Recently in Square Eyes Category

Spooks BBC1, Sunday 9pm / Downton Abbey ITV1, Sunday 9pm

A clash of Titans this Sunday, as BBC1’s compulsively watchable spy caper moves to a weekend broadcast for its final series. Sir Harry’s back on the Grid despite having lost yet another agent at the end of the last series — albeit one who wasn’t really who he said he was, and very nearly executed his boss. But the Cold War comes a-haunting, as some of Harry’s old foes fly in to negotiate a partnership between Russia and the UK. Peter Firth and Nicola Walker return of course, and Max Brown’s Dimitri is joined by new girl Erin (Lara Pulver).

Meanwhile, over on ITV1, the First World War is underway. Time has jumped forward to November 1916, some of the men are in the trenches, but the Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) is stuck at home, albeit as the Lord Lieutenant of the county.

Some people are suggesting that the BBC is being cheeky by scheduling Spooks, which has traditionally played out on a weekday, against Downton — but looking at the 9pm slot on BBC1 for the rest of the week, it’s hard to know where it would fit. One suspects that PVRs, iPlayer and ITV Player will be working overtime for the next few weeks.

Also this weekend, Doctor Who (BBC1, Saturday 7.10pm) visits a spooky hotel populated by a Minotaur, ventriloquists’ dummies and a mole-like creature who looks very much like David Walliams, while professional grump Larry David returns for an eighth series of Curb Your Enthusiasm (More4, Sunday 11.05pm). Other than that, there are slim pickings for drama and comedy this weekend…

Doctor Who BBC1, Saturday 7.10pm

He’s back — and it’s about kicking Adolf’s butt. The first episode of the second half of series six (phew!) is called Let’s Kill Hitler — but while there’s most definitely a threat to the Fuhrer’s life in 1938 Berlin, it’s the fate of our regulars and the ongoing River Song/Melody Pond storyline that takes the lion’s share of attention.

I was at the recent BFI screening, and wrote about that on my personal (and spoiler free) blog. All I’ll say here is that Alex Kingston turns in her best performance yet, Nina Toussaint-White debuts as a new Tardis traveller, and Caitlin Blackwood once again steals the show as the young Amelia Pond.

BBC Proms 2011: The Comedy Prom BBC2, Saturday 9pm

A Night with Will Young ITV1, Saturday 9.15pm

Recorded on August 13, comedian Tim Minchin hosts an evening of music-based frivolity from the Royal Albert Hall. Sue Perkins, Doc Brown and Kit and the are among the other contributors. Meanwhile on ITV1, Will Young celebrates ten years since winning Pop Idol and the release of his new album with a concert of songs from his decade in the industry. I was meant to be at the recording of this, but for reasons too long and boring to go in to that didn’t work out. Not. Bitter. At. All. 

If your musical tastes run in slightly different directions, BBC3 has concerts from Pulp @ Reading (8.45pm) and The Strokes & Jane’s Addiction @ Reading (10.30pm).

American: The Bill Hicks Story BBC4, Saturday 10pm

He died in 1994 at the age of 32, but Hicks is still one of the most cited inspirations for many of today’s stand-up performers. This new programme features animations set to recordings of his routines, interspersed with interviews from those who knew him.

Page Eight BBC2, Sunday 9pm

David Hare writes and directs an intelligent spy thriller, starring Bill Nighy as an MI5 intelligence analyst, Michael Gambon as his boss, Ralph Fiennes as the prime minister, Rachel Weisz as the neighbour Nighy has suspicions about… Any one of these people would individually make this a film of interest: that they are all involved deems it unmissable.

The Field of Blood BBC1, Monday 10.15pm

A two-part crime drama set in early eighties Glasgow. Jayd Johnson plays Patricia ‘Paddy’ Meehan, a teenage “copy boy” in the city newspaper’s editorial office, when a member of her family is accused of a horrible crime. Convinced the police and the reporters are looking in the wrong place for answers, she resolves to crack the case herself. First shown on BBC Scotland, this cracking drama gets a welcome national run. Johnson’s performance is superb, with stirling support from David Morrissey, Peter Capaldi, Jonas Armstrong (far better than he ever was in Robin Hood) and Bronagh Gallagher.

