Return to Castaway (Monday 7.30pm, BBC2)
Continuing the nostalgic series that looks back at fondly remembered reality shows, this week we get to Castaway, the BBC’s boldly worthy experiment from back in 2000 that didn’t quite make the mark that was hoped for. Still, it gave the world Ben Fogle…
Coronation Street (Monday 7.30/8.30pm, ITV1)
Finally Corrie seems to get some bite back as Liz McDonald tries to get it on with Harry, which just succeeds in winding up his ex-missus, Clarissa. One thing that Coronation Street does well, even in those occasional fallow periods, is witty and barbed exchanges, and this is good stuff. Even better is the brawl between Liz and Clarissa in Wednesday night’s episode, a classic amongst the many, many fights we’ve seen in the Rovers over the years.
New Tricks (Monday 9pm, BBC1)
Roger Lloyd-Pack guest-stars in tonight’s episode of the hugely enjoyable New Tricks as the bassist from a 70s band whose drummer has committed suicide. The band are closing ranks, making it difficult for Sandra and her team of old boys to get to the truth behind the death. Well-scripted and well-acted by an accomplished and engaging cast, New Tricks is always a pleasure and never, ever a chore.
Holby City (Tuesday 8pm, BBC1)
Obviously after that crazy trailer that’s been running for the last week, the ratings will be through the roof with people tuning in to a see show about a hospital that seemingly has everything from kinky sex and lifts that grow hands and molest its passengers. How disappointed they’ll be to find it only has Vyvian from The Young Ones having flashbacks to his time in the Congo. Surely there’s been some mistake…
Bonekickers (Tuesday 9pm, BBC1)
You know the name, you know the time - if Bonekickers hasn’t become appointment TV for you over the last few weeks, then get your diary out right now. You’ll listen slack-jawed at the over-egged dialogue, roll your eyes at the dreadful casting and laugh yourself sick at the wildy outrageous and silly plots. Tonight it’s some old toot about a brick from the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and a murder. And all this in Bath, which seems such a nice, quiet touristy kind of place. I’m hoping for an episode set in Sally Lunn’s tea shop, if only to give Hugh Bonneville the chance to say “Nice buns”. I know I said I was going to lay off being nasty to Bonekickers, but sometimes it’s just like shooting fish in a barrel.
House of Saddam (Wednesday 9pm, BBC2)
With a stunning central performance from Igal Naor, this four-part drama is a compelling account of the rise and fall of Saddam Hussein. It’s chilling yet uttery fascinating, and in tonight’s opening episode we’re in 1979 on the eve of Saddam’s rise to power and a violent culling of those who would stand in his way. Naor makes the would-be dictator a charismatic figure, and that sometimes makes this a difficult watch when you realise your sympathies lie with the baddies.
EastEnders (Thursday 7.30pm, BBC1)
It’s another EastEnders wedding, and if ever there was a doomed union, it’s Sean Slater and Roxy Mitchell. They’re hardly the most stable of individuals, but together they’ll be a disaster. And I guess that’s the fun here - as an audience, we know all this, and that gives a heightened sense of expectation for where things will go in the future. But we still don’t they if they go through with it, and Roxy’s sister, Ronnie, is determined to do everything in her power to stop the nuptials.
Harley Street (Thursday 9pm, ITV1)
Oh joy, more insidiously addictive and ham-fisted drama to revel in. The real virtue of Harley Street *is that it almost makes *Bonekickers look like a competently made adventure thriller. Almost. I have no empathy for any character in this show, which is surely a killer for any popular drama (and I use popular very loosely here)? Even Shaun Parkes as the vaguely engaging Dr Ekkow Obbiang doesn’t quite manage to pull it off, even though he seems to be the only trying to work with some flimsy material. If I walked into this surgery I think I’d choke on the overwhelming sense of smug. Still, at least tonight’s episode has a nice turn from Sally Phillips who effortlessly shows the regulars how to do this acting lark properly.
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