TV PICKS OF THE WEEK
ELAINE PAIGE AT THE BBC Saturday, BBC2, 8.30pm
BBC2 is dedicating an evening to the first lady of the West End (although she’s also conquered Broadway, the charts and Radio 2), Elaine Paige.
It begins with a compilation of some of her finest performances at the BBC, including signature songs like Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, Memory and I Know Him So Well.
There are also rarer gems from the early days of her career. It’s followed by the documentary Evita: The Making of a Superstar, which features contributions from Elaine, who played her on stage, and the night ends with Elaine Paige: I’m Still Here.
THE GOOD KARMA HOSPITAL Sunday, ITV, 8pm
Anybody who has watched the sun-kissed drama during its fourseries run will tell you that life is far from easy for the staff and patients.
They’ve all dealt with numerous problems over the years, but few have proved to be as devastating as the one Ruby is about to face – she must answer a few difficult questions as the dust settles on a decision she
may live to regret. Meanwhile, a new doctor arrives and Lydia is being kept in the dark by Greg.
THE RESPONDER MONDAY, BBC1, 9pm
The drama continues as a talk with his therapist makes Chris (Martin Freeman) realise he should do the right thing and hand the drugs in. Unfortunately, he then gets a phone call from Carl and instead offers to find the stash for £30,000.
Meanwhile, Rachel agrees to help Mullen with an official investigation into
Chris and his corruption, only to be left torn when her partner helps her boyfriend escape a cocaine charge. The two start to bond but can Chris convince her that he’s on the straight and narrow?
RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE: UK VERSUS THE WORLD TUESDAY, BBC Three, 9pm
To mark the channel’s relaunch, the makers of the award-winning Rupaul’s Drag Race UK are back with a brand-new spin-off series. Nine legendary Drag Race queens from
around the world enter the Werk Room prepared for fierce battle as they compete for the much coveted title of Queen Of The World.
Tonight, Rupaul introduces the global glamazons to each other for the first time and sets them their first challenge – to stage their very own Royal Command performance. Mel C joins Michelle Visage and Graham Norton on the judging panel, as the first queen departs the competition.
INSIDE THE FACTORY Wednesday BBC2, 9pm
The Denby factory in Derbyshire has been making pottery and stoneware since 1809 after local entrepreneur
William Bourne discovered the strength and quality of the local clay. Gregg Wallace follows craftspeople in the production of one of the factory’s best sellers, the Halo Heritage mug. Meanwhile, Cherry Healey visits a cutting-edge car factory that uses clay to make life-sized models of its new designs.
KATE GARRAWAY’S LIFE STORIES THURSDAY, ITV, 9pm
Last December, the Good Morning Britain star became Piers Morgan’s final guest before he bowed out of the show after presenting 103 episodes. He then handed over the baton to Kate herself, who is
grabbing it with both hands. “I’ve always loved having the chance to talk to people, both on air and off,” she says. “Everyone has a story to tell and the wonderful thing about this show is that you have the airtime to delve into the areas of guests’ lives that the viewers might
not know about already.” Expect plenty of revelations when singer Charlotte Church, Nadiya Hussain and John Barnes sit in the hot seat.
WINTER OLYMPICS: OPENING CEREMONY FRIDAY, BBC1, 11.30am
Beijing is set become the first city to stage both the Summer and Winter Olympics. It will feature three major themes: world peace, the Olympic legacy and Beijing 2022’s motto “Together for a Shared Future”. Ayo Akinwolere kicks off coverage on BBC One at 12.25am with Team GB’S Curling duo Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds in action.