Corrie Legend Criticizes Soap for "Woke" Plots and Declining Viewership

Charlie Lawson, known for his role as Jim McDonald, speaks out

Coronation Street, one of the UK's most beloved soap operas, has been facing criticism for its recent storylines and declining viewership. Charlie Lawson, who played Jim McDonald on the show, has spoken out about what he sees as a decline in quality writing and an overemphasis on "woke" issues. Lawson believes that the late Tony Warren, the creator of Coronation Street, would be disappointed with the current state of the show.

Soap's popularity takes a hit

Coronation Street's declining viewership has raised concerns among fans and industry insiders alike. During the Christmas season, the show failed to make it into the top ten most-watched programs, with only 2.6 million viewers tuning in. This is a significant drop from nearly eight million viewers a decade ago. EastEnders, another popular soap opera, was the only one to make the top ten, with 3.58 million viewers. The decline in viewership has been accompanied by the departure of several key cast members.

Quality of writing and lack of attention to detail

According to Charlie Lawson, there are long-term cast members who are unhappy with the current state of Coronation Street. He believes that the show's production team is struggling to maintain attention to detail due to the high number of episodes. Lawson also criticizes the focus on young storylines, stating that in the past, the show was able to tell stories properly without the need for political correctness. He suggests that the show's producers are more concerned with what is politically acceptable rather than delivering quality content.

Loss of stalwart characters and decline in writing quality

Lawson attributes the decline in Coronation Street's popularity to the loss of iconic characters like Jack and Vera Duckworth. He believes that the show had great writers in the past and didn't worry about ratings because they consistently attracted ten to twelve million viewers. Lawson reminisces about the comedic scenes he shared with co-star Bill Tarmey, emphasizing the lack of such moments in the current show. He argues that many viewers feel the same way.

Fear of speaking up

Lawson suggests that the current cast members may be too scared to voice their concerns about storylines. In the past, senior cast members would act as representatives for the rest of the cast and would have meetings with producers to address any issues. However, Lawson believes that this kind of open communication is lacking now. He also notes that negative reviews can have a significant impact on cast members' morale.

Hopes for a turnaround

Despite his criticisms, Lawson remains hopeful that Coronation Street's producers, including executive producer Kate Oates, will take the necessary steps to improve the show's fortunes. He acknowledges the challenges posed by changing viewing habits but expresses his desire to see the show regain its former popularity. With a personal connection to the show and its history, Lawson wishes the best for Coronation Street and hopes it can once again attract an audience of 12 million viewers.