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TV Viewing Summary W/E 14/09/97

TV Viewing Summary W/E 14/09/97

Apparently those who worked overtime to ensure the smooth coverage of Diana, Princess of Wales funeral have been rewarded by the BBC with a Marks & Spencer hamper. A rather extraordinary way to round off a week in TV dominated by perhaps the most significant OB of all time, apart from landing on the moon of course (assuming that did actually happen). I wonder what treats are in store when the Queen dies, an MFI chest of drawers?

The charts come back down to earth this week, with the usual programmes claiming back the listings from a period of mourning. The comforting and heart-warming face of Nick Berry proved to be the most popular drama of the week. Heartbeat, watched by 14.91 million viewers, looks like it could well continue to go from strength to strength, despite the imminent departure of Berry, no doubt to be replaced by a suitably equipped strapping young lad.

It would seem that the BBC cannot find a personality to fight Berry – Michael French looked likely to be groomed for such a challenge but then remained at a standstill during Crime Traveller. So, it all (as usual) comes back to rest on the shoulders of Casualty. Its still the BBC’s top drama of the week, watched by 11.68 million, helped along this week by a guest appearance by Brigit Forsyth – that’s Thelma from The Likely Lads. What a trump card!

So the Summer is winding down now, and we can look forward to all those Winter Season TV treats as the days draw shorter. The sweetest of these is of course Only Fools And Horses, which looks like its entering another period of extensive airing. This week Del and Rodders attracted an audience of 11.09 million. Even if one is tired of these repeats they are essential to maintaining the BBC’s comedy policy. For every action there must be a reaction, thus in order to show something so appaulingly bad as that new sitcom Bloomin’ Marvellous (7.43 million) it locigally follows that the standard crowd pleasers must come out. These are the type of actions which prevent revolutions, that and the removal of Dad’s Army from the schedule.

On the soap front, Coronation Street continues to hold the pole position this week watched by an average of 14.27 million over its four episodes. Eastenders welcomes back the ‘cardboard cutout method acting’ of Sophie Lawrence, and scores an average audience of 13.85 million. All is not lost, for the writers of Coronation Street now have to face up to the challenge of producing a script without Mavis. It could be a long winter….

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