Coronation Street (Friday 7.30pm, ITV1)
There’s a notion that Corrie might move to a trial 8.30pm timeslot sometime in the New Year. What a terrible idea. But that’s by the by, as tonight, devil child David Platt accepts a job offer from the oft mentioned, rarely seen Uncle Stephen. Is the poor boy finally on the road to being a well-adjusted teenager? Nah, don’t be silly!
Have I Got News For You (Friday 9pm, BBC1)
Richard Madeley hosting HIGNFY? This is either genius waiting to happen or one big studio-based car crash. The jury is out.
Fanny Hill (Friday 9pm, BBC2)
The ratings smashing BBC4 production of Fanny Hill gets an airing on BBC2, and for this, we can all be thankful. It’s a good, solid Andrew Davies turn, and well worth giving a look.
Robin Hood (Saturday 7.15pm, BBC1)
Tonight’s piece of swashbuckling flummery is all concerned with some coded messages about the movement of royal treasure, and the Sheriff turning Locksley into a garrison town. It’s all great fun as always (look, I never said it wasn’t, I just don’t think the lead is up to much), and a perfect antidote to the crooning over on the other side.
The X Factor Final (Saturday 7.15pm, ITV1)
I’ve come and gone with this year’s singing shenanigans with Simon Cowell, but it seems the consensus is that this has been something of a vintage year for the venerable old competition. Certainly there have been some characters along the way, and the judges’ banter, on and off-screen, has been very entertaining. Personally I’m still mourning the loss of Niki, but tonight should be a two horse race between Rhydian and Same Difference – I’m not even sure what the other boy is called.
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (Saturday 7pm, BBC4)
This 1982 Trevor Nunn RSC production of the Dickens classic was rightly feted on its original run, and this attempt to put it on camera was a great success. Now BBC4 dusts down the VT and for the next two weekends, settle down to enjoy this brilliant piece of musical drama all over again. Roger Rees takes the title role, heading a huge cast that includes Alun Armstrong, Bob Peck and David Threllfall. Perfect pre-Christmas entertainment.
Cranford (Sunday 9pm, BBC1)
My great hope is that some bright spark might see potential in the wonderful Cranford to think about doing an occasional visit in the future to this delightful village. That might sound a note of blasphemy to the original source material, but there is so much rich material here it would be a shame to think we may never visit Miss Matty and co in this incarnation ever again. This final episode has everything that has made the series such appointment TV, from the high character comedy to the depths of heart-wrenching tragedy.
Parkinson: the Final Conversation (Sunday 9pm, ITV1)
I don’t think Parky’s tenure at ITV has delivered the greatest moments of his chat career, to be honest, but that could be down to changes in the power the guests have to control what is and isn’t asked. But still, this final chapter of the veteran TV chat master’s career is going to be worth a look. With guests comprising Judi Dench, Jamie Cullum, Michael Caine, David Attenborough, Dame Edna, David Beckham, Peter Kay, Jamie Cullum and, of course, Billy Connolly, it’s an A-list line-up. Will the man himself get to the end of this two-hour extravaganza without shedding a tear? Place your bets now…
Oh Scott - I do hope they revisit Cranford it was wonderful - can I nominate it for the TV event award? So many excellent actors and actresses in one series and so beautifully filmed - hopefully it will come out on DVD and I can cry again to my heart's content!