Conversation Street

Conversation Street Episode #518

On our latest podcast, we chat about the episodes of Corrie shown in the UK between the 11th and the 15th April (Episodes #10610 to 10615).

Pick a side, everyone, because the battle for custody of Alfie is properly underway this week, and it ain't looking pretty. With unexpected alliances to underhand tactics aplenty, we're not sure anyone's going to come out of this one looking good, but we're certainly enjoying the ride - as difficult as it might be for us to see three of our favourites at each other's throats! Also this week, Kelly struggles to come to terms with her parents' deaths, Billy and Amy grow increasingly concerned over Summer's relentless revision, and school dogsbody Daniel finds himself roped into organising yet another event that really shouldn't be anything to do with him - needs must when the staff lists seems to consist solely of a deputy head, an English teacher and newly hired TA, eh?

In The Kabin, we celebrate the return of the British Soap Awards but have some concerns over some of the new categories, and we round off the show with more of your lovely feedback.

Street Talk - 00:11:33
The Kabin - 02:05:32 
Feedback - 02:30:26

Kel Allen Interview

Last week, we saw poor Laura Neelan shuffle off this mortal coil, taking Gary's secret about being responsible for Rick's death to her grave. This week, we chatted to the actress who played Laura, Kel Allen, about her two years on the show, including last year's courtroom drama, playing opposite Millie Gibson and Mikey North and, of course, those harrowing scenes last week when Our Kelly got to the hospital just too late to say goodbye to her mum...

Also available in video format on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NgCHDptXsiM

Conversation Street Episode 517

On our latest podcast, we chat about the comings and goings in Weatherfield between the 4th and the 8th April (Episodes #10604 - 10609).

Sad times this week, as we say goodbye to two great characters - one going Down Under, the other heading six feet under. Emma's time on Corrie has been relatively short but saccharine sweet - was her trip to Oz with brainless scarecrow Jon a fitting exit? Meanwhile, as Laura shuffles off this mortal coil, we have to concede that she's definitely not faking this whole cancer thing - which, to be fair, has definitely crossed our minds more than once over the course of this story! Also this week, more thrilling chesscapades for Sam, Toyah's hopes for adopting Elsie solo are dashed, and Number 9 loses its Fiz.

Next up on the podcast, we take a trip to The Kabin, where we get more than a little bit excited at the prospect of an upcoming Granada exhibit up in Manchester, then we round off the show with more of your fabulous feedback.

Street Talk - 00:10:24
The Kabin - 02:04:37
Feedback - 02:14:07

Listener Questions

This week's bonus podcast is another listener questions segment! First up, with the second Downton Abbey movie releasing later this month, Clara wants to know which Coronation Street characters we'd cast in our own Downton-style period drama, and which types of role they'd be given. From the lord and lady of the manor down to the humble servants, we ponder who'd fit where, and what sort of stories might be thrown at them. Next up, Byron asks us about issues-based storylines on Coronation Street, specifically which stories have raised most awareness and had the biggest effect on people's views. We chat about the power that soap has to influence people's opinions, look for tangible examples of where Corrie has brought about change in society, and even share a few interesting stories about soaps from around the world that were commissioned specifically to educated viewers about big local issues.

Conversation Street Episode 516

On our latest podcast, we chat about the episodes of Coronation Street shown in the UK between the 28th March and the 1st April (Episodes #10598 - 10603).

We don't know about you, but we've been particularly enjoying Corrie this past month or so, and this week was no exception. After last Friday's fantastic twist that saw Laura taking the rap for hubby Rick's murder, this week it's her job to try and convince the police - and with DS Beckett holding a long standing grudge against the true culprit, Gary Windass, she's going to have to hope the cops dig  up some pretty conclusive evidence against her at the Weathy County development... Meanwhile, after Abi's care hearing for Alfie doesn't go well, Imran vows to do whatever it takes to avoid losing his secret son... but can he keep the truth from Toyah? Also this week, Tim gets the go-ahead from the doctor to spent some 'quality time' with Sally, Billy worries that Summer's working herself too hard in the run up to her exams, and Emma and Jon.. well, they clearly didn't get the memo that soaps are all supposed to be about doom and gloom, did they?

Up next on the podcast, it's The Kabin, where we hear about a new documentary being made to celebrate William Roache's upcoming 90th birthday (because, let's face it, the 'Goodbye Ken' one they must have had in the can for years isn't going to be airing any time this century, is it?) and we round off the show with an email about equality of the sexes on the cobbles in the feedback section.

