Corrie Comicals week ending Friday 8 February 2019

Emma has been a little of a favourite here and just in case her departure on Monday was final (PS it wasn't) I thought a reminder is in order (and a side helping of Gemma's face pulling as she thinks about Paul's thieving ways).  Emma is unsure if she should order hotpot or salad.  Such a life changing decision - and hotpot wins the day - proving to Gemma that people do not change!  There was a lot more Emma later in the week - love her work!

Ex-jailbirds Sally and Abi have just been thrown out of the Rovers by Jenny having a melt down - which is the background to Sally's comment about a sustainable business model (above) - a nice phrase she has picked up somewhere along the way.  What was even better (given Sal's near melt down when Abi was released) was Sal observing that she does not think that Jenny has the inner steel and resilience as well as being "street" smart that "our" types possess to survive inside; Abi agrees (tongue in cheek I suspect) that they can consider themselves proper hard cases!  And the discussion also touched on Abi's recent sexual conquest!

McDonald breakfasts include three vegetables apparently - beans, tomatoes and tomato sauce.  Sorry Steve but I think that might need a recount.

Moira pops into brighten our lives and she sees a resemblance between Chesney's face reflecting his disappointment at apparently being stood up by Gemma (who is working on Liz's disappearance) and a blobfish.  Then calls herself a free therapist - but in reality she just wants the scandal.

Gemma has the hangover from hell and as Rita points out downing snake pits like they are going out of fashion does not help.  So much of this week was Rita dressing down Liz and Gemma working wonders for her "sister" Jenny that make up Rita's family as well as Rita leaving her job at the Kabin.  Nice to see so much work for and the performance from one of the more senior members of the team.

Old jokes bear repeating and Jenny is massaging Johnny's neck as she says she feels like a pair of wigwams (above) - the problem here is you've become two tents (or perhaps too tense).  She then pulls away when he would like to pull her onto the bed.  Is it over for the Connors?  Johnny has committed adultery after all - but Jenny has already told Liz that there is a crate of wine behind the bar for her return.  And after a while she finally forgives Johnny.  So I think that is closed for now, but I suspect it will be remembered at some time in the future.

Extras not at Work

Leanne and Shona have been told by Bethany about the need for eye candy at "Man Cave" or "Close Shaves" to attract the men and they disrupt the interviews in progress in the Rovers as the four ladies (and one man) assembled wait their turn - and after this comment all five of them depart rapidly!  I do think Nick scoring them out of 10 is unwelcome but having interviewed staff you do end up ranking them on ability as the best person should get the job.  It developed further with Nick and David getting ratings of 3 and 4 out of ten!

That wraps up the fun for this week.  And still no room for Paul's reform, Clayton's unwelcome return, David apparently suddenly being a grown up (unlike Nick) and sadly despite promises that Norris would return to sell the Kabin it has all happened without him (and the toing and froing with Brian has the slight feel of a late re-write).  I really hope Malcolm Hebden will fully recover his health and be able to make fleeting visits, Number three is very empty - perhaps Sean and Audrey would like to take up residence?

Writers: Ella Greenhill & Mark Burt (Monday); Cameron McAllister & Ella Greenhill (Wednesday); Sam Holdsworth (Friday)
Directors: Simon Ferguson (Monday); Tim Royle (Wednesday & Friday)

Kosmo
@Kosmo100

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Coronation Street Episode Review Friday 8 February 8.30pm

We’re back and Shona is telling Clayton that she won’t be his drugs mule. She finds an ally in Leanne who recalls the trouble she had with Simon. Then Nick, having realised his mistake, apologises to her and tells her that David is a better person because of her.

Meanwhile Roy gives Carla his gift and shows his friends his mother’s ring which he’s had cleaned. As they gather round to look at it, they notice an inscription: RP 01.03.59 Rhea. What could it mean? Mary thinks it’s a reference to a South American flightless bird, whilst Roy leans towards Rhea Silvia the mythical mother of Romulus and Remus. While I respect both their imagination and detective work, when I think of Sylvia my mind doesn’t immediately go to Roman goddesses or emu’s…but maybe she had hidden depths that we didn’t know about?

