April 2009 Archives

For the second time this week, we have more from BBC2 controller Janice Hadlow, who we quoted in an earlier posting over her delight at BBC2 bringing satirical comedy The Thick of It back for a new series.

And now Hadlow, talking exclusively to The Stage, has outlined her plans to put new drama at the heart of BBC2’s continuing ethos. Her words are incredibly encouraging, with a commitment to nurturing new talent being especially welcome. But at a time when the industry is cutting back on budgets, with the expensive overheads of topflight drama coming under scrutiny by the bean counters, they are also very brave words:

The news that the BBC is looking to renew sketch show Horne & Corden has been met with many raised eyebrows. While the opening show brought in record numbers for a first episode of a comedy series (817,000), it lost almost half the viewers over the six episode run. Coupled with a poor critical response, this did not look like a show that was ready to return.

While the BBC should not be chasing ratings for every show, there comes a point when any switched-on organisation has to look in the mirror and say, “we tried our best, it wasn’t enough, move on,” and let a program die a natural death.

So how has the BBC come to decisions like this one?

Although a broadcast date has yet to be set, the third season of Torchwood looks to be shaping up very nicely, with a new teaser trailer having surfaced on Australian television yesterday as the second series finished its run there.

And bless the BBC for putting the trailer up on the Torchwood website for British fans to have a gander at — and for allowing folks like us to embed it on our own sites:

On the evidence of this, are we seeing a series that has finally come of age, to fulfil the potential that’s been there since day one to become a truly adult drama?

Saints be praised! At a time when we’re all about to die of swine fever, no second series of Bonekickers on the horizon, and MPs battling to keep those second homes so they can watch porn on expenses, we can all be thankful that The Thick of It is coming back to television.

In these dark times, there is only one man who can keep the plates of big politics spinning - Malcolm Tucker, super sweary Westminster spin doctor as played with effortless, foul-mouthed ease by Peter Capaldi. And now BBC2 is playing BBC1 at its own game (as it did previously with Lead Balloon) by nicking Armando Ianucci’s political satire from under the nose of BBC4.

Controller of BBC2 Janice Hadlow has said of commissioning the new series:

Can it really be two years since the BBC decided to use its Saturday light entertainment slot to find a new Joseph for the West End?

While the eventual winner has long since handed back the Technicolor dreamcoat, exchanging it for a much more subtly-hued wedding outfit as he wed one of the show’s judges, Denise Van Outen, over in the States BBC America is currently running a (slightly edited) run of Any Dream Will Do.

Long time TV Today readers will know that we covered ADWD extensively at the time but, as is the way of these things, those blog entries are not so easy to find. And so, for the benefit of our BBC America readers, we provide a collection of links to help you find our commentaries on the episodes now airing.

First up is our report from the press launch of the show. And let’s just take a brief pause to reflect upon the irony of the headline:

• Get your coloured coat love, you’ve pulled: Joseph is “speed dating” for Van Outen

Funny how things turn out, isn’t it?

More links after the jump.

Production has started on Spooks’ eighth series, with a press release that capitalises on the series’ unpredictable casting changes.

As yesterday’s Bafta awards, I tried to get more information from two of the series’ stars (tried, but didn’t get too far. Somehow, I doubt Harry would feel my interrogation techniques were of much benefit to MI5)…

Did you ever think that Spooks would continue for as long as it has done?

Peter Firth (Harry): No, you never know. Anybody who knows things like that would be running BBC Television. It’s all a shot in the dark. But it’s great that it’s persisted, and actually gone from strength to strength. It hasn’t rested on its laurels at all.

It still retains the power to shock — particularly the last couple of episodes in series 7.

PF: Yes, exactly. And we’ve started now on the new series, and we’re punching quite high — which I think we really have to do.

With the rate at which characters can leave Spooks, do you ever wonder whether you’re still going to be in the series by the end of the next episode?

PF:They have quite a clever trick: they don’t give you the script until the day before you start filming, for various reasons. But that gves you no warning if you’re about to be disposed of! Of course it’s the first thing you do is check through, just to see if your character makes it, because you never know. It’s a brilliant negotiating tool for the producers.

If you had the choice, would you stick around for as long as you could?

PF:I’m really happy, I love the show. I love my character and I love playing him. And it’s very popular. That’s the main reward — people love it, and that’s why we do it, essentially.

Miranda, your character Jo has really been put through the ringer over the last couple of series. Do you ever hope for the odd episode just stuck on the Grid, doing the paperwork?

Miranda Raison (Jo): No, I never want to be stuck on the grid! I wouldn’t mind the odd glam moment, though, that would be nice. But I do actually enjoy all the blood and snot and tears. It’s really fun to do — and there was a lot of blood [last series]! Being on the Grid — it’s still fun, but it’s memorising lots of Russian names and saying them very quickly. It can be much harder work, actually, than just being out and doing the action stuff.

