The Herald - The Herald Magazine
THIS WEEK’S BEST FILMS
SATURDAY
Passengers (2016)
(Channel 4, 9pm)
The Starship Avalon launches, loaded with 258 crew and
5,000 passengers in deep sleep, bound for the distant colony of Homestead II. A meteor shower causes a malfunction to the ship’s central computer and mechanical engineer Jim Preston (Chris Pratt) and journalist Aurora Dunn (Jennifer Lawrence) wake 90 years prematurely. Passengers is a glossy meditation on solitude and selfsacrifice.
Foxcatcher (2014) (BBC1, 11.55pm)
Philanthropist John Eleuthere du Pont (Steve Carell) establishes a world-class wrestling facility at his Foxcatcher Farm and recruits Olympic champion Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) to spearhead his stable of athletes. Foxcatcher is a dark and unsettling dramatisation of a real-life crime in which the American dream turns rancid and a mentally unstable man with money becomes a wrecking ball in the lives of unsuspecting bystanders.
SUNDAY
Jurassic Park (1993) (ITV2, 6.25pm)
Steven Spielberg’s monster blockbuster sees a group of scientists (including Sam Neill and Laura Dern) being given a sneak preview of a safari park set up on a remote island by an eccentric tycoon (Richard Attenborough). The creatures on display are genetically engineered dinosaurs and it isn’t long before something goes wrong and the prehistoric beasts escape their cages. Now that the dinosaurs are free to roam the island, the visitors become prey.
bullet during a riot in 1969. Extracts are read by stars of stage and screen, including Liam Neeson; Line of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar; Game of Thrones’ Michelle Fairley; Pulp Fiction’s Bronagh Gallagher; Harry Potter veteran Brendan Gleeson; Flesh and Blood’s Stephen Rea, and Kenneth Branagh. The latter rose to fame in the Belfast-based Billy Plays, before becoming one of the world’s most sought after directors and actors.
SUNDAY
Dancing on Ice (STV, 6pm)
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby host the grand final of the skating challenge. Three celebrities and their professional partners remain in the contest, and each pair is challenged to perform a special showcase routine choreographed by Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill. After that one pair will be eliminated, with the other going on to the final round - performing their own take on Torvill and Dean’s signature piece, Ravel’s Bolero. And as if that were not enough, the entire cast of this year’s show will return to the ice for one last performance.
Crufts 2020 - Best in Show (Channel 4, 7pm)
So this is it, the culmination of the annual doglovers event, when the finest of all pooches is chosen. Clare Balding will be guiding us through proceedings as coverage of the
Sisters (2015) (Channel 4, 11pm)
Bucky Ellis (James Brolin) and wife Deana (Dianne Wiest) intend to downsize the family home to a retirement apartment. Their daughters, Maura (Amy Poehler) and Kate (Tina Fey), make a crosscountry odyssey to clear out their shared bedroom before new owners take possession. A wave of heady nostalgia washes over Maura and Kate and they decide to bid farewell to childish things by throwing one final party.
world’s largest dog show concludes at the NEC in Birmingham. Ms Balding is joined by celebrity guests as well as reporter Radzi Chinyanganya and commentators Jim Rosenthal, Graham Partridge, Frank Kane and Jessica Holm. Plus, DJ Roman Kemp reveals how his chihuahua helped his mental health, and singer Russell Watson explains his love of dogs to Clare.
Race Across the World (BBC2, 10pm)
As series two begins, cameras follow contestants as they embark on an epic and adrenaline-fuelled adventure, trekking into the unknown without gadgets or many of the things we take for granted. The journey will see these
MONDAY Anthropoid (2016) (Film4, 10.50pm)
Jozef Gabcik (Cillian Murphy) and Jan Kubis (Jamie Dornan) parachute into their occupied homeland to carry out Operation Anthropoid, as instructed by Czechoslovakia’s high command in this tense Second World War drama. With help from a kind doctor, Jozef and Jan eventually make contact with the resistance cell, headed by Jan Zelenka-Hajsky, who is stunned that the new
five pairs racing from the top to bottom of Latin America. They will trek from from Mexico City to the most southernly city in the world, Ushuaia in Argentina. With no smartphones, internet access and credit cards, the only cash they carry will be equivalent of a one-way airfare. Episode one sees the teams set off from Mexico City, a huge metropolis and the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world. Throughout the race they must pass through seven checkpoints to reach their final destination, beginning with Copan Ruinas in Honduras.
McDonald & Dodds (STV, 8pm)
The chalk-and-cheese detective duo are called arrivals intend to assassinate one of the architects of the Holocaust.
