Coronation Street (Monday 7.30pm/8.30pm, ITV1)
Some of the scenes between Tracy Barlow and Charlie Stubbs in Friday’s Corrie were a bit cringe inducing but the brutal pay-off was well worth the wait (if a little unpalatable for a pre-watershed audience). Here now we get the aftermath of Tracy’s actions, as Charlie clings on to life but, sadly for him, not for long. Will Tracy’s long game pay off, or will the Barlow bitch end up with egg on her face? As always, Corrie’s lightness of touch combined with big dramatic storylines displays why it’s still the best soap around.
Panorama (Monday 8.30pm, BBC1)
A noteworthy mention for the return to primetime of a BBC institution, now under the stewardship of Jeremy Vine. The clock is ticking on how long it lasts when the ratings aren’t up to scratch…
The Trial of Tony Blair (Monday 10pm, More4) (pictured)
Hopefully this will fare better than Death of a President, being an incredibly funny examination of just how Tony Blair might be remembered. It’s set in 2010 (just as TB has left Number 10), and sees the now ex-PM face up to his political failings (as it seems he hasn’t left that many positives). The Yanks are out to slime him to take the heat off themselves (with a lady called Hilary living in the White House), and Iraq might just be the biggest, dirtiest stick they can use to hit him with. Robert Lindsay is superb in the title role, thankfully reminding us there’s more to him than My Family (which admittedly, I quite like). Shown on Channel 4 this coming Thursday at 10pm.
Prison Break (Monday 10pm, C5)
Oh. Must we?
Dr Alice Roberts: Don’t Die Young (Tuesday 8pm, BBC2)
Not quite our usual fare, but this is worth pointing out for the presence of the brilliant Dr Roberts. Having played second fiddle as part of the on-camera team for Coast, she fronts her own series here, looking at how various internal, squishy parts of our body work. Much more considered than most documentary strands on this subject, which usually scream: “IF YOU EAT THIS YOU’LL DIE!!!!!!!!”. Roberts is a brilliantly natural companion (and fiercely intelligent, with a whole raft of letters after her name). Expect her to pop up frequently in years to come.
You Are What You Eat: Gillian Moves In (Tuesday 8pm, C4)
And is if to prove a point, in comparison to Don’t Die Young, Gillian McKeith is here, to show how not to do it. She’s gone a step further with the concept and actually invites people to come and stay with her so they can beat their bad eating habits. I’d rather spend a year banged up with Leo Sayer, washing his pants, than spend five minutes in that house. She strides around, face set in a contrived, don’t mess me with me manner that would have even the most angelic of eaters scurrying for the nearest pork pie. Just don’t do it, kids…
Raiders of the Lost Archives (Tuesday 10pm, ITV1)
A great idea for a show that plunders the archives for what were thought to be long-lost clips, which are then exhumed and shown to some of the personalities involved. In this first show, Michael Parkinson is delighted to be shown his one and only interview with Laurence Olivier from years back. Not only is this a great show from that angle, these four programmes are a great advert to advertise the work of those people who toil to bring these castaway clips and programmes back to their rightful place in the archives.
Taggart (Wednesday 9pm, ITV1)
Oh how gauche… a brand new Taggart story. Every time I’ve tuned in to one of these in recent times, it’s been a repeat. Still, it’s good, solid stuff, as DCI Burke (a good value Alex Norton) is convinced a retired copper is connected to a recent murder. At least it’s easier to follow than Waking the Dead (the waking bit usually brought about by Boyd’s shouting), and has more facial expression per minute of screen time than Victoria Smurfit’s one-note wide-eyed stare in Trial and Retribution.
Waterloo Road (Thursday 8pm, BBC1)
A second series (and an extended 12-part run) for the highly likeable school drama, starring Jason Merrells and Angela Griffin. This could have easily spiralled off into sentiment and the black and white arguments on how to improve our schools, but the first series built on a strong start. It’s never going to set the world on fire, but sometimes that doesn’t matter. In this new run, an ex-pupil turned successful businessman wants to invest in the school in the return for a seat on the board of governors, but the rag-tag collection of staff don’t react kindly to his list of demands.
Mock the Week (Thursday 10pm, BBC2)
Worth it alone for Dara O’Briain, who watches over proceedings with a dangerous Celtic glint in his eye. Some of the comedy falls flat, but every now and then a blinding observation is thrown in that brings audience and contestants to a gibbering standstill of laughter.