Your husband, Raza Jaffrey, got out of Spooks and has gone on into success in Mistresses. Are you tempted to follow his lead and try some new dramatic avenues?

MR: Possibly, we’ll see. It’s just one of those things, we’ll have to go with the tide, and I’m very interested in doing other things. But I love Spooks, I have really loved it. And when I do leave, I’ll really miss it. A lot.

For more on Spooks, listen to our podcast interview with Richard Armitage (Lucas North) and Robert Glenister (the Home Secretary).

We had a prime spot on the red carpet for yesterday’s Bafta Television Awards. It’s a manic environment, with everybody vying to get a soundbite from their favourite performers or presenters, with the hacks often more interested in talking about the designer frocks than they are talking about the work that the ceremony is about to celebrate.

Over the course of the week, we’ll bring you some bits and pieces from both the red carpet and the winners’ press conferences, starting with Barbara Windsor, there to support both EastEnders for its nomination in the Best Continuing Drama category and June Brown’s nod for Best Actress.

Recently in EastEnders, we’ve been seeing a darker side to Peggy Mitchell…

That “Kill him!” Oh, I didn’t want to do that. But there we go, she didn’t know what she was saying, she was having a nervous breakdown. That all comes out in the next few episodes coming up, you’ll see how she was.

But yeah, she has always had that side. The first episodes I ever did, I slapped Phil, because it was “Sharongate” and all that, you know… but it’s been fun playing that. Isn’t it funny — I like to think I’m nothing like that. When you’re paying totally against [your own character], you know, that is totally fantastic.

Have I Got News For You (Friday 9pm, BBC1)

Return of the now legendary panel game show. Paul Merton and Ian Hislop are as ever on hand to captain the teams, with Frank Skinner popping in as tonight’s guest host. And Katy Brand will no doubt prove that she’s much better when she’s not hiding some bad impressions on her woeful sketch show.

Reggie Perrin (Friday 9.30pm, BBC1)

Honestly, this is tantamount to a mugging. Somebody in comedy commissioning at the Beeb must have tortured logic until it screamed: “Remake classic 1970s sitcom The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin!”. That’s clearly the only explanation for this travesty of a show, saved marginally by the presence of Martin Clunes in the title role. But seriously, when you’re stepping into shoes vacated by the late, great Leonard Rossiter, even the best fall short of the mark. Way short.

Dexter (Friday 10pm, FX)

Michael C Hall returns as everybody’s favourite cuddly serial killer in the third series of the brilliantly executed US drama. These early episodes of the season are slow burn, but it’s always worth sticking with as the second half a Dexter season always goes mental in the most wonderful ways. Jimmy Smits also turns up this season as a state prosecutor.

Robin Hood (Saturday 6.15pm, BBC1)

Things are moving along nicely in this new series as Lara Pulver arrives as the mysterious Isabella. She’s feisty and can handle herself - something that Robin is clearly taken by. But then he doesn’t know of her family background when they first meet…

Primeval (Saturday 7pm, ITV1)

A particularly scary episode of the monster mashing Primeval, that this week abandons dinosaurs in favour of a rather terrifying fungus creature that has grown all over a rich businessman. Fast and furious, this is Primeval at its best.

British Academy Television Awards (Sunday 8pm, BBC1)

It’s that time of year when the best of British television is recognised. Personally I’m rooting for June Brown to walk away with Best Actress, redressing the balance for the soaps as something that can be critically acclaimed without having its own category specially created so the judges don’t feel dirty. Graham Norton hosts.

Best - His Mother’s Son (Sunday 9pm, BBC2)

A poignant story that focuses on Ann, the mother of football legend George Best, leading up to her death in 1978 from a heart condition reportedly exacerbated by drinking. It’s intelligently played by all concerned, especially by Michelle Fairley as Ann who portrays the besieged mother brilliantly as her son’s fame rises. Sad and engrossing in equal measure.

I Did It My Way: Simon Brett Radio 7, Saturday 10am
Writer and former BBC producer Simon Brett talks about his career, and we hear a selection of his radio work including After Henry, possibly my favourite radio sitcom ever. Later this week, Radio 4 begins a repeat run of Charles Paris mysteries based on Brett’s books (see below).

Saturday Play: The Killing of Sister George Radio 4, Saturday 2.30pm
Sarah Badel stars in the role made famous on stage and screen by Beryl Reid. She plays June Buckridge, whose character of Sister George in a long-running radio serial is under threat as producers try to revive interest in the flagging soap. Anna Massey also stars as the BBC executive who becomes June’s nemesis.

