TV PICKS OF THE WEEK
JOHN & JOE BISHOP: LIFE AFTER DEAF Thursday, ITV, 9pm
Liverpudlian comedian John Bishop and his grown-up son Joe embark upon a journey to understand more about being deaf, and learn British Sign Language (BSL) together.
Twelve years ago, Joe lost most of his hearing, and cameras follow the pair as they meet people across the Deaf community.
Along the way, John aims to learn to Sign well enough to perform stand-up comedy in BSL, and the programme asks if being able to Sign will give John and Joe an entry point to the Deaf community, as well as provide a way to better relate to each other.
GHOSTS Friday, BBC1, 8.50pm
The delightfully light-hearted sitcom is back for another series.
Mike and Alison are hoping their decision to keep the crumbling Button House is finally going to pay off as they welcome their very first B&B guests – even if they are staying in the bijou gatehouse rather than the main building.
Unfortunately, the couple aren’t really enjoying their anniversary break, so Alison turns to Lady Button and Julian for help.
KYLIE AT THE BBC Saturday, BBC2, 9.10pm
An evening of programmes dedicated to Australian pop legend Kylie Minogue kicks off with this selection of archive performances, from the early days with Stock, Aitken & Waterman to the dance sounds of the 1990s, the 2000s and beyond.
Then at 10.10pm catch Kylie Minogue: Reel Stories where she chats about her singing and acting career with Demot O’Leary. This is followed by Kylie Minogue Live in Hyde Park at 10.40pm, a recording of her performance at the 2018 BBC Radio 2 Festival in a Day.
BLOODLANDS Sunday, BBC1, 9pm
The gripping crime thriller continues – does an abandoned house hold the key to unlocking the mystery surrounding Robert Dardis? While searching the place, Tom spots an opportunity to deceive his colleagues. Unfortunately, as is often the case, one bad deed leads to another, and before you know it, a fatal mistake takes place.
JIMMY CARR’S CELEBRITY I LITERALLY JUST TOLD YOU Monday, C4, 10pm
As the second series of the humorous quiz gets under way just minutes after England’s latest clash with Germany in the Uefa Nations League, it seems rather fitting that it begins with a football-themed special.
Taking part are John Barnes, Harry Redknapp, Gabby Logan and Sue Smith.
MICHAEL PALIN: INTO IRAQ Tuesday, C5, 9pm
The second leg of Michael Palin’s journey takes him into Kirkuk and the spot where the British discovered oil in 1927. After some frustrating negotiations, the crew are granted access to the oil fields and get a chance to see a historically significant 4,000-year-old natural gas flare emerging from the ground, all while being monitored by minders. There are more encounters with officialdom as Michael and co move on towards Tikrit, Saddam Hussein’s hometown, but at least one local commander proves so unexpectedly welcoming that Michael dubs it a “cheerful checkpoint”.
DOC MARTIN ITV, 9pm
Wednesday, Martin advises Mrs Irene Moore (Lesley Nicol) to stop cold-water swimming until they’ve ruled out the cause of her migraines.
Another headache for the GP is the arrival of herbalist Jane (Dorothea Myer-Bennett). Not only does Martin end up having to pick-up the pieces of her ill-offered medical advice, but he also ends up treating her daughter.
Chicken the dog raises the alarm that Ruth (Dame Eileen Atkins) has a DVT from her recent travels, and Martin’s former girlfriend, Sophie Trent (Hermione Norris), arrives.