Rovers (2016) User Reviews

a solid start

[tlloydesq · 7/10 · 4 July 2016]

Craig Cash's odyssey through comedies in limited situations continues with Rovers – set in the club house of Redbridge Rovers, a semi professional English football team in levels 7 & 8 of the footballing pyramid.

Is it a problem that Rovers' number 1 support Cash is also executive producer and director of the show? Having multiple roles means difficulties reigning in Craig's more excitable moments. But nothing is perfect.

Those familiar with "Early Doors" will recognise the setup: a group of locals gather in the club house before and after games. They all have their own seats where they settle for the day. Conversation can be limited to a single group or can travel around the bar. In fact step forward director Cash for a smooth transition between different groups. "Royle Family" favourite Sue Johnson turns in a good performance as bar manager Doreen. Otherwise the acting is solid. The script is okay and grows as the first series progresses. You have to watch the whole first series to really get an appreciation of the show. Individual episodes lead you to miss the bigger picture. The humour is ribald but doesn't step over any lines. And there are a few teary moments.

So a decent first series and hopefully more to come.

I didn't like The Royal Family either but this drew me in.

[GiraffeDoor · 7/10 · 28 June 2023]

One of those bemusing shows that I immediately catalogue as a show that other people watch but I do not.

If you remember "The Royal Family" (the show, not those Germans in Windsor Palace) it's reminiscent of that but I like this a lot more.

A glimpse into a world that is totally beyond me; not only is it about sports followers but the lives of people whose primary passion is an Association Football Team and indeed, not one of those that Spanish people strangely know about.

The humor is often based on low hanging fruit but there is a charm in the mundanity of this landscape of fruit machines and smoking out in the rain as the fortunes of this football team fuel a million conversations. The sheer passion and devotion is both curious and oddly charming as it brings something to cheer about to these people who will never exactly go into the history books.

Romances emerge, lives change key, old-school sorts learn they have to adjust to change but the old friendships survive despite life throwing everything at them. The mocking affection for this community has no delusions that there is something a little crazy about the whole thing but one leaves this 6 episode meditation with a changed impression of these folks.

They embody comradery standing strong when we need it most.

A great comedy

[ian_dakin · 8/10 · 13 June 2016]

We hope that there is more of this comedy, we had got into the characters and alas it was over before we were ready, bring back more of this brilliant comedy please

My wife and I have travelled around the world and nothing beats being home like a good Northern sense of humour comedy.

In a world full of negatives we all need a belly laugh and this did it for us.

Being fans of the Royle family, a series that was hard to beat, Early Doors was great.

Rovers deserves more airtime and follow on series.

Thank you for the entertainment.

We hope to see you back on our screens soon

Awful

[grahamsp · 1/10 · 23 August 2016]

I was really looking forward to this new Craig Cash comedy but what a let down. Couldn't raise a laugh in 6 dreadful episodes. Stale unfunny slow moving just a few of the attributes that this rubbish has provided its viewers. Craig Cash's character is just embarrassing to watch. Over the top acting, unfunny lines just a ridiculous character with an annoying voice is enough to put you off. I see one or two reviews mention belly laughs! Beggars belief this is utter garbage unless you like a gentle Cannon and Ball like comedy. The gay couple are totally unbelievable and it doesn't work along with other weak characters. The eating the fish finger scene was just awful with Cash again trying to get laughs with horrific over acting. The only thing this series did for me was to despise Cash's character has to be one of the worst on television and that voice! Do not waste your time watching this crap.

Can't say enough

[kramerpkevin · 10/10 · 15 October 2018]

I watch a lot of TV.

Netflix automatically started playing this show after I watched (and loved) Detectorists. Honestly I was so swept up I just didn't stop it. That was 4 weeks ago and I've now seen Rovers 4 times all the way through.

Hilarious, intelligent, stupid, wonderful, compelling, adorable, complicated, emotional. Ultimately, it's on my top 5 all time list. And, I watch a lot of TV.

I'm going to keep watching this show over and over, too. And there's nothing you can do to stop me.

Hhhmmm

[kehaywood87 · 1/10 · 30 April 2020]

What to say? Just boring.. Over acting.. Shame really..

Gentle and funny. Very.

[itsiangregg · 9/10 · 29 June 2016]

Loved this.

Excellent group of actors all very low key. Well written.

I'd like to see more of their writing.

Really hope this gets a second series.

It's inoffensive and that is not a bad thing.

Characters are beautifully portrayed.

Having been a supporter of a non league team, it's not totally removed from reality.

It had laugh out loud moments as well as genuine cringe-worthy bits.

Look, it's got Sue Johnson in it, so it's going to be very watchable! Well worth watching. Go on. Give it a go.

What a let down

[lee_bottomley · 1/10 · 31 May 2016]

I saw this new sit com advertised on sky and watched it with great anticipation. In my opinion it was a complete load of rubbish. I was waiting for something funny to happen and some clever dialogue but sadly it didn't deliver at all. Someone asking for a cheese toasted sandwich and the barmaid being reminded to ask them if they want tomato sauce or not is simply not funny or entertaining. Having an in depth discussion about a black baby is also not funny in any way whatsoever. And referring to someone as Sloshing it about ? When you look at the skills of John Sullivan who wrote only fools and horses this sitcom insults your intelligence. I was led to believe that a sitcom pilot episode must tick all of the boxes and grab the viewers interest. You should have a real good laugh and look forward to the next episode. I feel like I wasted 30 mins of my life and one episode was enough for me. Don't waste your time. Put only fools and horses on instead.

Very funny

[asainty-53641 · 8/10 · 7 August 2016]

Rovers is a fantastic TV show which is about a non league team called Redbridge rovers who aren't a very good side at all. It has many funny moments and many funny characters who are all great fun . If u liked royal family or are into anykind of fun jolly comedy then this program could be for u. I wish there were more episodes and I'm waiting eagerly for more.This is a great new TV show with loads of funny moments. I just could not stop watching.All the characters are great especially Pete (craig crash). Sue Johnston as Dory was also an excellent performance. I would highly recommend it. Can't wait for the next season!!!!!

Raving about Rovers

[malpasc-391-915380 · 8/10 · 15 March 2022]

This show is fairly typical of Craig Cash in as much as it is quite low key in terms of action. Not much really happens which is in the vein of Early Doors and the earlier episodes of The Royle Family That said, it's warm, funny and relatable.

A group of diverse characters who all support their local non-league football team gather in the club house bar managed by Doreen (played by the brilliant Sue Johnstone who Craig Cash played alongside in The Royle Family) to talk about life, love and football.

Every character is brilliantly drawn and the dialogue is engaging and funny in a gentle way. You can imagine these people existing in the real world rather than then being exaggerated sitcom characters.

This again is just a single series of 6 episodes, which at the time was something Sky seemed to have quite a few of. Looking at that it could seem they just weren't commissioning shows that people wanted to watch, and that could be true to a degree, but this one works as a completely self contained story that comes to a natural end. It's a lovely, sweet "small" show that doesn't do anything too ambitious or wacky, but just shows us a group of people who are friends because of their love of their local football team. Even a total non football fan like me could enjoy this. I've watched the entire series maybe 4 or 5 times now and it's just as enjoyable as when I first saw it broadcast back in 2016.

Great stuff

[nxffbcw · 10/10 · 26 February 2023]

Early doors and Royle family style comedy about a football club with a hint of Phoenix Nights. Great cast. Understated comedy. Very British with lots of British references so may not be for everyone.

Don't know how this passed me by as I'd never even seen it advertised. Some hilarious scenes but mostly nice chuckles throughout with relatable comedy and story lines. If you support a lower league football club or have ever been to your local workingman's club, then this will appeal to you. Nothing groundbreaking but just a nice, British, calm, heartwarming comedy. Enjoyed every episode and pleased it cropped up.