The Best on the Box: Itches, impersonators, sheds and railways
ATV Today Editor Shaun Linden picks the best from the box for the coming week, September 16th to September 22nd, in ATV Saturday.
BBC Highlights
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The 60-minute special will celebrate the biggest names in pop music by bringing together the world’s top tribute artists for a glamorous night of performing and competing. With music from the likes of Whitney Houston, George Michael, Little Mix, Amy Winehouse and Bruno Mars, Even Better Than The Real Thing will see performances from professional tribute artists who are quite simply the very best in the game. Also in the show will be unique and surprising duets, as the tribute artists deliver never-before-seen collaborations. At the end of the show the live studio audience will vote for their favourite performer – the one act on the night that truly is even better than the real thing. |
Cinema Through The Eye Of Magnum, Sunday 17th September 10pm, BBC Four, looks at the world of Magnum Photos. From the day it was created in 1947, Magnum Photos has represented some of the most famous names in photography, whose pictures have come to define their times. But Magnum’s work also includes more surprising images – pictures of cinema. Cinema Through the Eye of Magnum recounts this remarkable collaboration – from Robert Capa’s photos of Ingrid Bergman, Eve Arnold’s intimate relationship with Marilyn Monroe up until today with Paolo Pellegrin’s portraits of Kate Winslet, providing an essential history of both cinema and photography. |
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The fifth in Len Goodman’s Partners In Rhyme, Saturday, 5.40pm, BBC One, sees Comedian Hal Cruttenden, model Vogue Williams, presenter and former Strictly contestant Gethin Jones and Holby City star Chizzy Akudolu join contestants Stan and Megan as they hope to help solve a range of rhyming rounds. Megan and Stan go head to head in a quick-fire animated rhyming round, at the end of which the one with the most points gets first pick of the two celebrity teams, and then it’s on to three rounds of hilarity! In Mime The Rhyme, Hal and Gethin describe a celebrity whilst Chizzy and Vogue mime a rhyming action and the sky’s the limit for Chizzy’s miming skills it seems! Next, it’s on to Rhymewatch where the teams attempt to identify all the rhyming pairs within a short film which sees Carol Kirkwood giving a unique weather report. Finally, it’s time for News At Len where the teams must guess the rhyming headline in four fictional news stories. The contestant with the most points after these rounds goes on to play Rhyme Against Time, where they must solve six 3-part rhymes against the clock in order to win a holiday. The losing contestant doesn’t go home empty handed though, they leave with the coveted consolation prize of a Pen From Len. Len Goodman’s Partners In Rhyme is the fun, play-along family show all about rhyming but question is, who will be rhyming masters and who’ll be rhyming disasters? |
Quacks, The Physician’s Hernia, Tuesday 19th Sept, 10pm BBC Two, is the fi William and Caroline’s affair gathers speed and Caroline asks him to run away with her. But Robert senses he is losing his wife’s affections and unexpectedly turns to William for advice on how to win her back. When William’s childhood friend Mina puts pressure on William to marry her, he has a difficult moral decision to make. Meanwhile, Robert’s rival, the famous, suave French surgeon Patrice DuPont is due to perform surgery on a very prestigious patient: Dr Hendrick himself. When disaster strikes, will the surgeons be able to save Dr Hendrick? Will any of them even want to? |
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The third and final episode of Tribes, Predators and Me, Thursday, 21st Sept, 9pm, BBC Two joins wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan as he makes his final part of his journey across Ethiopia. Weighing up to 90 kilos and capable of killing lions, these are impressive and powerful carnivores. But why does Ethiopia have more hyenas than anywhere else in the world? Starting his journey in the capital he learns that hyenas are tolerated here because people believe hyenas ward off the devil.
In an effort to ward of hyena, Gordon dares to sleep outside overnight. He also gets to know the Bodi people, learning how they survive. Finally, Gordon arrives in Harar, a medieval city with a reputation for having hundreds of hyenas. It is here that he meets hyena experts and learns that these often feared predators have a softer side. It leaves him with a better understanding of hyenas’ true nature – and how humans might be able to live with them in peace. |
Famalam, Wednesday 20th Sept, 10pm, BBC Two is a new comedy sketch show where no area of the universe is off-limits.