Street Talk - 00:06:17
The Kabin - 02:01:04
Feedback - 02:15:23

Conversation Street Episode 515

On our latest episode of the podcast, we share our thoughts on the goings on on the Street between the 21st and the 25th March 2022 (Episodes #10592 - 10597).

This week, Adam follows in his grandfather's footsteps by being the latest Barlow to end up in hospital after being pushed from a height as the story with him, Sarah and Lydia comes to a climax. Speaking of which, Tim's ready to pop this week as he eagerly awaits the go ahead from the love doctor (well, heart doctor..) to get intimate with Sally. Meanwhile, Election Day comes for Maria, Faye finds herself once again accidentally up the duff, and Laura makes the ultimate sacrifice after learning the truth about Rick's demise.

There are a couple of small news items to cover in The Kabin this week, including Corrie's nominees for the TRIC Awards, and we round off the podcast with some listener feedback.

Street Talk: 00:08:44
The Kabin: 01:41:14
Feedback: 01:45:36

Our Weekend In Manchester

Last weekend, we took a trip up north to Manchester for two days of Corrie themed goodness. During our time there, we enjoyed a play at the Hope Mill Theatre starring Sally Ann Matthews, had a drink with Charlie de Melo and Millie Gibson and took a turn about the set on the Coronation Street Tour. An all round fab weekend, and we hope you enjoy hearing about our experience!

Conversation Street Episode 514

On our latest podcast, we share our thoughts on the goings on in Weatherfield between the 14th and the 18th March (Episodes #10586 - 10591).

After twists and turns of last week's Corrie, were they able to keep up the momentum this week? On the whole, we'd say yes. The Abi/Imran/Toyah story, which continued to take the lion's share of the screen time, still gripped us as we continued to feel sympathy for each of the main players - despite the fact that some of their actions were definitely morally questionable.. Speaking of which, we were pleasantly surprised to see the return of Grace this week, who makes a flying visit to the Street to stir up a bit more trouble for the Baileys. Meanwhile, Nicky puts on her tightest leather trousers for her TA job interview, Amy and Jacob go public with their relationship, and Dr Gaddas returns with a funky new hairstyle as Laura's condition continues to deteriorate.

There wasn't a whole lot in terms of big news this week, so we decided to give The Kabin a swerve, and instead headed straight on over to the feedback section after Street Talk, where topics include the a commentary on Alfie's situation from the point of view of a social worker, the compelling performances of Jane Danson and Sally Carman, and the Coronation Street Tour.

Street Talk: 00:08:55
Feedback: 01:59:30

The Changing Sets Of Coronation Street

From its humble beginnings as a row of flimsy wooden house fronts crammed into a tiny Granada studio to the vast expanse used today at MediaCity, Coronation Street has changed an awful lot in the past sixty years. The row of terraced houses with a shop at one end and the Rovers Return at the other is just as recognisable as ever, but beyond that, the street is worlds away from what the show runners could have ever conceived of back in 1960. In this discussion, we chat about the evolution of the external sets over the years, tracking the buildings that came and went, roads that were lengthened and (in the case of Rosamund Street) massively shortened, and other changes that viewers have seen come and go.

If you'd like to see some pictures to go along with this discussion, take a look at some of the ones we used as reference here: shorturl.at/erDP3

Conversation Street Episode 513

On our latest podcast, we chat about the episodes of Coronation Street shown in the UK between the 6th and the 11th March (Episodes #10579 - 105785).

Corrie's new schedule got off to a cracking start this week, with our favourite week of episodes so far in 2022. It's taken a little while to get here, but it feels like Abi's surprise baby and the inevitable consequences for Kevin, Imran and Toyah will be the first 'big' story of the year, and we can't wait to find out what happens next. Also this week, Leanne arranges some clandestine chess sessions between Sam and Roy after Nick decides his son is getting a little too obsessed, Nicky returns to Weatherfield with a career change that sees her moving from the bedroom to the classroom, and, not content with living with the daughter of the man he bludgeoned to death, Gary invites Rick's ex-wife to move in chez Windass too - what could possibly go wrong?

Up next on the podcast it's a fairly lengthy Kabin segment with only one item on the agenda: the newly announced Weatherfield Precinct! We discuss our first impressions of the planned set expansion, chatting about how we expect the new area to be used in the show, who we expect to see hanging out there most often, and what it might mean for location shoots going forward. We round off the show with more of your listener feedback.

Street Talk: 00:13:31
The Kabin: 02:18:42
Feedback: 02:49:44