Funny / Coronation Street

As a Moments subpage, all spoilers are unmarked as per policy. You Have Been Warned.

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• Ena Sharples was a great queen of comedy:
  • Her first scene has her verbally machine gunning Florrie Lindley in the shop about her life and what she should do about her funeral, all while getting her items and complaining to the former keeper about a bad egg.
  • This famous line at the Rovers Snug about death with Minnie Caldwell and Martha Longhurst:
    Ena: If I had my way, I'd like to go like me mother did.
    Martha: Eeh, that were a beautiful ending.
    Ena: Oh, lovely. She just sat up, broke wind, and died. We all having the same again, girls?
  • When she locked horns with either Elsie Tanner or lay preacher Leonard Swindley.
    • Swindley warned her that the Mission's Committee have found out she is in the Rovers and might have to dismissed her as caretaker, even though as she argues she lives there rent free and every drink she buys comes out of her own pension, however several times Swindley did dismiss her, he ended up rehiring her as unknown to him she bribed the other choices.
    • After that first warning of her being fired Ena collapsed and was in hospital she spends it trying to find out what was wrong and complaining. Martha came to visit and revealed she was working at the Mission, Ena goes crazy that Martha was going to steal the Vestry from her.
    • Ena rather than see Martha as a caretaker, checked herself out only for the hospital got a police to find her then the local GP who puts her in her place confident to shut her up.
    • During one of those brief times Ena was homeless when Minnie asked her to leave, Dennis Tanner offered her a room^note  he felt he owned her it when she cleared him of stealing from the Rovers, however both Elsie and Ena find it had to be civil and Ena is shocked when she reads Lolita for the first time.
  • The first Christmas Episode when Minnie made Dinner, Ena choked on then swallowed a sixpence Minnie had baked into the Pudding as she didn't have any Threepennies.
  • In 1962 the three were in the Laundrette with Ena putting her things in with Minnie, unknown to her Minnie had put colours in the wash and she looked in horror as the colour ran over her clothes.
  • In 1964 while everyone had gone to see Stan Ogden wrestling, Ena came into an empty Rovers with Annie Walker only there so they both had a drink together only to get drunk and singing at the end of the episode.
• In Gas Leak of 1961, the street is forced to stay in the Glad Tidings Mission Hall much to the anger of Ena Sharples, who goes after Leonard Swindley for giving permission, however after being caught out by being at the Rovers Return, she is forced to back down, then Swindley's long winded speech is stopped when Elsie Tanner and her family enter with their Television being the most expensive thing in their house and they manger to shut down Ena's warning. Then when the episode ends the police officer reveals the leak is over to everyone, but when he goes to speak to Ena Sharples, her only response is an angry close of the Vestry door.
• In 1961 to 1962, the Equity Strike meant no new characters were allowed on the show so the writers had to work around it in quite comical ways.
  • Characters without fixed contracts had to be talked about as were any other characters, the only extras were kids some dressed as Milkmen and animals were allowed.
• In 1962 Dennis Tanner's had a concert at the Glad Tidings Mission Hall, however the girl band was former strippers so Ena Sharples got the Committee to cancel them, despite later getting 6 Milk Stouts out of them, then the supporting act was stuck in traffic and so only the Sea Lions had arrived. The concert was cancelled and Dennis was pletted then had the problem of giving the group lodgings so he used the Rovers since Annie and Jack Walker were at an annual dinner. However Annie and Jack had to come home due to a failure in confirming their room, they returned to find Sea Lions in their bath and girls in their bed.
• Also on April 23rd 1962 (Easter Monday), the Walkers and the Hewitts went to Lyme Park for a picnic in Harry's new car and Minnie and Martha took Ena to a local park in a wheelchair (due to her recovering from a stroke), neither went well:
  • Harry's car ends up in a lake, due to him forgetting to check the brake, they manage to get it out resulting in Annie Walker getting covered, but just as they were going to a Pub it breaks meaning the party has to walk for help.
  • Minnie and Martha left to get a cup of tea only for a storm to start and Ena got drenched.
    • A real life example happened because of this episode when Minnie Caldwell said:
    Minnie Caldwell: "Isn't Cliff Richard a lovely chubby lad."
    • Upon hearing that Cliff Richard went on a diet and has been lean ever since.
