TV HIGHLIGHTS
SUNDAY
Valkyrien, Channel 4, 9pm Norwegian thriller from the Walter Presents strand. Ravn Eikanger is a respected physician who is consumed with trying to save his dying wife. When her treatment is stopped, he fakes her suicide and he takes her to an illegal underground clinic where he continues his search for a cure. His partner is Leif Lien, a former patient and bent official who allows him to work there in exchange for a few favours. In this opener, Raven attends his wife’s ‘funeral’, but disaster strikes. Sven Nordin stars. Paul O’Grady’s Hollywood, More4, 9pm The presenter concludes his exploration into the world of cinema with a look at the how the role of a movie heroine has moved from being a delicate damsel in distress to action heroes like Sigourney Weaver in Alien and Uma Thurman in Kill Bill. He also looks at women in comedy roles such as Diane Keaten in Annie Hall and finally, addresses at how perceptions of prostitution changed, from Marlene Dietrich’s Shanghai Lily in Shanghai Express to Pretty Woman. Anne Archer, Louise Fletcher and Sally Phillips contribute. Underground, RTE2, 10.30pm Historical drama set before the American Civil War, Reed Diamond and Jurnee SmollettBell. The year is 1857 and on a plantation in Georgia, a group of downtrodden slaves plot an ambitious escape plan. Meanwhile, their master, Tom Macon, looks to strengthen his political standing with the help of his abolitionist lawyer brother.
MONDAY
Child Genius, Channel 4, 8pm Richard Osman is back to present the six-part series, shown over six consecutive evenings, to find Britain’s smartest child. In the first round, the prodigies, aged between eight and 12, have their recall tested. It’s no average list though as the youngsters must memorise the Greek language-derived scientific names for 60 fruit and vegetables. Among the children are 12year-old Rahul, who is being subjected to rigorous coaching by his IT manager father, and nine-year-old Fabio, who is being earmarked to win by his competitive mother. Made in Chelsea: Ibiza, E4, 9pm It’s our weekly catch up with the beautiful people, working hard on their tans in Ibiza. Sunburn isn’t the only thing Sam may have to contend though when sister Louise arrives and learns that he has been sharing a bed with mischievous Mimi. Elsewhere, Emily stews over Harry and Frankie’s relationship, and Alex plays Cupid for single Liv. Is a holiday romance on the cards for the photographer? Out of Thin Air: Murder in Iceland, BBC4, 10pm Here’s a fascinating special about the disappearance of two men in Iceland in 1974 and the subsequent conviction of six people. The extraordinary thing about this case is that no bodies were ever found and there were no witnesses. Punishment for the accused was swift and harsh. Forty years later, the case was reopened, shining a spotlight on the extreme interrogation techniques used to extract confessions, as the ‘criminals’ seemed confused about what they’d actually confessed to.
TUESDAY
The Big Family Cooking Showdown, BBC2, 8pm There’s a plethora of culinary shows out there, but this one hopes to be the cream of the crop. Zoe Ball and Nadiya Hussain host as families go head to head. Among the 16 families battling it out are the Marks family from West London and the Charles’s from Yorkshire. Tonight, Scandinavian-inspired food goes up against exotic fare. Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli and cookery teacher Rosemary Shrager are on hand to judge the families’s creations. Quacks, BBC2, 10pm Comedy drama, starring Rupert Everett and Rory Kinnear. Set in Victorian London, four pioneering friends go to great lengths to go down in history. Prior to anaesthetics, the most important skill a doctor could have is speed. That is something showman surgeon Robert (Kinnear) has in abundance, and he is renowned for his grotesque feats in the operating theatre such as amputating a leg in 92 seconds. However, when a similar procedure goes wrong, drugtaking dentist John persuades him to use a potentially lethal ether in a pioneering operation.
