Toby Young Night: A Maverick in London (Friday 8.45pm, Sky Arts)
As the film of his book,* How To Lose Friends and Alienate People*, hits cinema screens, Sky Arts throws open its doors to the errant journalist for an evening of programming presented by the man himself. Of particular interest is this documentary profiling the late Dan Crawford and his work with the King’s Head theatre in Islington.
The Tudors (Friday 9pm, BBC2)
I can barely bring myself to watch this closing episode of season two of the The Tudors. It’s too painful! My beloved Anne Boleyn is in the tower and awaiting the chop as Henry continues to cavort with Jane Seymour. Still, at least Anne has Anton Meyer off of *Holby City *to keep her company as she awaits her trip to the tower. It’s a very sad ending, and the series will certainly miss Natalie Dormer’s incredibly sexy yet sweet performance as Anne. Great stuff.
Little Britain USA (Friday 9.30pm, BBC1)
Mmm, not sure about this to be honest. My opinions on Little Britain have wavered from declaring Lucas and Walliams as comedy gods (around the time of series two), to charlatans who were happy taking huge pay checks to write barely constructed sketches that insulted the audience’s intelligence (around the time of the woeful - no, it really was - series three). But this might just be a different beast as the pair bring the Little Britain format to life across the pond in a series made for HBO. There are new characters - I particularly like Bing Gordyn, the bitter seventh astronaut to land on the moon - but old favourites like Vicky Pollard are still on hand to keep things familiar enough for the home crowds. The jury is out, but they might just get away with it…
John Adams (Saturday 5.30pm, More4)
Second part of the expansive mini-series charting the life of John Adams, the second president of the United States of America. Paul Giamatti stars as Adams in the multi-Emmy winning drama, with able support from Laura Linney and Tom Wilkinson. Talky, but undeniably well made.
Merlin (Saturday 6pm, BBC1)
Perhaps an unchanged timeslot this week will help Merlin fare better - the ratings drop off was by no means disastrous between episodes one and two, but this fantasy family drama really has some hard graft to put in to keep an audience interested. One of the problems is that it’s all a bit hey nonny nonny - there have been comparisons with Harry Potter, but the Potter universe works in part because of the contrast between olde worlde magic and a contemporary backdrop. There are no flying cars in Merlin, just lots of fairly dense dialogue that rarely sparkles. Shame. This week, Michelle Ryan looks rather spiffy as evil sorceress Nimueh, who has released a plague into Camelot’s water system.
The X Factor (Saturday 7.45pm, ITV1)
Ooh, we are so close to the live shows now, and this week it’s the annual jolly abroad for the final hopefuls, awaiting news of their fate. Will they crash and burn, or will it be live television glory? Of course, if you’re in Louis’ group, it must be a bit galling to see your fellow contestants jetting off to glamorous locations in blazing sunshine when you get to go to rainy Ireland, but still, it must be the experience of a lifetime, even if you don’t go through. The only problem with entering the live heats of the show is that it makes you realise just how soon Christmas is. Eeeek!
Tess of the D’Urbervilles (Sunday 9pm, BBC1)
Gird your loins for the final episode of this sumptuous period drama - as most of you probably know, a happy ending is not on the cards for our titular heroine. Her husband has done a bunk to Brazil after discovering his new wife’s sad secret, her family are kicked out of their home, and then, just when it can’t get any worse, Alec D’Urberville is back and interested in Tess once more. Gemma Arterton has provided a wistful Tess for this new take on the story, and stardom is assured for this young actress. One thing’s for sure, Cranford this ain’t. There are no neat endings for anybody here, so get your hankies ready.
Fringe (Sunday 9pm, Sky One/Sky HD)
A curious drama launch that has just been picked up for a full series in the States, this JJ Abrams co-created series has a debt to The X Files with it dark edges of science and federal investigation themes. This feature length opener starts with all the passengers on a plane ending up dead, and there’s only one man who can apparently solve the riddle. Unfortunately, he’s a loony banged up in an institution. Fringe is darkly promising, with attractive leads (a welcome return to television for Dawson’s Creek survivor Joshua Jackson) and some sinister background storylines jostling for position. This could be the new Lost - just better.
The South Bank Show (Sunday 10pm, ITV1)
The title of this edition of the arts show - The One Ronnie - is somewhat bittersweet, as it serves as a reminder that Ronnie Barker is no longer with us, but also that the equally talented Ronnie Corbett is still out there and working. Melvyn Bragg probes the comedy performer for an insight into his life, covering early work, and of course that fateful meeting with Barker that would propel the pair to the status of national treasures. Lovely.
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