[Tom]

omg I want Carla's Blackberry pin

[Scarlett.]

I'm glad Carla is back, perfect remedy for losing Tony

[Nicky.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIpsHLaso4c

[Scarlett.]

A sneak preview of Friday's episode

[Mrluvaluva]

Is that Shaun?

[Scarlett.]

Nope it's.....

[Mrluvaluva]

Oh yeah! What is that in aid of then?

[Scarlett.]

Coronation Street's leading producer Kim Crowther is to step down from her position after two-and-a-half years.
She will be replaced by former Doctor Who series producer Phil Collinson in the second half of next year, just a few months before the show's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Speaking of her decision to stand down, Crowther said: "Coronation Street is very special to me. It's been a huge privilege to work with such a wonderful cast, production and writing team. But after a couple of great years, I'm looking forward to reintroducing myself to my children."

She continued: "I'm delighted to be passing the baton to Phil, and wish him all the best for what should be a spectacular fiftieth year for the show."

Crowther joined Coronation Street in November 2007, succeeding Steve Frost as the soap's showrunner.
Collinson will begin working at Corrie's Manchester home at Granada Studios from March to allow for a substantial handover period, before he officially takes office from late summer. He will work alongside Weatherfield's executive producer Kieran Roberts.



Of his appointment, Collinson said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be joining Corrie, the nation's favourite street and a show I've been a huge fan of all my life. It goes without saying that it’s a tremendous honour to be entrusted with building on Coronation Street's success and creating the must-see storylines for 2010 and beyond."He went on: "Kim will be a tough act to follow but I will be working with one of the best teams in the business and I can’t wait to get stuck in."

Director of ITV Studios John Whiston commented: "We are delighted Phil has agreed to join ITV Studios and carry on the fantastic, creative work that Kim has spearheaded. Phil is a hands-on producer, with a fine track record in shaping much-loved and treasured programming, and I have no doubt he will bring all that talent to Coronation Street.

“I would like to thank Kim for her immense contribution to the show. Kim's sheer hard work and her boundless imagination are the qualities that have continued to keep Coronation Street as fresh and exciting as ever as it enters its 50th year."

He added: "Kim leaves Corrie in fantastically good health, having increased total audience share in the last quarter as recent storylines around Tony, Carla, Maria and Roy Cropper have been delivering spectacularly large audiences day in day out this autumn. This achievement is testament to the skill and talent of Kim and her team."

Earlier this month, EastEnders' executive producer Diederick Santer announced his decision to vacate office, making way for ex-Hollyoaks producer Bryan Kirkwood.

[Scarlett.]

Thank god he is taking over before the anniversary, I was scared Kim would ruin the biggest moment in Corrie history, apparently Phil is a very good producer

[BigSister]

Well hes done dr who so he should be good

[Scarlett.]

Indeed, i think the whole Kevin and Molly saga will be the first thing to go

[Scarlett.]

Loved the Windasses decorations, deffo my fave Corrie family

[flemin]

I'm glad Kim's leaving. For a while now the whole show has needed over hauling and brought back to its roots i.e character driven comedy and drama. It's been far too plot driven with one dimensional characters for too long, I hope this new producer sorts things out.

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by flemin

I'm glad Kim's leaving. For a while now the whole show has needed over hauling and brought back to its roots i.e character driven comedy and drama. It's been far too plot driven with one dimensional characters for too long, I hope this new producer sorts things out.

I agree, I mean Kim did an okay job, but it wasnt good enough, I look forward to a new direction

[flemin]

Originally Posted by Chewy

I agree, I mean Kim did an okay job, but it wasnt good enough, I look forward to a new direction

I agree, the Tony stuff has been excellent, but on the whole the quality hasn't been there. Short term storylines aren't enough to sustain an on going soap. It's a hard job, and I don't think an ex Emmerdale Storyliner is really appropriate for Corrie producer. This new bloke sounds promising though

[Scarlett.]

An ex-Corrie storyliner was good for Emmerdale though xD

but yeah, Phil has a lot of experience, thing is, with this Tony storyline, its evenutally reached nothing, the scene with Roy was good but its nothing really, Danny and Jamie had a fight in a canal, and Danny did more damage

[flemin]

I haven't even been watching it tbh. I know what you mean though, it's just nothingness. They didn't need to keep flogging this Tony stuff, seems like shameless headline grabbing to me, or they know there's nothing else in the show worth watching perhaps?

[Scarlett.]

Probably, I actually find Peter, Leanne, Simon, Eddie, Anna and Gary the best characters nowadays

[flemin]

I particularly like Peter and Leanne, but they're two old characters. Most of Kim's newcomers have failed and been axed by now.

[Scarlett.]

Indeed, the Windasses are good though, they were like the Mortons mk.II

[flemin]

LoL, I don't know whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. The dad reminds me of Frank Gallagher off Shameless. Speaking of Shameless, that has excellent characters that function really well.

The thing about Corrie is that the stories are born out of chacacter, not the other way round like Eastenders and I think they've lost touch of that recently. Think of the Tracey, Roy, baby swap thing. Sounded absurd on paper, but it worked so well because of the characters involved. The Kevin and Molly thing seems so forced and out of character which is why everyone hates it.

Basically if they get the cast and characters right, then the show is on its way.

[Scarlett.]

Indeed, the characters I mentioned are great, because they're natural, where as a lot of current storylines are...well I mean come on...not very impressivem and I love Eddie for that reason xD

[Scarlett.]

Here is a photo of Keiran's on his first day back



Notice what Peter is holding

[flemin]

Oh no, looks like Peter falls off the wagon again....

[Scarlett.]

I hope not I can imagine Ken's smug face right now