Going Out with Alan Carr Radio 2, Saturday 6pm
The final piece of the new-look Radio 2 weekend schedule slots into place, with the Friday/Sunday Night Project presenter and comedian Alan Carr getting a regular show, co-presented with Emma Forbes. Quite what will occur is anyone’s guess, but Carr’s humour is end-of-the-pier sauciness compared to Russell Brand’s, so it’s unlikely that telephne answering machines will feature…

Elaine Paige on Sunday Radio 2, Sunday 1pm
After recent events, maybe we should class EP as the woman who one day might be as famous as Susan Boyle? Still, Miss Paige is currently the one with the regular radio show - and this week her studio guest is Lionel Blair.

Classic Serial: Troilus and Criseyde Radio 4, Sunday 3pm
The love story set within the walls of beseiged city Troy has been told many times, from Shakespeare to William Walton and even 1960s Doctor Who. Lavinia Greenlaw’s two part adaptation is based upon Geoffrey Chaucer’s poem. Tom Ferguson and Maxine Peake are the eponymoous lovers , with support from Malcolm Raeburn as Pandarus.

Afternoon Play: Two Pipe Problems Radio 4, Monday and Tuesday 2.15pm
Curmudgeonly actors William and Sandy, now in a thesps’ retirement home but who once played Holmes and Watson together, return for two new mysteries. In Monday’s play, they investigate why a fellow resident pulls out of his impending marriage at the last minute, while on Tuesday the pair travel to Buckingham Palace for Sandy’s investiture. Stanley Baxter and Richard Briers star, with support from Julia McKenize and Julia Rhind-Tutt.

Murder Unprompted: a Charles Paris Mystery Radio 4, Wednesday 11.30am
Speaking of actor-sleuths, Bill Nighy’s turn as the philandering alcoholic Charles Paris returns for a repeat run, adapted by Jeremy Front from Simon Brett’s 1982 novel and first broadcast in 2007. A murder is discovered backstage at a West End theatre production, and of course it falls to Charles to work out whodunnit…

Elvenquest Radio 4, Wednesday 6.30pm
TV viewers will shortly get their own fantasy send-up series in the form of new BBC2 show Krod Mandoon And The Flaming Sword Of Fire, but Radio 4 sneaks in there first, with this six-part sitcom which series fantasy novelist Sam (Green Wing’s Stephen Mangan) whisked off into a Tolkein-style universe where he must join a quest to find the legendary Sword of Asnagar and save Lower Earth from the clutches of Lord Darkness.

Friday Play: Des Res Radio 4, Friday 9pm
When TV scriptwriter Luke (Ian Puleston-Davies) loses his job, he has to relocate form a leafy suburb to a much rougher area of Salford, in this black comedy by Ed Jones. I wonder if the subject of TV people moving to Salford has any parallels to the BBC’s own move to MediaCity in the near future?

I am thoroughly enjoying the current run of The Apprentice, along with, it seems, plenty of other people (a stonking run of ratings continues with last night’s 7.6 million on the overnights, which is not to sniffed at).

Last night’s outing was a particularly fine example from Sir Alan’s toybox of tasks, and I was fare gasping for a bowl of Treasure Flakes by the time I got to the office this morning. Wearing my pants on the outside of my trousers, obviously.

It was a particularly fine evening for Nick and Margaret, with some vintage asides being lobbed in like grenades, especially Nick’s withering observation that Ignite had taken logic and tortured it until it screamed. Joy!

But why is this programme so joyous and entertaining? It is, after all, a display of human antagonism and stupidity on a grand scale. Yes, there’s a certain element of car crash television to it - there were moments last night when I could barely watch, yet remained glued to the screen, horrified. Those poor children confronted by Pants Man… Oh, the horror!

Well, it seems that TV related news is coming out in sympathy for today’s budget statement by generally being a bit dull and middle of the road - a bit like the Chancellor himself.

So as the top stories we have The Culture Show getting moved to a prime-time slot when it returns to BBC2, alongside the BBC slashing its marketing budget by 25%, and 1500 fans petitioning Auntie to reverse its decision to axe Lee Mack sitcom Not Going Out (which I do kind of sympathise with).

So unless there’s going to be an imminent announcement that Bonekickers has been recommissioned for a second series (see? See?!), and therefore giving me something to write about, here’s the title sequence to a random kid’s show from the 80s, just for your entertainment.

Don’t say we never give you anything here at TV Today…

As we pointed out yesterday, today is the 45th anniversary of BBC2’s first broadcast. Our broadcasting correspondent Matthew Hemley has reported from the launch of the channel’s latest Spring/Summer launch, and there’ll be more in next week’s print edition about new channel controller Janice Hadlow’s intentions for the channel’s future.

In the week of the channel’s launch, BBC2 Controller Michael Peacock gave an in-depth interview to Television Today, The Stage’s broadcasting supplement. Reading the interview, it’s clear that the BBC’s ideas of what the channel should be had to change radically prior to launch:

We had decided in the summer of 1962 that BBC2, which clearly had to be different from BBC1 and provide a planned alternative, would establish itself by having a main attraction for every evening of the week. A main dish, as it were, a centrepiece, which might be anything from a full-length western to a major opera production.

