in her Thursday update and I wholeheartedly agree. So much so that I present to you this week's essay. (Well, it's more of a venting rant, really).

CBC scheduling news for Canadian Corrie fans

Don't forget that starting Monday, August 31, Coronation Street will be airing on weekdays starting at 6:30 in most regions. There's now been a change to the Sunday omnibus as well, apparently, as noted on the Corrie Canuck blog. It's a bit odd for them to show something at different times in the various time zones but presumably they're handing the control over to one central button pusher instead of having it sent out from the various regional centres. I don't mind, for myself. My start time, at 9:30 is much more convenient than the former 7:30 a.m. And don't forget, the week's episodes are put online after the Sunday omnibus shows in all regions if you miss it or don't record it.

Starting Sunday, September 6 – the new times for the Sunday omnibus are:

1) In the Maritimes, Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba 9:30 am
2) Newfoundland – 10 am
3) Saskatchewan and Alberta – 8:30 am
4) BC/PTN the on air time will remain the same, 7:30.

(cross posting this to my Bluenose Corrie blog)

Corrie's fab photo Friday - August 28, 2009

Much has been made of Becky McDonald's wedding dresses this week in the world of Coronation Street. From inside designer secrets to your very own chance to win one of the two dresses, it's be rather non-stop on the wedding front.

This week's fab photo comes with a quick teaser: can you guess the mystery bride pictured above? As ever, there's no prize just the glory!

More fab photos? Click here.

Corrie comes to Chorlton on Saturday August 29

Jayne Tunnicliffe, who played Corrie's fab Yana Lumb, is also a talented artist and jewelly designer.

If you're in Chorlton this Saturday, 29th August, you can meet Jayne and view her fab Coronation Street (and Mad Men) art and jewellry at St Clement's church, Edge Lane from 10.30-5.30.

Find out more at http://www.voodooville.co.uk/

Lost Belongings: Thu Aug 27, 2009 Corrie Episode Review

Written by Chris Fewtrell, directed by Durno Johnston.

Roy has some bad news for Claire: the two tickets to Paris he had donated are expired. But he has offered a prize of which he thinks is of equal value: an LNER whistle and cap. Gee, doesn't exactly have the same wow-factor as a trip to Paris, does it? Heck, it doesn't have the same wow-factor as a mop and bucket. Anyway, Claire is dismayed and tries fruitlessly to get another donation of equal value. Ashley donates his prize collector's boxing gloves as the top prize. Claire is very happy with this, and him. Is he ever going to tell the truth? Surely this has gone on long enough.

Eileen is having her patience tested with John, Jesse's bird. She was at home wanting to enjoy her tea in peace and quiet, not realising it was John's "recreation time." John had a hold of the remote, then Eileen got a hold of Jesse. In more ways than one! I tell ya, for all the trouble he causes her, he must be good at something!

David's still seething over his beating. David acknowledges to Gail that he doesn't think Jason beat him, and calls the cops to get Jason off the hook. The Platts enter the cafe where the Windasses are having their breakfast. They go to leave, but Anna plays peacemaker and they stay. Are the flames waning, or just starting? Gary later warns David not to rattle his cage again. Meanwhile, Joe has found Tina's bracelet behind some skirting. They realise David didn't take it after all. Doesn't mean their opinions of him have changed any, I'll bet.

Now, on to the real story of this episode. Ramsay breaks the news to Norris about him wanting to live in Victoria Court. Not only that, but he wants Norris to move in WITH him. Well, Norris is having none of that, and utters some very rude things to Ramsay: He does not have a brother, never had a brother, and never will have a brother. His family is dead. Long dead. Ouch! Is it possible to die of a broken heart? Ramsay decides to return to Australia after Norris threatens to find a new residency. The street isn't big enough for the two of them, according to Norris. Emily tearfully and passionately tells Ramsay that he can't leave, not like that. Ramsay asks for a family portrait of he and Norris before he leaves. Emily takes a polaroid of a proud Ramsay and a dismayed Norris. It's time to say goodbye, and Norris comes out of his house to shake Ramsay's hand and bid him goodbye on the street. Emily gives Ramsay an emotional goodbye, and a pendant to help him on his journey. Then, just like that, Ramsay gets into a cab and drives off the street and out of our lives, leaving a tearful Emily with only Rita to console her.

