Coronation Street brought working class lives to telly and became an international phenomenon
December 9th marks the 50th anniversary of the enduring TV program Coronation Street, one of the early examples of “kitchen sink drama” that emerged in Britain during the 1950s and 1960s. In what was cutting-edge drama, the program “used a style of social realism which often depicted the domestic situations of working class Britons living in rented accommodation and spending their off-hours in grimy pubs to explore social issues and political controversies.” [Source: Wikipedia] It also skillfully mixed comedy and pathos, a Coronation Street trademark approach that continues to this day [opens to YouTube].
While Coronation Street met with early negativity from the press, it went on to garner huge audiences across the U.K. Eventually, it was picked up by networks elsewhere in the world—including the CBC. CBC will broadcast the special Corrie Crazy: Canada Loves Coronation Street on Thursday December 9th. Corrie Crazy includes comments from Coronation Street fans across the country—including some of the 60 members of the Coronation Street Club in Qualicum Beach.
We speak with Katherine Mortimer of the Vernon Morning Star, about Coronation Street, its appeal and its impact.
