EastEnders (Monday 8pm, BBC1)
An emotional episode of EastEnders that sees a brief return for John Bardon as Jim Branning, his first appearance in the soap following a stroke last year. It’s perhaps made even sadder by the news that Bardon has been back in hospital recently. We wish the actor well for a speedy recovery and hope that Jim will be back in Albert Square again very soon.
New Tricks (Monday 9pm, BBC1)
In tonight’s episode of this Square Eyes favourite, the spotlight is on Alun Armstrong’s Brian as the team get involved with the reopening of a case that involved a wife being acquitted of offing her husband after being hypnotised. It’s great as always, and the dialogue is razor sharp - something I’m finding increasingly rare in modern drama (see Bonekickers and Harley Street).
Ian Rankin’s Hidden Edinburgh (Monday 11.20pm BBC2)
Previously shown on BBC4, this documentary, being shown to tie in with the paperback release Ian Rankin’s latest (and final) Inspector Rebus novel, has the author escorting us around various Edinburgh locations. Rankin is an engaging guide, and this serves as a nice backdrop to the range of best-selling novels.
Coming Up: Lickle Bill Um (Monday 11.40pm, C4)
Nice to see Channel 4 commissioning some e new dramas from emerging talent, but dismaying to see them tucked away in a late slot. This season of Coming Up dramas ties in to the current Generation Next season, and is written and directed by Kate Hardie. It features Amanda Abbington as a daughter who hires two kidnappers to abduct her overbearing mother. More of this please, but at a time when more people will see it.
Bonekickers (Tuesday 9pm, BBC1)
It’s the final episode of Bonekickers, and I admit I’m going to miss this genial mess of a drama. It has livened up my Tuesday evenings no end with its improbable plots, terrible dialogue and outrageously ham-fisted performances. And tonight they’ve saved the best for last as a round table is uncovered at the base of Glastonbury Tor. How very remiss of King Arthur to leave it there for anybody to stumble upon. The episode features a guest-turn from Dexter Fletcher, who clearly will be running straight back to Hotel Babylon very quickly for better scripts and dialogue. And yes, I meant that with no irony whatsoever.
Maestro (Tuesday 9pm, BBC2)
A fantastically entertaining piece of reality fluff that’s sees a group of celebrities take on the challenge of conducting the BBC Concert Orchestra. You might not think that would be make for riveting TV, but it’s a beguiling concept, and the celebs on hand go through tears, laughter and lots of dropped notes in their quest to win the prize of conducting at a Prom. Clive Anderson hosts and among the celebrities we have Katy Derham, Sue Perkins, Jane Asher, Bradley Walsh and the legendary David Soul. Can I put in a request for him to slide over a piano in true Starsky and Hutch stylee, please?
How Not to Live Your Life (Tuesday 10.20pm, BBC3)
A promising new sit-com from BBC3 that, while not wildly funny, is certainly not an embarrassing mess. Don navigates his way through life with not much success, careering from one catastrophe to another, peppered with fantasy sequences from our hapless anti-hero’s mind. It’s fast enough for any weaknesses not to really get noticed, but how long will that last? This one could go either way.
Who Do You Think You Are? (Wednesday 9pm, BBC1)
The return of a reliable BBC ratings banker that opens with Holby City’s Patsy Kensit having a shufty through her family history. The emotion is laid on thicker than usual in this edition as Pats, almost reluctantly, delves into some murky issues over her family’s involvement with various infamous gangster dynasties of yesteryear. It’s still a fascinating watch, and, despite the overflow of tears, you can’t help but feel for the girl a bit.
House of Saddam (Wednesday, 9pm, BBC2)
This truly gripping drama reaches 1995 and the backdrop of economic ruin for Iraq in the face of sanctions and the snooping of weapons inspectors. Saddam’s son, Uday, is becoming increasingly unhinged, which forces Hussein, Saddam’s most trusted adviser, to take drastic measures. But Uday’s actions are nothing to some of the things his dad is up to… It’s a compelling watch, and highly disturbing in places.
EastEnders (Thursday 7.30pm, BBC1)
A solemn occasion on EastEnders as Wellard goes to the big soap dog kennel in the sky. I like to think he’ll be gambolling round a big field in the sunshine with Roly and Little Willie…
Harley Street (Thursday 9pm, ITV1)
Bonekickers might be finishing this week, but there’s still one more episode of Harley Street to go - enjoy this joyous piece of work while it lasts as I doubt we’ll be seeing it back. I’m amazed at the quality of guest-stars this show has managed to attract, with James Fleet popping up tonight. I’m assuming he needs a new kitchen or something…
I heard that Bonekickers was originally publicised as a spring release - obviously decided to bury it in the summer instead.
It's now coming to that time of year when most of the summer series finish and even Casualty takes it's annual break leaving a very bleak TV landscape for the next few weeks.