Conversation Street

Amanda Barrie Interview

For this interview, we were joined by a real Corrie legend. Following an already illustrious career on stage and screen, Amanda Barrie joined the cast of Corrie in the early 80s as straight talking cafe worker, Alma Sedgewick. Over the years, she rose to become one of the era's best loved characters, forming a popular partnership in the cafe with Gail, and being one half of an iconic couple alongside Mike Baldwin. Here, Amanda shares her memories of her time in the show, working alongside some other Corrie icons.

Also available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weu2u7jngps

Conversation Street Episode 505

On our latest podcast, we chat about the episodes of Coronation Street shown in the UK between the 10th and the 14th January (Episodes #10531 - 10536).

Bit of a shorter podcast from us this week, it turned out. Not that that is was a particularly bad week or anything; it's just when it came down to chatting about the episodes, we didn't end up having very much to say! Yeah, having your kid go missing must be pretty awful, right? Hmm, they're definitely still putting things in place for Tim to be accused of having an affair with Aggie, aren't they? The Zeedan story... is that *really* still going? Sure, Joseph was admittedly extremely cute, there were a few lovely character focused scenes with Jenny, Amy on her crusade was fantastic and Shona in the Kabin certainly has potential, but yeah... Let's hope next week has a bit more to get our blood pumping!

There wasn't even very much in the way of Corrie news this week either, so we decided to give The Kabin a swerve, but there's always time for listener feedback, so we end the episode with that - including a nice little discussion about why young people don't seem to be watching the soaps anymore.

Street Talk: 00:08:03

Feedback: 01:42:32

Corrie In 2021: A Year in Review and Predictions for 2022

Another year has come and gone, and in this bonus episode of the podcast, we take a final look at 2021 on Coronation Street. After seeing which characters made it into the Top 10 appearance count for the year, we chat about the production side of things first - how well has Corrie made it through another year of the pandemic, and can we see the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of filming restrictions? We also have a run down of some of our favourite stories and characters of the year, particularly trying to give some time to those who may not have been honoured in our recent Conversation Street Awards show.

Then, just over around and hour and twenty minutes into the podcast, we switch over to the predictions segment for 2022 - though not before seeing how many of our predictions we made a year ago for 2021 actually came true (spoiler: not many!) We round things off by reading out some of the predictions for the year sent in by listeners. Time will tell which of them is also a mole at the Corrie offices!

Conversation Street Episode 504

Happy New Year everyone! Our first podcast of 2022 covers the episodes of Corrie shown in the UK between the 31st December and the 5th January (Episodes #10524 - 10530)

The new year kicked off with a couple of brand new stories for the show, including Tim's need for a triple heart bypass and the pickle that Faye and Emma have managed to get themselves into involving a dead pensioner, a missing fingernail and a packet of crusher ginger nuts. Meanwhile, because Corrie viewers are clearly interested in stories about characters covering up mysterious circumstances surrounding someone's death, we also got more in the new look Speed Daal this week, where Alya is desperately trying to make Zeedan see that getting back with his ex when they bear some responsibility for her dad's untimely demise probably isn't the best idea. All this, plus a pregnancy scare for Abi, a new job at Underworld for Lydia, and a breakthrough for Nick in his endeavours to get Sam talking again.

Up next on the podcast, we chat about who from Corrie made the New Year's honours list as well sharing our thoughts on this week's Soapy Slip Ups special, then we finish off the show with some our our listeners' thoughts about Corrie at Christmas.

Street Talk: 00:13:38
The Kabin: 02:25:35
Feedback: 02:45:48

The Conversation Street Awards 2021

Another year has come and gone, and that can only mean one thing: another Conversation Street Awards! This is the tenth time we've run these awards, and we've had more people voting this year than ever, so thanks to everyone who took the time to have their say about 2021 in Weatherfield. Who were the Top Lad and Top Lass? Which surprise twist had us crying out "By 'Eck!"? Who packed the best punch, and has Jenny managed to snag that Flamin' Nora award for best redhead for the seventh year in a row? Listen in to find out!

Conversation Street Episode 503

In our final podcast of 2021, we chat about the episodes of Coronation Street shown over the Christmas weekend-and-a-bit - that's the 24th to the 28th December (Episodes #10516 - 10523).

