What not to miss in the week ahead
DOCUMENTARY Sue Perkins: Along the US- Mexico Border
While news coverage in the US is that Mexico is full of drug trafficking, violent cartels and desperate migrants, Sue Perkins travels 2,000 miles from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico to find out for herself, criss- crossing between these two great countries, to meet those who call the borderland home.
Sue starts her journey in the Mexican city of Tijuana, on the Pacific Coast, at the western end of the border. She kicks off by sampling lots of the local tipple, tequila, on a night out with a student, before the more sober business the next day of helping a group of Honduran volunteers build a hostel for fellow refugees fleeing violence in their country, and hearing from a young mother about the perilous journey she made for the sake of her children’s future. Sue also discovers there’s an unexpected invasion of migrants – American retirees who have settled south of the border for the good life and an ocean at an affordable price.
Monday and Tuesday, BBC1, 9pm
DOCUMENTARY
The Black Full Monty
Follow the fortunes of The Chocolate Men – A black- owned business making waves as Britain’s first allblack touring strip dancing group, filmed during their 2018 nationwide tour. With a revealing look at what brings audiences from all walks of life flocking to their performances, the men behind the shows explain what motivates them to bare all. Thursday, Channel 4, 10pm
DOCUMENTARY
Zoo Mum – Our Lives
Whatever is happening in the outside world, life inside Colchester Zoo goes on. The latest documentary in BBC1’ s Our Lives series follows Sarah Forsyth, curator at one of Britain’s biggest zoos, during a summer like no other.
With four out of five of her keeping staff furloughed, Sarah, who lives on site, has to cope as best she can. But there’s a summer baby boom with new arrivals to care for, including five baby cheetahs. Dealing with animal emergencies, keeping everyone fit and healthy as well as coping with unique situations caused by the lack of visitors is a never ending job. The zoo is running out of money, so a surprise announcement that the gates can re- open is good news – if Sarah and her team can be ready in time...
Wednesday, BBC1, 7: 30pm
FOOD James Martin’s Saturday Morning/ Ainsley’s Food We Love
Saturday mornings are devoted to food on BBC1 and STV and the latter refreshes its offering with a new series of James Martin’s Saturday Morning, followed by Ainsley Harriot’s Food We Love. Motorsport reporter Suzi Perry, former JLS singer Marvin Humes and Michelinstarred chef Daniel Clifford join Martin in the kitchen, while Harriot is offering his take on family favourite recipes.
Today, STV, 9: 25am/ 11: 35am
DRAMA
Battlestar Galactica
A new version of the space adventure is being made by Mr Robot creator Sam Esmail, but this is a rerun of the classic sci- fi series from 2004. The showrunner was Ronald D Moore, the powerhouse behind Outlander, and is set in a distant star system where humanity is brought to the brink of extinction from a nuclear attack by a race of artificial lifeforms called Cylons. The surviving humans are hunted across space as they search for a new place they can call home: the legendary lost colony Earth. The strong casts includes Edward James Olmos, Mary Mcdonnell and Katee Sackhoff. It kicks off with a double bill and the whole series will be available on iplayer shortly after. ■
Today, BBC2, 9: 45pm