TV PICKS OF THE WEEK
FARGO Tonight, Channel 4, 10pm
SOME people may have originally been a bit bemused by the idea of a drama anthology series set in the world of the Coen brothers Oscar-winning film Fargo, but not focusing on the same characters.
However, the first three series proved that the concept definitely worked, and brought us great performances from Martin Freeman, Billy Bob Thornton, Kirsten Dunst and Ewan McGregor among others.
So expectations are high for this fourth instalment, which unfolds in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1950 and sees two crime syndicates vying for control.
This time around, the cast is led by Chris Rock as a crime boss who has come up with an intriguing business idea, with support from Ben Whishaw and rising star Jessie Buckley.
THE QUEEN AND HER COUSINS WITH ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG
Tomorrow, ITV, 9pm
ALTHOUGH Alexander Armstrong is not of royal blood himself, the Pointless host is nevertheless curious to know what it means to be part of the extended royal family.
He travels across the country to meet Her Majesty’s cousins. Using the monarch’s vast family tree as his road map, he catches up with relatives from many branches of her family.
HOSPITAL Tuesday, BBC2, 9pm
TO say the last year has been extra-ordinary for the NHS is an understatement. The documentary series returns to tell the story of these unprecedented times, dealing with a pandemic.
This first episode captures a pivotal moment at University Hospitals Coventry, which delivered the world’s first Covid vaccine outside of a trial, as it fights to restore services. The critical care unit is at capacity and, despite numbers falling in the community, it is still treating seriously ill
Covid patients.
DAVINA McCALL: SEX, MYTHS AND THE MENOPAUSE
Wednesday, Channel 4, 9pm FOR many women, entering the menopause is something they don’t want to talk about. In fact, as McCall reveals here, she was advised, when hers began at the age of 44, not to discuss it publicly because it could ruin her image.
Nine years on, she’s determined that others shouldn’t go through such a situation and hopes that by opening up about her own symptoms – which included hot flushes, depression, mental fog and confusion, all of which she tried to hide – women everywhere will be encouraged to chat about their own experiences.
LEIGH-ANNE: RACE, POP & POWER
Thursday, BBC1, 9pm
WINNING The X Factor as part of
Little Mix was a dream come true for Leigh-Anne Pinnock, but she quickly received a wake-up call. She was on the set of her first video rehearsal when Beyonce’s Creative Director Frank Gatson told her “you’re the black girl, you have to work ten times harder”. It’s a remark that has stayed with her.
Now, she’s exploring her experiences of racism and what it’s like to be a black woman in the music industry, while also addressing wider issues around unconscious bias and colourism.
LATER – WITH JOOLS HOLLAND
Friday, BBC2, 10pm
THE Piano Man returns with a second six-part series of the year.
Tonight, he welcomes Noel Gallagher, who looks back at 10 years of his band the High Flying Birds. Also this week, Jorja Smith will be singing Home, a track from her new project Be Right Back, and The Black Keys perform a rendition of a RL Burnside track, Going Down South.
THE JONATHAN ROSS SHOW Saturday, ITV, 9.35pm
THE host welcomes singers Paloma Faith and Tom Jones, who at 80 has just become the oldest male to reach number one in the UK album chart.
Guardians of the Galaxy, Spectre and Blade Runner 2049 star Dave Bautista will also be dropping in to chat to Jonathan, along with comedian James Acaster.
Plus, rock duo Royal Blood will perform in the studio.