The world of daytime television
Daytime TV has long been the resource of students and is a welcome break from the many hours of thinking that is usually required at university.
The majority of shows have a cult following, and even with this the fans take on a decidedly ironic viewpoint. In fact, irony is a necessary attachment with shows aired between the hours of 11am and 4pm, but by no means does this make viewing any less enjoyable...
1. Neighbours
Weekdays at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel Five
This goes without saying. The show has a loyal student following; in particular the devotees of Dr Karl Kennedy, who seems to specialize in every field of medicine.
Need a birth doctor or a neurologist? Karl is your man, but we wouldn't want it any other way.
Most of us have also grown up with the show and therefore cannot be blamed for also viewing Susan Kennedy as a surrogate mother figure.
After bidding negotiations fell through with BBC One, its move from its home of 22 years to Channel Five attracted a huge amount of attention.
However ludicrous the storylines may be (the appearance of Todd Landers' ghost or Paul Robinson's complete and overnight character change, anyone?), it is all taken with a fond pinch of salt.
As long as Ramsey Street is still on our screens, it will remain a firm favourite.
2. The Jeremy Kyle Show
Weekdays at 2.35pm on ITV2.
I recently heard someone say that there are people sitting at home watching The Jeremy Kyle Show who are terrified of democracy, and after watching just one episode of the controversial chat and 'problem-solving' show, it is easy to see why.
Every week, guests who evidently do not care about the fact that they are appearing on national television (or, in fact, do realize but feel that it is a positive thing) for what a Manchester District Judge described as "human bear-baiting", discuss their bizarre list of issues with Kyle.
The latter has had to defend his aggressive approach on a number of occasions, but claims it is the only way of getting through to the warring girlfriends/uncles/aunts/mothers and fathers.
Or perhaps not mothers and fathers? DNA testing and lie detector results are a regular occurrence, as Doubting Toms ask, 'Has our fairground fling made me a father?'
Security is on hand should things get out of order and guests are spoken to afterwards by psychotherapist Graham Stanier.
But to see Kyle point accusingly at a guest, as if Kyle himself has been personally offended, and shout that he is "a lying, cheating piece of scum" is simply not to be missed.
3. Murder She Wrote/Diagnosis Murder
'Murder She Wrote' weekdays on BBC Two at 3pm
'Diagnosis Murder' most weekdays on BBC One at 2.15pm
It is easy to scoff at the reruns of these two murder mystery shows, but they in fact have quite a following.
Running from the mid 80s and early 90s, their classic style and amusingly tame storylines have made them a staple of daytime viewing.12»
