Coronation Street - Issues

I have been following the UK television soap opera, Coronation Street almost from the beginning. It is entertaining but I haven't followed literally every episode, sometimes missing entire years. But I do know the characters and ongoing plots.

These days however, Coronation Street is losing it for me. There are three main issues as I see it. The first is with recycled story lines. They seem to have run out of ideas. An example currently is the Kevin Webster, Abi and evil Ray Crosby story; simply a repeat of the Pat Whelan, Anna Windass story line.

I'm fine with the types that must be in every season. There's the pub owner, usually a woman, the builder bloke, the successful businessperson, the corner shop owner, the community centre person running things and the resident criminal. Of course, the Barlow family must be there too, and there are now places for other businesses and the people around them.

But to stay on the street, all those people have to find reason to stay and this is my second issue. No matter what, everyone gets dragged down, losing money, going to jail, becoming a loser in general. In reality if this was a street that really existed, every time something happened the TV news and every newspaper would announce Britain's worst street is at it again. They'd all be famous or notorious and all be unemployable simply for living in the vicinity. The council would demolish the whole area and put up big box retail outlets.

Which leads me to my final point, flowing on from everyone must be a loser; all strong women must be crushed and become slobbering messes. No doubt a strong man will come to their rescue. Examples of this you demand; OK, Carla once a successful businesswoman, became mentally deranged but was rescued by the alcoholic Peter Barlow. Sally became mayor but went to jail, she ended up being rescued by the illiterate former window cleaner. Yasmeen owns an eaterie but she can't see the abusive nature of Geoff, her new partner as she's dragged into the mire. Who will rescue her, another reformed but very capable man? Hmm? The list is endless with this stuff.

How about stop doing this as Coronation Street has to be shedding viewers. How about someone can be successful and remain so, avert tragedy, suffer a few setbacks but manage their exit adroitly. Where are these people now, they used to be on the street. And what is it with everyone confessing? Everyone confessing their wrong-doing and going to jail. How about stop doing that too, otherwise call the police station Confessions R Us.