Talk:Rita Tanner
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 | On 2 May 2024, it was proposed that this article bemoved fromRita Sullivan toRita Tanner. The result ofthe discussion wasmoved. |
Rita has left the show due to her bad heath she is due back to filming in January 2010.—Precedingunsigned comment added by82.133.87.22 (talk)19:58, 26 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]
[1]RAIN*the*ONEBAM04:41, 6 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]
It has come to my attention that the policyWP:COMMONNAME is incredibly problematic when it comes to fictional characters, particularly in soap operas in which new married names are appropriated. The ending credits of the programmes' themselves are altered accordingly and yet many people seem to deem it necessary to retain the previous name, sometimes for years after the change has occurred. While in many cases I agree and understand why no action is taken, particularly as characters marry, divorce and change their names so swiftly nowadays, I do think a certain amount of common sense should be applied when choosing to retain the old names of characters who have taken on new aliases and are highly unlikely to change it again. Also, the popularity of the new name should be taken into account. In the case of Rita Tanner for instant if you type "Coronation Street Rita" into Google, it immediately suggests 'Tanner' over the previously used 'Sullivan'. This is because the new name has a more iconic status in the public consciousness and has come to define her identity relatively quickly. The media must also be taken into account as tabloids make efforts to use the most recent names (And before anyone states otherwise, you must understand that Wikipedia's responsibility here is vital as I know of many lazy journalists who will browse the site, see the article title and assume it's the correct name). While there are exceptions to this rule - EastEnders' Pat Butcher will forever be defined as that despite her final name being Pat Evans - there are iconic names which substitute lesser ones (Tanner/Sullivan is a good example and I would also argue quite passionately that so is Platt/Turner) and they must be recognised. Finally, it is Wikipedia's duty to provide accurate, up-to-date information and in many of the lists of soap opera cast members I can see characters listed under names they have not had in the main credits for not only months but years. If I read the current cast list, I see names such as 'Kylie Turner' and 'Faye Butler', these characters are not a part of the current programme as far as the makers themselves are concerned and also in the eyes of the viewing public for who the end credits are supposed to inform, Wikipedia is therefore providing inaccurate information in this regard. WhileWP:COMMONNAME works excellently for living people who may have nicknames or pseudonyms, for fictional characters in soap operas it presents issues in regards to no longer accurately defining the identity of the article in question. The numerous edits made by amateur members of the public to update captions to the recent name are surely a sign of what the consensus is and Wikipedia's duty has to be to reflect information accurately. I therefore suggest that articles such as this one and others are thoroughly reviewed and name changes are applied where common sense deems it necessary. Anyone searching for the old name is immediately redirected. Rita Tanner seems to qualify as a good candidate, as the name is more iconic than her previous one, Google searches rank it higher and she is highly likely to retain it for the rest of her time in the programme (Again, this is common sense.). It would also save time on having to revert edits of picture captions etc. by the vast majority of people who, rightly in my opinion, believe the characters should be going by the new name in many cases. I previously tried to make these points last year on the Coronation Street edits page, but I was ignored. Thank you, I would be grateful for your opinions. --ScouseScholar (talk)18:24, 26 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]
So the common name is decided upon the length of time the name has been used? It seems a very flawed form of reasoning, if you ask me. I do think it is incredibly worrying that something as important as the article titles are decided by an elite group of editors (No offence to yourself intended). In the case of fictional characters in soap operas it is my belief, and I am sure many readers of these articles will agree, that it should be kept up to date in these circumstances. The programme makers do not choose to use common names, they use the most recent name in their end credits. I fail to see the problem when a suitable redirect from the old name is applied and it honours Wikipedia's duty to inform by providing readers with an article with the correct title. 'Tanner' is a more iconic name than 'Sullivan' and in the short space of time she has had it, the media and Google search demonstrates it has had a significant impact in determining her identity. --ScouseScholar (talk)00:30, 27 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]
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Cheers.—cyberbot IITalk to my owner:Online00:21, 12 January 2016 (UTC)[reply]
The result of the move request was:moved.(non-admin closure)Safari ScribeEdits!Talk!04:17, 19 May 2024 (UTC)[reply]
Rita Sullivan →Rita Tanner – It's been twelve years now since the character was married and her name changed, and the Google searches now support her common name as Rita Tanner. Google results show "Rita Tanner Coronation Street" as 371,000 results, with Sullivan on 322,000. Narrowing it to news results, Rita Tanner is on 300+ (the number stays at "about 300" for all results above), with Sullivan on 299. When you narrow it to books, Rita Tanner once again brings up far more relevant results as a more recognisable name attached to the series. There is no good reason to keep using the character's old name after all this time.Ooh, Fruity (talk) 21:58, 2 May 2024 (UTC)— Relisting. Bensci54 (talk)16:51, 10 May 2024 (UTC)[reply]
