Horizon: What’s Wrong With Our Weather?
BBC2, 8pm
You won’t just learn something watching this science programme, you’ll be scared witless as well. Although we didn’t get all of the world’s 1.4 trillion tonnes of rain, there were days last winter, the wettest on record, when it felt like it. So is there anything we can do about this wild weather or is it part of a trend? The answer is yes and no, but unfortunately not in that order.
BBC2, 9pm
The Honourable Woman isn’t listed as an educational programme, but by the end of Thursday’s episode I had a similar feeling to when I sat my Physics GCSE. I’m sure it made sense to someone but was a bit too taxing for me. The problem is that it zips back and forth so it’s quite hard to follow exactly where we are. Perhaps putting the date in the top right-hand corner would help, which is, ironically, all I managed on my Physics paper.
First Night Of The Proms
BBC2, 8pm
Katie Derham (pictured right) introduces a performance of Elgar’s biblical oratorio, The Kingdom, as the world’s foremost classical music festival gets under way for another year at the Royal Albert Hall. After the very British opening, future concerts (there are 76 crammed into 58 days) take in music from South Korea, Qatar and Lapland. There will also be performances by the Pet Shop Boys and Paloma Faith.
BBC1, 8.30pm
I look on MasterChef as I would a lone vol-auvent on a plate – I can take it or leave it but the Celebrity version is a much more satisfying dish. And this year’s incarnation has been an absolute delight, with Ken Morley’s fried lettuce, Alison Hammond’s health warning of a prawn cocktail and the fact that even narrator India Fisher has called Christopher Biggins “Biggins” throughout the competition. There’s been some good cooks too, although I wonder how stickthin Made In Chelsea model Millie Macktintosh got so adept at cooking – she clearly doesn’t eat anything she prepares. Tonight, it’s the final and two more challenges for the talented trio who have made it thus far.
BBC4, 9pm
As has already been noted, the Proms are not averse to adding an electric guitar to their orchestra, but if you like your music with its hair let completely down you need to tune into BBC4. From Chuck Berry through to The White Stripes, this documentary traces the ebb and flow of the guitar riff over the last 60 years of popular music. Contributors include Brian May, Hank Marvin, Joan Jett and Johnny Marr.