The production shines a comedic light on everything – from alien encounters in the outer reaches of the galaxy to what happens when a man is left on his own in a house for ten minutes holding only a phone and a remote control. With a dazzling array of accents, cultural observations and colourful costumes, Famalam gives beeb viewers a glimpse of the latest Nollywood blockbuster, reveals who might be responsible for internet spam and introduces us to the real rulers of the world – spoiler alert – it’s not the G20… The show stars Vivienne Acheampong, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Roxanne Sternberg, Samson Kayo, John Macmillan and introducing former Vine superstar Tom Moutchi. |
nal edition in the current run of this six part series.
Even Better Than The Real Thing. Tonight (Sat, 16th Sept) at 7pm on BBC One with Paddy McGuinness.
ITV Highlights
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Call in the Cleaners, Tuesday (19th September), 8.30pm ITV, STV and UTV is brand new six-part series that ventures into the world of extreme cleaners.
A leaking pipe has been left unfixed for years and is now spreading damp throughout the flat. In her bedroom, which she has not been able to venture into since the death of her husband, everything is covered in mould and cobwebs. In south London, Maxine and daughter Jasmine are dealing with a hoarder who has 20 years worth of possessions cluttering his flat. |
Victoria, Sunday (17th September), 9pm, ITV, STV and UTV continues. The critically acclaimed historical drama starring Jenna Coleman as Queen Victoria and Tom Hughes as her husband Prince Albert, is currently airing in its second series. Also starring DameDiana Rigg, Nigel Lindsay, Ferdinand Kingsley and Nell Hudson. There is celebration throughout the Royal Court at the arrival of a healthy Prince of Wales, but Victoria does not appear to share in the delight. The Queen is paralysed by an inexplicable sorrow and unable to bond with her son. When tragic news arrives from Coburg, Albert is forced to leave Victoria and return to his childhood home – the first time the couple have been apart since they wed. In Coburg, Albert learns a dark family secret and begins to unravel. Back at the palace, Skerrett’s (Hudson) blunder threatens to put Francatelli (Kingsley) in the firing line, unless she is willing to expose her deepest secret. A reluctant revelation from Drummond (Leo Suter) threatens to end his tentative friendship with Lord Alfred (Jordan Waller). With Albert locked away in his own private torment, Victoria must find the courage to face her national duty. |
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The X Factor, tonight (Saturday 16th) and Sunday (17th September), 8pm, ITV, STV and UTV. The once mighty singing competition continues its 14th series as more hopefuls step on to the stage in a bid to win a coveted recording contract. Music and talent show mogul Simon Cowell leads the judging panel again this year, alongside returning music industry experts and seasoned judges Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger. Sticking with last year’s format, the process kicked off with closed room auditions in cities around the country earlier this year. Which city will provide the most talent this time round? This year’s competition will also see the return of the Six Chair Challenge following the initial auditions, which is one of the most nail-biting stages for both judges and contestants – even more so this time round as there is a twist in store for the judges. Dermot O’Leary will be offering his unique take on all the X Factor action, doling out friendly support for the hopeful contestants and dealing with the formidable four on the judging panel as only he knows how. As the auditionees line up in their thousands, what outstanding vocals and sensational performances await this week? |
Ben Shephard welcomes a host of famous faces to Tipping Point – Lucky Stars, Sunday (September 17th) 7pm, ITV, STV and UTV. Shephard over sees proceedings of a new series of celebrity editions of the fun-filled game show. Based around a giant version of a classic amusement arcade machine, the game tests the knowledge, skill and tactical thinking of contestants as they try to collect and play with counters worth thousands of pounds. Players must answer questions to win turns on the machine – the more they get right, the more chances they have of getting a good result by securing the most counters. If they get a question wrong, the machine does not pay out, meaning that the player with the least amount of money at the end of the round gets eliminated. The last player standing then goes head-to-head with the Tipping Point machine, with their focus on just one counter – the golden jackpot disc. Again, answering questions for the right to play the machine, they win a big cash sum if they can manage to make it release the jackpot counter. Can this week’s trio of celebrities – rapper and TV personality Professor Green, Coronation Street actor Sair Khan and Storage Hunter’s Sean Kelly – keep their cool and win the jackpot for their chosen charity? |
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Bad Move, Wednesday (20th September), 8pm on ITV, STV and UTV sees a brand new comedy drama, starring Jack Dee and Kerry Godliman arrive on the network.
