Moving Wallpaper (Friday 9pm, ITV1)
Like 30 Rock and the much-missed Studio 60…, Moving Wallpaper is a hard sell to a mass audience, despite the fact that it’s sharp, funny and very watchable. It’s just sharp and funny about the business of making TV, which non-media smug types find about as entertaining as Parents of the Band. Shame - but this retooled second series stands a better chance of succeeding, freed as it is from the albatross of Echo Beach. This time, outrageous TV producer Jonathan Pope (Ben Miller) is tasked with siring a pilot for a zombie series - starring Kelly Brook and Alan Dale. Brilliant! Highly recommended.
30 Rock (Friday 9pm, Five USA)
A star-studded double bill of the excellent US sitcom, with guest appearances from Steve Buscemi, Jackie Mason and Carrie Fisher. It’s flawed, yes, but utterly fantastic.
Al Murray’s Multiple Personality Disorder (Friday 9.30pm, ITV1)
Al Murray steps away from the Pub Landlord for this new sketch show. Like most entries into the genre, it’s a bit hit and miss, but there should be something here for most palates, from Prurient Dad to the politically correct coppers.
Casualty (Saturday 8.50pm, BBC1)
Nick Jordan, he’s a funny old character. Michael French has been playing the hokey-cokey with the miserable medic for years, with two separate stints across Holby since 1999, and now he’s been back in Casualty since last year. And Nick isn’t coping too well, hiding a mystery illness that manifests at crucial moments in the running of a busy A&E department. How long can Nick convince himself, let alone his team, that all is well? Casualty: watchable in the same way a pot noodle is edible.
Paul Merton Looks at Alfred Hitchcock (Saturday 9pm, BBC4)
Nicely handled documentary from Paul Merton, giving the same treatment to Alfred Hitchcock as he gave some of his silent movie idols a while back. It effectively focuses on the techniques that the master of suspense established throughout much of his work and makes it accessible for a wide audience to appreciate the work of a craftsman. You can also watch the classic Hitch films The Lady Vanishes and Rebecca at either side of the documentary.
Lark Rise to Candleford (Sunday 8pm, BBC1/BBC HD)
Sunday nights were made for Lark Rise. Laughter, tears and winsome homilies from Dorcas Lane. When it’s Lark Rise night, all is well with the world.
Being Human (Sunday 9pm, BBC3)
The highly enjoyable Being Human comes to an end with a script from series creator Toby Whithouse. It’s an evening of big decisions for our trio of mis-matched flat mates, with Mitchell deciding to take on Herrick once and for all, George choosing between staying or a life with his lady, and ghost Annie discovering new things about the haunting business. The series took a while to warm up for me, but has ended up being a thoroughly satisfying watch - and pleasingly, series two has been confirmed.
Damages (Sunday 10.20pm, BBC1/BBC HD)
I have no absolutely no idea what is going on in this twisty turny US drama, but it’s still fantastic.
Studio 60 was marvellous. I would watch Bradley Whitford and Matt Perry in anything because of this show.
Sorkin needs to come back and write some more gripping TV.