Alesha’s Street Dance Stars CBBC, Monday 5pm

A new dance competition, hosted by Alesha Dixon, which aims to find the best street dance crew comprised of kids aged 10-16.

EastEnders BBC1, Monday 8pm

Every so often, some Walford residents demonstrate that they do, eventually leave the confines of the E20 postcode (mostly so they can be double-banked with recording on the show’s regular Elstsree lot). This week’s sojourn isn’t quite Den-and-Angie-in-Venice, but nor is it Tony-and-friends-in-Brighton. Instead, it’s a trip to Southend, where Whitney is still under Rob’s nefarious influence — and Dot is looking for her estranged sister Rose (Polly Perkins), of whom we only recently heard anything at all.

Random Channel 4, Tuesday 10pm

Originally a one-woman play at the Royal Court in 2008 and then revived to launch the theatre’s Theatre Local initiative, playwright Debbie Tucker Green adapts her piece about one London family’s story as they are devastated by one random event. Nadine Marshall, the star of the Royal Court version, originally played all four family members in a series of monologues. Here, she plays the sister, with other family members played by Daniel Kaluuya, Jay Byrd and Louis Mahoney — but at points she also plays all four, sitting alone on an empty stage. It’s an interesting approach to adaptation, and one that pays off.

Mount Pleasant Sky1, Wednesday 9pm

Sky1 continues to expand its comedy portfolio with this comedy drama series starring Sally Lindsey and Daniel Ryan as Lisa and Dan, a middle-class Manchester couple who live in a well-to-do cul de sac — and all too close to Lisa’s parents.

Torchwood: Miracle Day BBC1, Thursday 9pm

Ensemble dramas are often best when pitting friends against one another. And here, Gwen (Eve Myles) has to kidnap Jack (John Barrowman) and hand him over if she wants to see her family again. It’s a sorely needed shot in the arm for a series which has so far failed to live up to the promise of its first episode. As the icing on the cake, we also get a flashback to 1920s Manhattan, with the then-immortal Jack meeting someone who may turn out to be important to the whole “miracle” scenario…

BBC Proms 2011, Anyone for Demis?, Exotic Pop at the BBC, Nana Mouskouri at the BBC BBC4, from 7.30pm

Firday night is regularly music night on the BBC’s best, but least watched, TV channel. This evening kicks off with a showing of the Chmber Orchestra of Europe’s recent Prom celebrating the music of Brahms, before delving intho the archives to explore Britain’s relationship with pop music from other climes. Demis Roussos, the Singing Nun, Vanessa Paradis, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and, of course, Nana Mouskouri, all feature.

Epic Win BBC1, Saturday 5.30pm

Basically a You Bet! for the generation who’ve been blessed with never having seen the original. Eccentric members of the public perform silly feats in front of a panel of comedians, who bet on the outcome. If the contestant correctly guesses how much the panel bet, they get an “epic win”, otherwise it’s a “fail”. Presented by Alexander Armstrong as if it’s an extended skit from his sketch show, which it may well be.

The X Factor ITV1, Saturday 8pm

It’s back. Which means Christmas can only be many rubbish auditionees and a few mildly good singers away. This year’s X Factor is billed as “the next generation”, with a new judging panel of Kelly Rowland (who is not, as I originally said, “the boring one from Destiny’s Child who was rubbish in Strictly Come Dancing”, as has been pointed out in the comments), Tulisa Contostavlos (the girl from N-Dubz, who proved with her BBC3 documentary on mental illness that she’s an engaging, likeable television presence), Gary Barlow (who’d like you all to forget that he was in charge of the music for Britannia High) and Louis Walsh (who, like the rest of us, can’t quite believe he’s managed to stay on the panel).

Casualty BBC1, Saturday 8.55pm

Michael Obiora and Madeleine Mantock join the cast as a pair of new nurses at the Holby City ED, but all eyes will be on one of this episode’s guest stars - a teaching assistant who comes to the department after an altercation with a pupil. It’s a change of pace for Lee Mead, who’s more normally seen on the musical theatre stage (he’s currently playing Emmett in Legally Blonde the Musical at the Savoy Theatre).