How tragic it must be to have been searching for belonging your entire life, then to find yourself in your December years, so close to attaining it just to have another door slammed in your face. Then to end up wondering if you'll ever feel belonging in your lifetime at all. I just couldn't bear to watch Emily's face, and this was one of the saddest endings I've seen on this show in quite some time. Perhaps since the death of Mike Baldwin.

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Ashley being a stand-up husband. Too bad it took him a load of guilt to get there.
- Eileen's budding relationship with John the parrot!
- Emily's fry-up! Didn't that look delicious? Screw Pam's sandwiches, she could give Roy's a run for their money!
- The on-going "Dev?" joke when Norris tells people he was up half the night with The Grocer.
- Ramsay telling Emily that he enjoyed their friendship, and how much he'll miss her. Star-crossed lovers.
- Eileen Derbyshire (Emily Bishop) is one fantastic actress and really got to remind us all this episode, too bad it was to her character's loss.

LOWLIGHTS:
- Claire not even being appreciative towards Roy for his alternative sacrifice to her raffle. Sure,
it's useless, but it means something to him and she's just plain rude sometimes.
- Norris accusing Emily of being a geriatric Holly-Go-Lightly. He's out of line!
- Ramsay asking Norris for a family portrait, and the look of irritation and indifference on Norris' face! It sickens me to look at that "family portrait."
- Poor Emily! Didn't your heart just break in two seeing her having to let Ramsay go? She should have just put her foot down and let Norris go. What do they keep him around for anyway? Doesn't she have enough crosses to bear? That woman is a saint.
- Norris, Norris, Norris. I have zero sympathy for this character now. I've just about had enough. Norris Cole is a terrible cold-hearted man that I cannot abide by.
- Poor Ramsay, may he find peace and belonging eventually.

For those who enjoy the scenic route, check out the full review scene-by-scene here.

Thursday 27 August 2009

Corrie's fab fashion accessory of the week

In the paparazzi pictures of Carla and Tony's graveside meeting and baby Liam's christening, an unlikely fashion accessory has emerged. In-between filming, to keep the raindrops from falling on their heads, Coronation Street actors are kept dry by these lovely plastic, see-through rain hats. Very fetching... and a look that could catch on.

Last chance to vote and win Corrie prizes

Friday August 28th at 5pm is the deadline for entries into the blog's competition to win a Coronation Street spin-off DVD.

Enter the competition here - good luck!

Friday is also the deadline for voting in the Inside Soap Awards 2009 and the Daily Mirror Soap Awards 2009. So if you haven't already voted for Corrie, why not do it today? Go on, you know you want to.

Sneak preview of next week's Corrie, Aug 31-Sep 4

Without any piffle, here's the storyline for the week ahead on Coronation Street, all wrapped up nicely in 50 words or less.

Week of Monday 31 August to Friday 4 September

Josh collapses, Emily and Norris are distraught when Ramsay dies, Kevin and Molly get jiggy, Theresa and Umed have a curry challenge, Becky does a runner, Connie asks Jack to move in with her, and Sally hosts the dinner party from hell.

The full weekly preview, with pictures, is right here on Corrie.net

Missed last week's Corrie?
Catch up with the Coronation Street Weekly Updates

Steve McDonald gurn of the week, Aug 27 2009

It's Thursday and that means it's time for the Steve McDonald gurn of the week.

Thanks go to Coronation Street fan Martin for capturing this week's gurn. If you've captured a good Corrie Steve gurn and want to share it via the blog, do email it in.

To see more gurnage from Stevie McGurn, have a look here, there's loads. Some good, some bad and some really very funny.

Street Style: Tina McIntyre's Shopgirl Style

This Street Style edition is featuring Tina McIntyre's shopgirl outfit worn on the Monday August 24, 2009 episodes.

Tina's personal style reflects her personality: youthful, price-conscious, flirty and casual. It's also relatively low-maintenance, compared to some of the ladies on the street of her age (read: Rosie Webster). I find that Tina's personal style is quite close to that of Molly Dobbs'. Only, Tina doesn't try as hard to dress it up as Molly does. This is likely because Tina has a similar lifestyle to Molly's, and her style reflects that lifestyle. She works in a shop, makes a reasonable (minimum?) wage, doesn't have a lot of money to go to a salon, somehow always has a tan, and has a tradesman for a mate.

