On the Seventh Day of Corrie Christmas

On the Seventh Day of Corrie Christmas, my true love gave to me... 

Seven Years of Schmeichel

Chesney's beloved dog, Schmeichel, was a Coronation Street favourite for seven years. The magnificent Great Dane made his dramatic debut when Les Battersby and Cilla were living together on the Street and Uncle Les brought home what can only be described as an oversized pet for an undersized house. No matter. Schmeichel became Chesney's faithful companion over seven years until he sadly passed away (in the show) in a heartbreaking storyline. And his name? It was Les who came up with the name Schmeichel in honour of a great Danish footballer.  

Learn more about Schmiechel at:  http://tvor-downeast.blogspot.ca/2012/03/seven-years-of-schmeichel-on-coronation.html 

Tomorrow: On the Eighth Day of Corrie Christmas

On the Sixth Day of Corrie Christmas

On the Sixth Day of Corrie Christmas, my true love gave to me...

...Six Corrie Suspects

Who killed Frank Foster? Well, sure we know now but back then, it was a mystery and there were so many people with a motive. Better call Jane Tennyson because there were six prime suspects: Sally, Kevin, Anne, Carla, Michelle and Peter.

Sally was suspected because Frank was two-timing her.

Kevin was suspected because someone tampered with the brakes of Frank’s car.

Carla was suspected because Frank raped her and got away with it.

Michelle was suspected because she stole contracts to help Carla keep the factory and prevent Frank from taking over.

Peter was suspected because he hated Frank for many reasons including what he did to Carla.

You can find out more about the killing of Frank Foster at: http://coronationstreetupdates.blogspot.ca/2012/02/frank-foster-murder-six-suspects.html

Tomorrow: On the Seventh Day of Corrie Christmas

On the Fifth Day of Corrie Christmas

On the Fifth Day of Corrie Christmas, my true love gave to me...

...Five-a-side Football

Stella wanted to put together a powerhouse five-a-side football team for a pub-versus-pub battle with her nemesis at the Weatherfield Arms. Unfortunately, not even Sir Alex Ferguson could salvage a winning team from this mini-band of non fit misfits. The squad (and I use the term loosely) included Rob from Underworld, Chesney from the market, Paul the Fireman, Ryan the son of Michelle and last minute addition (you mean subtraction - ed) Steve from Streetcars. 

Long story short: they lost.

You can find out more about the five-a-side fiasco at

http://blanchespolishhip.blogspot.ca/2012/11/five-side-or-skive-side.html

So, let's recap the song so far.

On the Fifth Day of Corrie Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Five a side Foot-ball

Four Untimely Deaths

Three Flying Ducks

Two Divorces 

and

A Polish Hip for Mrs. Blanche Hunt

Gotta a certain ring to it, don't you think?

Tomorrow: On the Sixth Day of Corrie Christmas

On the Fourth Day of Corrie Christmas

On the Fourth Day of Corrie Christmas, my true love gave to me...

...Four Untimely Deaths

Who can forget the tram crash episodes and the fallout from one of the most spectacular Corrie episodes ever?  In celebration of Corrie's 50th Anniversary, a series of episodes showed how a gas leak from Nick's Bistro caused an explosion which in turn caused a tram to go careening off the tracks and into Dev's and also The Kabin.  Fatalities included Ty's cheating wide, Molly Dobbs; Local butcher and husband of Claire, Ashley Peacock; an unnamed Taxi Driver and Charlotte Hoyle who was technically killed by pedagogical pyscho John Stape just before the crash.

You can find out more about the Tram Crash at http://coronationstreet.wikia.com/wiki/Nick%27s_Bistro

Tomorrow: On the Fifth Day of Corrie Christmas

On the Third Day of Corrie Christmas

On the third day of Corrie Christmas, my true love gave to me...

... Three Plaster Ducks.

Stan and Hilda Ogden lived in the house where Tyrone lives today. In the iconic living room of this historic home (where Kirsty currently goes wacko on poor Ty), Hilda once had three plaster flying ducks hanging on the wall.

The ducks were only one of Hilda's 'innovative' design ideas which included the fake stone cladding on the outside of the house and a one-of-a-kind (thank God) mural (which I believe she referred to as a 'murial'). 

You can find out more about the Famous Flying Ducks at http://coronationstreet.wikia.com/wiki/Flying_Ducks

Tomorrow: on the Fourth day of Corrie Christmas

On the Second Day of Corrie Christmas...

On the second day of Corrie Christmas, my true love gave to me...

... Gail's Two Divorces

Now this one is a bit uncertain on my part, but as far as I can tell Gail was divorced from Brian Tilsley (her first husband) and Martin Platt (her toyboy husband). Now, it's possible that she was divorced from Brian twice but I'm not sure.

Anyway, for Gail divorce has been the least of her worries. She has had to deal with dysfunctional children (Sarah Louise, Nick and especially David), a variety of nutbar husbands including a serial killer (Richard Hillman) and has served time on a false charge of murder.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gail_Platt for more about Gail.

Tomorrow: On the Third Day of Corrie Christmas...

On the First Day of Corrie Christmas

On the first day of Corrie Christmas, my true love gave to me...

... One Polish hip for Blanche Hunt

If there's one thing, I'll always remember about the wonderful Blanche Hunt, it's her quest for a Polish hip replacement which has since become a guiding inspiration for this blog.

