Coronation Street

Miraculously, Orbit Tv and Showtime in the Middle East have merged, so tonight I acquired several new TV channels, including one channel that showed Coronation Street! First time I have seen the programme in around eight years!

Needless to say, I did not recognise any of the characters, except Steve McDonald, the good looking twin son of Liz McDonald. It seems he is now the landlord of the Rovers Return! The episode shown tonight was endboarded as a 2009 episode, but I would like to find out how far behind UK we are.

The episode involved an Indian barmaid being sacked from the Rovers for being "gobby" and having her wig pulled off at the end (incidentally, that actress was a famous MTV VJ out here ten years ago - Sophiya Haque). Other elements of tonights episode included a character called Stella pretending to be a Classical pianist and developing pianists knuckle just before being forced to perform at a posh hotel during high tea. Plus the gay barman (actor who used to be in Queer as Folk) devastated because he had been airbrushed out of a photoshoot for the local newspaper!!!!

Indeed, it was all DREADFUL stuff and nothing like I remembered Corrie. However, I am really curious to know how far behind we are. Can anyone tell?

I've not watched much for a few months, but have they changed the actor or something?

Not to Far behind about a month or so do you get Eastenders over there?

Yes, Eastenders is on BBC Prime. In EE at the moment over here, it was just Dawn's birthday and she was hinting for a pair of shoes from Garry. And Denise kissed and made up with her man only to find his ex wife in her undies on Pat's stairs.

Geeezz-------------what a load of!

Back to Corrie - bring back Ena, Rita, Elsie and Hilda.

Rita is still there, worry not. Runs the Kabin with Noris Cole at present (you may remember him from the days of Derek Wilton). You could bring back Hilda, although Jean Alexander has ruled out a return. As for the other two, I'd imagine actresses are no longer with us-- if not the characters.

Emily, Ken, Deirdre, Jack, Betty Turpin/Williams, Gail, Sally and Kevin are still on the Street-- Liz McDonald is to return soon as well.

I agree about EE... BBC's other soap, Doctors, is far better in my view.

Yeah I agree about the other people at the meeting - probabaly cheered them up a bit!

But noooooo you cant kill off the lovely Claire - kill Ashley off instead, he is long past his sell by date and is so annoying now.

I wouldn't kill off either of them. Ashley is practically a street veteran thesedays, Assuming Wikipedia lists the characters in apperance order, he is the 21st longest running character, plus it'll be interesting seeing 'Our Joshua' turn into a teenager

What exactly do you like about her Jez? I've yet to find a redeeming feature. She seems very dull and bland most of the time, and exceptionally irritating the rest. She's a bit like a Poundstretcher Sally Webster with the personality removed.

I'd also get rid of Ashley. He was okay as a 'straight man' side-kick to Fred Elliot, but as a standalone character, he seems rather pointless.

especially when he 'discovers' that he's technically adopted (his biological mum is dead and he's the product of an affair she had with Matt Ramdsen) so Ashley and Claire aren't his natutal parents and Freddie is their child so he's his step brother. Little Joshua is the cookoo in the Peacock's nest which is a very birdy play on words

now if that wouldn't send a teen off the rails I don't know what would (in soapland mythology that is)

then again Rryyaann hasn't exactly reverted back to being a grafiti artist on discovery that he was accidentally swapped at birth, he's taken it all in his stride along with the deaths of his father, both uncles and his cousin, GCSE's and puberty

Probably wrong to talk Eastenders in this thread but this must be about the time when it was Patrick's birthday. He was just coming down the stairs and Denise asked him "Have you heard about Michael Jackson?". It would be interesting to see if that scene (which was shot on the day of original broadcast) is included in the version you see on BBC Prime.

I'd agree with keeping Ashley, I think you need somebody established to run the butchers (just in the same we retain Audrey to run the salon). OK he may not have the status now Fred has passed away, but I think he's got a good double act with Graeme; Ashley being sensible, and Graeme a barmpot.

Not sure about Claire, I don't think there's much you can do with her really at present-- beyond Streetcars and looking after the kids

I like her because she is nice and genuine - what you see is what you get, there isnt anything nasty in her and you need some people like that. I also love the fact she will stand up for herself and wont take any crap from Ashley - like in the pub the other week.

davidlees - yes VERY wrong!