Needless to say, she has a few showy pieces in her closet and doesn't mind dusting off the sex-appeal when necessary (remember her black ensemble when she was wooing our Jason?), but it's not full of pantsuits and gowns, or any expensive designer pieces. Tina's a woman-on-the-go who doesn't take an hour to dress herself, since she's got bigger fish to fry. Tina manages to look cute, well-kept and respectably dressed. Enough to attract a handsome fella! (Jason, not David).

In any case, Tina's one of those women for whom it really doesn't matter what she wears, because she'll always look great since she's got youth and beauty on her side. She knows that the woman wears the clothes, the clothes don't wear the woman.

Here's where you can get an outfit similar to Tina's:
Blue & White Checked Shirt: Great Plains, Picnic Shirt, Indigo (click here)
Boyfriend Jeans: New Look, Slouch Boyfriend Jeans, Crinkled Slouch Jeans (click here)
Gold Hoop Earrings: New Look, Hoop Earrings, Plain Hoop Earrings (click here)

Is there anything that you've ever seen on The Street that you'd like to have, but don't know where you can find something similar? Are you interested in any particular character's personal or decorating style? For any Street Style requests, send me a line!

Wednesday 26 August 2009

Designer secrets of Becky Granger's white wedding dress

James Steward is the award-winning designer based in Leeds who created the feather delight of Becky Granger's white wedding dress.

He also designed Molly Compton's wedding dress too.

Visit James Steward's website here.

Coronation Street school cartoons

Fellow blogger Peter Gray blogs about cartoons and comics and has a wonderful piece on Coronation Street cartoons.

You'll have to click on the pictures to enlarge them in order to read them but they're very good.

Visit Peter's blog here.

Meet the Corrie boys in Airdrie and Aberystwyth

The Poundland empire keeps on growing and there's two, yes two, new stores opening this week. Poundland have got Coronation Street's Antony Cotton and Andy Whyment to do the opening honours and you can meet the boys in Poundland on Saturday 29th August.

Andy Whyment (Corrie's Kirk Sutherland) will be opening the new Poundland store on Graham Street in Airdrie from 10am on Saturday.

And Antony Cotton (Corrie's Sean Tully) will be opening the new Poundland on Great Darkgate Street in Aberystwyth from 10am on Saturday too.





Wake up next to David Platt

Well, I don't personally love him, you understand, but if there's someone in your life who can't get enough of the Coronation Street Plattster, then this pillowcase for sale on eBay could be just the job.

Coronation Street fan of the week - August 26 09

It's the first of our Coronation Street fan of the week blog posts. If you'd like to be featured, email me with the answers to the questions below along with your photo.

Who are you and where are you from? Julie Tuite, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

How long you've been watching Corrie? I am 32 and have been watching Corrie since I was in my mother's womb.

Who are your favourite female and male characters - and the reasons why? My favourite female character is Blanche. She gets the best lines and is so funny. My favorite line is: "Deirdre, beauty is a curse, you should consider yourself lucky." My favourite male character is Mike Baldwin. I liked him the most because he was such an ass yet so likeable.

And for your fantasy Corrie storyline? I would bring back Liam and let him and Maria live happily ever after. I would also like to be a character on Corrie and break up Michelle and Steve because Steve and I had an affair.

Tuesday 25 August 2009

Leanne to be killed off in Coronation Street

All hail to the mighty Inside Soap magazine for spoiler of the week.

Leanne is to die! She is deceased, no more, not alive, quite dead. But it's not Leanne Battersby who gets carried off in a coffin, it's Leanne the rabbit. Ah, bless. So, I guess this is the death which brings Leanne and Peter back together again.

Corrie's Craig Kelly in Strictly Come Dancing

Craig Kelly, Coronation Street's Luke Strong, is putting on his dancing shoes and best smile for Strictly Come Dancing 2009. Oh yes he is! Craig's teaming up with dancer Flavia Cacace. As a huge fan of both Corrie and SCD, I'll be blogging his every tush-shake right here, so, as Brucie would say... "k-e-e-e-e-p reading!"

Read more here.

Corrie blokes reunited 10 years after Queer

While perusing the Manchester Pride link that Flaming Nora posted earlier, I discovered a downloadable supplement (on this page) for the events this week. In that supplement, on page 18, is an interview with Corrie's Craig Kelly and Antony Cotton. I had forgotten that both of them starred in the excellent Queer as Folk some 10 years ago. Craig played Vince and Antony played Alexander, if you will recall. The two men agreed that neither of them had changed and Antony was quite excited to have his old mate back on set again, to the point that it was distracting Craig from getting into his new character!

