TV HIGHLIGHTS
MONDAY
Claimed and Shamed, BBC1, 11am Series exposing the outrageous cons of fraudsters. In this episode, secret filming causes a €250,000 personal injury claim to collapse and lands the dodgy claimant behind bars when his injuries are proved to be fabrications. Plus, the jaw-dropping case of a woman who was caught planning her husband’s murder by an undercover officer posing as a hit man. Finally, the British Transport Police catch up with a trio of criminals behind a massive mobile phone fraud. Banged Up Abroad, 3e, 9pm The alarming case of Susan Haglof, who moved to Egypt and adopted a baby boy, Marko, shortly after his birth. However, it soon transpired that there was something odd about the adoption — Marko didn’t come with any adoption papers. She made the ill-advised decision to get a birth certificate with her and her husband’s name on it, but the lie soon spun out of control and less than a year into the adoption, Susan faced the possibility of jail and being separated from her adoptive son. Paxman on Trump vs Clinton: Divided America, BBC1, 9pm There’s little doubt that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are controversial figures. As the US Presidential election approaches, no-nonsense broadcaster Jeremy Paxman travels to Washington to understand how America’s democracy has come to face such an unusual choice. Jeremy meets political insiders and voters on both sides of the divide and of course, casts his caustic eye over a nation preparing for a historic vote.
TUESDAY
Your Face Says it All, Channel 4, 8pm Cutting-edge science takes viewers under the skin to reveal the secrets behind the human face. The series explores what faces say about people, and how it gives away intelligence, sexuality and a potential propensity to violence. Interviews with Lindsay Lohan, Tinchy Stryder and Katie Piper reveal what they think about their visage and how they judge those of others. Comedian Stephen K Amos meets the Metropolitan Police’s super recognisers and actor Keith Allen tests his face-reading skills in a game of poker. Who’s Spending Britain’s Billions?, BBC2, 8pm This special poses the question — do we know where taxes are being spent? Jacques Peretti looks beyond budgets to the range of projects that the average Joe knows nothing about. He uncovers what is going on behind closed doors and finds that local councils across the UK are signing contracts with management consultancy firms. Peretti also reveals that extortionate amounts of money are being spent on these contracts which are protected under confidentiality clauses. Ordinary Lies, BBC1 9pm It’s a new series of the fascinating drama exploring lives — which on the surface seem ordinary — but under the surface, things appear quite different and it’s not long before cracks start to show. Joe (Con O’Neill) seems to have the perfect family life, but a sneaking suspicion propels him to install CCTV in his own home. It’s a recipe for disaster as you’d expect. It turns out the truth is a bitter pill to swallow, but can he follow his head or will he let his heart make the decisions?
WEDNESDAY
Little British Isles with Alison Steadman, Channel 4, 8pm Actress Alison Steadman, best known for her role in Gavin & Stacey, celebrates the wild beauty on the British Isles. In the first episode, Alison travels to some of Scotland’s windswept and rugged Inner Hebrides. Over the course of a week, she explores Gigha, Jura, Colonsay and Oronsay and learns how to extract Orchid essence, meeting the lucky bee keeper in charge of the country’s only native honey bee reserve. HIM, UTV Ireland, 9pm Three-part domestic horror focusing on a 17-year-old known as HIM (Fionn Whitehead), who is caught in limbo between childhood and adulthood and feels trapped between the two homes of his divorced parents. Like any moody teenager, he is consumed with emotions, but his behaviour is also triggered by a supernatural power he has inherited from his grandfather. The only one he can turn to is his ageing grandmother, who urges him to use his gift for good, but can he overcome his emotions and stay on the right path? No Place to Call Home, BBC2, 9pm Fifty years ago, Ken Loach’s Cathy Come Home shone a disconcerting light on the desperate housing problems gripping Britain. In 2016, these problems have not dissipated. A lack of affordable homes, expensive rents are just a few of the factors influencing this crisis. The concerning fallout is that more and more people find themselves homeless. Filmed over nine months, this compelling film shows a whole new generation of people desperately looking for a place to call their own.