Over at the hotel Johnny and Jenny finally have a heart to heart. She tells him that she forgave him too quickly over Liz and that their marriage has been a series of disasters. Johnny tells her that their marriage is worth saving because (amongst other things) he likes the way she makes his tea. Unbelievably an endorsement of her hot beverage skills fails to sway Jenny, so he tells her that she’s not perfect and he’s not perfect but they’re perfect for each other. Which is even more ridiculous then the tea comment because as we all know Jenny Bradley-Connor IS perfect, whilst Johnny is a very silly man with a penchant for pub quizzes who doesn’t realise how lucky he is. Anyway, God knows why but it works, and the Connors are reconciled.

Elsewhere Brian practically has to beg Rita to come back to the Kabin (Johnny take note). She eventually agrees on the condition that she is still the manager and that she doesn’t have to make all the tea, as it’s below her paygrade. For the love of God Reet, you’re 87! Surely it’d be a relief to not have to put on four layers of slap every day to distribute a couple of packets of mint imperials and give Brian the Tanner death-stare when he messes up the papers?

Finally, round at No.8 Shona tells David that she loves him for trying to be ok with her helping Clayton. With their problems resolved they head for bed, when we see someone pick the lock on the back door…

Is it one of Clayton’s prison cronies or is it the ghost of one of Gail’s husbands? It’s probably a safe bet that at least one of them is a bit dissatisfied with the afterlife. Maybe Michael can’t rest because someone’s not squeezing the toothpaste right to the end of the tube. Maybe spending 30 years in the hot place is seriously ruining Brian’s curly perm?

All will surely be revealed soon…
I've been Kelly and you can catch me on twitter @mskelstar.

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Weds 06th Feb 7.30pm

Welcome to Wednesday's edition of the Coronation Street Blog, and the first of tonight's two episodes-reviewed in a handy blog post.

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Paul dossed at Rita's flat, with the siblings now reunited after the Victoria market saga. Armed with underworlds van, Paul seems to have really settled on the street. With twins reunited, let's hope no more van mishaps are in store...
The day of Jenny's court case has arrived and residents talk turns to The Rovers landlady. Is our (my) favourite redhead facing jail?.
Returning from London, Johnny greets an obviously anguished Jenny and does little to dispel his wife's fears.

Liz, also due to take to the stand, feels ready to take on the Connors. Swayed by Steve to give the Connors 'what for', Liz bumps into Rita on the street who tries to convince her that the court case is actually a fruitless affair. As the Connors gather outside the pub ready to depart, a distraught Gemma hatches a plan. Harassing Imran at the solicitors, Imran gives Gemma some perfect free advice. If Liz doesn't make it to court, the case could collapse.

At The Kabin, Brian and Cathy are feeling furtive with getting their feet under the newsagent's door, Rita, distracted by Jennys drama, knows little of who Norris is selling to.

Nick and David talk shop, with the delivery of a football table and a stack of hairdresser CVs. 
At the cafe, the lads decide that tattooed barbers may not attract enough hipster clientele and decide to hire sexy stylists instead (not very PC that boys!). Failing to poach Emma, the brothers turn down Bethany, as they want eye-candy to ogle (obviously their niece would be a bit weird)!. Anyway, It looks like the lads are going to be interviewing some 'totty' instead. Bethany feeds this tidbit of information back to Shona and Leanne, and the Platt girlfriends are on the warpath.

At Liz's flat, a desperate Gemma pays a visit and pleads Jenny's innocence. Twocking Underworlds van from Paul, Gemma and her brother have a plan.

In court, it seems Jenny's case is going to be delayed as the star witness Liz, hasn't turned up. It isn't long before the police are on the street looking for Liz, just as Paul and Gemma leave the scene, in Underworlds van.

Norris calls Rita to give her the news that he's sold the Kabin, just as new owners Brian and Cathy, walk in.

Is Liz in the van? will totty be hired at the barbers? will Rita self-combust and beat new newsagent owner Brian, to a pulp?.

More from me later tonight, with your Coronation Street blog review of 8.30 pms part two!.

You can follow me @rybazoxo over on Twitter, your self-styled 'Cobbles Connoisseur'.

TA-RA!

