MUST-SEE SHOWS
JOE ORTON LAID BARE Tonight, BBC2, 9pm
PLAYWRIGHT Joe Orton’s career essentially only lasted four years – from 1963, when the BBC bought his breakthrough radio play The Ruffian On The Stair, to 1967 and his tragic death at the hands of his lover, Kenneth Halliwell.
Yet in that short space of time, he created a unique comic voice, played a significant role in the culture of ‘swinging London’, and left behind influential plays such as Loot and Entertaining Mr Sloane.
Fifty years on from his death, this documentary charts his meteoric rise and the circumstances surrounding his murder. It also features contributions from Kenneth Cranham, Michael Codron, Christopher Hampton, Patricia Routledge and Orton’s sister, Leonie.
BLUE PLANET II Tomorrow, BBC1, 8pm
FOOTAGE of wildlife inhabiting underwater kelp forests, including thousands of giant cuttlefish spawning along a restricted area of rocky reef off the south coast of Australia is on offer tonight.
Males outnumber females 11 to one, which leads to fierce competition.
SUPERSHOPPERS Monday, Channel 4, 8.30pm
NEW series. The consumer advice show returns with Anna Richardson joined by new co-presenter Sabrina Grant to provide the lowdown on favourite brands and retailers, as well as tips on how to get the best deals. In the first edition Anna and Sabrina look at supermarkets’ own ranges. Plus, they offer advice on how to buy cheaper car insurance.
HOW TO SPEND IT WELL AT CHRISTMAS WITH PHILLIP SCHOFIELD
Tuesday, ITV, 8pm THE presenter reveals the must-have toys for Christmas 2017, and Jonathan Ross investigates this year’s festive craze – the unicorn, as well as examining the revival of nostalgic toys from the past.
WALLIS: THE QUEEN THAT NEVER WAS Wednesday, Channel 5, 9pm
SHE was the woman behind the biggest royal crisis of the 20th century, which saw her branded as a gold-digging social climber who set out to steal a king. But this feature-length drama-documentary paints a different picture of Wallis Simpson, using diaries, letters and
personal testimony to show that she was more of a victim than villain.
It explores her childhood in Baltimore and disastrous first marriage to the abusive Win Spencer, as well as her relationship with her second husband Ernest Simpson, who would be a great stabilising force in her troubled life.
The couple moved to London, where the future Edward VIII became infatuated with her, but the documentary suggests that rather than angling to become queen, Wallis felt trapped by his attentions.
LOVE, LIES & RECORDS Thursday, BBC1, 9pm
IT’S a wonder the registrars in Kay Mellor’s drama have any time for other people’s births, marriages and deaths – they’re usually too busy dealing with their own personal lives.
With Lucy missing, a panicstricken Kate and Rob call on her friends in a desperate attempt to find her. But as Rob’s colleagues join the search, CCTV footage of her getting into an unknown vehicle leaves them more fearful than ever.
JAMIE AND JIMMY’S FRIDAY NIGHT FEAST
Friday, Channel 4, 8pm HOSTS Jamie Oliver and Jimmy Doherty are joined by Joanna Lumley in their cafe at the end of Southend Pier, and this time the menu is exclusively vegetarian, as the Ab Fab actress cooks the King of Malaysia’s favourite dish, bringing back to life the tastes and smells of her childhood.
Jamie prepares a spectacular M’hanncha – a spiral of filo pastry stuffed with pearl barley and butternut squash and the boys take to the road to champion British fava beans – which could help both the nation’s farmers and its diet.