The notion… was central to our thinking at the time. It came to be known as the ‘centrepiece theory’… It never seemed to me to be the right answer but I couldn’t think of a better one. I spent the first three months, in addition to coping with all the 101 running problems which were waiting for me and awaiting my decision, in trying to work out different approaches, different ways of achieving what appeared to be essential requirements as far as BBC2 programming was concerned.

The difficulty in providing so many centrepiece elements, particularly from the fields of current affairs, became a real concern — as did the worry that programme length would end up becoming, in Peacock’s words, “an end in itself”.

As well as finding a programming voice for the nascent channel, Peacock and his team also had to develop and promote a new television technology, the advent of the 625-line UHF television transmission. This brought about conflicts that the BBC still struggles with today — how to provide material with enough general interest to spur people to buy the new technology, yet be distinctive enough to extend the BBC’s services beyond its mainstream, BBC1 roots.

Eventually, Peacock came up with a plan.

I was a bit sniffy about Ashes to Ashes last year. It just didn’t quite do it for me - DI Drake annoyed me, it felt like we’d been here before and the need to crowbar in 80s imagery every five seconds at the sake of decent plot turned me right off it.

As a result, the first series ran away from me somewhat - it wasn’t that I was missing Life on Mars, I just didn’t see much need for any kind of continuation. And besides, writers and co-creators Matthew Graham and Ashley Pharoah had much more serious fish to fry with the finely balanced and subtle piece of drama that was Bonekickers.

However, even I was pleased to see Ashes to Ashes return last night, given that we’re heading into that tedious period in the TV schedules where there’s nothing on. Well, more so than usual.

Today should be the 45th anniversary of the launch of BBC2. Except, famously, a fire at Battersea Power Station caused a power cut in West London that blacked out BBC Television Centre.

As a result, BBC2 started its official broadcasts the following morning at 11am, with children’s programme Play School. By the time evening programmes rolled around, the previous night’s power cut was commemorated with on-screen presenter Denis Tuohy blowing out a candle.

Twenty years ago, BBC2 marked its then silver anniversary with a spoof of that incident. Which, thanks to YouTube, is still available for posterity:

Of course, The Stage and Television Today gave full coverage to the channel’s launch. Over the next few days, we’ll dig out some of the interesting nuggets from that period.

Top Dogs (Friday 9pm, BBC2)

Final part of this fascinating documentary series. Tonight’s top dog is Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who takes fellow travellers John Simpson and Robin Knox-Johnston on a trip to get a taste of his own stock in trade - polar exploration. There’s a jolly, well mannered nature to this trip over the Arctic ice, but as with the other instalments of what has been a brilliant series, the dangers inherent within what these guys do are all too apparent.

Robin Hood (Saturday 6.10pm, BBC1)

Former Corrie villain Bill Ward (aka Charlie Stubbs) guest stars in tonight’s slice of robbery from the rich as an evil tax collector. In many ways he’s filling in for Gisborne, who is still off with King John, trying to explain why Hood hasn’t been brought to justice yet. Allan and Kate are kidnapped by this nasty piece of work, and the race is on for Robin and the remaining outlaws to rescue them.

Primeval (Saturday 6.55pm, ITV1)

After last week’s cracking episode that saw Douglas Henshall say goodbye to Nick Cutter in an emotional end for the character, Jason Flemyng returns as the new regular lead, filling Cutter’s shoes as ex-copper Danny Quinn. He’s a different beast from the dour Cutter, but no less dynamic a leading man, and on the basis of this, it’s business as usual for Dinosaur Chasey-Chase.

Tonight’s The Night (Saturday 6.55pm, BBC1)

What’s that? Reclusive and notoriously private celebrity John Barrowman fronting a new, glitzy Saturday night variety show? Barrowman grants wishes to members of the public after being tutored by the man himself and some special guests, so they are ready to perform on the night with their favourite band or West End show cast. This could be hugely enjoyable if the format works, so fingers crossed. We need these kind of shows on a Saturday night.

Last of the Summer Wine (Sunday 6.05pm, BBC1)

Series 32 of Last of the Summer Wine. Yes, you heard right, series 32! It’s still going, and it might not be made for me, but I’m glad it’s still there.

Heartbeat (Sunday 8pm, ITV1)

With the series officially no longer in production (although not officially cancelled), enjoy Heartbeat while you can as it returns for a new series. There are episodes in the can that will take this venerable old warhorse well into next year, but after that, who knows?

The No1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (Sunday 9pm, BBC1)

The final episode of the lazily enjoyable detective series based on the delightful books by Alexander McCall Smith. This week, Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi are victims of crime themselves when a robbery takes place. The ratings for this lovely little show have not been stellar, so the hopes for a second series aren’t high, even with the might of HBO involved. Still, fingers crossed eh?