Craig, who isn't gay, was warned by a mate that he could have a lot of men flirting with him once QAF had aired but says that never happened. Antony admits he was the one that got more of the attention, not all of it good. He's even had a pint poured over him in a club! They recall QAF as being a real landmark, "magic", and "not dated".

Craig's words on "hearthrob" Luke Kelly were interesting too. "I genuinely think I've got something to offer, but I don't think I'm a great big heart-throb. I'd like to think that I could be - through cheeky charm." Oh you are, luv, you are!

You can purchase the DVD set on Amazon if you want to check it out. Former Corrie star Denise Black (Denise Osborne) played Craig's mother in the series, and, while perusing the cast list on IMDB, I spotted Alan Halsall's (Tyrone) name as well!

Helen Flanagan pouts it up

Helen Flanagan, who plays Rosie Webster on Coronation Street, does a spot of modelling and pouting in Closer magazine this week.

If that's the sort of thing you like, then you'll like that sort of thing. Find out more at Closer.

Malcolm Hebden on playing Norris Cole

There's an interesting interview with Malcolm Hebden, who plays Norris Cole on Coronation Street, over at Digital Spy.

Malcolm talks about the rumour that the marvellous Mary may be returning to Corrie (yay!) and his relationship with Barbara Knox, who plays Rita. It's well worth a read and comes in two parts here and here.

Black Eye & Broken Heart: Mon Aug 24, 2009 Corrie Episode Review

Written by Daran Little (7:30) and Simon Crowther (8:30), directed by Durno Johnston.

Rita notices Emily is down since Ramsay will be leaving to go back to Australia. Rita takes it upon herself to tell Ramsay that he'll be very missed, especially by one person. She means Emily, but I can't help but wondering if Ramsay is thinking Norris. I can't tell, since he always looks gobsmacked. At Rita's suggestion, Ramsay has found a flat at Victoria Court, but decides he must tell Norris later, when the time is right. Which is never, but okay.

Ramsay takes Emily to place flowers on Ernest's grave. Ramsay tells Emily about his childhood abandonment as an illegitimate child by his and Norris' mother. Norris never even knew of his existence when they first met. Emily is very adamant that Norris cannot continue to punish Ramsay. She also tells Ramsay that he's won her over. In more ways than one...

Claire has found a grand prize for the raffle at her fete, thanks to Ashley who convinced Roy to donate the Paris Vacation that Eddie Windass won on his behalf, that he was too principled to go on. Ashley wins points for this, as Claire sends him a seductive text message and is waiting for him at home in a full lingerie outfit that looks as though it came right out of Rosie Websters day-wear wardrobe. So much for those points when he avoids the situation by pretending not to get the text, and bringing Graeme along. When is he going to just tell her the truth?

Gail and Joe rekindle their romance, much to Audrey and David's chagrin. David's busy trying to figure out who battered him. First it was Joe, then it was Jason. David's goes to the police station and fingers Jason. Jason gets taken away, then released since there's no evidence. Jason is upset that Tina didn't believe he was telling the truth first, but they get back on steady ground after a row in the street between the Platt's and the Grimshaw's again. There was shoving, slapping and hateful words tossed around.

At the same time, Jesse tells Eileen that he's been chucked out of his mum's place and would like to take her up on her offer to move in. He's a little Johnny-Come-Lately to me. Speaking of which, he brings with him John, his pet parrot. John instantly hates Eileen, and Jesse thinks it's a bad sign, since John only hates bad people. Well, I guess they'll just have to find someone else to be best man at their wedding! LOL.

Just as David is still believing that Jason was the one who beat him up, who should he see come out of the kebab shop? My favorite ginger-man, Gary Windass, that's who! Fresh from prison. David mocks Gary for having to spend his summer in jail. Gary tells David he'll never get back Summer '09. David realizes that Gary must be the one responsible for his battering. Gary tells him he only got out of prison that morning, so it couldn't have been him. Then he throws out a wink at David. How sly!

