THE PARADISE 

The first episode of BBC1's The Paradise aired last night - and more than 5 million of us tuned in to get our period drama fix. The first episode saw Denise leave her rural home to find work in the city. (It is written by the scribe of Lark Rise to Candleford if you thought that sounded familiar...) 

With fab costumes, impressive sets and a gripping romance, many viewers thought there was nothing not to love! Our very own TV editor Alison Graham certainly gave it a firm thumbs up: 

OK, I admit it; by episode 3 of The Paradise, I'm hooked. I give in. I can't resist such a glorious concoction. I am weak.

— Alison Graham (@TVAlisonGraham) September 26, 2012

But not everyone was impressed by the department store drama. Tweeter John Highfield said: 

The Paradise? Based on Zola? I don't think so! Silly Soap Opera in unconvincing costumes! The BBC should be ashamed!

— John Highfield (@HighfieldPR) September 26, 2012

While others were a little disappointed by its meandering pace...

Enjoyed BBC1's The Paradise....just hope it can pick up a bit more pace next week....will certainly watch again.......

— jan hatton (@jan_hatton01) September 25, 2012

The Paradise has been described as 'Lark Rise goes shopping' and some viewers were quick to note their similarities...

Watching The Paradise. So far there's been 3 people who've been on Lark Rise To Candleford. They'd be better off making more of that instead

— Tom Pilcher (@tompilch) September 25, 2012

While Michael Cregan decided that he could never take The Paradise - or any other period drama for that matter - seriously: 

"The buttons, the special period buttons!" French & Saunders ruined costume drama for me years ago. #theparadise

— Michael Cregan (@MichaelCregan) September 25, 2012

THE VALLEYS

MTV has cashed in on the success of reality TV show Geordie Shore and done it again. This new series is set in Wales and it's content - which ranges from controversial to downright disgusting - is likely to divide viewers. It premiered last night to mixed reviews... 

Towie's Maria Fowler, whose Twitter tagline proudly states "Queen of the Talentless", admitted taking a liking to the stars of The Valleys.

To be fair I quite like them all. Hahaha #TheValleys

— Maria Fowler (@MariaFowler) September 25, 2012

Fans were few and far between, but Aled Phillips was another tweeter who admitted to enjoying the show...

#TheValleys is blowing my mind. Bunch of quote boxes.

— Aled Phillips (@aledsavedlatin) September 25, 2012

Some hard-core Geordie Shore fans stuck by the original MTV programme... 

The Valleys will never have anything on Geordie Shore

— †☯~Lewis~☯† (@Lewis__Wood) September 26, 2012

... while others were just repulsed by the very concept. 

Every time someone watches @mtvthevalleys , a book out there dies. Help us save library's nationwide by cancelling this monstrosity.

— Elliot Jones (@Ebomb91) September 26, 2012

watched the first 10 minutes of the valleys and caught chlamydia. i won't be tuning in next week that's for sure

— edgeworth (@jackedgeworth) September 25, 2012

This seems unlikey Jack, but we get your point. 

For those reality TV fans who thought a vajazzle was risque, The Valleys came as quite a shock...

Really ? Seriously ? I just spat my tea out #thevalleys

— Tom Williams (@MrTomWilliams) September 25, 2012

Showbiz writer Dan Wooton was among the shocked and amazed viewers: 

The Valleys makes Geordie Shore look tame. And that's saying something! Do these people know we're all watching?

— Dan Wootton (@danwootton) September 25, 2012

While this poor viewer was regretting recommending it to her mum. 

Why did I tell my mother to watch The Valleys?? #godlia #mortifiedmum

— Lia (@liapritch) September 25, 2012

(It's definitely not appropriate parental viewing...)

THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF

Last night's Bake Off saw not one, but two bakers being sent home. With misshapen doughnuts, raw loaves and bland buns, there was plenty of culinary drama - and Twitter was awash with tweets about the Bake Off...

Even one of the bakers himself took to Twitter:

"Loads to prove" - Sarah Jane on the baking puns already #GBBO

— James Morton (@bakingjames) September 25, 2012

Shouldn't he be in the kitchen?!

While music critic Pete Paphides noted that whatever Paul says about a bake seems to have very little to do with how much he eats of it...

For someone who's so critical, Paul's certainly packing enough of it away. #gbbo

— Pete Paphides (@petepaphides) September 25, 2012

But most of the Bake Off chat on Twitter had very little to do with baking. Lot's of viewers noticed a spark between contestant Katherine and judge Paul Hollywood...

Can we discuss the outrageous flirting between Catherine (pretty baker) and Paul (scary judge) on bake off?! #GBBO

— David Hunter (@thedavidhunter) September 25, 2012

While these viewers were just distracted by Mary's fashionable, floral attire...

The real winner in tonights bake-off was Mary Berry and her floral bomber

— Julio Bashmore (@juliobashmore) September 25, 2012

Not only is Mary Berry faultless in the kitchen, that flower print blouse she's wearing is bang on trend. The woman is a goddess. #GBBO

— IncrediblyRich (@IncrediblyRich) September 25, 2012

Baker James was clearly something of a distraction for this tweeter: 

I want James to come round and bake for me. #GBBO

— Sarah Holloway (@sarahholloway) September 26, 2012

Interested James?

And this viewer made an interesting - if slightly off topic - observation...

@sueperkins - watching you on #GBBO and couldn't help but think what a really good #DrWho you'd make. Please talk to Steven Moffat now!

— Sarah Addyman (@SarahAddyman) September 26, 2012

We're not too sure. What do you think?