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Ken Barlow

(31 Posts)
rubylady Sun 24-Aug-14 23:54:56

What does anyone think of Ken Barlow since he's come back into Corrie? He is annoying at the best of times but with those sunglasses draped down the front of his open necked shirt, well, it made me want to either vomit or turn the tele off! Who on earth does he think he is and why have the producers allowed him to look like this especially after what he has gone through? I kept it on because on the whole I enjoy it, especially Steve McDonald, who I think is brilliant and funny. But Kenneth, we didn't miss you, not one jot.

suzied Mon 25-Aug-14 05:37:49

I quite like the Ken and Deidre double act they have some hilarious one liners, they are such a contrast. They'd never get on in real life. I'm bored with Nick and Leanne though.

KatyK Mon 25-Aug-14 10:13:53

He looks amazing for 82 though.

Kiora Mon 25-Aug-14 10:44:10

I used to love corrie. It was my cue to sit down for the evening, switch off and relax. I stopped when it got 'sort of americanised'( just after the train crash) the plots became unbelivable and outlandish. I enjoyed it when it was just centred around gossip, innuendo and extra marital affairs. I have seen photos of 'ken' in the newspapers and although he has aged well it's come across as a bit well ...smarmy.

henetha Mon 25-Aug-14 10:45:13

Sorry, can't agree. I like Ken Barlow very much and am pleased to see him back. He looks marvellous for his age. I did miss him actually.
Yes, love Steve McDonald too, he's so funny.
Leanne gets on my wick a bit lately with her endless whinging.
But overall I just love Corrie and most of the actors in it.

KatyK Mon 25-Aug-14 10:57:30

I too love Corrie. It's a bit of daft escapism. I agree the plots are unbelievable and outlandish but isn't that what a soap is supposed to be? Some of the characters get on my nerves - that Maddie for instance and when Rita gets emotional and Gail gets sloppy over a man and turns into a simpering dormouse, it makes me cringe but I still enjoy it on the whole. smile

Nelliemoser Mon 25-Aug-14 10:59:46

Yes but you get people who walk about looking like that. Is it really out of character for him?
Any soap needs someone who is annoying or a bit of a poser. Its what poeple are really like in real life.

henetha Mon 25-Aug-14 11:05:33

Gail, the simpering dormouse! I love that, KatyK. Such a good description. I could shake her at the moment.
I keep hoping that Maddie will go and live with her little brother in Cornwall, or wherever it is he's gone. She's irritating isn't she.
But mostly Corrie is perfect escapism. I don't expect it to completely reflect real life; that would be boring, wouldn't it.
So glad you like it too. smile

petallus Mon 25-Aug-14 11:27:35

I love Corrie. I was pleased to see Ken Barlow back and think he has successfully reintegrated into the program, unlike Kevin Webster who gave it a try and couldn't cope.

(used characters names because the actors' names escape me at the moment).

Charleygirl Mon 25-Aug-14 12:47:41

I enjoy Coronation Steet and I also cannot stand Maddie and I add Steve MacDonald to my list as well as Carla's husband who is in prison and his name escapes me. I wish that plot would end soon- it has been going on for too long.

KatyK Mon 25-Aug-14 12:57:50

henetha grin

petallus Mon 25-Aug-14 13:22:49

I agree the murder plot has gone on for far too long.

henetha Mon 25-Aug-14 13:51:20

I think I read somewhere that Michael Le Vell (Kevin Webster) has gone off to have his alcoholism sorted out and will then return to Corrie. I hope so.

Maggiemaybe Mon 25-Aug-14 14:11:20

I'm a big Corrie fan. I think the writing is very good and have enjoyed the Ken and Deidre sketches this week - Ken is supposed to be pretentious and I think the two of them have some great comic lines. I nearly choked on my cuppa when Ken started greeting strangers in Welsh. I find Gail amusing too, and the David's sniping about her love life - "they're playing your song" when the ice cream van's chimes were heard, etc. Nothing can come close to dear old Blanche though - how I miss her!

I'd agree on Leanne and Nick - I'd be happy to see them both go. Leanne could take Cal with her too, for me. Oh, and Dev, whose twins seem to have disappeared - have I missed something?

glammanana Mon 25-Aug-14 14:14:48

I never missed Ken Barlow as a character whilst he was away or Kevin Webster to be honest,but the story line with Peter in prison & the meet up with Jim McDonald is so far fetched "so it is" grin
They need to get some new families in soon I think as all the main characters are ageing somewhat hmm

suzied Mon 25-Aug-14 14:30:15

Maybe that's why there is more emphasis on the young characters - will Amy turn into a scheming b** like Tracey, what will happen to Little Simon etc. mind you what has happened to Chesney? He hasn't been in it for a while.

petallus Mon 25-Aug-14 14:57:53

glammanana Jim McDonald isn't in prison, he's in the 'bighice' grin

nightowl Mon 25-Aug-14 14:58:45

I haven't missed Kevin at all to be honest and I would prefer it if he didn't come back. Sally is much funnier now and I think she and Tim make a great double act. I like Ken and Deirdre but I think the writers are trying too hard to make Deirdre a replacement for Blanche. Some of her lines about the missing dog this week were cringeworthy. I think they need a bit more subtlety but have the potential to be very funny in their own right.

I agree about Maddie - I wish she and Sophie would disappear and not return. They are both annoying. And if they could take Kim Marsh with them I'd be very happy.

feetlebaum Mon 25-Aug-14 15:21:12

It was the influx of 'yoof' that finally drove me away from it - the only soap I ever watched.

NanKate Mon 25-Aug-14 19:09:31

One day I realised that I fast forwarded through so much of Corrie that it wasn't worth watching anymore.

I felt a wonderful relief not having to keep up with all the episodes. I have't missed it one bit.

Ana Mon 25-Aug-14 19:16:26

I felt the same when I stopped watching Eastenders! Couldn't miss Coronation Street, though...

Penstemmon Mon 25-Aug-14 19:17:07

Gosh! reading these posts made me think how long ago it was when I stopped watching the soaps...when I went back to FT work in 1982 and the timings did not work and it was before catch up etc was invented!! I used to love a bit of Corrie!

rubylady Mon 25-Aug-14 22:36:00

Talking of soaps though, who thinks that little April in Emmerdale is fantastic. I wasn't keen at first but she has had some remarkable lines to learn for a five year old and plays it really well. I hope she gets the Newcomer award at the Soaps this year. A good little actress in the making. smile

glammanana Tue 26-Aug-14 09:59:53

Must agree rubylady but wouldn't you just hate living in that village it must be the most dangerous place to live in Yorkshire if you ask me.grin

Eloethan Tue 26-Aug-14 15:45:19

I stopped watching Eastenders ages ago as the plots and characters became increasingly unpleasant.

I still enjoy Coronation Street, mostly for its humour. I don't expect soaps to reflect "real life" but sometimes I think they are so unrealistic as to be annoying. Why, for instance, does everybody seem to work within a few yards of where they live?