Mike Leigh Night (Sunday from 9pm, BBC4)

With this collection of programming to celebrate the work of director of Mike Leigh, you really won’t need anything else tonight. The evening kicks off with the effortless Nuts in May, starring Roger Sloman and Alison Steadman as the sweet yet annoying couple who head of on a camping holiday and come up against some rowdy neighbours. Leigh himself goes on the record at 10.20pm in a new Mark Lawson Talks To…, and finally at 11.50pm you’ll find the documentary All About Abigail’s Party - which does what it says on the tin.

Family Guy (Sunday 10pm, BBC3)

New series of the better-than-the-Simpsons animated comedy.

Reasons to be Cheerful Radio 4, Saturday 10.30am
Billed as an antidote to the Grumpy Old Men type of programmes that have tended to prevail in recent years, Peter White, winner of Radio 4’s recent Comic Relief stand-up competition, explaining all the reasons he has to be optimistic. He believes he is cheery enough to take on Grumpy Old Men contributor and regular Stage columnist Arthur Smith.

Saturday Play: Road to Durham Radio 4, Saturday 2.30pm
Two octogenarians, played by Timothy West and the play’s author Douglas Livingstone, travel to the Durham Miners’ Gala to meet after more than sixty years apart. During the war, they were Bevin Boys — young men who were sent down the mines to keep the country’s industry stocked with the coal instead of joining the armed forces. As young men, their political and moral beliefs are challenged at every turn.

Drama on 3: Henry VIII Radio 3, Sunday 6pm
Shakespeare’s play, either co-authored or revised by John Fletcher, is probably the least historically accurate of the Histories (taking liberties with his reign didn’t start with The Tudors, you know). Here, Matthew Marsh plays the king who is struggling to extricate himself from his first marriage, to Catherine of Aragon. Patrick Malahide plays Cardinal Wolsey.

Penelope’s People Radio 4, Tuesday-Thursday 3.30pm
Penelope Keith performs a series of three monologues about women who fight back at crisis points in their lives. From a woman who must find new ways to fund her granddaughter’s education when her husband is imprisoned in Roy Apps’ Divorcing Grandpa on Tuesday, she progresses to an Essex woman who is made redundant from a department store in Making Ends Meet by Cathy Feeny on Wednesday. And on Thursday, she becomes Lancastrian Alice, whose determination that once fuelled her stage career gives her the strength to face an uncertain future in Pills by Eric Pringle.

Down the Line: Credit Crunch Special Radio 4, Tuesday 6.30pm
The main trouble I’ve always found with comedy spoof Down the Line is that the material it’s lampooning is just so laughable in and of itself - especially, but not limited to, Any Answers? every Saturday. However, this doesn’t stop this programme being hilarious in its own right, and here it returns to Radio 4 for a one-off special prior to transferring to television.

Afternoon Play: The Gallery Radio 4, Wednesday 2.15pm
I love Alan Plater’s works — the Beiderbecke Trilogy DVDs of the Yorkshire TV comedy dramas starring James Bolam and Barbara Flynn have a permanent spot next to my DVD player. His new comic radio play follows the opening night of a new Tyneside art gallery, which is thrown into jeopardy by the well-meaning but ill-trained staff, who have all been hired to tick a “quota” box.

The Hull Truck Story Radio 4, Thursday 11.30am
To mark the opening of the Hull Truck Theatre company’s new purpose-build venue this week, this documentary charts the year leading up to the move, as well as looking at how the theatre company and its playwright, John Godber, have come to be so influential.

Afternoon Play: The Iceman Goeth Radio 4, Thursday 2.15pm
Unusually for the AP, we have a documentary interview with actor Ian Holm, who talks candidly about the events in his life that have led to three breakdowns. The interview is intercut with a dramatisation of one such episode, with Ian Glen playing Holm in 1976, as he was performing in a run of Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh.

Friday Night is Music Night Radio 2, Friday 7.30pm
In the week of Shakespeare’s birthday, FNIMN celebrates the Bard’s role in musical theatre on stage and film. Expect work from Kiss Me, Kate, West Side Story and Shakespeare in Love among others. Shona Lindsay, Tim Rogers and Jimmy Johnson perform with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Sometimes a bit of comment comes along in the national press that has you nodding sagely on a Sunday morning over your coffee and toasted peanut butter bagel (crunchy, of course).

Commenting on such a piece of writing when you agree with it so completely (look, I’m still nodding sagely), doesn’t make for a particularly interesting blog piece - I may as well just stand there grinning inanely and pointing. But sometimes its worth drawing attention to something and say: read this, it’s brilliant!

Looking forward to tomorrow’s Doctor Who special, Planet of the Dead? Then you may enjoy these interviews with David Tennant and Michelle Ryan that we’re providing you for your delectation!

Don’t say we never do anything for you here at TV Today!

• Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead is on Saturday April 11 at 6.45pm on BBC1.
• For more Easter TV treats, check out our Square Eyes Easter Preview

A slightly extended Square Eyes weekender to take in Easter Monday - and a Happy Easter from all of us here at TV Today!

Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death (Friday 8.30pm, BBC1)

The Beeb is certainly getting its money’s worth out of the latest adventure for Wallace and Gromit - and who can blame them? A Matter of Loaf and Death is fun and exciting with something for all the family, and as the top rated show on Christmas Day last year, it should do very well again on this Good Friday evening. Pity ITV - they’ve got a rerun of Doc Martin instead. Oh well.

Red Dwarf: Back to Earth (Friday 9pm, Dave)

My ambivalence towards the brief return of Red Dwarf for a three-part reunion special has been noted previously on this very blog, but after seeing the picture of Lister, Rimmer et al wandering down Coronation Street, my heart of ice melted. A little. It looks like a fun catch up with some old friends if truth be told, but I hope that won’t stop Doug Naylor writing some lines that are actually funny. Remember, every sitcom needs equal measure of sit and com! But perhaps the world does need the return of Red Dwarf after all. The three-part special continues over the Easter weekend, with various documentaries and clips shows to celebrate being back in the Red one last time.

Primeval (Saturday 6.15pm, ITV1)

Arch villainess Helen Cutter is front and centre (in more ways than one) this week as she launches a full on attack on the ARC with an army of clones. Meanwhile, there’s an invasion of cute but deadly dinosaurs at a hospital. Primeval is enjoyably bonkers and just gets better and better.

Doctor Who (Saturday 6.45pm, BBC1/BBCHD)

Well, you wait for one Saturday night adventure drama for ages, and then three come along at once. And this is the grand fromage in the Saturday night telly stakes, returning here albeit briefly for an Easter special in the company of the effortless David Tennant. Planet of the Dead, a creepy and atmospheric tale set on a desert planet with monsters aplenty (and guest-companion Michelle Ryan in a cat suit) also sees Doctor Who make its debut in HD. Enjoy David Tennant while you can - one special down, three to go! Doctor Who Confidential is on BBC3 at 8.30pm.

Robin Hood (Saturday 7.45pm, BBC1/BBCHD)

The stronger third series of outlaw derring-do continues in an episode that puts Tuck up front of the action, and also sees the brilliant David Hayman guest-star as a corrupt abbot who the Sheriff blackmails into denouncing Robin and the Outlaws.

Britain’s Got Talent (Saturday 7.45pm, ITV1)

Simon Cowell’s other annual ego-trip is back for another round of oddballs and craziness. It’s undeniably entertaining, but it’s yet another outlet for Piers Morgan to get his face on TV, and in my book that’s a Very. Bad. Thing.

Skellig (Sunday 7pm, Sky One)

It’s been left to Sky One to provide some proper Easter Sunday entertainment with this excellent adaptation of David Almond’s children’s fantasy/horror novel. It stars Tim Roth as the titular creature found by young Michael after he moves into a run down old house with his parents. It looks great, is scary as hell (especially for very young viewers), and the classy cast also includes Kelly McDonald and John Simm. Perfect viewing.

Lewis (Sunday 9pm, ITV1)

David Hayman’s second turn of the weekend sees him having great fun as ageing rocker Richie Maguire who DI Lewis once idolised as a teenager. Lewis and Hathaway investigate a routine noise complaint made against Maguire and rock chick of a certain age Esme (always a pleasure, Ms Joanna Lumley), and soon the bodies are piling up around them. It’s a deliciously knowing end to the series and one can hope that Lewis and Hathaway will be back with us soon.

Hell’s Kitchen (Monday 9pm, ITV1)

Deayton’s out following an alleged bust-up with chef Marco Pierre White, but fear not, new presenting talent is attached to the culinary reality morsel that is Hell’s Kitchen in the form of Claudia Winkleman. There is something incredibly watchable about Hell’s Kitchen as eight celebs are put through the wringer every night in a full on professional kitchen. White is a much calmer, even Zen presence in the kitchen than you might expect, but some of the celebrities are likely to get grilled under his exacting standards. Fun stuff.

