Padding

What is it about Sunday night television that it has to be stuffed with 'costume drama'? Last night we got a double dose.
In an effort to show Jan that I'm not a complete moron and as a modern person I would like to show an interest in stuff that she likes, I made a concious decision to struggle through watch.
First Midwife, which I thought might be good and frankly it wasn't bad but boy did it go on too long. This was a thirty minute programme at best and as it dragged on I got very restless and finally left the room. Failed.
The next programme, Bird Song, was set during the first war and I thought it was actually quite good but again it went on too long. The cinematography, costumes and acting were all good, at least to my taste, but it was a max 60 minute programme but actually extended to about 90. I guess the schedulers have time to fill but they are in great danger of putting people off when there is so much padding (long periods of people staring into space). Didn't leave the room so passed.
It seems like others share my view. Take a look at this and then also look at the comments, some of them are hilarious.