Peeping Tom
(1960) (Talking Pictures, 10pm)
When this psychological thriller was released in 1960, it was so controversial that it ended director Michael Powell’s career in Britain. However, over the decades, Peeping Tom has gone from being critically reviled to an influential cult classic and now regularly crops up on lists of best British films. That doesn’t mean it’s lost any of its power to shock though. Carl Boehm stars as Mark, a focus-puller at a film studio, who in his spare time kills women and films their deaths. In a macabre touch, Powell plays Mark’s father, a psychologist who recorded his own experiments on his son.
TUESDAY Pale Rider (1985) (ITV4, 9.00pm)
Clint Eastwood directs and stars in this Western, which isn’t one of its best – it pales in comparison to his not-totally dissimilar High Plains Drifter, and genre buffs may also pick up echoes of the 1950s classic Shane – but its mysterious air and religious overtones certainly make it an intriguing offering.
American Assassin (2017) (Film4, 10.50pm)
Mitch Rapp (Dylan O’Brien) watches helplessly as gunmen shoot dead his sweetheart Katrina on a crowded beach in Ibiza. Revenge boils in his veins and, over the next 18 months, Mitch metamorphoses into a gym-toned angel of death in order to infiltrate the terrorist cell responsible for Katrina’s murder. Before he can complete this suicide mission, Mitch falls into the clutches
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to a private clinic where a wealthy patient has been killed. However, their investigation is made all the more difficult by the complex relationships of the victim’s former fellow residents. Jason Watkins and Tala Gouveia take the lead roles in the second of two mystery dramas, with an all-star supporting cast including Caroline Catz, Hugh Dennis, Michele Dotrice, Freddie Fox, Suzanne Packer and Joanna Scanlan.
Dragons’ Den (BBC2, 9pm)
Hard to believe it’s 15 years since this series, based on Japanese strand Money Tigers, first saw the light of day on BBC Two. And like The Apprentice, which was also inspired by a show from overseas, it has become a huge success in Blighty. Once more entrepreneurs will pitch their money-making ideas to a panel of selfmade millionaires, who are prepared to invest their company’s money in the scheme if they think it could work. Wile some of the aspiring tycoons may fall at the first hurdle, others stand a good chance of seeing their dreams turned into a reality.
MONDAY
MasterChef (BBC1, 9pm)
Six more hopefuls arrive at the MasterChef kitchen for the third week of heats, ready to impress John Torode and Gregg Wallace with their signature dishes. The judges’ two favourites will get a coveted apron and a chance to skip the Three Ingredients Challenge, where the remaining cooks have to prove they can come up with a dish that will showcase spring onion, sweetcorn and crab. After that, two will be sent home, leaving the four remaining hopefuls to compete for a quarter final place.
Miriam’s Big Fat Adventure (BBC2, 9pm)
Miriam Margolyes loves her life, but she hates her body. She’s been fat (a word she doesn’t shy away from using) for as long as she can remember, but at 78, she feels the time to do anything about it is running out. However, she’s far from alone as, despite the societal pressure to be thin and the slew of information about healthy diets, the nation is more overweight than ever. So, in this two-part documentary which is showing on consecutive evenings, she’s setting out to learn more about the impact of obesity. She begins by meeting Gemma, who has checked into a weight-loss bootcamp, where she’s subjected to a calorie-restricted diet and five hours of exercise a day. However, blogger Bethany takes a very different approach as she argues that body positivity is better than yo-yo diets and being miserable about your size.
Liar (STV, 9pm)
Feeling the full force of DI Renton’s investigation, Laura looks to those closest to her for support, but when suspicions fall on Ian, she is left questioning who she can trust. Seeking answers, she turns to a former ally, but the information she gleans only fuels her concerns. Meanwhile in the past, Oliver brings Andrew some devastating news, leading him to make a reckless and dangerous excursion. Jack and Harry Williams’s thriller, starring Joanne Froggatt and Ioan Gruffudd, with Katherine Kelly and Sam Spruell.
Warship: Life at Sea (Channel 5, 9pm)
The second series draws to a close, and having had their deployment extended in order to carry out operations in the Gulf, after seven weeks HMS Duncan is relieved by HMS Kent. The crew can now begin the 4,500 mile journey home. However, off the coast of Yemen in a terrorist hot-spot, the engineers on board must fight to restore power after one of the engines stops working. Over 200 days after they set sail, HMS Duncan finally arrives back in Portsmouth, and in one of the most emotional scenes, they receive a warm welcome from family and friends.
Inside No 9 (BBC2, 10pm)
Two police officers always have time to get to know each other while working on the night shift together. However, PC Thompson’s previous partner died in a brutal attack less than a month previously, the forensic evidence has gone missing and PCSO Varney is beginning to ask a lot of awkward questions. The final instalment of the fifth series of the anthology of darkly comic tales, written by and starring The League of Gentlemen and Psychoville’s Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, with Rebecca Callard and Malik Ibheis. Last in the series.
