As Coronation Street celebrates its remarkable 60th anniversary (I was at the party for the 30th – yes, I’m that old), it’s a good time to reflect upon the enduring nature of soap.
When I was a kid, my mum was gripped by Peyton Place, the American prime time soap that began broadcasting in 1964, inspired by the success of Coronation Street.
I always knew it was bedtime when it came on and I was sent from the room, should my innocent eyes be sullied by the racy antics.
I am old enough to remember the launches of both Emmerdale Farm (as it was known from the start in 1972 until 1989) and EastEnders in 1985.
The latter was hilarious: East End locals being interviewed by news channels, furious about how little the show resembled real life in that part of London. And then, heaven forbid, in 1986, a homosexual (Colin, played by Michael Cashman). Good grief! What was happening to the world!
So while not being exactly true to reality, our soaps are still an incredible record of our changing world in so many areas of life. Here’s to many more decades.
CORONATION STREET: FREE THE SPEED DAAL ONE
Yasmeen’s situation is escalated, as Geoff locks horns with Alya once more in this week’s Coronation Street. Pictured: Geoff with Yasmeen
A prison-based storyline lends itself very well to Covid. What better way to keep someone isolated than in a cell – even if it means that Yasmeen’s prison appears to be the most under-populated in the country.
And so, the big week is here. Will Yasmeen be found innocent of what could turn out to be a whole new Cluedo crime: Mrs Bland, in the Kitchen, with the Wine Bottle? To be honest, it’s a miracle we can see Yasmeen in the courtroom at all.
Has she had one meal since she’s been inside? Mind you, has anyone eaten since March? Geoff escalates the situation, ensuring that he and Alya lock horns once more.
There’s also great excitement when the locals gather to stop Ray’s bulldozer in its tracks. Please give us the name of your man or woman at the council, Ray, because most people I know are still waiting for planning permission from 1981 on turning their outside toilet into a studio flat.
I like Ray (though Faye will be less keen, come Friday), because he dresses well and is oblivious to the fact that no one eats in his hostelry. Drinks, yes. But what’s new there?
EASTENDERS: A NOT SO KUSHY NUMBER
Cemented into his camel coat, Jack (pictured) tells Kat that Kush has turned himself in for his part in the robbery in EastEnders
Have the Ol’ Bill ever been so busy – or any less competent? They failed to foil the robbery, failed to find Kush, and now they aren’t getting far with Ian’s attacker.
But never fear, Jack’s on the case, still cemented into his camel coat. Suddenly there’s a breakthrough and the police make an arrest.
Don’t get excited though; you can bet your bottom dollar it’ll be the wrong person. As the investigation continues, more alibis surface, and the police discover new leads – the pet shop kind, knowing this lot.
Jack can’t get enough of his Columbo alter ego and there’s a surprise for Kat when he tells her that Kush has turned himself in for his part in the robbery.
Will this mean the end for Kat and Kush and will Phil give Kat her share of the loot? Don’ ’old yer breff, as Kat would say (and probably does).
Crime is high on the agenda, and Honey tells Jay that Paul has been convicted and is going to prison. Please, not another Honey Trap, with Honey and Jay getting it together – I just couldn’t cope with another cradle-snatching storyline at Christmas.
I still haven’t recovered from the time Ronnie stole Kat’s baby in 2010. Jay is 26 but he still looks as if he should be playing with Lego in the nursery. Sweet and beautiful as Honey is, it’s just wrong, people!
EMMERDALE: THE TOUGHEST CHOICE
Tests confirm Laurel and Jai’s (pictured) worst fears in Emmerdale, when they discover that their baby definitely has Down’s Syndrome
There are difficult times ahead for Laurel and Jai at the end of a week in which they had to contemplate facing more tests to discover whether their baby definitely has Down’s syndrome.
Having thought long and hard about it, they go ahead with the test, which confirms their worst fears.
It’s a desperately tough decision for anyone to have to make, and this week is going to be hard when the couple decide to go ahead with a termination.
It is clearly a highly emotive issue, and complaints are already pouring in on what looks set to be a divisive storyline.