The Man Who Crossed Hitler BBC2, Sunday 9pm

Based on a true story, Ed Stoppard plays a Jewish barrister who, in 1931, dared to subpoena Adolf Hitler as a witness in the trial of two Nazi thugs. Ian Hart plays Hitler in a piece which, though it feels like it would work better on stage, remains compelling television.

The Killing BBC4, Sunday 10pm

The US remake is not exactly setting the world alight, despite a blisteringly good performance from Michelle Forbes as the grieving mother. Here, though, is a chance to once again catch the original Danish series, which betters it in every way. The series follows Copenhagen detective Sarah Lund, who gets called in to a murder case on her last day before moving to Sweden. Can she find out what happened to teenager Nanna Birk Larsen in time to catch her flight and start her new life? Obviously the answer’s no, or it would be a short series - but it’s a compelling series whose twists and turns never lose their grip on the audience.

Leonardo CBBC, Monday 5.15pm

As I write this, it’s still not clear whether the BBC has commissioned a second series of this, its finest children’s drama serial for many a year. Mind you, given the trailer for this episode it’s not clear how much of Florence would be left if they did. Piero de’Medici’s plans are developing apace. Armies are assembling and he has a master weapon at his disposal — a mechanical man constructed from one of the designs in Leonardo’s sketchbook.

Full credit must go to the four principal cast members, Jonathan Bailey, Colin Ryan, Akemnji Ndifornyen and Flora Spencer-Longhurst for producing some consitently good performances.

New Tricks BBC1, Monday 9pm

From one end of the acting age range to the other, as the old geezers of UCOS (and Amand Redman) gear up for an eighth series of the cop show that never takes itself too seriously. James Bolam, Alun Armstrong and Dennis Waterman investigate a ten-year-old death, initially deemed to have been accidental by a possibly incompetent pathologist — played by the late Trevor Bannister, who died earlier this year.

Lead Balloon BBC2, Tuesday 10pm

The last show of the series, and would anyone mind too much if it were the last ever? I love the series and characters, but at times in this run it has felt as if there’s nowhere else for it to go. Mind you, last week’s prison hostage episode was a welcome upturn, both in the series’ entertainment value and in Rick Spleen’s (Jack Dee) celebrity status. He now has the fame he’s been craving for four series, so his (inevitable) fall will be all the sweeter to watch…

The Killing Channel 4, Thursday 9pm

The US remake of the Danish crime thriller Forbrydelsen sees the murder and political intrigue relocated from Copenhagen to Seattle. For the benefit of those who didn’t catch the original on its recent BBC4 run (in which case, invest in the DVD box set now), the series follows the investigation into the murder of a teenage girl. As the threads of investigation are followed, a number of local city politicians seem to be involved, and all the while the girl’s parents are left struggling to cope with their grief.

The start of this series clings very closely to the Danish original, but we’re promised enough divergence as the investigation progresses to retain the interest of anybody who saw the whole Danish series. Even if it was exactly the same, though, I’d still recommend it for the sole reason of Michelle Forbes playing the deceased girl’s mother.

View a trailer below:

The Most Incredible Thing BBC4, Friday 8pm

As part of BBC4’s dance season, which includes a whole slew of (mainly archive/repeat) programmes on Saturday and Sunday, a television presentation of this piece, choreographed by Javier de Frutos and with music by Pet Shop Boys. The production was reviewed back in March 2011 by The Stage’s Sarah Frater, who said:

The ballet, which is aimed at a broad audience including children, re-tells the story by Hans Christian Andersen of the humble clockmaker (Aaron Sillis) who creates a watch - the most incredible thing of the title. However, his rival Karl (Ivan Putrov) destroys the watch, and that becomes the most incredible thing, and he takes the prize which is half the kingdom and the king’s daughter (Clemmie Sveaas) in marriage.

At two and a half hours, the ballet is a bit long for families (the great Fille Mal Gardee, the family ballet gold standard isn’t as long), and it often loses its way. De Frutos includes some strong choreography and many funny spoofs of both our celebrity culture and dance itself, but the result is more like a revue than a smoothly flowing narrative ballet.

