The American Future: A History, by Simon Schama (Friday 9pm, BBC2)
Simon Schama brings his richly textured tones and accessible (yet still highbrow) style to this eye opening curtain raiser to the forthcoming presidential elections in America. The historian casts his eye back over the country’s past to examine how that will impact on the future for whichever candidate gets to sit in the big chair come the beginning of next year. Brilliant stuff, as you’d expect.
Wire in the Blood (Friday 9pm, ITV1)
Another day, another serial killer in Bradfield. Switch on the Tony Hill signal; we need a maverick criminal psychologist right now! Every time I recommend Wire in the Blood for a Square Eyes salute, I feel like I’m talking about the same episode. A bit like CSI and Waking the Dead, every new case starts to merge into one, although that’s not to say these aren’t good. Robson Green is brilliant as the twitchy Tony, and Simone Lahbib (who I’m sure I saw in Penge Sainsbury’s the other day, but I could be wrong) has just the right amount of bewilderment to make the relationship between the two work. Expect some fairly graphic scenes, as always.
Merlin (Saturday 7.05pm, BBC1)
Once again, the ratings for this episode of Merlin will be interesting, as the BBC schedulers have decided to swap the adventures of the boy wizard with Strictly Come Dancing. Strictly now airs a full hour early, with Merlin going out in the later slot - and clashing with The X Factor 10 minutes into its run time. The crazy swapping about the schedules is mystifying and shows a distinct lack of respect for the audience (and programme). Still, it’s as enjoyable as ever, with Michelle Ryan back for a second round of evil doing as sorceress Nimueh, who this week poisons Merlin. Arthur must make a mercy dash into he forest to find an antidote…
The X Factor (Saturday 7.15pm, ITV1)
This is it! The 12 finalists have all been selected and the live shows kick off tonight. There are still weeks to go, but one by one, the acts will be whittled down until only a select few remain, fighting all the way for those public votes. But for now, cast your mind back to last year’s crop of acts and the double act of Same Difference. They have an album due any time now, and you can find lots of Same Difference fun at www.samedifferenceworld.com. Beware, it will probably make your eyes bleed.
Blue Peter at 50 (Saturday 8.40pm, BBC2)
The world’s longest-running children’s programme is rightly celebrated in this documentary to mark the legendary magazine show’s 50th birthday. The show is full or archival clips, outtakes and various presenting teams reunited for the occasion to talk about what it was really like working on the show. It’s likely the recent controversies surrounding the show will be brushed under the carpet for better or worse, but this is still likely to be an enjoyable trip down memory lane for children - of all ages. Shame it seems to come at a time when the future of Blue Peter remains in some doubt…
Peter Kay’s Britain’s Got the Pop the Factor… (Sunday 8pm, C4)
Peter Kay’s first new TV comedy work for four years has been heavily trailed by Channel 4, and who can blame them? I still think Max and Paddy’s Road to Nowhere was a brutal misfire for the popular (and undeniably brilliant) comic actor, but hopefully this will bring him back to comedy greatness. The explosion of reality talent shows might be an easy target for satire, but Kay, steeped in popular TV culture, should be able to get something from Britain’s Got the Pop Factor and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice. Kay is Geraldine, a finalist on a talent show, hosted by Cat Deeley and judged by Pete Waterman, Nicki Chapman and Neil Fox. But is Geraldine keeping a deep, dark secret, and will “she” win out in the end? Find out in the results show at 10.15!
Stephen Fry in America (Sunday 9pm, BBC1)
An amiable, eclectic six-part journey through America in the company of Stephen Fry, who is planning to traverse every state in the Union in his London black cab. Fry is, as you would expect, an erudite tour guide, and in this opening part he is in New England, where he does various activities from lobster fishing to dealing blackjack. Enjoyable and informative - perfect for a Sunday evening.
A Touch of Frost (Sunday 9pm, ITV1)
David Jason returns for the first of three new investigations for one of TV’s most enduring detectives, ahead of him hanging up curmudgeonly copper’s battered hat for good. The case of a missing girl is reopened when her remains are found 20 years after she went missing. It’s not long before more bodies start cropping up and DI Frost must put his crumpled intellect into solving a case that might just be too old to crack. Great stuff.
Fringe (Sunday 9pm, Sky One)
I can’t tell if it’s genius or terrible, but Fringe is undeniably entertaining. Get rid of all the FBI gubbins that we’ve seen countless times before and make it all about the mad scientist (John Noble), and you’d have a great series.
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