Conversation Street

Our Reflections On 2020 So Far: Episode 424

We've reached the end of June, which means we're already halfway through Corrie's 60th year, and as is our annual tradition, our bonus content for this week is a reflection on last six months in Weatherfield.

Well, we say say that, but it's actually more like four and a bit months in Weatherfield and six for us, as the global pandemic we've faced has meant that, like the rest of the world, Corrie's had to make a fair few changes to its 2020 plans. We start off by sharing our thoughts on how well the show has responded to life in lockdown, before chatting about some of our highlights and lowlights of six months on the Street. From the hard-hitting drama of the Geoff and Yasmeen coercive control story to the renaissance of the the Alahans and the cosy nostalgia of the 10,000th episode, there's been a lot to like so far in 2020, and we're cautiously optimistic about the direction things are heading for the anniversary celebrations in December.

We round off the discussion with a chat about some of the podcast highlights of 2020, including our interviews with Julie Hesmondhalgh and Kevin Kennedy, the chance to take part in a Zoom quiz with the cast, and an increased focus on vintage Corrie thanks to us finally getting around to getting our hands on some 60s and 70s episodes.

Cathy Matthews Character Profile: Episode 423

For our bonus podcast this week, we take a closer look at the character of Cathy Matthews, who's recently racked up five years on the cobbles. From her introduction on the show as a potential love interest for Roy to her current role as a sidekick to bumbling Brian, we chat about our highlights and lowlights of the character brought to life by actress Melanie Hill, and ponder what might be in store for her in the future.

Conversation Street Episode 423

On our latest podcast, we chat about what went down in Weatherfield between the 15th and the 19th June (Episodes #10,075 - 10,077).

This week saw some characters thrust to the forefront who it feels like we haven't seen a lot of lately, namely Carla, Peter and Daniel, the latter of whom, fresh from getting over Sinead by bunking up with Bethany, comes close to getting over Bethany by bunking up with yet another bubbly blonde. Why do we get the feeling he needs to lay off the women for a little while? Meanwhile, over at the Rovers, Carla's mysterious visitor reveals herself to be someone from last year she owes money to - and this Scot from the squat has come to collect. Also this week, David prepares for Shona's return to Weatherfield, Arthur and Evelyn have another date, and Imran realises he could have an ally in Sally.

Up next on the podcast, we head over to The Kabin to chat about some intriguing new Corrie specials revealed by ITV this week, and we round off the show with more of your listener feedback.

Street Talk - 00:32:28
The Kabin - 01:49:42
Feedback - 02:02:33

Corrie's Top Bad Boys - Episode 422

For this week's bonus podcast, we decided to chat about some of Corrie's finest bad guys from over the years. Here at Conversation Street, we love a good villain, and to add a bit of a twist to the discussion, we knocked up a set of Top Trumps cards featuring some of Weatherfield's biggest bad boys. Comparing categories like notoriety, cunning and damage caused, we pit dastardly duos against each other, all the while wallowing in the memories of some of Corrie's most explosive storylines.

Conversation Street Episode 422

On our latest podcast, we delve into the episodes of Coronation Street broadcast in the UK between the 8th and the 12th June (Episodes #10,072 - 10,074).

There were some fantastic scenes between Yasmeen and Alya in the run up to Yas' plea hearing this week, and an edge of your seat cliffhanger on Monday that kept us guessing whether or not she'd muster the courage to say 'not guilty'. Also this week, Gary and Adam spend a suspiciously long amount of time hanging around a gaggle of teenage girls, whilst Scott and a Scot bring a bit of intrigue to the goings on at the Rovers.

This week also saw the return to work for a lot of the Corrie cast and crew for the first time since March, and with virtual press conferences being held and news articles published in the media reporting on what it's been like, we take a look at what's been put in place at the studios to keep everyone safe. We're also joined by a special guest for part of this segment - Imran Habeeb actor Charlie De Melo, who chats to Michael about his personal experience returning to the cobbles and that big old grey jacket of his.

We round out the podcast with more of your listener feedback, including an email from a Canadian listener, who speaks about watching Ed standing up to Don this week in the midst of the anti-racism protests going on around the world.

Street Talk - 00:33:57
The Kabin - 01:41:58
Feedback - 02:34:35

Conversation Street Episode 421

On our latest podcast, we chat about the episodes of Corrie shown in the UK between the 1st and the 5th June (Episodes #10,069 - 10,071).