Secrets of the Pop Song BBC2, Saturday 9.45pm

A three-part examination of how the modern pop song works begins with looking at the ballad. Various talking popheads crop up, including Neil Tennant and Sting, but the meat is eavesdropping on songwriters Guy Chambers and Rufus Wainwright, who approach the genre from very different directions, as they collaborate for the first time.

Mildred Pierce Sky Atlantic, Saturday 9pm

After last week’s sombre, slow-paced opening, things liven up a bit as Kate Winslet’s Mildred meets the dashing, debonair Monty Beragon (Guy Pearce). But her awful daughter Veda threatens to sour everything, and further tragedy awaits.

Stolen BBC1, Sunday 9pm

Damian Lewis plays a detective inspector in a Human Trafficking Unit, tracking down people who import children into the UK in appalling conditions and force them to work, unpaid and unseen. This one-off, affecting drama is written by Stephen Butchard (House of Saddam, Five Daughters).

Leonardo CBBC, Monday 5.15pm

Okay, so you know I love this programme already. It does have its flaws — while it’s generally stronger when dealing with the emotional lives of the four young leads, when it does so the eponymous Da Vinci ends up being the least interesting character. That’s no discredit to Jonathan Bailey, who is a charismatic lead — but in recent weeks he and the rest of the cast have been eclipsed by Flora Spencer-Longhurst’s doe-eyed cross-dresser Lisa/Tomaso, who has become the real heart of the show.

It’s the penultimate episode this week, and Leonardo is tempted to join forces with Piero de’Medici when he reveals he’s had Leo’s designs built. But Piero has his own plans for Leonardo’s inventions that end up pitching Da Vinci against de’Medici…

Sirens Channel 4, Monday 10pm

Comedy drama starring Rhys Thomas, Kayvan Novak and Richard Madden as a trio of paramedics. Inspired by real-life exploits as documented by Brian Kellett in his blog (and later, book) Blood Sweat & Tea, the previews I’ve seen haven’t been all that promising, but the leads are charismatic enough.

Lead Balloon BBC2, Tuesday 10pm

I’ve been a bit disappointed with this series of Lead Balloon — the typical episode structure, where Rick’s publicity-hungry exaggerations and lies lead to his eventual humiliation, has seemed a little tired. So this week’s break from the format is welcome, as Rick is held hostage by a knife-wielding prisoner (Robbie Coltrane).

Liz Smith’s Summer Cruise BBC4, Wednesday 10.25pm

Another showing for Daisy Asquith’s emotional documentary following actress Liz Smith (The Royle Family) as she goes on her first real holiday, a cruise on the Adriatic.

Dance! The Most Incredible Thing about Contemporary Dance BBC4, Thursday 8pm

Contemporary dance can be one of the most maddening of arts disciplines. For me, when it works it can hit you right in the gut with intense emotion — but when it doesn’t, it just feels like a load of self-indulgent twaddle. Charles Hazlewood investigates the genre, immersing himself and participating in it, as well as interviewing some of the leading practitioners.

Leonardo CBBC, Monday 5.15pm

The best children’s drama in a long while took a few episodes to find its correct tone and pace, but with just three more instalments to go until the end of the 13-part series it has a confidence and allure that most shows for grown-ups should aspire to. This week, dippy Lorenzo is kidnapped when the girl he falls for turns out not to be the humble fishmonger he thought she was, and Lisa’s dual identity is revealed to the evil Piero de Medici…

The Tudors BBC2, nightly after midnight (times vary)

Slim pickings for drama and comedy highlights on telly this week, so we’ll take the opportunity to highlight some interesting repeats — starting with Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as Henry VIII in the much derided, but compulsively watchable retelling of Tudor history. BBC2 starts a nightly repeat of the series from the very first episode, but check schedules for more information: the actual time changes from night to night, and from country to country, with Scotland and Northern Ireland having to wait until 1.20am on some nights.

Agony and Ecstasy: A year with English National Ballet BBC4, Tuesday 8pm

Following the ENB throughout its 60th anniversary year, this three-part documentary exposes all the frantic work behind the scenes that goes on try and make each performance seem effortless. An essential watch.

Shameless US More4, Thursday 10pm

The US adaptation of Channel 4’s long-running series sees William H Macy take on the role of Frank Gallagher, the slobbish father of six smart kids who have to fend for themselves.

