Coronation Street is known to be 'The Nation's Street' and it was first aired on 9 December 1960. It continues to be the most watched soap opera on British television and it is the longest running as well.
I watched Friday's episode (4th December 2009) on STV Player and it was clear that the show is based on family relationships, and the structure of the community. The episode opened on a grandparent having a conversation with their grandchild, and this, for me, introduced the family based theme. This was reinterated by a scene showing the strained relationship between Steve and his daughter – both scenes are realistic and reflect true life which will make the audience empathise with the characters.
The relationships between the communities members are complex and within one episode included controversy, manipulation, pretence and love. All these make a good viewing. There was obvious friction between the two characters Ken and Peter, as Ken tried (unsuccessfully) to get Peter to go back on his proposal of a new bar. Scandal is not amiss either when Steve and a young girl secretly kiss and she presses for him to go public about their 'relationship'. There was also a touch of lighthearted comedy – the rehearsals for the Rovers Xmas Panto begin and ends up with a brawl between two characters (both women) but they are comically very pleased with their 'acting' efforts!
From seeing one episode, it was clear that Coronation Street is a success by adhereing to a format which involves the audience to empathise with the characters (family themes) and by creating conflict and exciting, taboo plots. All ages can watch The Street because it's characters represent each generation, as well as both the working class and the middle class.
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