India with Sanjeev Bhaskar (Monday 9pm, BBC2)
The season of programmes to mark the independence of India and Pakistan continues with this likeable documentary in the company of The Kumars at No 42 star Sanjeev Bhaskar. It’s fascinating and incredibly watchable as he explores Mumbai and witnesses the economic changes sweeping across India, through entertainment and business. It feels a little light in places, but Bhaskar is a genial guide who is investing personally in the subject matter, and there’s a promise of weightier matters to come in the next instalment.
Rosemary and Thyme (Monday 9pm, ITV1)
I’m not the biggest fan of Rosemary and Thyme, but this is a rare new episode for the now defunct twee gardening detectives (Felicity Kendal and Pam Ferris). It’s clear ITV is clearing out some of the old dinosaurs sitting in the archive waiting for an airing. Enjoyable if you like Horlicks.
Diana: Last Days of a Princess (Monday 9pm, Five)
An interesting docudrama that, like most programmes about the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, can never be truly successful as there’s so much we’ll never know. Bodies bad guy Patrick Baladi stars as Dodi Al Fayed, but it’s Genevieve O’Reilly who worked so hard in Time of Your Life’s central role, that gets all the attention here as Diana. Her performance is quite startling, and one hope we might have a new drama star in the making. The drama is counter pointed by interviews with Mohamed Al Fayed and others who were close to the last days of the Princess.
Holby City (Tueday 8pm, BBC1)
You know how much I love Holby, and it remains just as good as ever at the moment. But what’s with the swishy filmic look they’ve been using for the last couple of weeks? I like it, but everything looks so dark, you could be forgiven for thinking that Elliot’s office has been swapped with that of Gil Grissom. Tonight, Abra is clearing his desk, and Ric is under increasing pressure as his fiancee’s incompetence grows by the day.
Sensitive Skin (Tuesday 10pm, BBC2)
A final episode for Hugo Blick’s minor comedy drama masterpiece. I weep to think of how many people have missed this delightful piece of television. Beautifully made, written and acted (Joanna Lumley shines like she hasn’t for years), please tune in to say goodbye to Davina. It’s well worth it.
You Can’t Fire Me, I’m Famous (Tuesday 10.35pm, BBC1)
Piers Morgan turns his attentions to Jade Goody and her controversial turn on Celebrity Big Brother and how the show that made her broke her just as quickly. It’s an odd one, this. Last week we had Louis Walsh, who was shocked to be hung out to dry by Simon Cowell as a judge on The X Factor (unless it was just a publicity stunt for the series). He was genuinely sacked. Jade was just stupid, and I hate the thought of Piers Morgan aiding and abetting such a talent desert from gaining any audience sympathy. Jade, it’s over. Deal with it.
Coronation Street (Wednesday 7.30pm, ITV1)
Did somebody replace Coronation Street with Are You Being Served the movie? Steve and Eileen arrive on their ill-advised holiday in Malta, and you know, I could swear that holiday rep was played by 70’s “icon” Robin Askwith. Oh. It is Robin Askwith. Sublime or ridiculous? You decide…
Heroes (Wednesday 9pm, BBC2)
If you haven’t already been convinced to sign on for the long haul with Heroes, just wait until the cliff-hanger of episode 3. Your gob will be well and truly smacked. The show really hits its stride with this episode. There’s enough mystery for me to want to keep coming back, but enough is explained to not to feel cheated in a Lost kind of way. Favourite character so far? Hiro of course!
Ian Rankin’s Hidden Edinburgh (Wednesday 9pm, BBC4)
My favourite crime writer on his favourite city. Bliss. Even if you’re not a fan of the Inspector Rebus novels, Rankin’s down at heel charm brings the city of Edinburgh alive as he peels aside the façade to reveal a darkness hiding just beneath the streets of the city. Many of the locations will be familiar to the readers of Rankin’s deservedly best-selling crime series, which adds a winning dimension if you’re in the know.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (Thursday 10pm, More4)
If Amanda Peet’s Jordan would just stop smiling in that irritatingly enigmatic way, then Studio 60 would be a real winner. As it is, I want to throw something at the screen whenever she’s on it. Thankfully, Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford more than make up for any weaknesses in this great show. It’s make or break time as Matt and Danny have to face the reality of their first episode of the troubled sketch show – will they run the controversial sketch that caused all the problems in the first place?
Drop Dead Gorgeous (Thursday 10.35pm, BBC1)
We bigged up Carmel Morgan’s superb drama series on its first run on BBC3, and finally it gets punted up to BBC1. When 15 year-old Ashley Webb is given the chance to make it as a model, it rips her family apart as they enter a whole new world of ambition and jealousy. It’s brilliantly written by Morgan, and the cast play it brilliantly. Kathryn Hunt, last seen as Corrie’s Angela Harris, is note-perfect as mum Pauline, her eyes opened to the possibilities that Ashley’s new fortune could bring her (and the family, of course). This deserves a better slot than 10.35pm and could have easily swapped places with the dour True Dare Kiss at 9. Highly recommended.
Radio Choice: Will Smith’s The Tao of Bergerac (Wednesday 6.30pm, Radio4)
Comic Will Smith expounds on his obsession with creaky 1980s detective show Bergerac, an obsession raised to dangerous levels by his discovery of an audio book featuring John Nettles reading the text of the ancient Tao. Any radio show with a hook like that has got to be worth a listen.
It is a pity that the BBC could not find any presenter other than Sanjeev Bhaskar for a series leading to the Independence Day of India. There have been far better programmes on Simla and the North India. Sanjeev Bhaskar is a comedian and his trade is based on cynical and discourteous views on Indian way of life, probably to please those in the UK who are biased against the Sub-continent. His self-admiration of his accent did not help and his mimicry of others was out of place. The cheapness of his performance was brutally evident in the cost of a sari he bought as a wedding present and when he boasted having spent only a ten pounds for two presents. The BBC researchers could have told him that only elderly ladies are likely to wear 500 Rupees saris, mostly for home use.
It is a pity that the BBC could not find any presenter other than Sanjeev Bhaskar for a series leading to the Independence Day of India. There have been far better programmes on Simla and the North India. Sanjeev Bhaskar is a comedian and his trade is based on cynical and discourteous views on Indian way of life, probably to please those in the UK who are biased against the Sub-continent. His self-admiration of his accent did not help and his mimicry of others was out of place. The cheapness of his performance was brutally evident in the cost of a sari he bought as a wedding present and when he boasted having spent only a ten pounds for two presents. The BBC researchers could have told him that only elderly ladies are likely to wear 500 Rupees saris, mostly for home use.