But the dream is rapidly turning into a nightmare. Steve’s website design business has a small problem – they cannot get internet. To tide them over Nicky finds some gardening work in the village, but gets a shock. Their mood is not helped by their gloating neighbours Matt (Miles Jupp) and Meena (Manjinder Virk), whose homegrown produce is going from strength to strength. They also have to contend with Grizzo (Seann Walsh), the locally-based rock star who has a somewhat hyperactive approach to country living. Was this a bad move? |
Popular drama Doc Martin returns for a brand new series on Wednesday (September 20th) at 9pm on ITV, STV and UTV.
The doc’s formidable Aunt Ruth has gone into the whisky-making business with Bert Large and his son Al but she is beginning to doubt the wisdom of her decision. In the first episode, Portwenn is buzzing with activity as the community make preparations for Janice and Penhale’s upcoming wedding. As the big day approaches Penhale deals with some personal medical issues, which could prevent him making it down the aisle. Penhale’s best man Al (Absolom) is struggling with his duties, especially when Bert’s marketing antics mean that ‘Large Whisky’ is the only thing on offer at the pre-wedding party. |
Tipping Point – Lucky Stars, Sunday (September 17th) 7pm, ITV, STV and UTV.
Channel 4 Highlights
 Monty Halls tells incredible and little-known stories of Second World War escapes from Nazi-occupied territory by prisoners of war and Allied soldiers in The Freedom Trails, tonight (Sat 16th Sept) at 8pm on Channel 4.
Retracing their routes – through thick forest and over snow-capped mountains – former marine Monty discovers what it took to survive on the run, and celebrates the extraordinary bravery of the escapees, some of whom are still alive today and share their experiences in the series. Monty also meets surviving local farmers and resistance fighters who risked their own lives to help Allied servicemen and women to safety. In this first episode, Monty tells the dramatic story of the most successful mass escape of Allied prisoners of war of the Second World War. Retracing their extraordinary journey through the forests and mountains of Slovenia. Monty discovers how they managed to hide from the Nazis as they marched more than 200 miles through Nazi-occupied territory towards freedom – and learns the risks they faced in pulling off this audacious escape. |
The grand final is here of Shed of the Year, Channel 4, Sunday 17th September, 7pm. After travelling the length and breadth of the country, the show looking for the most imaginative and outrageous sheds, will announce the winner of Shed of the Year 2017.
Later, George Clarke and the judges must decide which of the eight finalists will receive the overall award as Shed of the Year 2017. |
| Electric Dreams, 9pm, Sunday 17th September, Channel 4, is a bold new sci-fi anthology series of epic and ambitious stand-alone episodes, each inspired by a Philip K. Dick short story, and set in a different and unique world.
The first episode, The Hood Maker, is set sometime in the future in a strangely archaic city. This world is an analogue world, precipitated by the Great Shower; a meteor shower that fried communications, energy conversion and the internet. But this event also created the Teeps: a race of telepathic mutants that are feared and revered in equal measure. A war is coming between Normals and the Teeps – and only Agent Ross (Richard Madden) and a Teep called Honor (Holliday Grainger) can prevent it. But can they suppress their own feelings for each other and stop the war before humanity rips itself apart? |
Walter Presents which showcases the best foreign language drama series from around the world – continues with Fugitives, Wednesday 20th Sept, 10.35pm, Channel 4.
