The Daily Star newspaper ran a story this week that Coronation Street cast member Andrew Lancel had suggested the number of gay characters on the show was disproportionate to reality. A claim that Lancel has flatly denied via twitter. This came shortly after a critique - written by Brian Sewell - was published by none other than (no need for a drum roll... really...) The Daily Mail - oh the surprise. In his article, he called the classic British soap, 'The Sodom of the North' and claimed that its representation of the ‘queer community’ was unrealistic. This evokes all manner of discussion points, starting with my first.
I have always believed that soaps are 'Hyper-Realistic' if that is even a term. They take everyday situations and inflate them to a level beyond the bursting point that is considered 'entertaining'. The never-ending stream of affairs, murder and mayhem that we see on screen is a far cry from reality isn't it? I daresay, our serial dramas would barely hint at the ‘reality of a whole street’ if they were followed over a course of years. If my Facebook is any kind of indicator the soap shows may be selling us a little short... :-P
Either way, soap operas will always push the boundaries and fulfil the thirst of the audience for even more affairs, murder and mayhem in even more inventive ways. So why on earth would it be a shock if they have over-inflated the number of gay people within a community for the exact same reason? How is it any different from the clear portrayal of a community that all live and work in the same location and none of them are commuters? (In fact, no one ever seems to commute into these places either - I could very easily digress into several other blogs here). How is it any different to the numbers of murders that happen in the same community (I should really stop now!)
If your street saw this much action I would advise you run, run now, run faster than me running for free flights and tickets to Cher in Vegas (any offers by the way?) That is just it though, despite portraying "realistic" situations, soaps do precisely the opposite. Hence the idea of a hyper or even a fake reality and that is exactly why we love them.
In terms of Corrie, it isn't exactly a stretch of the imagination that there would be more homosexual residents than in say, Emmerdale. Especially considering the fact Corrie is set in Manchester, and not far from the city centre. Manchester has one of the most popular 'gay districts' in the UK. Given Canal Street's popularity, more gay people are likely to be there and the surrounding areas; drawn like a moth to the flame. I should know, I lived there myself for a time.
Besides, if you are trying to convince me that out of a current main cast of 56 (without even looking at other recurring characters) the fact 3 of them are homosexual is an exaggeration, I think you might want to do some more homework. Back in 2005, it was announced by the government - and widely reported - that 6% of the population was homosexual. That means 6 people in every 100 or 3 in every 50. How ironic that Coronation Street is pretty much spot on then! What I would also throw into this chain of thought is the consideration towards the number of people that may not have chosen to reveal their sexuality back in 2005 but would in 2011. Therefore, could that percentage be even higher? I daresay it is a possibility.
If that is the case then Corrie, I am disappointed at your underachievement! The show is clearly disproportionate to reality. Get some more 'gays' in! Oh and don't even get me started on the missing ethnic minorities...
Thanks for reading x
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