TUESDAY
The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer (C4, 8pm)
New series. Sandi Toksvig has announced she’s stepping down as a presenter, but before she goes, she’s joining Noel Fielding to host a series of special charity editions of the culinary challenge, with judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. The first set of contestants are documentary maker Louis Theroux, comedians Jenny Eclair and Russell Howard, and athlete Ovie Soko, who are challenged to make a giant biscuit, a classic bake, and a choux sculpture depicting their perfect day. Will Jenny seize the chance to make an eclair?
TV Extra: Page 87
Joanna Lumley’s Hidden Caribbean: Havana to Haiti (STV, 9pm)
Her previous travelogues have seen her exploring the Silk Road, India, Japan and Greece, among other destinations, but for her latest adventure, the Ab Fab actress is heading two of the Caribbean’s most enigmatic and isolated countries, Cuba and Haiti. It’s a journey that begins in a Havana boxing gym, where Joanna meets one of the country’s rising female fighters. She also learns more about the country’s history as she visits the town of Hershey, which was built on the success of the sugar industry, as well as the tomb of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro’s hometown, Santiago de Cuba, as it prepares for the 60th anniversary of the Great Revolution. But Cuba is looking to the future too, as Joanna discovers how Ernest Hemingway’s favourite beach is being turned into a five-star luxury complex.
The Split (BBC1, 9pm)
Hannah’s affair is now out in the open, and she desperately tries to make amends to the people she has deceived and save her marriage. The tape of Fi’s drunken night with Carrie and Richard is leaked on to the internet, with devastating repercussions for her divorce. But as Hannah tries to console her, she discovers this is not the last secret that is going to come to light. Richie employs manipulative tactics that could have dangerous
discuss their feelings on starting school; finding friends and their tempestuous teenage years. They also reflect on how rebellion, family tension, and bereavement played a part in making them the adults they are today. Plus, other children from the TV experiment share their reflections and experiences on some issues that touched their generation.
The Undateables (C4, 9pm)
The series following extraordinary singletons as they search for romance returns. Nicholas, a 26-year-old from Berkshire who has
Asperger’s, longs to find a partner to share his life with. Meanwhile, 22-year-old Shantae, who has Down’s Syndrome, goes to the Pentecostal
church every Sunday with her family and dreams of meeting a religious family man. Cameras also follow Robbie Williams superfan Sam. He is 28, lives in Devon and has a global learning delay. He’s a successful horse rider, competes regularly and has won scores of rosettes. Can he find Ms Right?
The Trouble with Maggie Cole (STV, 9pm)
Maggie wants to apologise to everyone she has upset, and decides to go and visit GP Carol Tomlin. The radio interview has gone viral and the village is left reeling from the revelations. Jill bonds with other fellow members of the ‘outed six”, Marcus and Roxanna. Meanwhile, Neil and Kelly embrace
what was broadcast and pretend that they are lottery winners, and later, Maggie discovers the truth about Dr Carol’s marriage. Starring Dawn French, Mark Heap, Chetna Pandya, Vicki Pepperdine and Emily Reid.
The Great Pottery Throwdown (More4, 9pm)
Melanie Sykes has a lot on her plate at the moment. And on the subject of pottery, when she’s not filling in for Paul O’Grady on Radio 2, she’s busy hosting this engaging show. We’re now at the grand finale as the final three potters go head-to-head. The finalists face two of their toughest tasks: a quirky tea set inspired by the Mad Hatter’s tea party, and a throwing
challenge which is not for the faint-hearted. Who has the skills to impress judges Sue Pryke and Keith Brymer Jones and be named winner? Stay tuned, and all will be revealed.
THURSDAY
How to Beat - Ageing (C4, 8pm)
Kate Quilton and Dr Javid Abdelmoneim will be exploring the small changes that could bring huge health benefits. With the assistance of volunteers and scientists from around the UK, this new series reveals the latest scientific evidence when it comes to bringing down your biological age; managing stress; beating pain, and sticking to a healthy diet. In this offering, Kate and Javid recruit eight volunteers to take part in an experiment: they want to see if making simple lifestyle changes can knock years off their biological ages in a mere five weeks. Plus, a look at technological innovations in home gym applications; whether training in extreme environments holds the key to staying young in body and in mind, and how doing a good deed can benefit the mind and body.