Glee E4, Monday 9pm

The final episode of Season 2, and the final episode for terrestrial television - Sky have bounght the rights for subsequent series. From what I gather, it’s a lacklustre conclusion to a season which has often struggled to display the quirky charm that made it so popular in its first series. It’s also rushed — anybody’d think this was intended to be an extra-length programme that then head to be edited down to standard length…

Luther BBC1, Tuesday 9pm

Idris Elba returns as British television’s most haunted policeman. Still plagued by the memory his estranged wife’s murder in the last series, he must turn his intuitive policing to solve the case of a killer who stalks London’s streets while wearing a Halloween mask. Ruth Wilson’s mad killer Alice also returns, although she’s now locked up in a secure facility.

Agatha Christie’s Marple: Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? ITV1, Wednesday 8pm

Julia McKenzie’s spinster detective gatecrashes another Agatha Christie novel which managed to survive perfectly well without her. Still, at least the cast list is something to be admired: Richard Briers, Samantha Bond, Freddie Fox, Rafe Spall, Rik Mayall, Warren Clarke, Sean Biggerstaff, Helen Lederer… Another promising sign is that the adaptation is by Patrick Barlow (National Theatre of Brent).

The Shadow Line BBC2, Thursday 9pm

The final episode of Hugo Blick’s crime drama, which has managed to combine astonishgly beautiful visuals with subpar dialogue. Still, the performance of most of the cast makes up for the words in their mouth, especially Stephen Rea’s superhuman Gatehouse, Freddie Fox’s mischievous rent boy Ratallack and Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Jonah, the quiet centre around so much madness has been revolving.

Channel 4’s Comedy Gala Channel 4, Friday 9pm

A marathon evening of stand-up performed in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital, with performers including Alan Carr, Chris Moyles, Sarah Millican, Dara O’Briain And Lee Evans. Last year’s gala also saw comedians gatecrash various adverts during the commercial breaks — a good way to encourage the audience to watch the things, I guess…

So You Think You Can Dance BBC1, Saturday 7.15pm & 10pm

The grand final of a series that has so underwhelmed me I stopped watching. Sorry. Unfortunately, so has pretty much everybody else so it doesn’t look like SYTYCD will be back. The results show sees a music performance from Jennifer Lopez.

Camelot Channel 4, Saturday 9pm

Packed with British acting talent but made in the US, this is the Arthurian myth given a Tudors-style makeover. Jamie Campbell Bower (Sweeney Todd) plays Arthur, while Joseph Fiennes’ Merlin is a scheming puppet master.

Moving On BBC1, Sunday 10.25pm

I missed the start of this repeat run last week, for which my apologies (if you hurry, you can catch episode 1 on iPlayer). This ten-part series of self contained plays, all focussing on people whose lives are on the cusp of change, originally ran in BBC Daytime. This week’s episode, Skies of Glass by Nick Leather, sees a childless couple (Claire Skinner and Shaun Dooley) struggle to cope when an abandoned baby is left on the backseat of their car.

Injustice ITV1, Monday-Friday 9pm

Anthony Horowitz (Foyle’s War) scripts this five-part psychological legal drama, scheduled nightly this week. James Purefoy stars as a barrister who, after recovering from a nervous breakdown, sees a figure from his past which threatens to reopen old wounds. At the same time, he is asked by a friend to defend him from a murder charge. Dervla Kirwan costars as Purefoy’s wife — read Matthew Hemley’s interview with her.

Glee E4, Monday 9pm

The penultimate episode of the series, and there’s a death and subsequent funeral to cope with — while New Directions also have to finish their preparations for Nationals, and enlist help from a familiar face.

Psychoville BBC2, Monday 10pm

If you’ve been following the ever-darkening comedy series from Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, take note: for the final episode this series, the BBC have rescheduled it from Thursday to Monday. Crazy. The finale itself promises to be as dark, funny and gruesome as we’ve come to expect.

Angry Boys BBC3, Tuesday 10.40pm & 11.10pm

Chris Lilley’s Summer Heights High combined sharply observed satire with a great line of sharp dialogue. For this follow-up series, Lilley has turned his attention away from high school and onto the disaffect youth of smalltown Australia. As before, Lilley plays multiple characters, from identical twins Daniel and Nathan to Ruth, a warder in a young offenders’ institution, and an American rapper called S Mouse.

