THE HOT LIST
THE BEST OF TV AND STREAMING THIS WEEK
LET’S DANCE STRICTLY COME DANCING Saturday, September 18, BBC One, 7.45pm
THE nights are drawing in, the leaves are turning colour and Strictly is back - all sure signs that autumn is here. The familiar ritual of reveals about which celebrities are taking place has taken place, so now it’s time to see who’s got the moves and grooves as the likes of Robert Webb, Adam Peaty, John Whaite and Nina Wadia strut their stuff. Judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke (crossing the floor from dancing to judging) will be casting their critical eye over proceedings.
BAND ON THE RUN WHEN NIRVANA CAME TO BRITAIN Saturday, September 18, BBC Two, 9.30pm
CAN it really be 30 years since Nirvana erupted as global rock stars with the release of their second album Nevermind? This revealing documentary looks at how the UK took to Nirvana before the US and the rest of the world caught on to the searing power of the band’s big riffs, infectious tunes and cryptic lyrics. Journalists, booking agents, fans and promoters recall the encounters they had and the impact Kurt Cobain and co made before it all ended in such tragic circumstances. Straight aftewards, Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl looks back over his life and career in Reel Stories at 10.30pm.
FRONTLINE CARE
HELP Channel 4, Thursday, September 16, 9pm and streaming on All4
MOVING drama about the effects of the pandemic on the staff and residents at a Liverpool care home. Produced by and starring Stephen Graham and Jodie Comer, it tells the story of Sarah (Comer), a social misfit who finds her calling as a care worker and is able to form strong connections with residents. She is especially close to 47-year-old Tony (Graham), who has earlyonset Alzheimer’s, which means he has episodes of confusion and violence. But the good work Sarah is doing is put under severe strain when the effects of Covid on care homes start to take hold.
BACK TO BAKING GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF Channel 4, Tuesday, September 21, 8pm
ANOTHER staple of the autumn schedules is back as the Bake Off returns with its reassuring mix of rising expectations and soggy bottoms. The great thing about the Bake Off is that the contestants take it seriously enough but not too seriously, with hosts Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas adding comic relief while judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood cast their expert eyes over the bakers’ creations. Episode one is cake week and, as ever, the contestants have to do their own version of a classic recipe, complete a technical challenge and then create a showstopper to see who’ll be baker of the week… and who’ll get the boot.
RACING LEGEND SCHUMACHER Netflix
POWERFUL documentary looking at the life and career of F1 maestro Michael Schumacher, the seven-times world champion who suffered a severe brain injury in a skiing accident in 2013. This emotional film looks at Schumacher’s amazing achievements on the track which are counterbalanced by his long and private recovery at his home in Switerland, with contributions from his family as well as interviews with prominent F1 figures like Bernie Eccleston, Sebastian Vettel and David Coulthard.