TV review: Pop in for cookies and come home with a chainsaw — the magic of the middle aisle

Many of us have more money than sense and the planet won’t let us carry on like this forever. But, for now, we can thank the middle aisle for helping us through the pandemic

Lidl staff: (clockwise from top left) Shannen O'Connell, Samantha Ryan, Gemma Dowling; Caoimhe Bracken, Adam Kinsella, and Christopher Ryan

For some of us, the cruellest blow during the pandemic was when the Government decided to shut down the middle aisle. It had been the only treat left: a stroll around Aldi or Lidl, wondering if your life would be better if you spent €19.99 on a waffle maker. And now that treat was gone.

Secrets from the Middle Aisle (RTÉ One and RTÉ Player) dragged me back there, reminding us that we’ve come a long way since the ‘stop having fun’ days of the deepest pandemic. Like all these consumer and retail shows, it gives you a chance to play Conor Pope Bingo, where you bet how many minutes go by before Ireland’s favourite consumer champion pops up on screen. The prize goes to those who went for two minutes, and Conor gave good value as you might expect.