Square Eyes 25-28 February

Mastermind (Monday 7.30pm, BBC2)

Tonight’s edition of the legendary show supposedly features the cult comedy The Day Today as a specialist subject. Out of intrigue, if nothing else, I’ll be watching.

Masterchef (Monday 8.30pm, BBC2)

It’s finals week, and for once I don’t feel bad for recommending my favourite obsession, as there’s a TV related theme to tonight’s outing. The three remaining cooks (I still want Johnny to win) are packed off to Rochdale to cook for the cast and crew of BBC drama Waterloo Road. So you see, it’s kind of in the right area for a change. It’s such an addictively simple format that still keeps delivering, even though it’s the same year in, year out. Some of this is down to the competing talent, but mostly it’s down to the spiky charms of John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

The Palace (Monday 9pm, ITV1)

And on it grinds in wonderfully camp yet utterly dreadful fashion. If I were Michael Grade, I’d be very worried indeed. Still, Jane Asher remains as fab as ever, so perhaps all is not lost.

Skins (Monday 10pm, E4)

The second series of this so-called teen drama has managed to build on the confident first outing and gets better and better. I say “so-called” teen drama because the branding of Skins does it a huge disservice. It’s a drama that should appeal to everybody simply because it is so damn good. Tonight’s episode focuses on Sid and his father (Peter Capaldi) receiving a visit from Sid’s grandfather, which turns into a fascinating depiction of father-son relationships. It’s hugely clever, showing a narrative flair that’s so rarely seen in modern TV drama.

Hotel Babylon (Tuesday, 9pm, BBC1)

Well, why not? When a restaurant critic (Nathaniel Parker) savages the quality of food at Hotel Babylon, the team hire a celebrity chef, played by Alan Davies, to turn things around. It’s as paper thin as the walls in my flat, but that’s no reason not to like this silly drama. Within the Reithian principals of public service broadcasting, it’s at the very least entertaining.

The Hard Sell (Tuesday 10.30pm, BBC4)

First in a new series that calls on 50 odd years of TV advertising to showcase some of the essential techniques used in selling stuff to a mass audience. The series starts with sex, and inevitably this brings us to Melanie Sykes, the girl who brought sex appeal to Boddingtons and Manchester.

The Mr Men Show (Wednesday 7.30am, Five)

Um… The legendary TV show based on the books by Roger Hargreaves has been given an update for a new generation of fans. There are even some new characters, such as Mr Rude. Who is French and erm… rude. Just don’t pull his fingers. No, really…

Torchwood (Wednesday 9pm, BBC2)

Farting and projectile vomit? Ah, that’s better, Torchwood is almost back to feeling like its old self… No, I joke, because this episode, following straight on from last week’s cliffhanger (if you’re watching on BBC2) maintains the level of subtle character work that has typified this much improved sci-fi drama. It gets let down in the final reel due to some effects work that just outstrips what it’s possible to do on this budget, but that’s a minor quibble. After this, there are interesting times ahead for the Torchwood team.

Dexter (Wednesday 10.35pm, ITV1)

This is a bold move by ITV to stick one of the edgiest and most controversial dramas to come out of America since The Sopranos. Dexter is a pathologist who specialises in blood patterns in his work for the police. He also happens to be a serial killer whose sociopathic tendencies were recognised at an early age and focussed by his adoptive father in a unique way. Dexter only kills bad people, mostly other serial killers. It’s a hard sell, but Six Feet Under graduate Michael C Hall plays this difficult role with a charm that will have you cheering every time he gets the drill out. Exciting and brilliant.

Masterchef – The Final (Thursday 8pm, BBC2)

It’s the final – just saying, that’s all.

Ashes to Ashes (Thursday 9pm, BBC1)

It’s getting better, but Ashes to Ashes clearly needs to work harder than it’s predecessor to remain relevant and consistent, lest it just becomes a sit-com about a grumpy detective and his posh sidekick. This week has some deeper commentary to it as Gene is up against a group of radical feminists following a murder that could lead back to the secret service. One-liners and lots of shouting – mostly from Keeley Hawes for the latter.

That Mitchell and Webb Look (Thursday 9pm, BBC2)

First class sketch comedy from the Peep Show boys, mixing great characters with sly digs at the cheaper end of the reality TV market.

When Were We Funniest? (Thursday 9pm, UKTV Gold)

And that’s the question comedians like Martin Freeman, Jo Brand and Frankie Boyle will be asking between now and Christmas as they weigh in to speak up for a particular decade of comic excellence. Once the cases are made, it’s then over to a public vote where the results will be revealed in a special programme at Christmas.