FOUR OF THE BEST
Live England International Football Channel 4, 7pm
The top two flights in English football are on yet another international break this weekend because Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions are in action. They’re at Wembley for a Euro 2024 qualifying match against minnows Malta and those looking on will be expecting a big win for the home team – last time out, England beat reigning champions Italy 3–1, while the reverse fixture of this game, which took place back in June in Ta’qali saw them defeat their opponents 4–0. They’ll be back next week too, when they travel to North Macedonia.
Monty Don’s American Gardens BBC2, 8pm
The horticulturalist explores gardens of early independent America, learning how the history of the South is still very much evident in the places and people he meets. He visits the famous garden where President Thomas Jefferson, one of America’s founding fathers, enjoyed spending his time seeking out seeds and plants for his 1,000-ft vegetable garden. From there he heads to Charleston, which boasts some of the most beautiful trees in the world and learns about the life of the plantations there. Later, in Miami, Monty visits one of the most spectacular Renaissance recreations built on marshland.
Big Brother: Live Final STV, 9pm
When Channel 4 decided the format was no longer worthwhile, Big Brother moved to Channel 5. It was eventually dumped from there, too, supposedly due to low ratings. ITV’S new revamped run exploded onto our screens roughly six weeks ago, amid plenty of fanfare, picking up 2.5million viewers. Is that enough to ensure another series will follow? We’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, those who have tuned in have been treated to the kind of arguments, backbiting, challenges and laughter we’ve come to expect from such programmes – but now it’s all coming to an end. AJ Odudu and Will Best take charge of the final in which the 20th champion will be crowned.
The Good Ship Murder Channel 5, 9pm
It may be about as cheesy as a crime drama can be, but there’s no denying this bright and breezy series is rather appealing – there are few better ways to unwind after a long week at work than by tuning in to something as undemanding yet easy on the eye. This time the luxury liner arrives in Sicily, where wealthy but terminally ill, locally–born businessman Roberto hopes to spend his final days. He wants his new wife Freya to take over the family firm when the time comes, a fact that doesn’t go down well with someone who decides to give nature a little push…