Celebrity Masterchef (Friday 8.30pm, BBC1)
First quarter final of this series. Jayne Middlemiss for the win!
Outnumbered (Friday 9.30pm, BBC1)
A complaint often levelled at television is that there are far too many repeats slotted into the schedules, which can be a highly valid gripe. But when the repeat in question is another go for Outnumbered series two (which gained decent ratings on its previous Saturday showing), we’ll let it go. Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin’s heavily improvised comedy is a constant delight as Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner play the average couple with three kids - and it’s the kids that steal the show every time. In this first episode, Pete and Sue shepherd their brood to a family wedding - with predictably chaotic results. Highly recommended.
Robin Hood (Saturday 6.45pm, BBC1/BBC HD)
Robin and Gisborne, teaming up to go off and find their shared half-brother at the bidding of Robin’s dad? Is nothing sacred? There’s a sense of stalls being set out for the series finale coming up in a couple of weeks. With it common knowledge that Jonas Armstrong is leaving Sherwood behind, could the half-brother in question, known as Archer, be set up as a replacement? It’s all very exciting, and this episode co-stars the divine Tracy-Ann Oberman as the sultry wife of the Sheriff of York.
ER (Saturday 8pm, C4)
You’ve probably already gone through the emotional highs and lows of the final series of ER, but there’s no reason why you can’t do it again as it kicks into the terrestrial showing for the greatest TV show on earth’s swansong. This second episode sees the team coming to terms with Greg’s death, but things are torn apart by the arrival of new chief, Dr Banfield (Angela Bassett on blistering form).
Casualty 1909 (Sunday 9pm, BBC1/BBC HD)
The excellent Casualty 1909 returns (although last time it was 1908), with Cheri Lunghi and David Troughton heading a solid cast. It’s beautifully realised stuff in its attention to period detail, with cases brought to life from original documents. In this opener of a slightly longer run, an explosion in the East End brings victims through the doors of the London Hospital and the staff struggle to cope - especially as fears of terrorist action fray the patients’ tempers.
Kingdom (Sunday 9pm, ITV1)
A typically bonkers episode of the enjoyable drama starring Stephen Fry as Norfolk solicitor Peter Kingdom. There’s a spacey theme this week as crop circles bring sci-fans flocking to the area. Colin Baker, the Sixth Doctor Who, appropriately guest-stars.
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