In with the Flynns BBC1, Wednesday 8.30pm

BBC1’s latest studio-based family sitcom is loosely based upon US comedy Grounded for Life. Will Mellor and Niky Wardley star as the young parents of three children whose life never seems to be anything but chaotic.

The Shadow Line BBC2, Thursday 9pm

In the penultimate episode, pieces start to fall into place. Gabriel beings to piece together his missing memories, while Glickman and Gatehouse continue to circle one another.

Mock the Week BBC2, Thursday 10pm

A tenth series for the topical panel game, which this series loses Russell Howard and opens up a new seat for guest comedians. Sadly, the series opens with yet another all-male panel. Why can Radio 4 find female comedians who can be topical and funny, but television can’t?

The Graham Norton Show BBC1, Friday 10.35pm

Liza Minnelli joins Graham on the sofa, along with actors James McAvoy and Jack Dee.

Doctor Who BBC1, Saturday 6.40pm

So — SPOILERS if you haven’t watched last week’s episode yet (repeated tonight, Friday, on BBC3 at 7pm) — Amy wasn’t Amy at all, and hasn’t been for some time (I have my own theories as to when). In a twisting, turning episode that is the last before the series takes a summer break, River Song finally reveals who she is, the real Amy has a baby, Rory dresses as a Roman again and there are old monster costumes galore.

And National Theatre Wales actress Catrin Stewart guest stars as a character with a very familiar name…

Britain’s Got Talent Final ITV1, Saturday 7pm, 9.30pm

I have to say that the standard of acts that got through to the semi-finals stage has been pretty low this year, although there have been quite a few good quality ones in there. As a result, the final should be fun, if not quite as must-see as the first couple of years.

Popstar to Operastar ITV1, Saturday 9pm, Sunday 8pm

A half-hour extended trailer on Saturday precedes Sunday’s opening of the second series of ITV’s celebrity singing show, as pop singers learn the techniques to be able to sing opera-style arias. That the show takes the term “opera” loosely is shown by the current trailer, which shows judges Rolando Villazon and Katherine Jenkins blasting out Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody…

Case Histories BBC1, Sunday 9pm

The Beeb launches its latest crime series in the now-familiar two-episode-per-story format that we’ve come to know from shows like Waking the Dead and Silent Witness. Based on Kate Atkinson’s novels, Jason Isaacs plays Jackson Brodie, an Edinburgh-based private investigator. In this first story, which concludes on Monday, sisters Fenella Woolgar and Natasha Little commission Brodie to track down their sister, who went missing 30 years previously.

Scott and Bailey ITV1, Sunday 9pm

During last week’s first episode, I tweeted that this show was “exactly how I’d expect a Sally Wainwright police drama to be”. I did mean this as a compliment of sorts — it puts quirky, flawed female characters to the fore, the police department is very tastefully decorated (all turquoise walls and red roller blinds) and Murray Gold’s score is rather nice. All a little twee, but with signs of a harder edge underneath — not a bad trick to be able to pull off.

Britain’s Got Talent ITV1, Tuesday 7.30pm & 9.30pm

If last night’s instalment is anything to go by, the actual quality of the acts in this year’s BGT is well down on previous years. The only reason I’m listing tonight’s live semi-final is because the cast of Shrek: The Musical, including BGT judge Amanda Holden, will be performing a number from the show.

Lead Balloon BBC2, Tuesday 10pm

A new series of the deadpan comedy with Jack Dee as bad-tempered comedian Rick Spleen. All the regular supporting cast return, including the peerless Raquel Cassidy as Spleen’s long-suffering wife.

Roger & Val Have Just Got In Gold, Wednesday 10pm

Don’t think of this masterpiece from Hugo Blick (The Shadow Line), first shown on the BBC last year, as a sitcom — more an acutely observed play broadcast in six parts. It’s a portrait of a couple whose lives are haunted by a tragedy from their past. There are plenty of laughs, mainly from recognition of the sort of habits everybody picks up after years of living together, but it’s the realities of life that will suck you in. Wonderful performances from Dawn French and Alfred Molina make this unmissable if you haven’t seen it before.