THURSDAY
Anne Robinson’s Britain, BBC1, 8pm The veteran presenter looks at why we’re all seemingly obsessed with looks and meets the make-up addicts who spend hours getting ready for a night out. She also meets gym goers who are chasing Insta-fame and a young man whose obsession with plastic surgery is reaching alarming levels in his search for perfection. Anne also meets people from the other side of the coin — naturists who don’t mind letting it all hang out day in and day out, and even dons a niqab for the day to experience what it’s like not to be judged for your appearance. The programme is sure to be a refreshing eye-opener. Surviving Aberfan, BBC4, 9pm On October 21st, 1966, an avalanche of coal waste brought death and destruction to a school and 18 houses in the South Wales village of Aberfan. In a cataclysmic turn of events, 116 children and 28 adults lost their lives. This film tells the story of the tragic loss of life, miraculous survival and heroic rescues, as well as revealing how the people of Abefan coped with the aftermath of the disaster. Follow the Money, TG4, 11pm Danish financial crime thriller, set in the world of economic crime. Police detective Mads (Thomas Bo Larsen) investigates when a body is washed ashore near a wind farm. At first, it looks like a cut-and-dried industrial accident, but further digging reveals it has links to Evergreen, one of Denmark’s leading energy companies.
FRIDAY
Pink Floyd Beginnings 1967-1972, BBC4, 9pm It’s hard to believe that the lauded Pink Floyd released their first single in 1967. After The Dark Side of the Moon became a global smash, the band focused on the creative freedom of live performance and left the world of TV behind. In this special, tapes of those early appearances have been compiled into a fascinating hour of early Pink Floyd. They were one of the world’s most creative groups and their cult works of art, Wish You Were Here and The Wall have been etched into musical history. QI, BBC2, 10pm Comedian QI regular Sandi Toksvig steps into Stephen Fry’s considerable shoes for the cerebral quiz which ponders weird and wonderful, and completely out there questions. The panel show kicks off with the ‘n’ series by naming names with guests Cariad Lloyd, Romesh Ranganathan, Phil Jupitus and regular Alan Davies — it definitely wouldn’t be the same without his charm. It feel a bit more intelligent for watching it. Later... with Jools Holland, BBC2, 11.05pm Jools Holland is joined by KT Tunstall, who performs songs from her album KIN, which represents a major return to form with the rousing melodies that she is known for. St Paul & The Broken Bones perform songs from Sea of Noise and electropop four-piece Teleman debut on the show with songs from their LP Brilliant Sanity. And, making their debut on the show 57 years after they began are The Temptations, who are lead by original member Otis Williams.
SATURDAY
The School That Got Teens Reading, BBC2, 8pm Documentary exploring the challenge of inspiring teenagers to read as comedian Javone Prince and television presenter Helen Skelton lead the charge at Ripley Academy in Lancaster. The school has tried every trick in the book to get their students to read more and they’re hoping the dynamic duo will shake things up and help make reading a pleasure rather than a chore. The Code, BBC4, 9pm Picking up from where the explosive first season of this Australian thriller left off — Jesse and Ned Banks are confronted with the possibility of being extradited to the US to face serious charges. Their only saving grace is that Australian National Security are stumped by a big case they can’t crack, and Jesse may be the man to do it. However, the pair get drawn into a dark world of hacking. The Jonathan Ross Show, UTV Ireland, 10pm Viewers are in for a huge treat as Rossy welcomes one of the world’s biggest-selling artists — Phil Collins who discusses his lengthy career and performing. Stars of Cold Feet, James Nesbitt, Fay Ripley and John Thomson will chat about the resurrection of the hugely popular comedy series, and award-winning comedian Joe Lycett will be injecting some humour.