WHAT’S HOT TO WATCH TODAY
TODAY we pose the question that’s been nagging us for goodness knows how long. Namely: Sheep – are they as dim as we think?
Actually, it’s not specifically me who’s asking it but a new three-part documentary series called SECRET LIFE OF FARM ANIMALS (8pm, BBC Four).
And the answer? In a nutshell, no, they’re not.
According to this programme, sheep are actually highly social, extraordinarily empathetic, great at recognising faces and have “gyroscopic eyeballs with 320-degree vision”.
So there you go. A set of qualities which must come in dead handy at their office Christmas party. STILL on an animal theme, and still sort of festive-ish, the same time slot on Channel 4 features THE SUPERVET AT CHRISTMAS, with Noel Fitzpatrick under particular pressure, given the time of year, to fix a labrador, a dalmatian and a crossbreed puppy, all of whom have particularly painful conditions. ELSEWHERE, Sky Atlantic’s thriller FORTITUDE is back for one last run (9pm), getting off to a typically crazy start. Two new officers are being sent from Oslo, keen to establish what the hell is going on this isolated arctic settlement, while the increasingly doolally sheriff Dan Anderssen (Richard Dormer) is getting set to defend his community.
AND finally, a cheerful reminder, while you’re continuing your Christmas shopping, that there are lots of lousy con-persons out there, ready and eager to fleece you. CHRISTMAS BUYERS BEWARE: TONIGHT (7.30pm, ITV) has the details, along with tips on how to avoid falling victim to these scumbags.