ALAN AYCKBOURN SEASON: Saturday Play: Man of the Moment Radio 4, Saturday 2.30pm
To celebrate Ayckbourn’s 70th birthday, BBC Radio is staging a number of his plays. The first this weekend is this, his 35th, which premiered in Scarborough in 1988 before transferring to London (with a cast including Michael Gambon, Peter Bowles and Samantha Bond) in 1990. Set in the murky world of the cult of celebrity, it’s not really fair to call it prophetic since the situations it satirises were current then as they are now. Vic Parks (Tim Pigott-Smith) is a convicted bank robber who, since his release, has become a television celebrity. Now chat show presenter Jill (Lisa Dillon) wants to reunite him onscreen with Douglas (Alex Jennings), the bank clerk who foiled the robbery and caused Vic to be arrested. But Douglas is quiet, unassuming and forgiving — in short, he’s just not good television material…

ALAN AYCKBOURN SEASON: Drama on 3: A Small Family Business Radio 3, Sunday 8pm
The second new Ayckbourn play of the weekend (like Man of the Moment, directed by Martin Jarvis and produced by Rosalind Ayres, who also plays Poppy in this play) is a new production of 1987’s A Small Family Business, which also starred Michael Gambon in its first London run. Here, the cast is led by Alfred Molina as Jack, an honest, principled businessman who has to investigate how his company’s furniture designs are being stolen and reproduced by rival firms. As the private investigator he has hired digs into the company structure, it appears that all of his family and friends are corrupt to some degree… Theatre trivia fans note: playing Benedict in this radio production is Adam Godley, who also appeared in the 1988 Scarborough premiere of Man of the Moment (see above).

ALAN AYCKBOURN SEASON: The Norman Conquests: Table Manners Radio 7, Sunday 1pm (repeated 1am)
Tying in with the Ayckbourn season, the BBC’s archive channel starts another repeat run of the playwright’s 1973 trilogy, revived on the Old Vic stage last yer. The other two plays, Living Together and Round and Round the Garden, involve the same characters and all three take place over the same weekend in the same house. The trilogy continues next Sunday.

The rest of this week’s previews are after the jump…

Now I like TV as much as the next geek daftie (look, I really do have a Bonekickers DVD boxset, honestly), but even my blood turned to ice when I read about the BBC’s new Friday night panel quiz show…

Presenter Steve Jones, spreading his wings beyond T4, will host As Seen on TV (you see what they did there?), a panel game in a Buzzcocks stylee on the subject of, well, TV. The team captains will be outgoing This Morning host Fern Britton and comedian Jason Manford (drafted in from C4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats).

We’ve touched upon the thorny issues of recasting in soap operas before on TV Today. As we stated then:

Of course, all soaps occasionally have to recast… While in a way, it’s more understandable that child actors may end up being replaced, when there are so many other pressures on them, it’s the adult transformations that require the most extreme suspensions of disbelief.

And things get even more confusing when the originally cast actor returns to the role…

I note with a certain amount of doom-laden interest that the BBC is allegedly scaling back the previously announced major drama project Decades, as reported by MediaGuardian yesterday.

The BBC2 project, as it was originally outlined, would comprise 30 single one-hour dramas from a variety of writing talent, set between the years of 1970 and 2000. Former BBC drama controller Jane Tranter called Decades:

“the boldest undertaking by BBC drama to date”

but now it seems it’s not going to be quite as bold as first thought for a variety of reasons.

One such reason is apparently the number of hours available across the schedules to screen such a large number of single dramas. Erm… Okay. I don’t quite get that - there seems to be plenty of time to show 20-odd episodes of senseless tat like Heroes, which is one import I think BBC2 made a huge mistake in buying (and one doesn’t like to think about the price of that exclusive purchase). So, if you want to make room for 30 hours of Decades, dropping Heroes should make some room. Actually, a blank screen in place of Heroes would be just as good.

Law and Order: UK (Monday 9pm, ITV1)

Final episode of what has been a largely enjoyable and consistent series. It’s a personal case this week as Aleesha (Freema Agyemen) is assaulted at the hands of a noted Harley Street consultant. It’s fair to say the Order side of the show is the least convincing element, but it is more about procedure than the Law element. So to combat the drudgery of the legal stuff, it’s given to emotional histrionics from the regulars every now and then - especially Ben Daniels. But that’s something I’m willing to forgive for a show that has entertained for its initial seven week run.

Henry VIII: Mind of a Tyrant (Monday 9pm, C4)

So Henry VIII wasn’t a stick thin Irish rapscallion with a penchant for Carry On-style sexy escapades? Oh. Typically captivating documentary from Dr David Starkey on the most fascinating of English monarchs.

All the Small Things (Tuesday 9pm, BBC1)

The strangely twee drama centred around a village choir continues this week as Layla pushes for Michael to dump one of the best voices in the choir. It’s all a bit confused to be honest, and All the Small Things clearly can’t decide what it wants to be. It’s all very sweet, but let’s not forget at the heart of this is the break down of a marriage. It makes for some very uneven viewing, which is a shame as it has a great cast. And Sarah Alexander.

Ladies of Letters (Tuesday 10pm, ITV3)

Last in the series. Coming soon to Radio 4:* Ladies of Letters* starring Prunella Scales and Patricia Routledge. Thank God.

The Apprentice (Wednesday 9pm, BBC1)

This week, the candidates are tasked with designing and marketing a brand new piece of portable gym equipment. With hilarious results. Best thing on TV right now.

