BEST OF THE REST
THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD
Sky One, 10pm
IT’S a very promising start for this new sitcom created by and starring Romesh Ranganathan, which is actually based on the true story of his late dad being a pub landlord.
In this reality, Rom has taken over the running of the Seven Swans – thanks to his mum’s insistence, but much to his chagrin – and is not exactly giving it his all. Partly because he still harbours dreams of being a hip hop DJ, and partly because he knows his dad was way more popular and better at it.
There’s an eccentric band of regulars who frequent the pub, including Rom’s rather useless but well-meaning best mate Lemon (Nick Helm).
Rom and his wife Natasha (Car Share’s Sian Gibson) live above the pub with their two kids, and – in somewhat of a surprise for sitcom land – have a very believable and entertaining relationship. We’re definitely not calling time on this comedy yet.
THE FIRES THAT FORETOLD GRENFELL
BBC2, 9pm
WHEN fire devastated Grenfell Tower last year, claiming 72 lives, people wondered how such a tragedy could possibly have happened.
This compelling documentary tells the stories of five major fires which had already occurred in Britain, and which had provided clear warnings for a disaster of this kind. The film features archive news footage and powerful interviews with survivors, fire fighters and bereaved family members from each of the five incidents which took place over 45 years.
As well as these human stories, the film looks at the effects (or otherwise) on UK building regulations as a result of these incidents and the recommendations made to Government.
Starting with the Summerland disaster in 1973, a horrifying blaze which claimed 50 lives, then examining four further blazes, the filmmakers focus on three factors – cladding applied to buildings, the ‘stay put’ advice and the absence of sprinklers – and whether any lessons have been learned.