Rovers Return Reopens Tonight! : Have We Missed It?

It's a Christmas miracle wrapped up in Carla Connor's money but hey ho, at least we start the New Year with the Rovers Return reopening. I can't say I’m pleased about Daisy and Jenny money laundering (it's a soap, repercussions will come) but have we missed Weatherfield’s N0.1 watering hole?

Where would we be without Betty’s hotpots, pints of Newton & Ridley, and the numerous dramatics we've had in our favourite fictional pub? The Bistro probably does better food, and Speed Daal is a dry bar/takeaway alternative, but The Rovers Return Inn is a behemoth of Coronation Street, a literal cornerstone of the show's 63-year history.

Many fans will be happy to see it reopen, none more so than Corrie producer Iain Macleod, who was reluctant to keep it closed for so long. The blog spoke with the showrunner in October and he told us all about the pub reopening. Iain said ‘’It's almost a character in its own right, The Rovers closing, it almost felt like death: I think. The idea of seeing the pub boarded up was horrifying and like a dagger to the heart’’ Iain also told us: “ It (reopens) on New Year's Eve, but the circumstances of it becoming open again are at best naughty, or at worse criminal’’

How will the reopening come about? 

"The reopening of it will be based on this slightly shaky foundation of a criminal act. The viewers will be left wondering what will happen to the people involved in the misdeed committed for it to reopen. We didn't just want it to open up again and be like nothing had ever happened. We wanted it to open up with a buried bomb underneath it, which we will explode later in the year!"

Will the Rovers be renovated for the reopening? 

“It's not going to look radically different. I think certain sets, I'm not saying they shouldn't ever change, but I certainly feel like I don't want it to be modernised or turned into a chain pub or something. It's updated a touch, but I like the look and feel of it at the moment. It will reopen looking very similar, the circumstances of its ownership will be much more fraught’’ 

Thanks, Iain!

With the end of 2023 in sight, I'd like to thank our editor, Glenda, the Coronation Street press team, and lovely readers for keeping me busy with Corrie cast interviews, episode reviews, and opinion pieces. Happy New Year Everyone! 

@rybazoxo Corrie Blogger and Cobbles Connoisseur 

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Coronation Street Episode Review, Wednesday 15th February, 8 pm

Stephens's murky murderous tirade takes a different slant tonight as he uses Rufes’ Class A's to drug factory nemesis, Carla. Admittedly, as someone interested in micro-dosing psychedelics (I'm not kidding, I'm your multi-faceted Corrie fan) it wasn't the opening gambit I expected to use when reviewing tonight's Corrie but here we are. Tonight starts with Carla and Peter bickering over the motorbike bet in their swanky flat. It's very Carla in taste, isn't it? Also, nice to see that Dee-Dee has spiced up her and Paul’s flat, isn't it? Are we due some more interior work at other residents' houses? I'm thinking about Number one, specifically.

Back at the factory, Carla’s decided on a Rishi-style cabinet reshuffle, putting Sarah back into her old role whilst demoting Stephen. Feeling vengeful by her well-grounded accusations, Stephen remembers he has that LSD from Rufus, so he spikes her THE BOSS mug -partly in revenge, and probably to undermine her character. Considering he’s got two murders under his belt, isn't this all a bit bonkers? Carla feels the effects of the drug pretty quickly, and with the factory lot team bonding at the Rovers, THE BOSS is a bit out of sorts - much to Stephen’s delight. Can you imagine seeing Sean behind the bar whilst tripping your head off? I'm not surprised she felt off-colour. Stephen then sneaks back into work to shred some of Carla’s paperwork. Back at their flat, Carla is still tripping. Peter tells her to slow down with work before she has another psychotic episode. It seems Stephen’s plan has worked. 

Meanwhile, I’ve always assumed Amy Barlow to be quite a brainbox, so why she invited her old headteacher/corner shop proprietor to be her short-term lodger is anyone’s guess. I'm assuming this is Corrie having a crack at intergenerational humour via Brian’s rather unique characterisation. Tonight, he’s got in the kitchen to cook for Amy, stealing her chocolate, and the house kitty. Later, Brian replenishes his takings and then gets invited to a uni gathering of Amy’s pals and embarrasses them all by lecturing them on studying, before getting drunk and skiving off work, like a real student. Amy vows to get him back together with Mary.

Alya’s 30th birthday is upcoming with no mood to party, whilst Zeedan gets a blast from the past when his wife/ex-wife Marriam turns up at number 6, telling him she forgives him for her Dad's death, wanting to get back with him and live in London. Alya tells her brother to take the job, lying that she's okay now following the stabbing. She’s not, definitely, but is keen to please her brother no-less. 

I loved the Roys rolls scene tonight with Bernie, Gary, Maria, Spider, David, Todd, (and Debbie nosing in the background) We don't usually see that amount of cast in the cafe in one scene, do we? David’s still down in the dumps with all of the Max drama but good to see Maria defend him, and Todd’s sarcastic tea comment had me laugh out loud. Gary’s not laughing though and is displeased with his wife defending David’s fatherly skills, and with her covering for Audrey at the salon, it’s clear she’s drawn a line on where her loyalties lie. 

Audrey tells Maria to try and clear David’s head, ahead of Shona’s return. Later, Sarah tells Adam that, with her career back on track, she’s no interest in another baby.   

Elsewhere -Summer’s conditional offer for university inspires Paul to ask Billy for a drink. Paul fancies his chances at a reunion, but takes Dee-dee along as company, as Billy brings Summer with him. Paul denies his feelings for Billy to his flatmate making him think twice about how he should deal with them. 

