As you may have noticed, Square Eyes’ weekend round-up now includes Fridays as well. Which seemed like a good idea at the time, but there’s so much to mention this weekend that it’s going to be a bumper edition…
After You’ve Gone Friday, BBC1 8.30pm
Oh lovely — a studio-based sitcom about a dysfunctional family. It’s like the last few years never happened, isn’t it? Created by Fred “My Family” Barron, this six-part series pits Nicholas Lyndhurst against his mother-in-law, who moves in after his ex-wife moves to Africa. Its sole saving grace could be Celia Imrie as ma-in-law Diana — but frankly, she deserves better, as do we.
Lilies Friday, BBC1 9.00pm (pictured)
Period drama is what the BBC arguably does better than anyone. I can’t say that the lives of three Liverpudlian sisters growing up in the years following World War I is going to be of great appeal to me — and Lilies feels like it would be more at home in a Sunday evening slot than on Friday night. Still, placing it here in the schedule does at least redeem BBC1 after the preceding sitcom…
Comedy Connections Friday, BBC1 10.35pm
A new series of the televisual history show is always welcome. This new series kicks off with writer David Renwick’s finest work to date, One Foot in the Grave. Contributions from cast and crew, along with many of the show’s finest moments, serve only to highlight the poor quality of that other BBC1 sitcom of the evening that I promise I’ll shut up about now…
Ugly Betty Friday, Channel 4 9.30pm
Last week’s debut achieved impressive ratings for the channel on a night they haven’t owned for years. This week’s episode keeps up the humorous pace, as Betty takes control of The Book — mockups of the entrie magazine — only to see it kidnapped by her neighbour.
Soapstar Superstar Friday 9pm, Saturday 5.40pm and 9.20pm, ITV1
Forget what I said about Just the Two of Us beating this show — this year’s Superstar has been unmissable. Not for the singing — which has varied from phenomenal to abysmal — but more for Antony Cotton’s comebacks to judge Billy Sammeth’s tortuously metaphorical comments. Seriously, in the main the judges’ comments have been a joy to hear — full of constructive notes, and appreciative of the effort the contestants have made to act on them (David Gest’s turn as a guest judge yesterday is best overlooked). We’re gearing up for a good semi-final and final, as Cotton (the most variable of the remaining performers) joins Tupele, Hayley and Mark. Two singers will leave tonight, with Saturday seeing the remaining pair battle it out.
Al Murray’s Happy Hour Saturday 9.50pm, ITV1
After the success of his appearance on An Audience With…, ITV1 has been flinging all sorts of projects at the Pub Landlord. Pub quiz Fact Hunt was, perhaps deservedly, little seen (but miles ahead of the ITV Play shows that now take its place in the late-night schedules). Here, we have the first in a new series of chat shows. Quite how the world will cope with another comedy character-led chat show remains to be seen…
Kylie: Showgirl Homecoming Tour Saturday 10.10pm Channel 4
A filmed version of one of the diminutive popstrel’s post-cancer shows — from the Australian leg of the tour, so it may not feature the Doctor Who-inspired “Kylie vs the Cybermen” routine that my friends-who-should-know-better told me about from here recent UK gigs.
Wild at Heart Sunday 8.00pm ITV1
Amanda Holden and Stephen Tompkinson return to Africa for a second series of the wildlife drama. Nothing too challenging (hardly unsurprising, appearing as it does in Heartbeat’s cosy timeslot) but entertaining, nevertheless.
Waking the Dead Sunday 9.00pm BBC1
Trial and Retribution Sunday 9.00pm ITV1
Surely scheduling two shows that are likely to appeal to exactly the same audience directly against each other can’t be good for anybody? Personally, like Mark, I’m a sucker for Trevor Eve’s incessant, unnecessary and unpredictable shouting fits, so Waking gets my vote ahead of Trial. But then, gven what I said about Just the Two of Us, maybe you shouldn’t listen to me… Both shows are two-parters, and both conclude on Monday at 9pm.
I don't think you can really say Ugly Betty is a success on it's own just yet because C4 have done the same thing they did with 8 out of 10 cats - which was place it between major Big Brother episodes, which almost guarantees it a decent audience (despite 8 out of 10 cats being awful everyone touted it a 'success' during the last BB because of it's placing in the schedules and being carried by BB). I quite liked it but I don't think viewing numbers are necessarily what they would be if they'd shown it without it being flanked by known ratings-catcher, CBB.
I just want to say that Catherine tyldesley who stars in Lilies is a fantastic actress of whom went to my high school long before i started there. She was a quest at my school in november this year presenting me my GCSE certificates at prize night. She was so lovely and i was so happy when i had a photo taken with her!!!