As you may recall, Blanche (Deirdre's mother) bought a house in Coronation Street. The original idea was that Tracy (her granddaughter) could have a home to live in with baby Amy. However, things changed and Blanche eventually sold the house to pay for a hip-operation in Poland, after waiting a long time for one on the public health system waiting list.

As Blanche once remarked, "If Tracy can have a Moroccan kidney, why can't I have a Polish hip?"

Here's a link for more about Blanche http://coronationstreet.wikia.com/wiki/Blanche_Hunt 

Tomorrow: On the Second Day of Corrie Christmas...

Coronation Street holiday week schedule

please note: no spoilers were used in the preparation of this post

As usual, the very excellent Bluenose Corrie Blogger has posted details of the CBC's Christmas schedule. I invite you to check their blog for details but be forewarned that Corrie has been prempted for December 25th (just when we need it most).

My own humble scanning of the CBC TV schedule has revealed that on New Year's Eve (December 31st) Corrie will be on at 6:30 pm.

On the plus side, on January 1st, we start the year off on the right foot with a triple shot of Corrie starting at 6:30pm until 8pm.

Please note that all times are Eastern so I would encourage you to check your local listings for the correct times in your area.

Starting tomorrow, as a generic denominational holiday treat (you mean Christmas? - ed), Blanche's Polish Hip will be featuring the 12 days of Corrie. Think of it as a gift from all of us here at the Hip to you, our loyal reader(s).

All the best from the crew: Abbey Downton (receptionist), Luke Skivewalker (tech intern), Gordon Tony (accountant), Sue Vide (cafeteria) and, of course, the inimitable editor  (hey, leave me out of this - ed). 

Now it's time for us to get on our Christmas bike..

Tony Gordon It's Friday: the 'O Come all ye punters' edition

please note: this post makes reference to the December 20 episode on CBC

Yes 'Tony Gordon It's Friday' has been noticeably absent over the past two weeks (mea culpa) but it's back today as we head into the yuletide season. And what a week with Peter Barlow's evil twin (i.e. Peter Barlow) making a sudden appearance with a jaunty goatee and his Caribbean queen (Carla). Aye, it's a rum do (accent on the rum if Peter's involved - ed). Let's cast off with the memorable lines of the week: 


Tommy doesn't like Tina's surrogacy:
"You're a test tube with legs"
(yes but a very fit test tube)


Tina explains her pregnancy to the crowd in the Rovers:
"I'm a surrogate mom"
(kind of like what Tracy was after Amy was born)


Beth tries to explain the concept of surrogacy:
"Like a job share"
(except with breastfeeding)


David is frustrated by Kylie's lack of procreative enthusiasm:
"It takes two to make a baby"
(more if Kylie's on the pill)


Stella tries to calm Tina down:
"Go home and take the weight off your gob"
(yes, shouting the odds can be tiring)


Rita likes the fact that Dennis is a school crossing guard:
"I love a man in uniform"
(...and a job)


Steve's taxi is being held up by Dennis at the school crossing:
"I gave you your lollipop back"
(and now it's Dennis' turn to give you stick)


Dennis taunts Steve at the school corssing:
"Go ahead make my day"
(he's like Clint Eastwood in yellow)


Streetcars' motto:
"The customer is always wrong"
(right)


Lloyd describes Steve as...
"The Obi-Wan Kenobi of small mindedness"
(a real plank Steve is)


Leanne realizes what she's about to do:
"I'm getting married in America"
(and what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas... unless Norris gets wind)


Peter Barlow is back and better than ever:.
"I feel like I'm born again"
(This time around try to stay off the booze)


Kylie tells Tommy she'll kill David for spending the night at Tina's flat:
"What's daft about cold blooded murder?"
(ask Tracy Barlow)

***

Well, faithful followers, that's it for another week on the street. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and restful holiday.. Thanks for stopping by and spending time at Blanche's Polish Hip. All the best and cheers!

Dennis Tanner: My Boy Lollipop

please note: this post makes reference to the Dec 19 episode on CBC

Where the hell have I been? (actually I've been enjoying the peace and quiet - ed). Good question. I only wish I had a good answer. Oh you know how it starts. You get tied up with work and then you're on the road. Then, before you know it, you're unconscious in the back seat of a Streetcars Taxi with a lollipop up your... (that's quite enough - ed). Then it's that dreaded blog inertia which holds you back.

But enough about me. What about the Street? yes, there's the whole surrogate thing and of course Gail making goo goo eyes at Lewis and David & Kylie's battle of the baby.

But what about Dennis? I was quite chuffed when he found himself a decent job. Working for the council, with a uniform, in a position of authority. Yes, he's a school crossing guard but that's a noble profession, isn't it?  Think of all the great crossing guards in history (Sir Francis Bacon, Nietzche, Lady Gaga, Moses - I could be wrong about one or two).

Why is he ashamed of this metier? Perhaps it's Steve Mcdonald who kidnapped his Stop sign? Or perhaps it's the scorn of Norris who looks down on the profession (even though he himself works in a corner shop.

But has anyone ever written a song about a fussbudget in a cardigan at The Kabin?

No. However, someone did write a song about a lollipop male. It was in the mid-1950s when Robert Spencer of the doo wop group The Cadillacs, penned his famous tome which was sung by Millie Small and then quoted by Steve Mcdonald (ahem):

"My boy Lollipop
You make my heart go giddyup
You are as sweet as candy
You're my sugar dandy"

And, in my book, it is far, far better to be a Sugar Dandy like Dennis, than a Sour Puss like Norris.

Think On.