What did you think of tonight’s Corrie? Let us know in the comments box. 

I am @rybazoxo on twitter - Corrie connossieur, and street superfan. 

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The Rovers Return is up for sale! But who's going to buy it?

Is this really the 'end of an era'? Are 'times a-changin' at Weatherfield's finest watering hole? Just two idioms mentioned by rovers regulars on Wednesday night's Corrie, and it right got me thinking!

A few weeks back Coronation Street announced a marketing tie-up with real-world estate agents Purple Bricks, announcing the sale of our favourite fictional pub. The fictional boozer now has a real-life 'For Sale' sign adorning the set. A piece of canny marketing aside, I wonder; is Jenny going to give up her landlady life? Is The Rovers Return about to change hands, again? If that's the case then I have a few questions... 

1. How long will the pub be on sale? Normally within Weatherfield business circles, transactions are completed within a week's worth of episodes (Gail's buyback of sinkhole number 8) when the reality of such acquisitions is likely to be months and months. So, with this product tie in, can we expect The Rovers to be on the market for a real-world time, say 3 months? Could it even be going up for an online auction?

2. Will it stay as a pub? In the real world, and as much as I love The Rovers it would surely be a Tesco express now, or have been converted into one-bed flats, a Co-Op, or even a Weatherfield Wetherspoons? Nah, me neither! I think the beauty of Weatherfield is the escapism and otherworldly drama that creates! We need that pub as a reminder of a bygone era, let's keep it that way!

3. Who's going to buy it? I can't imagine a new cast coming in to run it, can you? I'd guess that Rita could dip into her millions and finally buy it ( pals? pals!) for Jenny. Ronnie Bailey has cash and likes Jenny, Debbie Webster is minted, and Kev has got a few quid too. Could the street's legendary boozer, Audrey Roberts, buy it up and turn it into a gin joint? Sally and Tim would make a right team behind that bar too!

That said, in recent years, Jenny Bradley has elevated the Rovers landlady position back to the forefront of the show, in homage to Bet, Liz, and Annie, of course! Jenny is hilarious, gorgeous, bolshy, witty, and a cracking businesswoman who can handle any trouble in that bar. Ideally, I propose Jenny Bradley keeps the pub and Rita buys it for her. However, for drama purposes, she will struggle at first and somebody else will come close to purchasing, until the last minute saviour type moment! Steve Mcdonald, maybe?

The times may be a-changin' at The Rovers Return but let's not change things too much, eh!

What do you think? 

@rybazoxo

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Wednesday 9th of June 7.30 & 8.30

Dev’s love life, or lack of it, has always been a constant source of Corrie humour, drama, and life lessons. In his 20+ years, Devendra’s loins and lothario ways have seldom seen less action than in the last year or so. I think Julie Carp was his last relationship and she left the street years ago!

Anyway, aside from Sharon's subterfuge a few weeks back, Dev’s loins have laid pretty much dormant. This past week however has seen the shopkeeper spend more time with his loud-mouthed employee, Bernie. Also a parent of twins, I wonder if that is the only thing they have in common, or could romance bring these comedy characters together and a new love life for Devendra?

Tonight, Dev and Bernie find themselves at The Bistro on a ‘date’ having been thrown together following a wind-up from Adi. Evelyn is as caustic as ever and the fake news fools neither of them. However, as the wine flows, the fake couple bond, sharing horror stories of past relationships. Having decided to head back to Dev’s for more wine (a ruse to wind up Adi even further) the joke seems to be on them as we soon learn some afternoon delight has occurred. Later, Dev tells Bernie that them sleeping together was a mistake, which Bernie handles badly, until a repeat performance later in the day! Meanwhile, Asha and Nina talk about the attack, and Nina blames herself, feeling undue guilt for Seb’s murder. She doesn't mourn her goth image but it’s clear she’s missing Seb. 

Talking of which, Tyrone and Alina’s dubious coupling is wearing thin on Emma. Alina’s massive couple picture of the two of them screams ‘bunny boiler’ to me, so I imagine this story still has much leverage. The amorous couple is causing sleep deprivation for Emma, but that’s the least of her worries when a staff meeting at The Rovers Return reveals the news of the pub's proposed sale. Is this the end of an era, a massive change coming to the street, or will Rita buy it for Jenny? I’d guess the latter but interested to see what happens next! 

Meanwhile, Hope is playing up again and gets picked up from school by Alina, what with Fiz being in the pub with her phone off! Seeing Ronnie’s flash car leave the garage, the little tyke deliberately decides to step out into the path of the vehicle. Hope is unharmed luckily, but the damage to her parents' relationship is exactly what she would have wanted. The adults argue and Alina is immediately banned for having any access to the girls. 

Battle lines have been drawn now, and Fiz consults Adam for legal advice. Deterring Fiz from taking legal action, she decides to ban Tyrone from seeing the girls too. Evelyn sides with Fiz and talks some sense, of course. Ty takes nothing lying down and grabs cash from a joint account for a lawyer? 

I don't know about battle lines being drawn. It looks like an all-out war!

Elsewhere in tonight’s episodes; Maria tells Fiz that Peter’s transplant was a success. Carla asks for more time off from Underworld, only for Sarah to sack her! Carol goes back to Daisy for more Double Glammy stock and Sean is not impressed. Daisy uses a charm offensive and coaxes him into agreeing to use Carol as a rep. 

@rybazoxo your cobbles connossieur 

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