BEST OF THE REST
BUY IT NOW FOR CHRISTMAS
Channel 4, 8pm
YES, it’s another series presented by Rylan Clark-Neal. No, we don’t care because we love him.
Bumped up to an hour and into a primetime slot for Christmas, imagine if Dragon’s Den was a game show, with an audience vote element – that’s the premise here.
Inventors from across the UK bring their products into the studio, in the hope of impressing the audience of shoppers but – let’s be honest, more importantly – representatives from some pretty huge retailers.
It’s the busiest time of the year in retail, and a huge order from Amazon Launchpad, JML or Lakeland could be absolutely life-changing.
Those hoping to get their products onto high street or virtual shelves include a retired couple from Yorkshire and their cafetiere with a twist, a woman from Newcastle who’s all about the marmalade (and gin), and a nine year old girl who’s invented a card game to help improve numeracy.
UPRIGHT
Sky Atlantic, 10pm
A CLEVER decision to sneak this new comedy drama onto our screens at the end of November, as this feels like it could end up in a few ‘Best TV of the year’ lists.
It’s a pretty strange set up: a broke and broken loner loser (ironically called Lucky) learns his mother has days left to live and so sets off on a road trip across the country to say his goodbyes.
And as this country is Australia, we’re talking 4,000km. Oh, and he’s taking his only cherished possession in the world with him – a battered upright piano.
That all sounds a pretty grim prospect, but things get even worse when his world literally collides with that of mouthy teenager Meg, and he reluctantly finds himself with a new travelling companion.
Musical star Tim Minchin turns gritty and grumpy to play Lucky, while Meg is played by Aussie newcomer Milly Alcock.