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Coronation Street Episode Review of Friday 1 February 2019

Given the time of year the interior of "Lost Buoy" cannot have been a particularly warm but this did not prevent Peter and Abi undertaking activities which were best viewed from above - and Carla promptly appeared on the balcony.  Peter has a fearsome reputation for keeping two ladies busy at the same time, so my immediate thought is that history was about to be repeated when Abi left the boat and Peter headed inside the factory to try his luck (above).  Carla, who is working like a demon all hours at the moment, eventually gives him a rejection.  Carla meanwhile is so busy that she ignored a declaration of interest from Fat Jordan (who is no longer fat).  Even Michelle tells Carla she has become a workaholic and Roy is bringing her vegetable lasagne deep into the evening as she seeks to drive Underworld and herself even harder

Abi has her own problems as she and Seb have to say a final farewell to the twins who are being adopted.  Abi is undoubtedly being realistic of her abilities but it is heart wrenching for viewers as mother and son hug them for the last time.

Seb is feeling the loss of his siblings badly and decides that he has no good reason to keep "secrets" so Gary is told that Sarah lied (above) and had a drink with Adam and Seb explains how he ended up with a black eye as he got between Adam and Sarah.  Adan denies sleeping with Sarah.  Sarah explains to Gary that she would never have let anything happen with Adam - but she is finding the presence of Nicola (who is back on the Street) difficult.  Gary and Sarah are reconciled at least for now.

Talking of Adam his interaction with Seb and Gary leads to some deep thinking and he goes into the Bistro for a therapy session with Daniel.  He abandons his drink on the bar - although we do discover that Sinead will be home shortly.  Daniel later takes a break and returns to the flat to find Adam has packed his bag, Imran is going to cover with clients and Adam has determined he is off on holiday to see friends in Italy and he will be gone for a few weeks.  Sarah-Lou sees Adam leave and the look on her face (above) implies to me that perhaps she will be glad when Adam returns, preferably without female company!

Gemma apologises to Chesney for calling him a creep when he orders a cheese pasty and a can of pop which is her favourite breakfast order.  Later she has been wound up by her brother and Ches holds her hand whilst consoling her (above) - with Emma present.  The latter can see the writing is on the wall - despite all that has been said there is a bond between the Prima Doner cow-orkers which she is failing to get between.

Sally has been found not guilty and her record is clean.  She mops up Abi in the Rovers taking her home to feed her some shepherds pie.  Abi admits she has met a bloke (but not who of course) and that she is not sure which of them is using the other; both manage another helping at the end of the episode.

How is Paul winding up Gizmo (Gemma)?  First he charms the Reet; then he mends the kebab shop till and amidst reports that Summer has misplaced her iPad leads Gemma to accuse Paul of stealing it.  We know Gemma has sought to change her ways since joining full time and once again Paul tells Gemma that he is also trying to reform - he spent the day helping Billy with White Elephants - and he wants to know why they are white - surely pink or orange elephants would be even more valuable?  When half of the Rovers reaches for their mobiles to work out why Paul calls them out on it (above) saying that instant online access to information is ruining good old fashioned pub chats.  Shamefacedly they all put their mobiles away!  Summer finds the missing iPad under some washing and Gemma reckons that it is only a matter of time before Paul does something.  She explains the back history to Chesney and Emma when Paul took the blame for her nefarious misdeeds; but sibling rivalry often goes far deeper than that.

The "Reet" - Rita Tanner - has a fistful of problems to address, 35p which Paul gets out of paying, a message relayed by Mary that Norris needs capital to go travelling with Emily and Freda and has announced his intention to once again sell the Kabin plus the non-appearance of Jenny behind the bar counter.  As Rita tells Brian she is wise enough to realise that any new owner will simply not want her to continue in the Kabin so she will be out of work.  When Jenny fails to appear behind the bar R'Rita bustles into the back room and gives her a lesson in landlady duties - no surrender (above) - get your slap on and serve the punters.  Jenny heeds her wise words but backs it up with a dose of white wine courage!

Which just about wraps it up for this week.  Ms Kelstar should be in this slot next week.

Written by Owen Lloyd-Fox and directed by Simon Ferguson.

Kosmo
@Kosmo100

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