FUN... AT THE DOUBLE!
ALL this week, we have been pointing you towards the best shows available on catch-up and via streaming services in this indispensable series. We’ve already given you riotous comedies, compelling dramas, fascinating factual shows and magical movies, and today, in the final one, the Mail’s Mike Mulvihill and Robin Wiggs round up the best family entertainment shows.
PRIMETIME PERFECTION
Strictly Come Dancing YOUTUBE
The highlights of the last BBC series are available to watch now on YouTube. Among the 15 couples taking to the floor were the cumbersome rower James Cracknell, fleet-footed children’s TV presenter Karim Zeroual, YouTube star Saffron Barker and Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher, who made quite the impact after being drafted in as a late replacement. One series Living With Lucy VIRGIN MEDIA PLAYER A full series from everyone’s favourite lodger that’s availabel to watch from start to finish. Our Lucy has packed her bags and moved in with some of best of them. This series sees her put on her pyjamas to hang out with a variety of famous faces from Gemma Collins, and Kellie Maloney to more homegrown stars like Christy Dignam and Shane Long. It’s a rollercoaster ride for some — poor Gemma weeps so much she makes her mascara run — but as ever, it’s entertaining and insightful as we get a glimpse into the real lives of our stars. One series
MasterChef iPLAYER
If you’ve missed the current, 16th series of the cookery show, fear not because all episodes are available on catch-up now. Cooking doesn’t get much tougher than this, particularly when you have to impress judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode. Current series Room To Improve RTE PLAYER Missing your Dermot Bannon fix? Look no further than the RTE Player to have everyone’s favourite architect on tap. We go back to the very beginning to watch just how our Dermot began his TV show before it all took off and he became a household name. For those who are looking for a bit of home renovation inspiration, there are many designs to give you some ideas. Twelve series
Saturday Night Takeaway ITV HUB
It was off our screens for a year, and now Ant and Dec have had to seriously adapt their show — so rooted in face-to-face joy — to the challenges of the coronavirus. They’ve managed admirably, and Takeaway remains the best Saturday night show in the business. If you want more of the dynamic duo, there’s an episode of Friends Like These, their 20-year-old BBC gameshow, to be found on YouTube. The Voice ITV HUB Catch up with the latest series of the aspiring singing competition, with judges will.i.am, Tom Jones, Olly Murs and Meghan Trainor in the spinning chairs. They’ll only turn if they’re impressed by what they hear. The live semi-finals and final have been postponed to later this year so you have plenty of time to catch up before then. Current series
Gogglebox ALL4
All 15 series of this hilarious review show, featuring Britain’s sharpest armchair critics, are available on Channel 4’s catch-up service. Go back to the early series to hear the insightful, passionate and emotional critiques of some of the show’s biggest names, from Steph and Dom to Scarlett Moffatt, the Rev Kate Bottley and the lovely Leon and June. 15 series The Great British Bake Off ALL4 Here are the last three series since the nation’s favourite baking show moved
from BBC1 to Channel 4. Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding were an unlikely duo to replace Mel and Sue, but they worked brilliantly and shared an easy chemistry with judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. When the show returns, Matt Lucas will be taking Sandi Toksvig’s place in the tent. Three series
Hunted ALL4
The high-octane series in which ordinary British citizens must try and evade capture for up to 28 days to claim a share of a £100,000 cash prize has been a huge hit for Channel 4. Catch all six series here, including the most recent one when two pairs of fugitives successfully reached their extraction point. Six series.
Top Gear NETFLIX
There are six series of the petrolheads’ ultimate car extravaganza available to watch now, from the last couple of series with Jeremy Clarkson, James Hammond and James May at the wheel, through Chris Evans’s ill-fated time in the driving seat to Matt LeBlanc and Chris Harris’s tenure. From the gleaming cars to the madcap challenges, this is one show that will keep the entire family entertained. Six series Ant & Dec’s DNA Journey ITV HUB
In this two-part documentary — ITV’s answer to Who Do You Think You Are? — the Geordie duo share a very personal journey through their ancestral history. Using their DNA as a starting point, they set out on an emotional trip that takes them to Ireland and America. And make sure you don’t miss the surprise revelation at the end. Surely Ant and Dec can’t be related, can they? Wild Things NOWTV/SKY
This game show is an absolute hoot. Jason Byrne and Kate Humble host from a specially constructed course in the woods, where mayhem ensues as six teams try to bumble their way to a cash prize — with the catch being that one of each pair is dressed head-to-toe as a woodland creature and unable to see, and the other half must guide them. Sometimes it’s difficult to know whether to cheer or laugh. Two series
American Ninja Warrior NOWTV/SKY
Contenders take on an intimidating obstacle course in this enjoyably high-stakes contest from the U.S., and do so for the hallowed right to tackle an even bigger one — the feared Mount Midoriyama. Vastly superior to Netflix’s similar but strangely boring Ultimate Beastmaster, although not as fun as the smaller-scale UK version, which is currently not available on demand. One series
You Vs Wild NETFLIX
Should Bear Grylls cross that river, go through those caves or wrestle that alligator? Such are the choices presented to the viewer in his interactive series, in which you decide how several different survival adventures unfold. There’s a lot of fun to be had in the choices, and all the debate makes this a lot more sociable than a lot of TV. Eight episodes
Grease Live! NETFLIX
Julianne Hough and Aaron Tveit play Sandy and Danny in a full-on staged TV production that captures the feel of both stage and film, and picked up five Emmy Awards in 2016. Jessie J sings the title song, and High School Musical’s Vanessa Hudgens, whose dad died the night before she recorded this, does a great job as the sardonic Rizzo.
Cheer NETFLIX
This mind-blowing fly-onthe-gymnasium-wall series follows the cheerleaders of Navarro College as they prepare for the biggest moment of their lives — the national championships. The dedication and sacrifices made by these remarkable young people is a sight to behold. This U.S. show became an unlikely hit in the UK. One series
High School Musical: The Series DISNEY+
The High School Musical movies were a sensation a decade ago, and launched the career of Zac Efron among others. This new series is told in a mockumentary style, and follows a background dancer from the original films who is now working as a drama teacher, and puts on an actual high school musical production of High School Musical. One series Encore! DISNEY+
A joyful real-life show very much in the High School Musical spirit, in which old school friends reunite as adults and try to re-stage their school musical productions from so many years ago. It’s hosted by the perky Kristen Bell, who is the voice of Anna in the Frozen movies. One series
The World According To Jeff Goldblum DISNEY+
Who wouldn’t want to spend time in Jeff Goldblum’s world? In this 12-part series, the eccentric U.S. actor explores the world, covering a separate topic each time. From running shoes and video games to ice-creams and coffee, Jeff wants to get to the bottom of their history and popularity, chatting with experts with broad knowledge and experience in these subjects. One series