At what point would you have ended Coronation Street

[Nathan]

If you had the choice to end the show at any period, when would it be? For me probably 1984. It seemed the end of the original "Classic Corrie" that began in 1960. 1983-1984 saw the departures of a large chunk of the cast, including Len Fairclough, Annie Walker, Bert Tilsley, Fred Gee, Stan Ogden, Elsie Tanner and Albert Tatlock. Linda Cheveski and Billy Walker also returned for this year but departed not long afterwards. 

I probably would have ended it in December 1984 when Billy Walker left the street behind once and for all. 

[LouP]

Certainly before it became a designer Street with designer clothes and homes inside.or departing from the two up, two down. Tardis homes. Not sure when that would have been. 2000 onwards ?

[roverman]

That’s a really good question. I have to wonder if it’s been mooted in the past as we have had storylines where the street was under threat from developers and it’s quite amazing that a cobbled terraced street like that is still standing in 2022 given what the rest of Salford looks like these days.

Certainly in 1983-1984 when we were seeing an exodus of original and significant characters they could have wrapped it up then, especially as the fate of the Rovers seemed sealed with the idea that Gordon Lewis was to get the pub. The twist that they would give it to Bet with a emphasis on continuing to run it the way it’s always been run does feel like Granada was giving the show a reprieve.

Following that the show got some serious investment firstly when they revamped the pub and the corner shop and then in 1989 flattened the factory and community centre to build the new houses and businesses. That was certainly a commitment to its future.

[CAEF]

About 2000 I think, for me that was the start of the end. The 1983-1984 exodus was more forgivable as several actors left due to death or ill health, or trying to pleasure themselves in swimming pools with young girls, or doing a George Michael in the loos.

Bet took over as Annie and Elsie rolled into one, Percy was the new Albert. Although if I was Bill Podmore at the time, in the wake of the exits of Billy and Linda, I would have bought back another original character, even recast the role if I had to such as Lucille Hewitt or Christine Hardman.

[Holey]

Never, as the world will stop spinning and the end will be nigh.

[CAEF]

Neighbours was axed but that is not as iconic as Corrie is. Emmerdale, EE and Neighbours are less immune from the chop as Corrie is.

[Holey]

Neighbours was axed because it was too expensive not because of poor ratings, it was C5's top rated daytime show.

EastEnders will go before Emmerdale and Corrie, not because of the ratings but mainly because the BBC are less reliant on continuing drama than ITV. The BBC could extend the news hour at 6 and move the One show to 7:30. Interesting the regional opt outs at 7pm have been rating higher than EastEnders in the overnights, although this will all change in the consolidated ratings.  EastEnders unlike the ITV soaps (which have older viewers) adds viewers with catch up and viewers watching on other devises.

[Nathan]

Aug 15, 2022 21:49:44 GMT CAEF said:

About 2000 I think, for me that was the start of the end. The 1983-1984 exodus was more forgivable as several actors left due to death or ill health, or trying to pleasure themselves in swimming pools with young girls, or doing a George Michael in the loos.

Bet took over as Annie and Elsie rolled into one, Percy was the new Albert. Although if I was Bill Podmore at the time, in the wake of the exits of Billy and Linda, I would have bought back another original character, even recast the role if I had to such as Lucille Hewitt or Christine Hardman.

Good point. I guess 1984/1985 was  the beginning of a new era for the show. Jack and Vera also moved onto the street in 1983 and I guess were meant to be the next Hilda and Stan. Terry Duckworth, Curly Watts and Kevin Webster (all introduced in 1983) were billed as the modernised Ena, Minnie and Martha. I guess this particular era lasted until around 1995 to 1997.

[CAEF]

Aug 19, 2022 7:29:04 GMT Nathan said:

Aug 15, 2022 21:49:44 GMT CAEF said:

About 2000 I think, for me that was the start of the end. The 1983-1984 exodus was more forgivable as several actors left due to death or ill health, or trying to pleasure themselves in swimming pools with young girls, or doing a George Michael in the loos.

Bet took over as Annie and Elsie rolled into one, Percy was the new Albert. Although if I was Bill Podmore at the time, in the wake of the exits of Billy and Linda, I would have bought back another original character, even recast the role if I had to such as Lucille Hewitt or Christine Hardman.

Good point. I guess 1984/1985 was  the beginning of a new era for the show. Jack and Vera also moved onto the street in 1983 and I guess were meant to be the next Hilda and Stan. Terry Duckworth, Curly Watts and Kevin Webster (all introduced in 1983) were billed as the modernised Ena, Minnie and Martha. I guess this particular era lasted until around 1995 to 1997.

Yes, same for Derek and Mavis. The 1985 onwards era lasted until 1997 in my eyes, but 2000 was the real change in style for me. The late 1990s (1998-1999) did wrap up the 1985-1997 era for good as we also lost Des, Vicky, Ida, Alf, Alec and Maud on top of Don, Percy, Derek and Mavis in 1997.