PICK OF TODAY’S TV

BRIAN COX: HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVE, 9PM, CH5

HE PLAYS rabidly rich media mogul Logan Roy in Succession but, as we saw in last week’s episode, the real Brian Cox is far more down-to-earth and attentive to the needs of those less well off than himself. In this concluding episode, Cox — in ‘intrepid reporter’ mode — focuses on his adopted home of America, where he meets people for whom the American Dream has made them, or failed them. He’s a bit of a fish out of water talking to and shopping with model and influencer Caroline Derpienski in Miami. Originally from Poland, Caroline makes her living convincing people she is living the dream, and selling it on to them. He doesn’t shy away from pulling her up on what exactly she is selling and what, if any of it, is real. Things get very real when Cox heads to New York City, where he now lives. Away from his own leafy neighbourhood, Cox goes to Harlem, by subway, where he meets the people who disprove the idea that America is the land of opportunity. He spends time with activist Shams DaBaron (pictured with Cox), who uses his experiences of living on the streets to help others; Brian learns about the harsh, cold realities of a homeless life, and is dismayed to hear how the wealth gap is ever widening.