The BBC1 magazine programme, The One Show, managed to pull in a whopping audience of over 4 million for the first time last night. The show is presented by (the superb) Adrian Chiles and (the not so great) Christine Bleakly and has been getting a steady 3m viewers over the summer, with a recent increase of bums on seats. Must be good eh?

Well, having watched loads of this programme, you'd think I was a fan wouldn't you? Not strictly true. As much as I enjoy watching Chiles on just about anything, it seems to me that the success of The One Show is more to do with its placing in the listings as opposed to cracking stories and features.

In a previous article, we told you that media pundits and BBC insiders had been queuing up to give the show a kicking. One quote in The Guardian said "I've been viewing The One Show all this week ... Frankly, it's a load of predictable, pedestrian tat," with others noting that Adrian Chiles was "carrying the show."

So why are the figures increasing? Well, let's have a look at the schedule. Coming up against The One Show is lots of news. Now, when you've just had a heavy day at work, sometimes, the last thing you need is someone telling you about horrendous bombing, foot and mouth and dastardly politicians. Sometimes, you just want something you can ignore. The One Show? Check.

Tonight, at 7pm, The One Show comes up against Emmerdale (unfathomably popular), more news and Great British Journeys. Now, I have to confess that I haven't seen Great British Journeys at any great length, but during the channel hop, it seems to be a giddy bloke going for walks. As pleasant as that would be in real life, it doesn't inspire me to stick with it on the box.

In short, The One Show is seemingly a success for its blandness. Watching Chiles talking to someone about consumer affairs, or whatever, provides suitable background hum whilst you sit down and unwind. Since Myleene Klass has gone off to drop, I've found myself tuning in with alarming regularity. When she returns, I'll be off watching absolutely anything else. Great British Walks? Sounds perfect. [Mof Gimmers]