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Emily's joy when Ramsay tells her he's moving into Victoria Court.
- Emily and Ramsay's intimate conversations at the cemetery. (I know that sounds wrong, but it was so right.)
- Gail and Eileen's cat fight. Me-ow!
- Seeing Jesse's parrot John, he's really cute!
- Gary Windass back on the street, and his sly wink at David after claiming his innocence in David's beating.

LOWLIGHTS:
- Norris hating his life. Although, he had a chance with Mary to make a good go of it, but gave it up.
- Poor Claire all decked out in her best gear and Ashley embarrassing and lying to her. He's so spineless!
- Tina being so rude to Norris when he was only trying to help her out. Is she nice to anyone?
- Audrey's poor treatment of Joe. She can be so meddling sometimes. The guy's doing his best, and Gail happens to LIKE his best.
- Jesse only taking Eileen up on her offer to move in, AFTER he gets chucked out of his mum's! I thought that was pathetic.
- Tina not trusting Jason, and thinking he's the type of guy to jump someone and beat them defenselessly. Jason's our street White Knight!
- Eileen having to put up with a man who cares more about his parrots opinion of her, than his own.

For those who enjoy the scenic route, check out the full review scene-by-scene here.

Monday 24 August 2009

Corrie at Manchester Pride this weekend

Manchester Pride roars this Bank Holiday weekend until Monday 31st 2009, and there's a few faces from Coronation Street turning up.

Antony Cotton will be there hosting on the main stage and he'll have with him two ex-Corrie actresses - Suranne Jones (Karen McDonald) and Sally Lindsay (Shelley Unwin). Find out more here.

Pictures of Tony's proposal to Maria

Digital Spy have some great on-location pictures of Tony Gordon's proposal to Maria at Liam Connor's graveside. Have a look here, although my favourite is this one in-between takes in the rain of Samia Smith in her very fetching rain hat.

Crikey, what will Carla say when she returns? I mean about the proposal, not the rain hat.

Coronation Street Weekly Update, August 24 2009

Welcome to another weekly wotsit of wonder. So there’s another week gone and I’m another year older after celebrating my birthday at the weekend. There was cake, there was wine, presents, cards and a sigh of resignation on hitting a milestone of sorts. And so, without any further ado, here we go with this week’s Coronation Street update.

Blink and you’d have missed them. Last week they turned up and this week they left. Andy and Jim McDonald took a taxi to the airport after kissing Elizabeth goodbye on the cobbles and then they legged it. But much was said during their mini-return. We had Jim’s catchphrases out in force, the “so it is” and “catch yerself on” and lo and behold, even an “Ulster fry”. Come back soon, Jim McDonald, you’re sorely missed by Corrie fans in our big house, so you are.

And those left behind as Andy and Jim left were Mr and Mrs Becky and Steve McDonald, newly married publicans of the parish along with the woman who we must never forget has her name above the door. Elizabeth McDonald is back to her bitching self, daggers drawn to get her nails into Becky for no other reason than she’s got her hooks into her son and therefore will always be the other woman in Liz’s life. After Liz dumps Lloyd, Betty finds her crying in the back room of the Rovers and Liz comes clean about the truth about her tears. “It’s the menopause, Betty,” Liz sobs into her hanky. Betty pulls that face that she does, tells Liz to buy a cardi, wear layers and not to worry about facial hair because sooner rather than later it’ll come through grey and no-one’ll notice. This was a brilliant scene, it was just right with Betty neither too gushing and friendly (which Betty never is) nor too acid-tongued (which she can be), all set to the Joe Jackson track, “Different for Girls”.

Meanwhile, Steve and Becky do their best to find Slug after they see a solicitor to report DC Hooch for planting drugs in the Rovers. Photocopied photos of Slug are sent around all the Manchester cabbies and he’s spotted in the Flying Horse but by the time Steve gets there, Slug’s slithered off. Married life gets off to a crime-ridden start for the McDonalds with a jail term hanging over Becky head and a lifetime of gurns to come from Steve.

Graeme’s the advice guru this week, warning Ashley that Claire’s on the warpath putting on the warpaint, waiting for Ashley to bring her some fresh sausage home. Trouble is, Ashley still hasn’t told Claire that he hasn’t had the snip and so he arranges with Graeme to sabotage Claire’s saucy session by bursting in on her with a plant pot and Graeme Proctor, Garden Doctor in tow. The camera panned upwards from Claire’s stockings and suspenders and I have to admit, my blokey got quite aroused by this scene. Well, he put his Guardian crossword down, which is always a good sign. But when the camera panned up to reveal it was Claire, he tutted loudly and went back to his paper. I’m a little worried he was hoping for Blanche.