Eleventh Hour (Wednesday 9pm, Living)

Rufus Sewell brings slightly more hair to this US remake of the UK original that starred Patrick Stewart and Ashley Jensen. The UK version of the eco-thriller had some of the most laughable dialogue ever inflicted on British TV (including Bonekickers). I do hope it makes the trip across the pond.

The Mentalist (Thursday 9pm, Five)

Yep. It’s still funny.

ER (Thursday 9pm, More4)

There won’t be a dry eye in the house at this most poignant of trips to County General that sees the brilliant William H Macy make a return visit as original ER chief David Morgenstern. An elderly patient is admitted to the ER whom Morgenstern has a connection with - he’s the man who originally had the vision for the creation of the trauma department at the hospital. Great stuff from the final series of this still-brilliant drama.

Eyes Down on Clubland Radio 4, Saturday 10.30am
The working men’s club has been an important staple in the professional career of many a reader of The Stage, and we have sadly been reporting on the industry’s decline in recent years. In this one-off programme, comedian Dave Spikey (who cowrote clubland comedy Phoenix Nights with Peter Kay) explores the history of this British institution. As the recession bites, could venues with free entertainment and cheap alcohol actually make a comeback?

Celebrate the Burkiss Way Radio 7, Saturday 10am (repeated 8pm)
From today, Radio 7 starts its new schedule, with children’s programmes running from 5am to 10am on weekends, and 5am-8am to 4pm-5pm on weekdays. As a result, the archives shows which used to start at 9am on Saturday now start an hour later - starting with this plundering of the archives of sketch show The Burkiss Way, written by Andrew Marshall and David Renwick.

The Saturday Play: Lambeth Palace Radio 4, Saturday 2.30pm
Christopher William Hill’s play examines the politics behind the appointment of a fictional Archbishop of Canterbury. With an ultra-Establishment conservative and a barely-believing Liberal both in the running for the job, how far will each of them go to win the position?

The Reunion: National Theatre Radio 4, Sunday 11.15am (repeated Friday 9am)
Sue MacGregor’s series reuniting the people behind momentous events returns with a meeting of some of the actors involved in the opening of the National Theatre under Laurence Olivier in 1963. Michael Gambon, Derek Jacobi, Maggie Smith, Joan Plowright and Bill Gaskill reminisce.

Elaine Paige on Sunday Radio 2, Sunday 1pm
Paul O’Grady Radio 2, Sunday 5pm
Some tweaks to Radio 2’s weekend format, which will later this month see Alan Carr take up a residency on Saturday evenings, this week result in EP’s show extended to two hours. This week, she is joined by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, who celebrate the 25th anniversary of the recording of Chess, and the 10th anniversary of the Mamma Mia! stage show.

Later, Paul O’Grady, who only recently finished a stint covering for Paige, gets his own show on Radio 2 at last, including listener letters and dedications and what is euphemistically described as a “camp-friendly” playlist.

Woman’s Hour Drama: Restless Radio 4, Monday-Friday 10.45am (repeated 7.45pm)
Dame Eileen Atkins heads the cast of a ten-part adaptation (continuing next week) of William Boyd’s thriller. Ruth (Fenella Woolgar) finds that her mother (Atkins) was not born Sally Fairchild, but Eva Delectorskaya, a Russian who spied for the British in the Second World War.

Blonde on Blonde Radio 2, Tuesday 10.30pm
Hollywood Charmers Radio 2, Tuesday 11.30pm
Two series profiling some of Hollywood’s most iconic performers start tonight. Mariella Frostrup’s three part series starts with an hour-long look at the life and career of Doris Day, followed by a half-hour profile of the suave actor David Niven, presented by fellow thesp Michael York.

I’m Spartacus Radio 2, Thursday 10.30pm
The aforementioned changes to Radio 2’s weekend schedule mean that its comedy hour moves to Thursday evenings. After a half-hour of the ever-dependable Clive Anderson’s Chat Room, this pilot panel show hosted by Adam Buxton pitches funny people, including Radio Times film editor Andrew Collins and recent Book of the Week author Emma Kennedy against one another in film-related tasks.

In anticipation of this evening’s (no doubt incendiary) Walford nuptials (as previewed by Mark on Monday), those clever chaps at the BBC have crafted a fine compilation of some of the best bits of EastEnders weddings throughout the years.

Watch, and try and forget that it was at least one of these ill-fated matches that prompted the late Wendy Richard to depart the soap…

One of the most eagerly anticipated TV shows this Easter (yes, even more than the Red Dwarf specials) must surely be the next Doctor Who special, which sees David Tennant’s Doctor team up with Michelle Ryan in a story by Russell T Davies and Gareth Roberts.

The first big trailer is expected to air on BBC1 tonight, but an enterprising soul has found a version floating around somewhere in the digital ether, and got it onto YouTube already: