Snide throwback sitcom Vicious returns with 3m for ITV

Monday night heralded the début of the second series of ITV’s once controversial and divisive old-school sitcom, Vicious (9pm), as the 76-year-old double act of Sir Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi returned as warring partners with a taste for the theatrical.

The first episode generated some contention with TV viewers back in April 2013, it seemed Twitter was divided into those that saw the so-tired-it-creaked format as a barrage of dusty and dangerous stereotype, while some celebrated the joyous throwback to the primetime sitcoms of yesteryear where lack of sensitivity allowed the laughs to flow freely.

Either way, the free publicity surrounding Viscous saw the debut bring in 5.3 million viewers for ITV, although this figure fell by a massive -47% by the time the show wrapped up six weeks later, with the finale bringing in just 2.8 million viewers in the primetime slot.

While December 2013’s Christmas special improved on this slightly with 2.9 million viewers, production for a second run didn’t look likely.

After roping in the likes of Dame Judi Dench last time round, yesterday saw Celia Imrie add her own sprinkle of fabulous to the hysteric proceedings, with the biting humour netting a little under 3 million viewers and a 14% share.

Viscous didn’t even manage to top the TV Twitter chart, a sure sign that the general public’s ‘outrage’ surrounding the show has simmered down to a distant disinterest.

Doing much better in the realms of social media was masochistic punishment fantasy show Game of Thrones (Sky Atlantic, 9pm) which threw an absolute curve-ball and went absolutely bananas in the final twenty minutes, leaving fans reeling in a way only the HBO import can manage.

After nearly five seasons of broody foreshadowing, it seemed that winter had finally arrived in Westoros. Despite an early morning US simulcast and the fact it was available on catch-up all day, the 9pm showing of the sprawling, brutal and addictive show pulled in a little over 1 million viewers as the snow really hit the fan North of the Wall.

Along with a 5% share, the show also topped the Twitter TV chart, with many praising the out-of-nowhere Hollywood production-sized onslaught.

Filling out ITV’s elderly double whammy was the first of two special episodes of Off Their Rockers: Blue Badge Special (9:30pm) which featured performers with disabilities messing with the heads of the general public.

1.8 million viewers watched the latest series of stunts, resulting in a 9% share.

But it was BBC One’s mixture of history, education and Alexander Armstrong’s broad appeal that secured the 9pm slot, as the comedian was lowered into the sewers of his favourite metropolis.

Rome’s Invisible City explored the ancient canals and aqueducts that helped the city thrive, resulting in 4.4 million viewers and a 21% share.

There was some sadness over on Channel 4 as the finale of Benefits Street‘s(9pm) second series left viewers in an emotional state as a tragedy hit Kingston Road. A total of 1.9 million viewers and a 9% share tuned in to see the residents struggle through the festive period while Julie’s disabled son Reagon passed away.

Probably even sadder were the Channel 4 executives who were banking on a repeat of the first series ‘success’, which managed to secure 3.6 million – 4 million viewers thanks to all the negative publicity.

Elsewhere the soaps took the top four spots with Coronation Street (ITV) reigning supreme with 7.7 million and 7.6 million viewers at 7:30pm and 8:30pm, respectively.

EastEnders trailed slightly behind at 8pm on BBC One, with 6.7 million viewers tuning in for the latest Walford angst, while Emmerdale brought in 6.2 million viewers to ITV at 7pm.

Overnight data is available each morning in mediatel.co.uk’s TV Database, with all BARB registered subscribers able to view reports for terrestrial networks and key multi-channel stations. Overnight data supplied by TRP are based on 15 minute slot averages. This may differ from tape checked figures, which are based on a programme’s actual start and end time.

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