In a refreshing change to the doom and gloom soap viewers are so often treated to each Christmas, Corrie opted for a lighter tone for this year's 25th December episode. That's not to say there weren't fisticuffs or fallouts (though Tyrone and Phill's inflatable toy fight was pure comedy, and we don't think anyone can deny that George deserved the rollocking he got from Eileen after presenting her with THAT gift..) but with the whole community gathered around the piano for a sing-song at the end of the episode, you'd be forgiven for forgetting some of the lingering beef that certain characters still had with each other - not least Abi's deep resentment towards Kelly still living in the vicinity. Yes, the new Mrs Webster certainly caused a bit of a storm on social media this week with her relentless hounding of Kelly, but what did we make of her actions? All this, plus Fiz's supposed financial investment in No. 9, the return of Roy (and Evelyn - were we the only ones who'd noticed she'd been off-screen for months?) and Jenny admiring Leo's tackle. 

Up next on the show, we take a quick look at the Christmas Day ratings for all the soaps, then finish off the podcast with your thoughts on the Corrie's festive offerings in the feedback section.

Street Talk: 00:14:23
The Kabin: 02:53:36
Feedback: 02:58:18

Conversation Street Episode 502

Coming at you earlier than usual this week, it's Conversation Street Episode #502, which covers what went down on the cobbles on the 20th and 22nd December (Episodes #10512 - 10515)

Emma's wedding day has arrived, and while she's at the hotel looking pretty in pink, Curtis is nowhere to be found - has he done a runner with Steve's charity money? Meanwhile, Max's future at Weathy High hangs in the balance as Mrs Crawshaw comes to a decision about whether to reinstate him, Abi sees red when she realises that Kelly's now staying just a few doors down from her, and  Sarah desperately tries to get the warring Barlows and Platts to come together  for Christmas.

Next up on the podcast, we celebrate Corrie's win over Team Emmerdale at this year's Big Soap Quiz, and we round off the show with more of your listener feedback.

Street Talk - 00:12:58

The Kabin - 01:38:45

Feedback - 01:56:30

Conversation Street Episode 501

In our latest podcast, we chat about the episodes of Corrie shown in the UK between the 13th and the 17th December (Episodes #10506 - 10511).

This week, Emma learns the truth about Curtis' non-existent heart condition, which causes her to wonder whether she really SHOULD be marrying this guy she's barely known for five minutes and has been lying to her and manipulating her feelings since their very first encounter. Hmm, tough choice, eh, Emma? Thank goodness for Amy trying to talk some sense into her, at least! Meanwhile, Maria decides she's had enough of being Sally's wingwoman and announces she's flying solo, Adam thinks he's wandered into Nick's story from last year when Sarah's new bezzie mate turns out to be one of his ex-flings and she has a kid in tow, and Audrey struggles to come to terms with the fact that getting old ain't all it's cracked up to be.

As we're running a bit late this week and there's not much in the way of Corrie news, we decide to give the Kabin a swerve, and delve straight into the reader mail bag, and more of your lovely comments sent in to mark our 500th episode last week.

Street Talk: 00:15:04
Feedback: 02:18:11

The Conversation Street Awards 2021 Nominations

The end of 2021 is nearly here, which means it's time for the 10th annual Conversation Street Awards!  The past twelve months have seen their fair share of heroes and villains on the cobbles, but which characters and storylines are most deserving of praise? Results will be revealed in our annual awards show around New Year, but first, have a listen to use discussing this nominees, and see if it helps you pick your winners!

When you know who your winners are, head over to https://surveyhero.com/c/i3qq7g3r and cast your vote!

Conversation Street Episode 500

On the 500th edition of Conversation Street, we chat about what went down on the cobbles in the week of the 6th to the 10th December (Episodes #10,500 - 10,505).

This week, Daniel is faced with the prospect of his teaching career being over before it's barely even begun when Max publicly accuses him of being in an affair with Summer at the Sixth Form Ice Ball. Meanwhile, fans of Phill's mummy Mimi (and we'd DEFINITELY include ourselves in that bracket!) were in for a treat this week as she organises a birthday bash for her boy in the Bistro - but will he stand up to her when she starts bad-mouthing Fiz? Elsewhere on the Street, Hashim turns up the heat on Zeedan in the wake of the Speed Daal fire, Amy's university aspirations risk putting a dampener on Emma's increasingly extravagant wedding plans, and Corrie's Grace period is over as Ed and Aggie convince her to leave Weatherfield for good.

Up next on the podcast, we take a look at what Simon Gregson's been up to in I'm A Celeb and celebrate Corrie's clean sweep at the I Talk Telly Awards. We finish off the show with a bumper feedback section, featuring some absolutely lovely emails, tweets and voice mails from listeners congratulating us on reaching this week's podcasting milestone. Thank you so much to everyone who wrote in this week - we weren't able to get through them all in Episode #500, but we promise we'll read them out over the next week or two!

Street Talk: 00:21:33
The Kabin: 02:08:11
Feedback: 02:13:17