WHAT’S HOT TO WATCH TODAY
THE snag with a lot of these US dramas is they require us to make a huge investment, timewise. So it’s tough deciding which to commit to. What if, for example, you can’t choose between a slick new science-fiction saga and a sweeping, epic drama that takes us back to the days of America’s Wild West?
Well, funnily enough there’s a handy solution to that particular dilemma, because
WESTWORLD (9pm, Sky Atlantic) is effectively both.
It’s inspired by a film that came out way back in 1973, arguably the most unsettling to hit the cinemas that year. No, not Carry On Girls but Westworld in its original big-screen form, starring the legendary Yul Brynner.
Like that movie, this new series, from America’s ever reliable HBO, takes us to a vast Westernstyled theme park, populated by disturbingly human-like synthetic hosts, programmed to satisfy every wish, fantasy and dark desire – no consequences, no repercussions – of those who pay to visit.
And also like that movie, the tech is about to go horribly haywire.
A top-notch cast is led by Anthony Hopkins and Ed Harris. ALSO harking back to another age is TIMESHIFT: WHEN
WRESTLING WAS GOLDEN – GRAPPLES, GRUNTS AND
GRANNIES (9.45pm, BBC Four), a film recalling old-time heroes of the ring such as Giant Haystacks, Big Daddy. Jackie ‘Mr TV’ Pallo and Mick McManus, all of whom were once huge TV stars. It’s been on before but it’s brilliant stuff. IN EASTENDERS (7.30pm, BBC1), can some words of wisdom from Billy Mitchell (yes, really) persuade Ian the Weasel to stop being such an a*se in his treatment of Jane?