• Finally around Christmas 1962, the Glad Tidings Mission Hall was the location for a play called Lady Lawson's Loses, first off Emily was the lead, resulting in nerves and a sore throat she took stress pills and was accidently given Scotch as well. Jed Stone supplied the costumes but they of the wrong era, then the curtain wouldn't open so Ena Sharples had to play songs until it did, then the old lines and actor's choices made the Melodrama look more like a Comedy.
  • The reason for the production wasn't helped by the fact the original production team had moved to another venue which meant that the money would not go to the over 60's fund, so Albert Tatlock got Leonard Swindley to produce it at Glad Tidings, then at the end Swindley went to make a curtain call speech which at that point everyone left and Emily fainted from the Scotch.
• In 1966, Boxing Day there was a costume party and Annie Walker came dressed as Elizabeth I and she was stunting around like a Peacock with Elsie Tanner joked that she has always been Elizabeth as Annie Walker.
• Hilda Ogden with her iconic curlers in her hair, her terrible taste in interior design and her singing out of key was comedy gold, with the way she tried to make better of her lot in life and her lazy husband Stan failing to provide for them both.
  • When Stan was a milkman, he spent a long time on his round, but was very secretive to Hilda and so Hilda followed him that day, only to find him going into a house, she confronted him and found out the lady of the house was a lonely old woman who just wanted a chat.
  • Hilda had a feud with Elsie Tanner, her next door neighbour with Hilda feeling she was lower than her, however the feud really started with Stan giving Elsie a driving test and due to their long time coming back Hilda accused them of having a affair but the real reason was that the car ran out of fuel and Elsie had no interest in Stan.
    • The feud went nasty after Pigeons entered Elsie's Attic through a loose Slate on the Ogden's side however Susie accidently went though Stan and Hilda's bedroom ceiling, while Elsie refused to pay for the repairs because the pigeons were their size Hilda went to War, playing loud music and dirting Elsie's washing and vice versa. They went to court but the Ogden went in smart clothes while Elsie wore poorer clothes, however Hilda did yell at Elsie which was used against her and both parties would have pay for their amount of damage which really got Hilda's goat.
  • Hilda and Stan were able to buy their home and so went about redesigning it with Stan making a serving hatch for Hilda but misread the size and made it massive, then Eddie Yeats their lodger bought a load of wallpaper of a mountain Mural but while Hilda was proud for her Muriel^note Hilda's lines are full of malapropism most of her neighbours including the snobbish Annie Walker weren't impressed by the garish thing.
    • In 1977 when Elsie Tanner's lodgers Gail and Susie decide to clean the chimney unable to find a sweep they use a brick, however they didn't realise they had the wrong chimney and soot went down the Ogden's living room covering both Hilda and Stan and damaging the Muriel.
    • The next episode has Hilda fearing that a brick had come loose from the chimary, but the brick was identified to not be of the house's make and it was only when Elsie said about what Gail and Susie did meant that Hilda knew and confronting the two at dinner threatening Legal Action, however they did apologize so that was the end of the matter.
    • That poor Muriel was left with a black patch until a funny little accident, Hilda made Stan have a bath everyday to get their money's worth of the water rates but he fell asleep and flooded the house leaving the Muriel damaged beyond repair meaning Stan was forced to buy another.
• On Christmas Eve 1969, Jack Walker had brought a Turkey thinking that Annie had forgotten to buy one and the problem was Jack’s couldn’t fit in the oven. He spends the episode thinking what to do but finds a oven and cooks it for the Talent Night.
  • Also Annie was accusing Hilda and Betty of losing a friend’s necklace, however when the friend arrives wearing it and she reveals Emily got it for her resulting in Annie having egg on her face apologising to them.
• During the 1970s a production of The Importance of Being Earnest was performed and once again on Opening Night things went wrong:
  • Lady Bracknell was played by Annie Walker who once again hams it up 100%, with her getting her costume from London to rub in the fact she can, then she left her chair in the Dress Rehearsal the still wet paint had failed to dry ruining the dress.
  • During rehearsals Ernest Bishop walked out due to people feeling he took the play too seriously and Emily took over.
  • Then before the play a woman called Mrs. Morris was complaining that the Sugar Bowl that was borrowed for the production it belonged to her aunt and due to the fact people had taken advantage of the aunt before, despite Mavis and the production team promising she would get it back, she refused to back down and so Albert Tatlock escorts her out. She returns with a policeman who trying to understand what was going on resulted in Emily (who was Miss Prism) missing her cue for the play's climax but Mavis gets her onstage. As the play had finished Morris retrieved the bowl only for the lights to go up and she was laughed off the stage with Tatlock mocking her as well.
