Coronation Street (Friday 7.30/8.30pm)
Ooh, lots going on in he Street tonight as David Platt is released from the slammer, Steve and Dan’s rivalry boils over into something more sinister and Becky has Jason wrapped around her little finger. With Corrie at the moment, it’s all or nothing, and tonight’s pair of episodes is no exception. There’s a lot going on here, and it all feels too much - what happened to the balance that this show had? It will get it back, but right now, EastEnders is looking by far the stronger of the two - who would have thought?
The Weakest Link - The Apprentice Special (Friday 8.30pm, BBC1)
Anne Robinson giving it out to Katie Hopkins? Oh yes, I’ll buy tickets for that face off!
Alexei Sayle’s Liverpool (Friday 9pm, BBC2)
A fascinating three part series that sees Alexei Sayle revisiting the city that he left when he was 18 years old for the bright lights of London. Sayle is always passionate and this is good stuff as he attempts to reconnect with his roots in a city that still has a massive cultural resonance for not only Great Britain but for the world at large.
Peep Show (Friday 10.30pm, C4)
The final episode of this brilliant run for the best comedy on TV - but don’t worry, we are assured Jeremy and Mark will return for a new series next year. Hurrah! But what’s this? Jez waking up to his failings and realising what a loser he is? Joining a cult? MOVING OUT OF THE FLAT?! Jeremy and Mark’s dysfunctional flat share coupling is one of the great partnerships of modern television - Jeremy cannot possibly move out. But Mark has enough problems to deal with as he has one last go with Sophie - well, we didn’t see that one coming did we? Friday nights will be a lesser place from now on.
Doctor Who (Saturday 7pm, BBC1)
Second part of Steven Moffat’s brilliant and nightmarish tale set on a vast library in the far future. With the Doctor running for his life from the shadowy Vashta Nerada and Donna trapped in a strange domestic world that just doesn’t feel quite right, this is one of the most confusing yet satisfying Doctor Who tales for quite some time. There is so much layering here, repeated viewing might be needed to get the best out of The Forest of Death, but there are scares aplenty to keep the little ones interested and enough questions to keep the adults hooked.
The Minotaur Parts One and Two (Saturday 7.35pm/9.40pm)
If blokes kicking a pig’s bladder around a patch of grass for 90 minutes isn’t your thing, then dive into a bit of high culture - with a repeat of I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue sandwiched in between. This is Harrison Birtwistle’s latest opera, based around the legend of the Minotaur - you know, a prince comes, stalks a half man, half bull creature through a maze, kills it, goes home, all with the help of a beautiful princess. It’s a great story, and this opera goes beyond sumptuous, full of amazing imagery and powerful music. Avoid the footie and Big Brother and watch something worthwhile for a change.
Taggart (Sunday 9pm, ITV1)
It’s amazing when faced with the onslaught of football and Big Brother that we can take solace in a tried and tested drama format. In tonight’s everyday story of Scottish policeman, Burke and his team investigate the link between a murder and an illegal betting syndicate. It’s actually good stuff and still manages the odd surprise - who would have thought it after all these years?
The Sunday Night Project (Sunday 10pm, C4)
Who on earth thought The Friday Night Project would work on a Sunday? The always enjoyable pairing of JLC and Alan Carr works on a Friday as it has a brilliant, naughty end of the week feel to it. We don’t have to get up on Saturday morning, we can kick back with a beer and enjoy the mayhem. On a Sunday, who’s going to enjoy some silly banter with Peter Andre and Katie Price when they have to be up and off to work on Monday morning. No - great show, horrendous scheduling.
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