TV PICKS OF THE WEEK
JOHN LENNON:
A LIFE IN TEN PICTURES Tonight, BBC2, 9pm
The latest edition of this documentary series looks back at the life of former Beatle John Lennon via 10 memorable images, with the significance of the photos and the circumstances of their taking discussed by those who were there and who knew him best.
It’s a journey that took him from a difficult childhood in Liverpool via the German city of Hamburg to international stardom with the Beatles, peace campaigning with his second wife, the avant-garde artist Yoko Ono, and a tragic death in 1980.
50 YEARS OF MR MEN WITH MATT LUCAS Tomorrow, Channel 4, 6pm
Since the creation of Mr Tickle in 1971, the Mr Men and Little Miss books have brought fun and laughter to generations of families.
Presented by super fan Matt Lucas, this fun documentary charts the history of the characters.
Creator Roger Hargreaves died in 1988, however, his son, author and
illustrator Adam, continues writing and drawing the books. To celebrate the milestone anniversary, we get to see the five prototype new characters he has created, with the two most popular becoming the latest members of the Mr Men-little Miss universe in September.
MOTHERLAND Monday, BBC2, 9pm
The characters’ kids in this acclaimed sitcom, are growing up – some are on the cusp of leaving primary school.
It seems that’s come as something of a surprise to
Julia (Anna Maxwell Martin), who is panicking about the catchment area she lives in, and wondering whether a religious conversion might be the way to get her offspring into the right secondary school. Meanwhile, Liz (Diane Morgan) advises Kevin (Paul Ready) on divorce lawyers, only to make a discovery about
her own situation.
EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2021 Tuesday, BBC4, 8pm
After Eurovision 2020 had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s
competition is set to take place as planned.
Tonight’s first semi-final sees 16 countries – Lithuania, Slovenia, Russia, Sweden, Australia, North Macedonia, Ireland, Cyprus, Norway, Croatia, Belgium, Israel, Romania, Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Malta – fight for a place in Saturday’s final.
Rylan Clark-neal, Scott Mills and Chelcee Grimes are the presenters.
The second semi-final takes place on Thursday at 8pm.
MARTIN LEWIS’ EXTREME SAVERS Wednesday, ITV, 8pm
Martin Lewis has provided Brits with countless tips on saving a few quid.
However, the people featured in this series have taken saving to a whole new level. Tonight there’s a woman who went from big debts to owning her own home, by living in her sister’s garage for two years, and a family who are saving hundreds by foraging for their food.
SUBNORMAL: A BRITISH SCANDAL Thursday, BBC1, 9pm
Last year, one episode of Steve Mcqueen’s anthology series Small Axe told the story of Kingsley, a young black boy who was moved from a mainstream school to an institution for the so-called ‘educationally subnormal’.
Although the tale was fictional, it was inspired by real events that took place until 1971 when the practice was exposed in a pamphlet written by Bernard Coard.
Newcomer Lyttanya Shannon’s documentary, which is executive produced by Mcqueen, tells the true story of how black parents, teachers and activists forced the education system to change.
THE WORLD’S MOST SCENIC RAILWAY JOURNEYS
Friday, Channel 5, 9pm
In the second episode, we undertake a voyage on Taiwan.
First stop is the island’s greatest natural attraction, Taroko Gorge, before we continue along the coast into Yilan County, Taiwan’s most easterly region. Then its on to the capital Taipei before a final leg on the stunning narrow gauge Alishan Forest Railway.