Coronation Street (Friday 7.30/8.30pm, ITV1)
I wish Steve and Michelle would just get over it and move on, allowing Corrie get stuck in to some decent storylines again. Tonight, ‘Chelle is all on for chucking the ring away, which only gives Simon Gregson more chance to do some of that fine gurning he’s perfected over the years. What is it with the soaps? With Steve and Michelle, Corrie had one of its best couples in years, but as always, the writers can’t resist mucking around with a good thing. Just stop it!
Celebrity Masterchef (Friday 8.30pm, BBC1)
It’s all getting very tense in the Celebrity Masterchef kitchen, and tonight, one of our hopefuls will be kicked out of the competition. Will Andi Peters recover from his raw partridge disaster? Can Mark Monaghan sort out his presentation? Will Louis Emerick’s soufflé see him through? And will Liz off of Atomic Kitten just carry on being scrummy and lovely? As always though, will any of it be enough to impress John and Gregg, let alone the three joyless restaurant critics who always manage to annoy me?
Comedy Connections (Friday 10.35pm, BBC1)
A welcome return for this light but always-enjoyable documentary series that looks at some of our greatest TV comedies and the names that made them. Tonight’s labyrinthine journey goes behind the scenes on Till Death Us Do Part, and includes interviews with Una Stubbs, Tony Booth and Alf Garnett himself, Warren Mitchell. Till Death is high on the list of most socially important sit-coms of all time, and this is good stuff from all concerned.
Hadrian (Saturday 8pm, BBC2)
Dan Snow, with typical ebullience, sets off on a journey to find out more about Roman emperor Hadrian and discover if there’s more to him than just a wall near the Scottish border. Thankfully there is, or this would be a very short documentary. Snow’s enthusiasm for his subject is always infectious, making this an enjoyable hour. The film ties in to the British Museum’s forthcoming exhibition, Hadrian: Empire and Conflict.
Casualty (Saturday 8.20pm, BBC1)
With a tedious singing competition on ITV and the revival of a 70s sports show on Five, there’s little choice but to find solace in that perennial Saturday night drama Casualty. It’s never top of my list these days, but that’s not to say the old warhorse doesn’t still have something going for it. But when, oh when, did everybody start sleeping with each other? It’s amazing the patients ever get any care while the staff at Holby A&E are carrying out examinations on each other. Tonight, some extra-marital chicanery has nasty consequences when Jessica and Sean’s son is in an accident while they are both in bed with their lovers. Ouch! Oh, and there might be some medical stuff happening too.
Comics Britannia (Saturday 9.30pm, BBC2)
A terrestrial run for this lovely little documentary series previously shown on BBC4, showcasing the tradition of comics in Great Britain. The first, and best, looks at the rise of the Beano and the Dandy, comics that kept children enthralled in their millions through the likes of Desperate Dan, Little Plum, Lord Snooty, Mini the Minx and, of course, Dennis the Menace. Talking heads contributions are from Steve Bell, Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Rosen, along with some of the creative minds who brought these characters to life.
The Great Escape (Sunday 5.15pm, BBC2)
Somebody is mucking around with the golden rule of television - who in their right mind would think of putting The Great Escape on when it isn’t a bank holiday? Madness! Still, I’m a sucker for this old classic, so bring it on.
George Gently (Sunday 8pm, BBC1)
When a German businessman’s body is dragged out of the harbour, it brings Inspector George Gently and sidekick DS Bacchus running. Foul deeds have been committed and it’s up to our vintage coppers to sort out the mess. This a nice little show, and Martin Shaw has that reliable air about him - the same feeling of familiarity that we get from John Nettles in Midsomer Murders. It makes for comfortable viewing, and there are some twists and turns along the way to keep things ticking over.
Midsomer Murders (Sunday 8pm, ITV1)
You know exactly what you’re going to get with Midsomer Murders, week in, week out, so talking about the actual plot mechanics of an individual episode is largely irrelevant. It’s what keeps us coming back in our millions, so why mess with a tried and tested and formula? In tonight’s sleepy investigation, Barnaby and Jones investigate a murder that could have links to Jones’s past. Gasp!
Dexter (Sunday 10pm, FX)
Business as usual for the mild-mannered serial killer. Tonight’s episode is notable for British audiences as they might just recognise new character Lila - it’s Jaime Murray, formerly of Hustle, who Dexter encounters at Narcotics Anonymous.
I don't think it's the writers that are messing up Steve and Michelle's relationship in Coronation Street; Steve McDonald seems to have done that himself :-)