Monday 17 January 2011

TV Picks: 17-23 January 2011 ('10'Clock Live', 'American Idol', 'Being Human', 'British Comedy Awards', 'Hattie', 'Nurse Jackie', 'Top Gear', 'The Tudors', etc.)

Monday 17 January 2011
Every Monday I browse the British TV schedules for the coming week, selecting each day's best new shows. Below you'll find the result of that work...

MONDAY 17th
Land Girls (BBC1, 2.15pm) Return of the period drama.
Perfection (BBC2, 4.30pm) Quizshow where contestants must strive for perfection. Hosted by Nick Knowles.
The Birth Of Britain (Channel 4, 8pm) Documentary on the geological creation of Britain. Presented by Tony Robinson.
Ready, Steady, Drink (BBC3, 9pm) Documentary on the UK's drinking culture, with actress Emily Atack from The Inbetweeners.

TUESDAY 18th
The Year Britain Froze (Channel 4, 8pm) Documentary on the treacherous weather UK conditions that bookended 2010.
Britain's Banks: Too Big To Save? (BBC2, 9pm) Documentary looking at what's been achieved and improved with the worldwide banking system following the crash two years ago.
My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding (Channel 4, 9pm) Five-part documentary on weddings for so-called travelers.
The Cleveland Show (E4, 10pm) Season 2 of the US animated comedy.
Coming Of Age (BBC3, 10.30pm) Teen sitcom.

WEDNESDAY 19th
Will My Crash Diet Kill Me? (Channel 4, 8pm) Two-part documentary on the dangers of crash diets.
Cowboy Builders (Five, 8pm) Series looking at the problems customers have with manipulative or incompetent builders.
Mary Portas: Secret Shoppers (Channel 4, 9pm) Four-part series on customer service. Presented by Mary Portas.
Hattie (BBC4, 9pm) Bio-drama of the popular comedian, famous for her roles in the Carry On movies. Starring Ruth Jones.
Never Mind The Buzzcocks (BBC2, 10pm) Previously unaired episode of the raucous pop quiz, hosted by Russell Brand shortly after the "Sachsgate" scandal.
The Joy Of Teen Sex (Channel 4, 10pm) Series exploring the sex lives of modern teenagers. Presented by Dr Rachael Jones.

THURSDAY 20th
Who Does What (BBC2, 7pm) Series where six couples are filmed 24/7, to shed light on their relationships.
American Idol (ITV2, 8pm) Return of the US singing competition. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, with new judges Jennifer Lopez and Stephen Tyler joining Randy Jackson. Continues Friday.
Rome Wasn't Built In A Day (Channel 4, 9pm) Six-part series where modern builders try to create an authentic Roman villa with today's techniques and materials.
10 O'Clock Live (Channel 4, 10pm) Brand new comedy series with a satirical view on the week's news. Presented by David Mitchell, Jimmy Carr, Lauren Laverne & Charlie Brooker.

FRIDAY 21st
Island Parish (BBC2, 7.30pm) Series looking at the lives of people from the Outer Hebrides.
The 50 Funniest Moments 2010 (Channel 4, 9pm) Countdown of last year's most hilarious incidents.

SATURDAY 22nd
British Comedy Awards 2010 (Channel 4, 9pm) Annual awards event, celebrating the best of UK comedy. Hosted by Jonathan Ross.
The Killing (BBC4, 9pm) Scandinavian crime drama. Double-bill.
The Tudors (BBC2, 9.45pm) Season 4 of the historical drama.
Nurse Jackie (BBC2, 10.40pm) Season 2 of the US medical drama. Stars Edie Falco, Eve Best, Merritt Wever, Paul Schulze & Peter Facinelli.

SUNDAY 23rd
Top Gear (BBC2, 8pm) Return of the motoring magazine series. Hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond & James May.
Terry Wogan's Ireland (BBC1, 9pm) Travelogue of Ireland. Presented by Terry Wogan.
Being Human (BBC3, 9pm) Series 3 of the supernatural comedy-drama. Stars Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey, Lenora Crichlow & Sinead O'Keenan.
Justice (BBC4, 9pm) Televised debate on modern Britain.