Amber’s off to that London after celebrating getting into Kings College to study at Uni. Graeme warns Darryl that once she’s gone to that London, the bright lights and big city will turn her head and she’ll never look back. I should know, it’s done the same to me.

Over the road, Sally and Kev set off in Rosie’s posh car to look at posh homes in Cheshire. Kev wants to move as far away as possible to get rid of Molly but she’s hanging around him like a bad smell and is slowly drawing Kevin back to her with her ‘come-hither and get your meat pie’ eyes.

David Platt’s beaten up this week, he’s bloodied and bruised and blames Joe and then Jason. Poor Jason gets arrested and taken to the cop shop which prompts a disappointing bout of slapping between Eileen and Gail on the cobbles. I was rather hoping for some hair-pulling and more name-calling between the two old foes. Just when David’s sure it was Jason who beat him, he bumps into Gary Windass and although Gary’s just got out of the big house that very morning, he lets David know that he has friends on the outside that he made on the inside and who’re on his side, if David gets his meaning. David gets his meaning and finally puts two and two together to add up to four bruised ribs.

Over at the Barlow’s, Deirdre’s made redundant from her job at the council and worries about her future. She takes to the Rovers where she’s given a glass of red on the house from Betty, who takes up knitting behind the bar this week and works at it even less successfully than she does serving up booze.

Next door at Emily’s, she and Ramsay go out to lay flowers on Ernest’s grave. Rita persuades Ramsay to stay around on the Street rather than head back to Australia and he views a flat in Victoria Court. Norris thinks his brother’s soon leaving for Oz and no one’s got the heart to tell him just yet that he’s not.

Finally this week, Jesse moves in with Eileen and brings his pet parrot, John. While Jesse and Eileen get along fine, John’s got other plans and takes against Eileen with an attack stance. “Ooh, it’s like having Gail Platt in a cage in the corner of the room,” Eileen moans to Sean on the sofa.

And that’s just about that for this week.

Find out more about these Coronation Street Weekly Updates.

Coronation Street writers this week were Daran Little, John Kerr, Jayne Hollinson and Simon Crowther.

Glenda
--
Blogging away merrily at http://flamingnora.blogspot.com/

Emily and Ken rock the Rovers Return

According to a spoiler in The Sun, Ken Barlow and Emily Bishop will jointly celebrate their 70th (Ken) and 80th (Emily) birthdays in the Rovers Return with a disco this autumn.

As it's Emily's milestone birthday, please can Spider return to Coronation Street? Please?

Jason Grimshaw voted Corrie's fittest fella

In the latest of our weekly blog polls, we asked fans to vote for Coronation Street's fittest fella. 258 votes were cast and the results are as follows.

Jason Grimshaw, 46%
Tony Gordon, 26%
Peter Barlow, 14%
Luke Strong, 12%
Eddie Windass, 8% (who voted? who?)

Why not vote in this week's poll on the blog, it's at the top on the right hand side.

Corrie's fab photo ... Monday - August 24, 2009

Coronation Street blog's fab photo comes to you a little late this week, but never fear, our pictorial prowess is as, er, fab as ever!

Here we see Doris Speed, the inimitable Annie Walker, lending a hand with the demolition of the old Coronation Street set in 1982. A new, more hospitable exterior set had recently been completed elsewhere on the Granada backlot, with Doris also taking the honour of laying the foundation stone.

You can read a truly fantastic piece all about the new 1982 exterior set at one of my favourite Coronation Street blogs, Back on the Street.

Janice Battersby, Corrie's unlikely heroine

Janice Battersby puts her first aid training to the test when she comes to the aid of Josh Peacock. Josh is going to get stung in the mouth and goes into anaphylactic shock, says The Star.

With Claire too busy organising her fete, Janice puts Josh into the recovery position until an ambulance arrives. But her quick thinking may not be enough to save Josh as Claire and Ashley wait to see if he will pull through.

However, I don't think Josh will be killed off, do you?

Sunday 23 August 2009

Get Out: Fri Aug 21, 2009 Corrie Episode Review

Written by Jayne Hollinson, directed by Pip Short.

Sorry for the tardiness of this review, I had some sporadic power outages over the weekend!

