Monday 17 March 2014

TV Picks: 17-23 March 2014 (Louis Theroux's LA Stories, Parkinson: Masterclass, Sport Relief, W1A, The Widower, etc.)

Monday 17 March 2014

Below are my picks of the most notable TV shows debuting/returning to UK screens this week...

MONDAY 17th
Only Connect (BBC4, 8.30pm) Sport Relief special of the tough mental quiz. Celebrity contestants are Joshua Levine, Charlie Brooker, Val McDermid, Alice Arnold & Ed Smith.
Shop Secrets (Channel 4, 8.30pm) New series where shops are equipped with hidden cameras and scams undertaken to reveal various tricks. (1/8)
The Plantagenets (BBC2, 9pm) New history series looking at England's longest-ruling royal family. Presented by Professor Robert Bartlett. (1/3)
★ The Widower (ITV, 9pm) New factual drama based on the story of convicted murderer Malcolm Webster, who drugged his wife before eventually killing her. Starring Reece Shearsmith & Sheridan Smith. (1/3)
Life & Death Row (BBC3, 9pm) Documentary on capital punishment, seen through the eyes of people on Death Row. (1/3)
Prostitution: What's the Harm? (BBC3, 10pm) Documentary about young people's attitude to prostitution.


TUESDAY 18th
★ Food Prices: The Shocking Truth (Channel 4, 9pm) Two-part documentary looking at the rising cost of food. Hosted by Jimmy Doherty. (1/2)
Undercover Doctor: Cure Me, I'm Gay (Channel 4, 10pm) Special where Dr Christian Jessen undergoes so-called cures for his homosexuality.

WEDNESDAY 19th
The School That Rocks (BBC3, 8pm) Documentary looking at a class of musically talented children.
★ W1A (BBC2, 10pm) New mockumentary comedy sequel reuniting many of the characters from Twenty Twelve. Starring Hugh Bonneville, Jessica Hynes, Jason Watkins, Monica Dolan, Hugh Skinner, Nina Sosanya, Sarah Parish & David Westhead. (1/4)
On Assignment (ITV, 10.35pm) New monthly current affairs programme. Presented by Rageh Omaar. (1/8)


THURSDAY 20th
Parkinson: Masterclass (Sky Arts 1, 8pm) Series 2 of the chat show focusing on celebrities from the arts. This week's guest is Eddie Izzard. (1/7)
Ade at Sea (ITV, 8.30pm) New series where Adrian Edmondson sails around the UK and investigates the country's maritime history. (1/6)
★ Davina: Beyond Breaking Point for Sport Relief (BBC1, 9pm) Coverage of the presenter's gruelling physical challenge to raise money for charity.
Dangerous Dogs (ITV, 9pm) Two-part factual series on the rise of dog attacks in the UK. (1/2)
Inside Rolls-Royce (Channel 4, 9pm) Behind-the-scenes documentary on the famous, luxurious British car brand.
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (Channel 4, 10pm) Series 3 of the panel show mash-up. (1/4)

FRIDAY 21st
★ Sport Relief (BBC1, 7pm) Live annual telethon. Featuring Little Mix, John Bishop, Sebastian Coe, Patrick Kielty, Freddie Flintoff, Olly Murs, Richard Bacon, Greg James, Clare Balding, Gabby Logan, Alex Jones, Davina McCall, Greg James, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, David Beckham, and many others.
A Very British Renaissance (BBC2, 9pm) New history series looking at the period when the UK embraced culture in the mid-17th-century. Presented by James Fox. (1/3)


SATURDAY 22nd
Nothing. Time to put some shelves up in that spare bedroom?

SUNDAY 23rd
★ Louis Theroux's LA Stories (BBC2, 9pm) New trio of investigative documentaries, looking at different aspects of life in Los Angeles. This episode focuses on the city's neglected and feral dog population. (1/3)


= Pick of the Day