• When Elsie Tanner was working at Baldwin’s, she accidentally causes them to lose a deal so Ivy Tilsley, Ida Clough and Vera Duckworth make the factory send her to Coventry ^note This means they give her silent treatment and pretend she's dead. Mike upon hearing what they have done furiously told them to stop due to his dislike of the action^note people have been known attempt suicide due to similar behaviour of their peers. But it’s clear that Elsie didn’t care and even Ivy and the other girls realises it's failed with Ivy telling both Ida and Vera this, so Elsie uses insults on Ida and Vera forcing them to speak to her.
• Fred Gee, decided to buy a wig and the regulars mocking him for it, Albert Tatlock went through a series of insults, Annie gave her dismay of it and Mavis got everyone laughing saying it might help in the winter.
• Fred took Betty and Bet to a park with a lake on the Bank Holiday of 1983, however as they had to return to work, Fred accidentally pushed his car (which had yet to be signed off from the garage) into the lake and he had to save the pair.
• The scene when Reg Holdsworth's waterbed was punctured by Derek Wilton, poor Maureen was furious.
• Sophie was annoyed that her parents were paying more attention to her than Rosie and so made up an imaginary friend to get attention. One afternoon Sally was hoovering under the couch when suddenly Sophie jumped up screaming "You've killed her! You've killed Ebony Ray!" (by hoovering her up apparently) and ran out of the room. Sally's expression was priceless.
• A lot of what Sophie says
  Sophie: Mum, I'm a lesbian, I don't do anything straight.
• Chesney walking in on Sally Webster in the shower.
• David got into a fight with Jason in the middle of the street and made a false accusation to the police. This led to a shouting match in the middle of the street and David was eventually found out. Cue Eileen saying cheerfully "Well, I'll put the tea on" while Gail is still reeling.
• Eileen finds out Sarah Platt is pregnant again and goes around to Gail's house.
  Gail: Eileen, what brings you round here?
  Eileen: Your tart of a daughter dropping another sprog!
  Gail: Oh, you've heard.
  Eileen: I want you to do something about that overactive womb of hers!
• David Platt smashing up the street and Eileen walks past casually saying "another day in paradise, eh Gail?". And at the end of the rampage, Rita walks out of the hairdressers and says "so now the whole street knows I'm not a natural redhead".
• Kirk steals a ring to propose to Fizz and then tries to go on the run when he thinks the police are after him. Fizz and Tyrone then put on outrageous disguises and try to return the ring to the shop.
• Vera finding out that Jack had been posing nude for artists, and smashing a painting on his head, leaving his head popping through it, like in a cartoon.
• Kirk's attempt at serenading Fiz to win her back - The scene starts with Fiz & her new boyfriend in her room, before Kirk can be heard shouting something from the street below. Fiz then looks out of the window to see what he wants, before she remarks that Kirk's "singing our song". Their song being "The Real Slim Shady" by Eminem.
  • Tyrone is trying to come up with a way to propose to Fizz, and Candice casually says she'd always dreamed of being proposed to by "a man on a white charger". Tyrone does indeed bring a horse onto the street, but it gallops away before he can get his proposal out. He next appears in the Rovers with his arm in a sling.
• When Graeme, David Platt's best friend started dating David's ex Tina Graeme decided to break the news gently, after chaining David to a radiator. Since David took the news badly Graeme decided to leave him to go warn Tina, about halfway explaining the situation to Tina a rock comes flying through her window, David has ripped the radiator out of the walldragged it down the the street and is now shouting every insult he can think at his ex-girlfriend and now ex-friend. Graeme and Tina run outside to try to calm David who has now knocked himself over with the radiator. Seriously one of the funniest scenes of that year.
• The AA meeting the Barlows went to and Blanche ended up insulting everyone and they all ended up mentioning a lot of things that has happened to the family, Ken's affairs, Tracy being in jail for murder and such, but in a very funny way.
  • The 2009 scene where Blanche gets very drunk (the last scene the actress shot before she died, incidentally) and explains to Simon's granddad the various problems her family has.
