Here are my picks of the best new television series airing this week on UK television. Oh, including one repeat worth highlighting.
MONDAY 6th
Eli Stone (Sci-Fi, 9pm) US fantasy drama starring Johnny Lee Miller as a lawyer who experiences strange hallucinations, usually involving George Michael. Co-stars Natasha Henstridge, Victor Garber, Loretta Devine & Matt Letscher.TUESDAY 7th
Richard & Judy's New Position (Watch, 8pm) The daytime TV presenters begin their new primetime entertainment series.Sunshine (BBC1, 9pm) Comedy drama starring Steve Coogan as a compulsive gambler. Written by Royle Family co-creators Craig Cash & Phil Mealey.
WEDNESDAY 8th
Paul Merton In India (Five, 9pm) Having previously explored China, comedian Paul Merton presents a travelogue from India.Sanctuary (ITV4, 9pm) Sci-fi drama starring Amanda Tapping (Stargate SG-1) as a 157-year-old doctor who studies monsters. Originally released on the internet as 11 webisodes.
THURSDAY 9th
Blackadder: The Whole Rotten Saga (GOLD, 9pm) Documentary examining the classic historical sitcom that made stars of Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson. Contributors include writers Ben Elton and Richard Curtis, and co-stars Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Tony Robinson, Tim McInnerny, Miranda Richardson, Miriam Margolyes, Patsy Byrne & Brian Blessed.The Real Hustle (BBC3, 10.30pm) Series 6 of the show that reveals the mechanics of popular scams and cons. Presented by Alex Conran, Paul Wilson & Jessica-Jane Clement.
FRIDAY 10th
The American Future: A History By Simon Schama (BBC2, 9pm) Documentary looking at the major problems facing the USA in the 21st-century; from fighting wars overseas to the economic breakdown in Wall Street.Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong (Channel 4, 10pm) Comedy gameshow hosted by comedian Alan Carr, now with two celebrity teams competing against each other in showbiz-themed rounds. In the first episode it's the cast of EastEnders versus Coronation Street.
SATURDAY 11th
Blue Peter At 50 (BBC2, 8.40pm) The long-running children's series celebrates its half-century. Featuring ex-presenters John Noakes, Valerie Singleton and Peter Purves, with celebrity fans Nick Park, Lewis Hamilton & Johnny Wilkinson.Damages (BBC4, 10pm) REPEAT of the US legal drama's Emmy-winning first season. Starring Glenn Close as a cut-throat lawyer, Ted Danson as a billionaire villain and Rose Byrne as an ambitious attorney stuck in the middle. Spoiler-free review here.
SUNDAY 12th
Britain's Got The Pop Factor & Possibly A New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Strictly On Ice (Channel 4, 8pm/10.15pm) Talent show spoof written by Peter Kaye, with the comedian also starring as multiple contestants -- including a transsexual singer. Presented by Cat Deeley, with judges Neil Fox, Pete Waterman and Nicki Chapman. A results show follows at 10.15pm.Stephen Fry In America - The New World (BBC1, 9pm) The comedian travels across all 50 states of the USA in this six-part documentary.
A Touch Of Frost (ITV1, 9pm) David Jason returns for three new episodes of the long-running detective drama.
