Ryder Cup (Friday-Sunday, Sky Sports 1)
It’s something about golf, apparently, but there’s no sign of Jimmy Tarbuck or Sean Connery anywhere…
The Daily Show with John Stewart (Friday 8.30pm, More4)
Always worth watching if you have an interest in events on the other side of the Atlantic - and right now, who doesn’t? But tonight is especially noteworthy as the special guest joining John Stewart is one Anthony Charles Lynton Blair, know to his friends as Tony. Mmm, that name has a familiar ring to it.
The Tudors (Friday 9pm, BBC2)
We’re rapidly approaching the climax to this entertaining second season of the daft yet engaging drama, and Queen Anne’s continued attachment to that pretty little head on her shoulders is becoming more precarious with each passing week. Things aren’t helped this week by the arrival of new lady in waiting Jane Seymour, who Anne is particularly frosty to, but Henry… well, let’s just say that his royal H-ness is his usual welcoming self…
Wire in the Blood (Friday 9pm, ITV1)
Concluding part of a two-part story in the grisly serial-killer drama. The hunt for a depraved killer continues (well, it is Wire in the Blood, what did you expect?), but things take a turn for the worst when somebody close to the investigation goes missing. To say Wire in the Blood is entertaining is something of a misnomer, but the series is always a good watch in crime drama terms.
Ugly Betty (Friday 9pm, C4)
Amanda discovers she is the daughter of Kiss band member Gene Simmons (no, really - the man himself even appears), and she performs a heavy metal tribute to her new Pa. I love Ugly Betty.
Strictly Come Dancing (Saturday 6.10pm, BBC1)
Everybody relax, it’s all going to be okay. Strictly is back! Between now and Christmas we have the ratings rollercoasters of Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor to keep us entertained. Of course, Cowell and co are well into their stride by now, but this dance show will no doubt catch up very quickly. Tonight, the boys get to show off their moves, with talent on offer from the likes of Andrew Castle, Gary Rhodes and erm… John Sergeant. This week will also see the girls, including Jessie Wallace and Rachel Stevens, taking part in a group presentation. And of course, the show wouldn’t be complete without Brucie and Tess. As always, TV Today will be reviewing each episode of this series, courtesy of Scott, and to help things along, he has provided a downloadable scoresheet so you can give the couples marks at home - find it right here!
Merlin (Saturday 7.30pm, BBC1)
The new great hope for Saturday night drama on BBC1, Merlin is slick, pretty and entertaining. Colin Morgan is the young Merlin, arriving at Camelot to take up an apprenticeship with court physician Gaius (Richard Wilson). Soon he is caught up in a plot by a witch to destroy the family of Uther Pendragon and he must use his latent magical powers to defeat her. The only problem being, magic has been outlawed in Camelot… A promising start - look here for our more detailed preview of Merlin.
Casualty (Saturday 9.05pm, BBC1)
A notable episode of Casualty sees the return of Michael French to the Holby fold as the acid-tongued Nick Jordan takes over the running of the emergency department. He’s a force to be reckoned with, and provides a much needed kick up the backside to the tone of this long-running series. Long may it continue!
Tess of the D’Urbervilles (Sunday 9pm, BBC1)
Tess is in a bit of a pickle as she returns home with a baby in tow, leading to lots of sorrowful looks every 30 seconds from our heroine. But when she goes to work on a dairy farm, she meets Angel Clare, who our Tess clearly has the hots for, and love soon blossoms between the pair. Tragedy, of course, can’t be far too far away.
Poirot (Sunday 9pm, ITV1)
Harriet Walter guest stars in more sumptuous Agatha Christie sleuthing with Hercule Poirot as the headmistress of Meadowbank Academy, one of the best school for gels in Britain. But things are afoot, and that’s why the headmistress has called in our favourite Belgian detective. Priceless jewels mysteriously end up among the belongings of one of the school girls, and then members of staff start ending up on the wrong end of a javelin - will the leetle grey cells be enough to solve this case?
Dexter (Sunday 10pm, FX)
The season finale of arguably the best drama on television anywhere in the world. This has been a taut 12 weeks of viewing to get to this point, and as with all things Dexter, nothing is certain and all bets are off. And that’s all I’m prepared to say.
Dexter - a 'taught' 12 weeks of viewing? lol no we don't need to be taught that ...