TV Overnights: David’s rampage puts Corrie back on top
If you were fretting about the rupture in the space/time continuum last Friday night, that led to EastEnders beating Coronation Street, then rest easy. As of last night everything was as it should be as the Northern drama was back as the nation’s favourite soap. Yesterday, for some variety, a scene was made in a public venue, sending shock waves throughout the street. Emotionally delicate Eva convinced mentally delicate David that his brother was romping with his wife. Cue David losing control of his temper, his eyes turning bright green and generally hulking; his temper was vented momentarily via the clever combination of a fire extinguisher and Nick’s sports car.
A few metres away Dev continued to live life in a bubble of oblivion as Karl and Stella joined him and Sunita for a painful night of Karaoke. 7.8 million viewers watched the first episode featuring stolen glances, cheesy songs and general carnage. The second episode at 8:30pm captured 7.7 million viewers as David focused his unbridled rage directly at Nick, ending up in a fistfight involving the Mayor! These boys need to communicate more often.
Meanwhile on EastEnders (8pm) Ian’s sense of urgency spiralled out of control as he became more determined to get married and leave Albert Square once and for all. You’d think that most people would find it easy to empathise with him after 27 years of constant trials and misery but Phil Mitchell is not most people. 7.2 million viewers (a 32% share) watched as Phil but further strain on his…ex-step son (?!) to stay put as Ian was now unwittingly a part of the Heather cover-up. Run, Ian! Run all the way to Southend-on-Sea!
Michael Apted continued on his quest to intrude in the lives of the original stars of 7 Up. The second instalment of 56 Up (9pm) saw a slight drop in audience (-331,000) but still managed to secure 4.2 million viewers, resulting in a 18% share.
Over on BBC One it was time for our second visit to Chatsworth (9pm), the documentary focusing on the goings-on in the Derbyshire stately home. As with last week everybody had their screen time; from the Duke of Devonshire to the cleaning staff. If this all sounds very similar to a recent ITV hit drama, then you’d be sadly mistaken. Last night the drama on offer was of a very different kind; there was a crease in a tablecloth which was simply too hard to iron out and disaster was on the horizon as the house floral designer was 5,000 blooms short before the season’s grand opening, leading to a meltdown. 3.7 million viewers (16.5% share) tuned in to see the cleaner responsible for the sculpture room getting carried away with her duties as she spoke distractedly about the majestic marble bodies she gets to polish every day. This was down just under half a million on the opening instalment, will the third and final episode offer enough to hang onto its audience?
Last night saw the launch of Gok Wan’s new venture, Gok Cooks Chinese (9pm), on Channel 4. The first episode focused on healthy Chinese cuisine that the fashion consultant has perfected over the years. 1.3 million viewers watched as Gok opened up his ‘Chinese box of magic’ on an unsuspecting public as the frumpy girl’s best friend continued on his quest for brand extension. With the help of Poppa Wan, Gok cooked up a storm as we were reminded at regular intervals that the tie-in book is also available to purchase from all good retailers. Another 183,000 viewers caught up with the cookery show an hour later on C4+1.
Meanwhile, on Channel 5, the terrestrial premier of series two of carcass-soaked drama The Walking Dead continued. As if swarms of the ravenous undead wasn’t enough to keep you on your toes, little Carl Grimes let his guard down and wandered into the unfortunate position between a hunter and a deer. 785,000 viewers watched as Andrew Lincoln raced around rural Georgia, badly in need of an emergency ward. Stress. Another 79,000 people catch up with the Zombie show an hour later on Channel 5+1.
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.