TV Picks: 15-21 September 2008

My choice of the best new television shows for the next 7 days, here in the UK...

MONDAY 15th

Amazon (9pm, BBC2) Six-part adventure series with Bruce Parry, who ventures into the remote Amazon region to meet tribes.

TUESDAY 16th

Horizon (9pm, BBC2) Return of the science series, which will feature Danny Wallace on robotics, Michael Portillo on human violence, nakedness, Brian Cox on time, contemporary plagues, mental health and obesity.
Later Live... With Jools Holland (10pm, BBC2) Nine-part music series hosted by Jools Holland. This episode features Metallica, Carla Bruni and the Kings Of Leon.
Film 2008 (11.35pm, BBC1) The film show returns with host Jonathan Ross casting a critical eye over the week's new cinema releases, with behind-the-scenes reports.

WEDNESDAY 17th

The Family (9pm, Channel 4) Eight-part documentary where cameras capture the daily lives of a modern British family.
Fonejacker (10pm, E4) Second series of the BAFTA-winning prank phone call show, performed by Kayvan Novak.

THURSDAY 18th

Celebrity Come Dine With Me (8pm, Channel 4) Celebrity special of the dining gameshow, starring Peter Stringfellow, Michelle Heaton, Lee Ryan & Linda Barker.
No Heroics (10.30pm, ITV2) Sitcom set in a world populated by incompetent superheroes, starring Patrick Baladi (The Office), Nicholas Burns (Nathan Barley), Claire Keelan (Nathan Barley), James Lance (I'm Alan Partridge) & Rebekah Staton.

FRIDAY 19th

Ricky Gervais: Fame (10pm, Channel 4) A live recording of Ricky Gervais' sell-out stand-up tour, with the theme of celebrity and fame.

SATURDAY 20th

Hole In The Wall (5.40pm, BBC1) Gameshow presented by Dale Winton, based on a Japanese format where contestants have to fit themselves through the holes in giant, moving walls. Anton Du Beke and Darren Gough are team captains.
Merlin (7.30pm, BBC1) 13-part fantasy-drama following the adventures of a young Merlin in a world where magic is outlawed. Stars Colin Morgan, Richard Wilson, Anthony Head, Bradley James, Santiago Cabrera, Eve Myles, Will Mellor & Michelle Ryan.
It'll Be Alright On The Night (9.15pm, ITV1) Return of the long-running outtakes series, with Griff Rhys Jones replacing the iconic Denis Norden.

SUNDAY 21st

Are You Smarter Than A 10-Year-Old? (6pm, Sky1) Second series of the hit gameshow, hosted by Noel Edmonds. This opener is a celebrity special, featuring Martine McCutcheon & Sally Gunnell.