PICKS OF THE DAY
Comedy: Mum, 10pm, BBC2
This subtle family comedy is shown from the perspective of Cathy (Lesley Manville, far left) and charts a year in her life. This is not just any old 12 months though, it is the first year since the death of her husband. Episode one of the new series opens with the funeral in January and ends six episodes later on New Year’s Eve. Amid the grief of losing her partner, Cathy is determined not to wallow in self-pity and instead wants to find out who she really is and possibly learn to love again. In the series opener tonight, Cathy is waiting at home for the funeral cars but must battle with her brother’s other half and meet her son’s over-enthusiastic girlfriend. Peter Mullan (near left) co-stars in this promising comedy from BBC2.
Entertainment: The Graham Norton Show, 10.35pm, BBC1
X-Men: Apocalypse will be the main topic on Graham’s sofa this evening because he is joined by stars of the new movie James McAvoy and Jennifer Lawrence (left). Also on tonight’s bill are singer-songwriter Pia Mia and The Voice UK judge will.i.am, who performs his new single, Boys And Girls, in the studio. Audience members get 15 seconds of fame but their stories had better be good once they’re in the red chair. NB: 11.15pm in NI AND EIRE
Technology: The Gadget Show, 7pm, Channel 5
The team is in Spain tonight looking at what the modern world is doing to make the life of the holidaymaker easier. One of the banes of any trip away is the journey and Ortis Deley asks how advances in luggage and entertainment have helped make flying less arduous. As the series draws to a close, Jon Bentley examines new tablets and cameras while Jason Bradbury (above) shows off pool party gizmos.
Drama: The Secret, 9pm, ITV
Episode three of four arrives tonight and the tension is really escalating. Colin (James Nesbitt, above) and Hazel are prevented from being together until verdicts of suicide are revealed by the coroner. However, she decides their toxic relationship must end and the pair attempt to move on from their crimes. But when the dentist’s eldest son dies in a freak accident he is certain it is a punishment from God for the murders.
Cookery: Rick Stein’s Long Weekends, 9pm, BBC2
As he eats goulash, tafelspitz and weiner schnitzel this evening, Rick Stein could only be in one city – Vienna. While there the renowned chef (right) also learns the correct etiquette for visiting the Austrian capital’s coffee houses and samples a delicious plate of apple strudel. Away from the food he finds time to take in traditional music of the region – typically Mozart and Strauss – and learns more about the history of the place.