Vicious, ITV: TV review: A hammy Seventies throwback saved by Sirs Derek Jacobi and Ian McKellen

Despite the stellar cast the writing is snore-inducing and the acting is of the Miranda Hart School of Hammy Self-consciousness

Back in the frame: Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi in 'Vicious'

"Ooh you are awful but I like you." Like that catchphrase, one could argue that Vicious is another of Dick Emery's TV legacies, taking as it does, the Seventies comedy style of self-conscious, overly articulated thesping to extremes and throwing in ludicrously predictable, comedic situations that are saved only by the skill of the actors.

I expect many might consider it awful without liking it. I do, however, due in the most part to the sparklingly bitchy chemistry between Sirs Derek Jacobi and Ian McKellen. The bright knights of British theatre play, in that order, poor put-upon Stuart and his egocentric actor boyfriend of 50 years, Freddie.

Things have not moved on much since we saw them last series, and they remain in the plush flat where the cheese on the table is just for show and the vino flows like water. Their bestie, Violet (a fabulous Frances de la Tour), is still wreaking havoc with their equilibrium and exclaiming theatrically as she pulls vodka out of her purse and "confesses" to having lied to her sister about having a successful husband called Jasper.

The ensuing, and entirely guessable, decision for Stuart to pose as Jasper ("I guarantee that I'll be able to pass as straight," he said, arms flailing from the wrist in the campest manner possible) while Freddie plays their butler-with-a-backstory-you-don't-really-want-to-hear, to fool Vi's horrid sister Lilian (a delightfully wicked Celia Imrie) provided a few decent laughs.

But despite the stellar cast the writing is frankly snore-inducing and the acting is of the Miranda Hart School of Hammy Self-consciousness. Filmed in front of a live audience, and with overlong pauses for laughter, it is as familiar and comfortably titillating as an Are You Being Served? rerun. Yet it is refreshing for its staunch refusal to consider the 18-49 demographic that television seems so obsessed by. There are no concessions to the so-called "yoof" audience bar the slightly unsettling presence of Iwan Rheon (the skin-flaying Ramsay Snow in Game of Thrones) who serves his purpose as doe-eyed eye candy for the others to lust after admirably. This week he was hastily moving his new girlfriend "Jess not Jessica" in to live with him – Sansa might suggest she run away as quickly as possible!