This high-octane crime drama comes to your screens from Chile. Four men are recruited by a powerful drug cartel for a job that will change their lives: transporting tons of cocaine from Bolivia to Chile in exchange for a large sum of money. When a brutal ambush disrupts their plans and causes the failure of the operation, the four men become fugitives with both the police and a rival cartel hot on their trail. In Spanish with English subtitles. After the premiere of episode one on Channel 4, the full series will be immediately available, free to view or download, on All 4. |
These pointed, thrilling stories are adapted by leading British and American writers and stars cast including Steve Buscemi, Greg Kinnear, Mireille Enos, Anna Paquin, Terrence Howard, Timothy Spall and Bryan Cranston who also serves as an executive producer on the series.
No sight of Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder on this Electric Dreams, Channel 4, 9pm Sunday September 17th.
Channel 5 Highlights
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Beloved TV couple Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford recently celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary, and as they enter the notorious ‘seven year itch’, they explore ways to spice up a marriage in Eamonn and Ruth: Seven Year Itch, Thursday (21st September) 10pm, Channel 5, the This Morning hosts meet couples who have successfully scratched the itch, and find astonishing to overcome the most extreme marriage crises. Research suggests that one of the main reasons behind failing marriages is sex and intimacy. It may be lacking or unfulfilling, while some partners are frustrated by differing libidos.
Eamonn and Ruth also meet married grandparents who get their kicks from outdoor sex and swear that getting back to nature is the perfect tonic for a relationship. Ruth is just scared of the cold! Later, at a high-end erotic party set in a secret location, Ruth and Eamonn discover how some couples feel that their bond is deepened by exploring the sexual boundaries. |
Jane has been back doing what she does best, no not gossiping on Loose Women, we’re on about taking her audience with her on the high seas to explore the cruising life in Cruising With Jane McDonald, Friday (September 22nd), 9pm Channel 5.
In this the final epsidoe of the series Jane takes a river cruise down the Rhône from Lyon to Arles in Provence. It shows Jane a France she has never seen before. The ship meanders through a countryside awash with ancient, unspoiled French towns and villages. En-route, Jane manages to achieve several lifelong ambitions—wine tasting, and a hot air balloon ride. In Lyon, Jane follows the tourist trail straight to Marché Paul Bocuse, arguably France’s best food market, where it turns out she hadn’t ordered two oysters for lunch, but eighteen instead! Life on board the Poetry II is relaxed—days and days with nothing to do but eat, drink, and enjoy the glorious scenery. |
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Police Interceptors: Pursuit and Youths, Thursday (September 21st), 7pm Channel 5. This high-octane observational documentary series is back with the second of six explosive new special-themed episodes, following elite police teams in Durham, Cleveland and Cheshire as they wage war on crime. In this special episode, the interceptors’ skills are put to the test as they go in hot pursuit of tearaway teens and reckless youths. Caught in a number of dangerous driving situations, these juvenile joyriders are no match for the interceptors’ superior driving expertise and knowledge of the road. Jacko is on the hunt for a wanted teenager after he disappears in a housing estate. The interceptors are also hot on the heels of a stolen silver Micra, but can a classic tactical pursuit and containment put the brakes on the fleeing youth? Interceptors Ian and Paul get to grips with a 19-year-old runaway driver who notches up speeds of 120 miles per hour, while elsewhere the interceptors also have to resort to a bit of brute force in a bid to bring a fleeing driver to a halt. |
Channel 5 takes viewers behind the scenes of another of Britain’s greatest railway stations in Paddington Station, Monday (18th September) 9pm, Channel 5. It is the height of summer in the capital, and as the mercury soars outside, tensions rise inside Paddington station. Commuters travelling to work face delays caused by a broken down train outside of central London. As the temperature hits the highest level in 40 years, the situation worsens. In severe heat, the tracks can expand and with very real fears of them buckling, it falls to the team in Network Rail’s Swindon control centre to manage the situation. Over a hundred miles west, the heat is also wreaking havoc in Bristol Temple Meads, and station manager Liam must shut off platforms after discovering that the cement on the ground has expanded and warped. It is not just the great British weather which can cause disruption. When reports come in of two trespassers on the line in Bristol, the British Transport Police are quick to respond. |