Secrets of the Museum (BBC2, 8pm)
A customised 1962 Chevy Impala has arrived at the Victoria & Albert for a new exhibition dedicated to cars. But this unique vehicle has come all the way from Los Angeles and as if that move was not tough enough, Catherine Sargent is now concerned it will be a tight fit getting such a large car into the exhibition space. Curator Alice Minter has chosen a table with a micro-mosaic top as part of an exhibition to tour the world, but it will need some serious restoration work before it can go anywhere, and a rare medieval jewel undergoes a deep clean. Last in the series.
Noughts + Crosses (BBC1, 9pm)
The Hadleys and the McGregors both attend Callum’s passing-in parade to the military academy, where Meggie sees a familiar face from the past and Kamal makes a controversial speech to the assembled crowd. Callum and Sephy snatch a moment together and realise they must find a place that they can be alone together - but Lekan suspects Sephy is hiding something from him and is on the rampage. Meanwhile, Jude is getting involved deeper with Dorn and his ambitions to make himself the new leader of terrorist group the Liberation Militia.
Hospital (BBC2, 9pm)
The documentary focuses on medically fit patients stranded in hospital due to a lack of after-care. They include a 70-year-old vascular dementia patient who is stuck in Aintree University Hospital until he and his wife can find a residential home to deal with his complex needs. Plus, the story of a three-yearold with a rare genetic disease who has been waiting in hospital for eight months while his local council take the extraordinary decision to build him and his family an entire house equipped with everything the youngster requires.
Shipman: 5 Mistakes That Caught a Killer (C5, 10pm)
Twenty years ago, serial killer Harold Shipman was convicted of murdering 15 of his patients by injecting them with diamorphine. However, he is believed to have been responsible for the deaths of more than 200 people. This documentary reveals the string of mistakes that led to his arrest. One of them was establishing a pattern and drawing attention to himself. Often, his victims were found fully dressed and sitting up - unusual for elderly patients who he claimed had been unwell in the weeks beforehand, while his lack of computer skills also led to his downfall.
FRIDAY
Sport Relief 2020 (BBC1, 7pm)
Has it really been two years since the last sporting fund-raiser? Afraid so, and here’s a chance to dig deep once more as celebs reveal how they have been doing their bit for assorted worthy causes. Viewers of The One Show will already have glimpsed the likes of Louise Minchin, Nick Grimshaw and Samantha Womack being pushed to their limits in unbearable heat. Expect an update on their joint Namibia venture here. The night is hosted by some of the best loved names from the worlds of sport and entertainment, including Gary Lineker, Paddy McGuinness and some new faces for 2020. Oti Mabuse, Tom Allen, Paddy McGuinness, Maya Jama, Emma Willis, Rylan Clark-Neal and Alex Scott will also be joining in with the proceedings.
How Healthy Is Your Gut? (C4, 8pm)
With digestive problems costing British business billions of pounds each year, and constipation issues being a drain on the NHS, there’s little wonder programme-makers decided to address the issue. In this one-off documentary, Sabrina Grant explores just why the gut is so important to our overall well being and how it affects everything from our moods and energy, to sleep and health. With the aid of six volunteers, all with a typical abdomen complaint, Sabrina puts some of the most popular regimes to the test and sees whether they actually work. Cameras follow the subjects as they attempt everything, including the radical bone broth diet, colonic hydrotherapy and a 10-night intense detox programme.
The Yorkshire Steam Railway: All Aboard (C5, 8pm)
The August bank holiday coincides with a heatwave and in the old carriage kitchen, Sammie swelters with 100 meals to prepare and serve, while on the loco footplates the boiler kicks out an extra 1,000 degrees of heat. A trackside wall collapse threatens to stop the railway in its tracks, though a curious group of volunteers called the Wombles comes to the rescue, working through the night to get it fixed. Elsewhere, Piglet comes up with a moneyspinner by sending one of the locos, little Engine 29, to another railway.
Celebrity Britain by Barge: Then & Now (C5, 9pm)
Bill Oddie, Jennie Bond, Anne Diamond and Pete Waterman head to Northamptonshire to navigate the mighty Grand Union Canal, at one time the busiest waterway on the network and the vital transport link between Birmingham and London. Travelling from north of Milton Keynes to the old canal port of Braunston, they celebrate the ‘boat people’, who once lived and worked on canals, keen to uncover the secrets of this lost community. Travelling through a dark and deadly tunnel at Weedon Bec, they also visit a once secret arms store.
A Question of Sport Relief (BBC2, 10pm)
It’s more than 50 years since that debut episode of A Question of Sport aired; David Vine asked the questions, while the team captains were Henry Cooper and Cliff Morgan. Few at the time thought it would still be going strong in 2020, or that it would help raise so much cash for a worthy cause. Sue Barker has hosted the show since 1997, so naturally she’s back for this special edition.