With Lent just around the corner, we’ve taken a look at the ‘guilty pleasures’ we couldn’t ever give up. We all have them - shows we might not shout about, but ones we can’t imagine living without. In fact, in a recent poll 52% of people said they have lied about programmes they’ve watched over the past 12 months.
So sit back, maybe with a guilty snack, while we dissect why these cheesy Freeview classics are so vital to the nation’s psyche. After all, if it’s truly pleasurable - then how guilty can they really be?
The Great Escapism
When good telly is at its best, it has the ability to transport us to another place and make us forget about the day-to-day humdrum real life can throw at us. We might not pride ourselves on being footloose and fancy free from Monday to Friday, but once Sunday night hits, we just can’t get enough of Dancing on Ice over on ITV.
It’s full to the brim of jaw-dropping lifts and dazzling outfits. We love everything about it! From throwback celebs such as Denise van Outen, to current reality stars like Love Island’s Liberty Poole, the figure skating phenomenon becomes more and more unmissable with each passing week.
Whether you’ve had an action packed weekend and are looking to wind down, or you just want to forget about the inevitable Monday blues, there’s only one place to be at 6:30 on Sunday evenings. It might be a day of rest for us, but the full-throttle action will leave you breathless while thinking about the next chance you get to strut your stuff.
Blasts from the past
There’s nothing like a healthy dose of nostalgia to fill your guilty pleasure fix. And Manhattan T3-R owners have the luxury of stepping into more timewarps than your favourite Doctor Who Time Lords. The good news is - one of our favourite channels, Drama, is the best place to head on Freeview for your daily dose of soap classics from yesteryear.
Some say that the Albert Square script writers have lost their Midas touch in recent years. And if you agree, then why not step back in time and revisit Classic Eastenders episodes from the show’s heyday.
From the late, great Barbara Windsor belting out her iconic “get outta my pub!” catchphrase, to Bianca and Ricky’s best modern day Romeo and Juliet impression. There’s just something magical about these old but gold episodes that you just don’t get nowadays. It’s fast, it’s furious and frankly - still fantastic!
If you don’t have the same penchant for East End storylines that we do, then you can venture further North for episodes of Corrie and Emmerdale from years gone by too. There’s always something for everyone on our connected Manhattan TV boxes.
Daytime, all the time
Still working from home, or happily enjoying your extra free time in retirement? Then Daytime TV might just have become a staple part of your routine. Although these shows (unfairly) get a bad rap at times - we love them.
From the fabulous panel over on Loose Women, where some of British TV’s most well-known faces discuss cringe-inducing, yet important issues such as sex and teenage parenting. To a brilliantly diverse set of game shows such as Countdown that will get your brain working in overdrive, whilst leaving you shouting answers at your TV screens.
Consistency is key with these brilliant shows as they’re on every day of the week. So if you’re searching for a new way to spice up your routine, then look no further.
We’ve given you our picks for our favourite so-called guilty pleasures, now we want to hear yours. As always, you can get in touch with us via Twitter, Facebook, or if you’ve got even more to say - drop us an email. We’d love to hear from you!