Soap plots won’t wash with us all
Regarding Sir Michael Parkinson’s comments about Coronation Street, the soap has turned into pure panto, with Pat Phelan as the lead baddie.
How many more of the cast will end up in hospital in a coma – or dead? It’s a regular thing in the show now and it’s just ridiculous.
It also appears that Tracy Barlow has got away with arson, as well as murder.
Instead of increasing the number of episodes per week, perhaps it’s time the producers had a rethink. Paul Govan, Par, Cornwall # Sir Michael Parkinson complained about recent Coronation Street storylines, saying they were too “brutal”. However, as much as I admire Parky, he is being naive in thinking Corrie could carry on in its gentle way without being spiced up with occasional hard-hitting plots. But I’m also glad a reasonable slice of the show is pure comedy gold. I’m afraid murders and mayhem happen in the North as much as anywhere else and I believe the Corrie scriptwriters do keep things at a reasonable pitch. Sam Johnson Blackpool, Lancs # I agree with your TV previewer Sara Wallis that there has been plenty of violence on Corrie over the years (Mirror, Nov 8). However, it’s how it’s portrayed nowadays which makes me shudder. What on earth are they thinking of showing these shocking scenes pre-watershed? The shooting scenes should never have gone out before 9pm.
Producer Kate Oates is just pushing Corrie down the line of Emmerdale – and look what’s happened to that programme. Stephen Thwaites, Nottingham # I disagree with Sara Wallis defending Coronation Street. The violent scenes are more brutal and graphic now than they were in the 1960s and 1970s.
There is enough doom and gloom in the world and I’m afraid the show’s writers and producers are out of touch. Steve Goulding Sheffield # I read with interest the recent complaints made against our three leading soap operas.
Would all these viewers who are moaning about it be happier if the storylines were dull and uneventful?
If you don’t like the plots on Coronation Street, Emmerdale or EastEnders, it’s simple – don’t watch them! Rob Wildey, Tamworth, Staffs # I agree with Sir Michael Parkinson’s view that Corrie is reaching unacceptable levels of violence. I also grew up watching the soap and recall it being a popular discussion the following day in the school playground. Some of the current storylines are no longer suitable for young children to watch. It seems each new baddie is worse than the last. Pat Phelan and Nathan Curtis make Richard Hillman look like a pussycat. Stuart Magrath, Wigan Gtr Manchester # Coronation Street was my favourite soap and the only one I really enjoyed, but not any more. Some of the topics and conversations are totally inappropriate for the hour they’re shown. Bring back the good old times and stories. Corrie shouldn’t be like EastEnders. Kathryn Jones Barnsley South Yorks