Onto the review... Pam is trying to wrangle herself into Bill's business, causing him to raise a brow. Pam's latest is suggesting that Bill market himself like Bob the Builder, only Bill the Builder. Bill's sceptical, but he let's Pam prepare some flyers anyway.

Jesse walks down the street to Eileen's completely covered in custard. Eileen sees the state of him and calls him "General Custard." Eileen is sick of Jesse's mama's boy routine, and invites him to move in. Surprisingly, Jesse declines saying it's "too soon." Back to mama's! Poor Eileen!

Trouble in paradise, as Molly and Tyrone drudge through the doldrums of married life too early on! Tyrone attacks Molly's confidence when he says he didn't think she'd ever do that half-marathon. Molly tells him she will do the half-marathon, and will train ALONE. Later, Molly bumps into Kev on the street and confronts him about wanting to move because of her. He tells her not to be so sour, essentially. What does he expect? Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Amber walks into the kebab shop all bladdered, and silly dressed. She is celebrating her graduation and her subsequent entry to King's College in London! Congrats Amber! It's nice to see someone on the street going up in the world. Which makes me wonder how long she'll remain on the street. Darryl suggest that he could move to London with Amber, but Amber turns it down saying that he can't leave his family, mates and job. Poor Darryl.

Graeme tells Darryl and Amber that he's now in business. Graeme is now formally: "Graeme Proctor: Garden Doctor." He tells them both that he's also found an affordable set of "wheels." They go outside to check out Graeme's new ride and set their eyes on a broke-down rickshaw! O.M.G. is what Amber mutters, but gets in as Graeme offers her the first ride. Darryl watches while Amber slowly rides away from him down the street...

Liz and Becky continue to spit insults at each other over their morning fags. Like mother and daughter the two of them. I wonder if Steve has some kind of oedipal complex. Liz accuses Becky of pulling a red-herring, and only pretending to think it was Slug who framed her to deflect attention from her own mis-doings. Everyone's a PI now! Speaking of, Eddie calls to say that he's seen Slug at the Flying Horse pub, and Becky and Steve head down there, only to miss Slug. But, at least it's a lead.

Liz confessed to Betty (and all of us) what's really bothering her lately: she's going through "the change." Yes, Liz is approaching menopause. She's really in love with Lloyd, but she doesn't want to be with him since she's menopausal - what if he leaves her for a floozie, or wants to have kids? The first, might happen, but the latter - doubt it! Poor Liz!

Another one of our ladies who's down on her age and sell-ability this episode is Deirdre, but not on the man front - on the job front. Deirdre has gotten the news, that she's gotten the ax. What will Deirdre do for work now? She has no clue and neither do we. Maybe she can ask Graeme if he's hiring?

Gail lets Joe know that she can't trust him, and she isn't sure about their relationship anymore. Joe takes that cue, and packs his suitcase and says he'll stay in a Bed & Breakfast (more like Back Alley & Beer), to give them some space. Gail doesn't stop him, and Joe is mad that Gail believes David's word over his.

Meanwhile, David is still obsessed with Tina, despite his earlier claims that her and her father should leave the street. David manages to get a nosy in Tina and Jason's new flat. Tina's bracelet falls under a crack in the wall, and she immediately blames David starting a row between everyone, especially Jason and David. David later sneaks into No.12 to verbally abuse Tina, and it has her shook up. Jason's not happy about it, and leaves looking for David but returns telling Tina he couldn't find him after all. David walks home later that night and is approached by someone from behind and brutally beaten. Gail finds him in a bloody pulp on her front porch. With so many suspects, it's a classic whodunnit.

HIGHLIGHTS:
- Gail putting her foot down about Joe. Usually, she's so wishy-washy. I like confident new Gail. Even if she is a misery still!
- David calling N0.12 a dump and reckoning if this is their first step on the property ladder, that the rung must be rotten. Then, Joe muttering that he'd know all about rotten. Zing!
- Joe finally back to his old self, and being a good father to Tina by helping out at her place.
- Someone beating the pulp out of David!
- Jack and Connie's conversation over making her house into a commune for old folks. I just like their little conversations.
- Eileen telling Jesse to call his mother and tell her that he's being seduced by that brassy blond she hates! This is why we love Eileen.
- Liz confessing to Betty that she's "going through the change." I like this topic for this soap! Liz's really worrying for nothing. I'm personally looking forward to menopause, and I'll well-far off from it!
- Graeme and his rickshaw!

