Virgin 1 launched last night with a debut that is being described as ‘solid, if unspectacular’. Its big name show, the Eddie Izzard/Minnie Driver starrer The Riches earned 323,000 viewers in its 10pm slot with a multi-channel share of 2.5%. Over the course of the programme, the numbers dipped, but the hit US comedy/drama scored some extra viewers with the time-shifted channel Virgin +1. The Riches had some stiff competition from Eastenders on BBC3 and Prison Break on Sky One, yet still fared better than the opening show Criminal Minds at 9pm with just over 250,000 viewers.
I was one of those 323,000 that tuned in for The Riches, and though it was darker and grittier than I had come to believe it would be, the chemistry between the leads was strong, the premise was novel with seemingly infinite possibilities and the characters were engaging and sympathetic. The issue of class on American TV is often skirted over and rarely examined in ugly close-up, and this show, like My Name is Earl could be a diverting exercise in examining another type of lifestyle. I’ll be tuning in again and hope that unlike other new US imports such as Dirt, that The Riches can sustain its early promise.
[via Broadcast Now]