    Blanche: Kids on every corner, lurking and spitting. Pavements knee-deep in dog doo. Murderers running factories! Oh, it's not like it was 'round here. Was a time when stupid people with nowt to steal could leave their doors open.
    Ken: You're painting a very negative picture Blanche.
    Deirdre: Well, she's a very negative person.
    Blanche: I'm a realist; I don't live in fairy land like you do.
    Eve: Everywhere's got a problem, hasn't it?
    George: Exactly. There's good and bad everywhere.
    Blanche: Good and bad in this room. (pointing at Deirdre) This one, she were in prison. I nearly died of the shame.
    Deirdre: Mother! Nobody needs to know that!
    Blanche: (pointing at Ken) He's had more affairs than Soft Mick.
    Peter: (trying to take her wine glass) I think you've had enough, Blanche.
    Blanche: (pulling the glass back) Oh! Well, you certainly have! (pointing at him) This one here, he's an alcoholic, you know.
    Leanne: (trying to take her wine glass) I'll just get you another glass, Blanche. With tea in it.
    Blanche: (pulling the glass back) Oh, and now I'm being told off by the former prostitute. Oh, naughty Blanche. Naughty. (she slaps herself on the hand)
• One from Deirdre aimed at Dev:
  Deirdre: You know, someone once described you as witty and charming. Wait a minute, it was you!
• After the Tram Crash in 2010, when they find Rita somehow still alive after the Kabin collapsed on her, she is dazed and confused due to all what has happened and when she's told that the whole building is destroyed by the impact she says weakly:
  Rita: What is it with me and Trams?
  • To those who aren't sure, it's a reference to when Rita's stalker and attempted murderer Alan Bradley died when hit by a Tram while she was hiding in Blackpool.
• When Maria was out to bust Tony for having Liam killed, she spray painted "Murderer" over the front of Underworld. Except she spelt it wrong and put "Muderer" instead. A few scenes later we see that someone has painted an arrow with an R where it should be to correct the spelling. Becky is nearby when this is discovered and swears she didn't do it.
• As uncomfortable as it was, Ryan and Ali making fun of Michelle and Robert's loud sex noises were pretty funny. Especially when Ryan responded to comment by making orgasm-esque sounds.
• Tina's introduction was as an annoying customer harassing Gail in the medical centre. Then she ended up hitting it off with David, even going around his house without a clue he's Gail's son. They both find out when Gail comes home after she's slept with David. Specifically, Tina calmly walks down the stairs in nothing but a dressing gown and happily says "hiya" as if they were old friends and offers her tea. David then descends wearing just his boxers, leaving no illusion about what he and Tina have been doing.
  Gail: Milk, no sugar please.
• After Jason left Sarah at the altar, his attempts to apologise are a sign in the middle of the street saying "I'm sorry, Babe x". Sarah storms off both angry and embarrassed, and Gail asks what "babex" means.
  • Then, David casually and calmly tells everyone "Jason's done a runner."
• At least half of the scenes featuring David and Gail are hilarious, especially in recent years when David has become more likeable and Gail has reached icon status in some online circles.
• The scene where David receives a six-foot cuddly bunny on his 30th Birthday on Christmas Day 2020 is just hilarious, even with his kids christen it "Barney II".
  David: What's in the name?
  Shona: I thought it would remind you of Barney.
  David: (after looking at the bunny, whilst nearly breaking with laughter) Barney wasn't six feet tall.
  Shona: Well, no, but.
  (David takes a closer look at the bunny)
  Lily: Do you like it?
  David: I mean it's a six foot cuddly rabbit. I don't like it... I love it! (He picks it up and hugs it) Barney, you're back!
  (The weight of the bunny causes David to fall over, as Shona, Max and Lily laugh)
  • Also, this part when David and Shona have to take Lily to A&E after she got a jewellery bead stuck in her nose, she insists to take the cuddly bunny with them.
    Lily: I want Barney!
    David: Look, I'm not a six foot rabbit to the hospital with me, alright?! No way!
    (Cut to David, Shona, Lily and Barney the cuddly rabbit (with a face mask) in the A&E waiting room.)
    David: (to himself) Happy flipping Christmas.
• This moment in a May 2022 episode, after Jacob takes a shower at Eileen's house and is drying himself off with the towel wrapped around him, Eileen just comes in through the back door at the moment and they both freak out when they see each other. The reactions and screams from both Eileen and Jacob are priceless.