LOWLIGHTS:
- Pam trying to take over Bill's business. Not sure if she's genuinely helpful, or just controlling.
- Jesse's whole mamas-boy complex. That's just never going to change. Poor Eileen!
- Kevin telling Molly that Sally's his wife, and has to come first. Erm, how 'bout ONLY? This is marriage, not the Olympics, there shouldn't be a second and third place for others! Poor Sal, and I don't say that very often!

For those who enjoy the scenic route, check out the full review, scene-by-scene here.

Ex-Corrie women in The Vagina Monologues

Former Coronation Street actresses are currently on tour with the Vagina Monologues in the UK.

Fans can see Nikki Sanderson (Candice Stowe) in Bromley and Sally Lindsay (Shelley Unwin) in various venues up and down the country in the play.

More information at the website here.

Yay or Nay: Should Jim McDonald return for good?

As blogger Tvor says here, there's no denying that chemistry still exists between Liz and Jim and he's a huge hit with Coronation Street fans too.

I'd love to see Big Jim McDonald back on the cobbles for good, but what do you think?

Corrie weekly awards for week of August 17 - 21

Kitchen accessory of the week: This bright, cheery ceramic toast holder of Sally's.

Rat "Bar Steward" of the week: Tin Star: DC Hooch for all his dirty deeds done dirt cheap. He even took a bribe from Steve and legged it with it. No witnesses, of course.

Ironic award: Gold Star: Liz... moaning and raving about *her* name over the door and "their" living going down the pan. So where have you been for all these months, blondie?
Silver Star: David. This time he really didn't do it (nick Tina's bracelet) but everyone thinks he did.

Sour Grapes award: Norris: Doesn't want Ramsay around but feels snubbed when he leaves! Just an excuse to sack him, really.

Miracle cure of the week: Joe's back is just fine now, thanks. Even good enough for heavy lifting. Did you see him practically dancing around that flat? And Suck up of the week... Also Joe, who's making breakfast in bed the minute after he finds out Gail isn't so sure she wants him around anymore. And slagging off her son isn't going to convince her otherwise.

Lines of the Week:

Jim: "I'll see you soon, Elizabeth." (They still have that old Black Magic together, don't they?)

Claire about her support group: "It makes me feel like I'm doing something useful." (Um, the last support group you were in? Crazy woman tried to take over your life! I'd steer clear, luv!)

Steve: "I love trouble. Bring me trouble" (And he's right! Steve's middle name is Trouble and it always has been).

David about Joe: "He's a mentalist" (Pots and kettles, anyone?)

Eileen to Jesse: "Well! If it isn't General Custard! Literally!"

Graeme: "I've done fire. It's time I moved on to Earth"

Saturday 22 August 2009

Country pub with Corrie connections

There's a Derbyshire pub called the Lantern Pike Inn which has some wonderful Corrie connections.

It says here that Tony Warren wrote the first six episodes of Coronation Street in 1960 in the pub. There's an affectionate, signed letter from Tony Warren and portraits of some the cast including Pat Phoenix, who played Elsie Tanner and Violet Carson who played Ena Sharples, to prove it. Next year, the locals plan to celebrate the 50th anniversary with a Coronation Street quiz night and Betty's hotpot.

The Lantern Pike Inn is at 45 Glossop Road, Little Hayfield, High Peak, Derbyshire and you can view it online here: http://www.lanternpikeinn.co.uk/

Wanted: Coronation Street fans of the week

Would you like to be featured on the blog in our Coronation Street Fan of the Week slot? If you would, all you have to do is email in your photo, any website links you'd like us to link to, and the answers the following questions plus any other info you'd like to share with Corrie fans.

1. Your name and home town/country.
2. How long you've been watching Corrie.
3. Your favourite female and male characters - and the reasons why.
4. And your fantasy Corrie storyline - what would you like to happen in future epsidoes? Who would you bring back if you could?

GRITTY SAGAS BY CORRIE BLOG EDITOR GLENDA YOUNG, PUBLISHED BY HEADLINE. CLICK PIC BELOW!

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GRITTY SAGAS BY CORRIE BLOG EDITOR GLENDA YOUNG, PUBLISHED BY HEADLINE. CLICK PIC BELOW!