The problem I guess with Andy McDonald was there wasnt anywhere for the character to go at that time. He could have stayed (but they'd done that with Ken Barlow) and he'd worked in the supermarket, the Rovers. They nearly married Andy off but that failed due to circumstances out of Granada control at the 12th hour.
It was a shame as Nicholas Cochrane could act really well, and it could be interesting to bring him back more long term as a foil with a back story for Steve- plus from memory the character Andy hates Tracy so could be fun!
I’d recommend listening to the Distinct Nostalga podcast as Nicholas Cochrane was recently interviewed by the podcast. By his own admission he felt that he could have pushed the Andy character a bit more, he also said he’d be open for Andy to return also if the story was right.
Sherrie Hewson was also recently interviewed and she had some good Corrie stories to tell, and how much of a party animal Maude Grimes was in real life.
I'm really liking 1996 Corrie so far on ITV3. We are only up to March but some very good episodes recently with Liz and Jim. I remember hardly anything from this era so its nice to see these episodes again. Its quite shocking that Andy, Steve and Vicky all seem to be on Jim's side. So much has changed in 24 years.
Hi Jez!
I've just dipped in and out of 1995. Have just watched the run up to and departure of Bet Lynch. And the aftermath when the Duckies took over. It's either a piece of writing masterclass or a last minute attempt at something because Jack and Vera - as much as I love them - take a helluva getting used to behind that bar.
Perhaps it's just that Bet was there for so long and became iconic in the role, having the Duckworth's there still feels 'empty.
Anyhoo, my question (which has probably been answered on here countless times) is this: other than the need to create a convenient storyline to allow for Julie's exit, why did this whole ownership of The Rovers even arise? Because as you will know, Betty Turpin actually owned The Rovers, unbeknown to anyone. When did she actually cease to become the owner?
Also notable from the era, the appearance and acting quality of Steve McDonald. I've watched this era for the first time ever as I had moved away from the UK around that time and had never seen this era before. I take it his acting must've gotten better as he's still in it today (Simon Gregory/Gregson).
Odd that they got rid of the other twin brother who actually could act!
Just my tuppence...
To be honest, I think Simon Gregson/Steve was better back then that he is now! Andy I found quite boring, no wonder they axed him (as well as Bill, Maureen and Don) in 1997, they made the right choices in who they axed I think. But the actor was fine, its just Andy wasn't given very exciting storylines unlike Steve.
As for the Rovers, well they said that Annie Walker left the Rovers to Betty but this wasn't possible as Annie never owned the Rovers, she was just a tenant, BIlly Walker took over the tenancy and then sold it back to the brewery, they put Bet in as manager, then Alec bought the tenancy, sold it back, Bet was manager again, then the brewery sold the pub itself not just the tenancy and the Duckworths bought it. So it was complete nonsense that Betty owned the Rovers at the time of her death.
I’d recommend listening to the Distinct Nostalga podcast as Nicholas Cochrane was recently interviewed by the podcast. By his own admission he felt that he could have pushed the Andy character a bit more, he also said he’d be open for Andy to return also if the story was right.
Sherrie Hewson was also recently interviewed and she had some good Corrie stories to tell, and how much of a party animal Maude Grimes was in real life.
There is also a podcast with Thelma Barlow and Madge Hindle. I listened to them all and found them really interesting. Love all the old stories about the cast of the 1970s-1990s. Amanda Barrie also did a podcast but only spoke about Corrie briefly. Sherrie mentioned Crossroads a bit in her interview too. Saying it was Granada taking over Carlton and closing the Lenton Lane studios that meant the end for Crossroads in 2003.
Seemed to overdo it with all the coronavirus references in today's episode. Almost as if they feel they have to make up for it not being referenced until now.
Seemed to overdo it with all the coronavirus references in today's episode. Almost as if they
feel they have to make up for it not being referenced until now.
Indeed, as far as I could the Coronavirus references seems shoehorned in and all the scenes with blatantly obvious social distancing.
Would it not have been better for Corrie to just ignore coronavirus? Everybody knows it’s happening without being reminded about it in soaps. It’s not something I’ve watched in a long time, but with the ever changing rules as the situation develops, soaps are never going to be able to accurately reflect the pandemic by the time episodes make it to air.
To be honest it’s one of those damned if they do/damned if they don’t situations, some like the cafe takeaway only scenes, some don’t, some would complain it Roys continued to be in full swing all the way through. It was mostly light hearted references about wild animals being scene in the precinct, rather than the virus actually effecting the characters.
It’ll be interesting when it becomes clear what all the other soaps do.
Besides the lock down episodes, Emmerdale has only given the vaguest mentions to something having gone on, I’m guessing EastEnders will reflect it considering how much they like to insert extra scenes when news items occur.