Enjoy a hair-raising ride

IS IT my imagination or are the Hairy Bikers never off our screens? It certainly feels that way, and yet I recently read another TV critic (yes, apparently other TV critics are available) saying it was great to see them back on the road at last, with their new series HAIRY BIKERS: ROUTE 66 (BBC2, 8pm).

I can only assume what’s happened is my mind has got itself in a muddle, thanks to how often we have the Good Food Channel on in our house.

Besides its endless repeats of Rick Stein, plus some really ancient James Martin shows recorded when the host was about 12, the

Good Food Channel is forever showing Hairy Bikers re-runs.

So, in my head at least, this pair are ubiquitous. Outside my head, however, this isn’t quite the case.

Having taken the trouble to do some proper research – I’ve checked it on Wikipedia – I’ve discovered that this new six-parter is actually their first foodie travelogue for almost two years. So, yes, no wonder they’re excited.

More than 2,000 miles they’ll be travelling, through nine states, from Chicago to Los Angeles, “meeting the incredible people who populate this iconic route” (it’s a full 87 seconds, by the way, before we get the first “iconic” of the series).

Episode one includes a visit to an Amish community – a trip that throws up something of a practical challenge for their camera crew.

“Amish don’t allow their faces to be filmed,” explains the woman who’s set it up for them.

Elsewhere tonight, the final part of LOST FILMS OF WORLD WAR TWO (BBC4, 9pm) features further extraordinary amateur footage.

A Suffolk naval officer appears to have recorded much of his without permission, including the harrowing aftermath of a torpedo attack on his ship.

But there’s plenty of lighter material as well, from clips of schoolkids digging for victory, to a series of morale-boosting comedy films created by a pair of pioneering chaps in a Lincolnshire village. I particularly like their snowman dressed as Hitler.

Finally, WATCHDOG LIVE (BBC1, 8pm) is back for yet another six-part run.

Tonight’s programme, we’ve been informed, will include “allegations about a safety device in millions of homes”.

Got you worried, that? Me too. I appreciate they’re keen for millions of us to tune in, to find out what particular device they’re referring to, but I can’t help thinking that if they’re really so concerned for our safety they’d have issued a public warning the moment they found out.

Hey, how about a consumer show that investigates consumer shows?

It’s just a thought.