PICKS OF THE DAY
Food And Drink: Bake Off: The Professionals, C4, 8pm
The semi-finals have arrived, with four teams battling it out for a place in the final. The challenges tonight include creating a magical Charlotte russe display within five hours, while at the same time preparing all the elements needed to perform a spectacular, piece of gourmet theatre known as live plating. At the end of the challenge, the teams have a mere three minutes to transform their table into a gastronomic work of illusion and theatre, under the tough gaze of judges Benoit Blin and Cherish Finden (both left, with Tom Allen and Liam Charles). Critics of the quality of this series thus far should bear in mind the difficulty of the tasks.
Documentary: The Rise Of The Murdoch Dynasty, BBC2, 9pm
In the second part of this mini-series a huge scandal threatens the dream of Rupert Murdoch (left) to pass on the family business to one of his children, resulting in “the most humble day” of his life, and it has been quite a life. In response to the revelations, the Murdoch empire goes on the offensive and the alliance against him comes under sustained pressure. However whistle-blowers begin to emerge, then a bombshell revelation changes public opinion.
Film: Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Film4, 9pm
If you have yet to see this movie, do not dismiss it as a lame offering made just to milk more money from the MI franchise; it holds its own as a film. The team of secret agents faces being shut down when the head of the CIA convinces the US Senate that it is too dangerous. The operatives of the Impossible Mission Force become fugitives when they defy orders. Spy thriller sequel, starring Tom Cruise (above).
Nature: This Week On The Farm, Channel 5, 8pm
Nothing beats rural night on Channel 5 each Tuesday. This show comes before Our Yorkshire Farm and here Rob and Dave (both above) go in search of a new Shetland stallion, help a newborn Highland calf that is struggling to feed, and give an alpaca a summer haircut. Away from Cannon Hall Farm, a harvest of one of the nation’s favourite vegetables gets under way in Lincolnshire.
Drama: Holby City, BBC1, 8pm
Kian (Ramin Karimloo, right) returns to Darwin Ward, determined to make amends with Jac. But when it becomes evident that forgiveness is not about to come easy, he goes into self-destruct mode – with almost fatal consequences. Meanwhile, a broken and struggling Essie searches for her purpose but where will she find the answer she seeks? Ric has his suspicions that Guy has fallen off the wagon and sets out to stop him working at Holby, once and for all.