This week, Corrie fans around the country could finally stop asking, "But why hasn't anyone found Geoff's camera?" and even though we may not have got a satisfying answer, at least we could enjoy the walls starting to close in on him. Will the Great Magnifico manage to escape this one? It all seems to rest on how Yasmeen pleads in court... Also this week, Asha puts Corey in his place, Gary grows concerned when Imran starts talking to Kelly, and Shona learns the hard way that oven gloves aren't just a kitchen fashion accessory.

Next up on the podcast, we celebrate the news of Corrie's BAFTA nomination in The Kabin, and we finish things off with a bit of listener feedback.

Street Talk - 00:13:57
The Kabin - 01:29:51
Feedback - 01:52:03

COVID-19 Update - Episode 421

For our bonus podcast this week, which we're releasing early as it was just sitting there ready to go (and also the nature of the subject matter means it could well go out of date at any time!), we're chatting about Corrie's back to work plans.

With lockdown measures easing and the number of episodes recorded up to March getting smaller and smaller, it's back to the cobbles for the cast and crew next week - but it's far from business as usual. There'll be social distancing, takeaways from the Rovers and episodes written specifically to fit three in a week - it's still going to be a while until the show goes back to normal, but it's a positive start!

In this episode, we muse over a few ideas for how the gap between old and new episodes maybe bridged, ponder how more vulnerable cast members could still be included, and consider what lessons the higher ups at Corrie might have taken away after overcoming one of the show's biggest ever hurdles.

Listener Questions - Episode 420

Sorry for the late bonus episode this week! Somehow, despite having half as much Corrie to watch at the moment, we still managed to run out of webspace for May! In this listener questions segment, we tackle two more of your Corrie queries.

First off, Rachel wants to know how what's the furthest Corrie has ever filmed away from the set. Yes, that could be a question we could answer and move on from in less than thirty seconds, but do you really think that'd stop us nattering on about Corrie's trips abroad for a good half an hour? Of course not!

Next up, Reuben wants to know whether there are any generally disliked Corrie characters that we've got a soft spot for. In answering that, we consider firstly which characters don't tend to get a lot of love from many viewers, before coming to the defence of some of our Corrie favourites.

 

Conversation Street Episode 420

In this week's podcast, we take a look back on the week in Weatherfield between the 25th and the 29th May (Episodes #10,066 - #10,068). Before we get going with that, though, we're joined by a special guest from the cobbles, who picks out a winner in our Royal Mail stamps competition, then we chat a bit about some of the Corrie merch that we've been buying this week.

When we finally get round to discussing the goings on in Coronation Street, top of the agenda is, of course, the return of the lovely Shona, who's back after what we would say is Corrie's most seamlessly covered maternity leave ever! Looks like she needs to get listening to some back episodes of the podcast, though, as it turns out she's lost all memory of living on the street - well, apart from the most important things like where the tea bags are. Now there's a woman who's got her priorities straight! Also this week, Leanne's in denial about the severity of Oliver's condition, David gets attacked (and we use that term *very* loosely) by Weatherfield's most unthreatening teenagers and Chesney proves himself to be even less tech savvy than his seven month old baby.

Hopefully, Sam Aston fares better than his on-screen counterpart where that's concerned, because in The Kabin we hear the pitter patter of little feet for him and his partner on the horizon, plus we we see who from Corrie has been recognised with a nomination in the upcoming TV Choice and Radio Times awards. We round off the show with more of your listener feedback.

Street Talk - 00:29:11
The Kabin - 02:17:52
Feedback - 02:30:34

Feature Discussion: 1970-1974 - Episode 419

If you've been enjoying listening to our journey through 60 years of Corrie, you'll be pleased to hear that our bonus material for this week's podcast is a look back at the first half of the 1970s. This period saw the debuts of characters who'd go onto be Coronation Street icons including Deirdre and Blanche, introduced Corrie viewers to the Kabin, and saw the show film abroad for the first time as the ladies of the Street jetted of to Majorca. We laughed at the continued capers of the Ogdens, gasped at the intense Joe Donneli saga and said a fond farewell to the likes of Val and Irma. Corrie in the 1970s certainly felt like a different place to the cosy Street of the sixties at times, but there was certainly still a lot to love!