Pick of the Week: "The Apprentice Final" -- BBC1, Sun @9pm
Here are the week's best, new UK shows, according to me. It's noticeable how British television doesn't really go on a meaningful summer break in this country, we just get a lot of two-part ITV dramas, a few reality shows, a dripfeed of US drama, and some gameshows...
MONDAY 1st
- MTV Movie Awards 2009 (MTV, 9pm) Awards bash hosted by Andy Samberg.
- The Secrets Of Stonehenge: A Time Team Special (Channel 4, 9pm)
- Dating The Enemy (ITV1, 10.35pm) Reality gameshow where two mismatched couples date each other (a millionaire and a busker, a feminist and a chauvenist, etc.)
TUESDAY 2nd
- I'm Running Sainsbury's (Channel 4,9pm) The boss of a supermarket lets four employees try to boost business by implementing their own ideas.
- Ladette To Lady (ITV1, 9pm) Australian women are transformed into debonair ladies, in this reality series.
WEDNESDAY 3rd
- The Apprentice: The Final Five (BBC1, 8pm)
- River Cottage (Channel 4, 8pm) Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall hosts.
THURSDAY 4th
- America's Got Talent (ITV2, 8pm) US version of the talent show contest, with judges David Hassellhoff, Piers Morgan & Sharon Osbourne.
- Big Brother: Live Launch (Channel 4, 9pm) Davina McCall hosts the start of the tenth series of the summer-long reality gameshow.
- Big Brother's Big Mouth (E4, 10.30pm) Discussion show on events in the BB house.
FRIDAY 5th
- Big Brother's Little Brother (E4, 6pm)
- 8 Out Of 10 Cats (Channel 4, 10pm) Topical comedy panel show with Jimmy Carr, Jason Manford & Sean Lock.
SATURDAY 6th
- Totally Saturday (BBC1, 7.30pm) Graham Norton hosts this seven-part series that surprises members of the public. Features Lionel Richie and Boyzone.
- ER (Channel 4, 8pm) The last season of the medical drama gets is terrestrial premiere.
- Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow (BBC1, 9.30pm) Comedian Michael McIntyre travels around Britain showcasing stand-up acts. The six episodes will feature Mark Watson, Rhod Gilbert, Stewart Francis, John Bishop, Mick Ferry, Kevin Bridges, Jason Manford, Steve Hughes, Sarah Millican, Shappi Khorsandi, Tom Stade, Paul Tonkinson, Sean Lock, Steve Williams, Ava Vidal, Al Murray, Alun Cochrane, Patrick Kielty, Neil Delamere, Jeff Green, Jo Caulfield, Kerry Godliman, Micky Flannigan & Jon Richardson
- Bill Bailey: Tinselworm (Channel 4, 10pm) Live stand-up from Wembley Arena.
SUNDAY 7th
- Bremner, Bird & Fortune: The Last Show Before The Recovery (Channel 4, 7pm) Three-part satire on the current financial banking crisis.
- Hope Springs (BBC1, 8pm) Comedy-drama about four female convicts who plan to use £5 million to start a new life in Barbados. Stars Alex Kingston, Annette Crosbie, Christine Bottomley, Sian Reeves, Ronni Ancona & Alex Newman.
- Wife Swap (Channel 4, 8pm) Return of the reality series. A celebrity premiere with Rhona Cameron and Stan Boardman.
- Stephen Tompkinson's African Balloon Adventure (ITV1, 8pm) The actor takes us on an aerial tour of Africa, where he films Wild At Heart. Part 1 of 3.
- The Apprentice: The Final (BBC1, 9pm) Climax of the fifth series of the business reality series, moved forward from Wednesday because of the football.
- The Apprentice: You're Fired (BBC2, 10pm) Final episode of the discussion show behind The Apprentice, featuring interviews with the finalists and winner.
- Kingdom (ITV1, 9pm) Return of the drama starring Stephen Fry as a solicitor.