WEDNESDAY
Celebrity MasterChef, BBC1, 8pm It’s amazing how many stars realise they’re actually pretty decent in the kitchen when they take part in this culinary competition. Tonight, five celebs undergo the first three-pronged challenge. They are actor Jim Moir, TV presenter Angellica Bell, former snooker champion Stephen Hendry, presenter Julia Somerville and French tennis ace Henri Leconte. First up is the Mystery Box, where they must whip up a tasty meal from the ingredients, the second part of the challenge sees them split into two groups and sent to two different restaurants, and, for the final part, they must create an appetising two-course menu. Saving Lives at Sea, BBC2, 8pm Here’s a look at the important work done by unpaid volunteers of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Using footage of reallife scenarios, viewers are taken into the very heart of the action. In this opener, a father and daughter must tread water for an hour after they’re swept out by a rip current, and a tourist falls into the Thames after attempting to take a selfie. No More Boys and Girls: Can Our Kids Go Gender Free?, BBC2, 9pm Doctor Javid Abdelmoneim carries out a bold experiment at a school in the Isle of Wight, to see if he can change the perceptions of a group of Year Three primary school children – and their teachers – with ‘gender neutral’ treatment. The children undergo a series of psychological tests to see if so-called ‘conditioning’ affects how their view and in turn, how they are viewed by the world around them. The results are refreshing, resulting in teacher Mr Andre removing anything from the classroom that reinforces gender difference.
ThUrSDAY
Who Do You Think You Are?, BBC1, 8pm Scottish singer-songwriter Lulu has always been intrigued by her family mystery and wants to know why her mother, the middle of seven children, was given up for adoption. On the course of her fascinating journey into the past, she travels to Glasgow and learns about her Catholic grandfather and Protestant grandmother’s love affair which went against the grain at the time. Outlander, More4, 9pm Time-travel drama, starring Catriona Balfe. Claire, who is caught between two very different worlds, hopes that a magical stone circle will return her to the present day, while in 1945, Frank is downhearted as she continually eludes him. How to Make Your Marriage Work, Channel 4, 10pm Recent statistics show that marriage rates are increasing, while divorce is on the decline. A place reinforcing these optimistic figures is London Borough Brent which boasts a high number of happily married people. Here, five couples open up about their successful relationships, including frank discussions about sex, children and whether they’ve ever been tempted to cheat.
FrIDAY
FleadhTV, TG4, 8.30pm Live music series that showcases the best of traditional and folk music from this year’s Fleadh Cheoil in Ennis. Tonight’s show features Kilfenora Ceili Band with Ballyea Youth Choir, Finnegan McSherry and Bow Brows. 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Channel 4, 9pm Jimmy Carr is at the helm for the new series which sees Jon Richardson and Cariad Lloyd pit their wits against guest team captain Alan Carr and Kevin Bridges. Ellis James and John Robins join Susie Dent in Dictionary Corner. Professor T, More4, 9pm Belgian crime drama from the Walter Presents strand. Titular criminologist Jasper Teerlinck is brilliant at his job, even though his eccentric methods are questioned by some. When a young woman is sexually assaulted at Antwerp university campus, he’s called in to help the police find the perpetrator, a potential copycat. Elsewhere, Chief Inspector Paul Rabet mourns the death of his only daughter. Koen de Bouw and Ella Leyers star.
SATUrDAY
Len Goodman’s Partners in Rhyme, BBC1, 6.45pm The former captain of the good ship Strictly Come Dancing turns his talents to rhyming in this play-along family show. Contestants Winston and Yve are joined by four game celebrities hoping to impress with their vocabulary skills. The first team consists of Strictly’s Anton du Beke and Radio 1 DJ Dotty, EastEnders actress Laila Morse joins comedian and presenter Matt Richardson in the second team. Who will get tongue-tied? Iolo’s Great Welsh Parks, BBC2, 8pm Nature observer and presenter Iolo Williams explores the beautiful, peaceful Margam Country Park on the outskirts of Port Talbot, south Wales. Once owned by an extremely wealthy family, the 850-acre grounds are steeped in history and feature lush woodland, picturesque lakes and a cornucopia of amazing wildlife, including three species of deer, 11 species of bats and much more besides.