Welly Telly - the Countryside on Television BBC4, Thursday 8pm

One of the things that BBC4 does well is navel-gazing at the history of television. Here, the subject is coverage of rural issues — currently undergoing a resurgence with Country File doing good ratings in a primetime Sunday evening slot.

Talking Funny Sky Atlantic, Thursday 10.15pm

Comedians Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Louis CK and Ricky Gervais discuss their craft. Personally, the first three sell it to me, while the fourth puts me off a little — but an intelligent discussion of working in the entertainment industry ensues which should be of interest to all.

Paul Merton’s Birth of Hollywood BBC2, Friday 9.30pm

Comedian and silent film aficionado Merton presents this three-part documentary series about how a suburb of Los Angeles became the centre of the nascent film industry.

In Love with Shakespeare Sky Arts 1, Saturday 6.30pm

A new series highlighting the art of the Shakespearean monologue, with a number of actors delivering their favourite speech by the Bard. Simon Callow, Catherine Tate, John Simm, Janie Dee and many more actors are featured, and some of the selections veer away from the usual “standards”.

Doctor Who: The Almost People BBC1, Saturday 6.45pm

The base under seige scenario is a familiar one in Doctor Who’s 48-year history, and it’s done well here, in the second part of Matthew Graham’s creepy tale. The bio-engineered duplicates have now been joined by a duplicate Doctor — but whose side will he be on? Keep watching to the end, for we’re assured that the final scene sets up a humdinger of a cliffhanger in advance of next week’s mid-season finale.

Scott and Bailey ITV1, Sunday 9pm

Rachel Bailey and Janet Scott are detective constables in a murder investigation unit in Manchester. And wouldn’t you know it, they have troubled personal lives. Co-created by Sally Wainwright and former detective Diane Taylor, producers Red Production Company are keen to stress that the show is more accurate with regard to police procedure than your standard telly crime drama. Regardless, I’ll be watching, because the lead actors are Suranne Jones and Lesley Sharp.

Britain’s Got Talent ITV1, Monday 7.30pm, 9.30pm

The audition shows over and the acts selected, it’s time for the live shows — and the return of Simon Cowell as a judge, thank God. Starting on Bank Holiday Monday, the semifinals air nightly before the grand final at the weekend.

Dirk Gently BBC2, Friday 9pm
Howard Overman’s adaptation of Douglas Adams’ novel (which itself borrowed liberally from his uncompleted Doctor Who story, Shada) sees Stephen Mangan take on the mantle of the “holistic” detective, who sees his investigation into a missing cat as being fundamentally interconnected with an exploding warehouse, a missing billionaire and a chance encounter with an old college friend. A BBC2 repeat for this BBC4 pilot, which was successful enough to ensure a series commission.

So You Think You Can Dance BBC1, Saturday 5.35pm
With head judge Nigel Lythgoe in the US for the season finale of American Idol, Arlene Phillips gets a one-week promotion, and John Barrowman (who served as a guest judge for part of choreography camp) gets a place on the panel.

Doctor Who: The Rebel Flesh BBC1, Saturday 6.45pm
After last week’s mythology-busting episode, this episode by Life on Mars co-creator Matthew Graham (the first of a two-parter) may prove to be a bit of a let down, but the trailer doesn’t suggest so. A factory in Earth’s future has developed a means of forming progammable matter (the “Flesh”) into synthetic humans to perform the dangerous task of acid mining. But when the Flesh learns to replicate itself, things start to get interesting…

Piers Morgan’s Life Stories: Des O’Connor ITV1, Saturday 9pm
Thanks to Eric Morecambe, comedian and singer Des O’Connor became one of the nation’s favourite punchlines. He didn’t let it stop him from forging a successful stage and TV career, from primetime chat shows to daytime television, earning him public adoration.

British Academy Television Awards BBC1, Sunday 8pm
The best of the awards shows, in my humble opinion — not least because it’s not open to public phone voting, and doesn’t risk certain categories turning from “who is the best” to “who has the most highly mobilised fanbase prepared to use all their phone credit”.

Well, except for the Audience Award, in which Downton Abbey and The Killing shared space on the ballot with The Only Way is Essex. But I’ve covered this before…