British Telly

A newsreader cracks a dodgy joke and his life implodes in Steven Moffat’s new series. Plus: Paul Whitehouse on great TV sketch shows. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, ITV1

A juicy swipe at cancel culture, which writer Steven Moffat swears isn’t based on real recent cases. The drama follows white, middle-aged, trusted national news anchor Douglas (Hugh Bonneville) whose career is about to go up in flames, thanks to a viral social media post about a sexist joke he made at a wedding. Things get worse when his younger, savvier co-host Madeline (Karen Gillan) reshares the post. With his boss (Ben Miles) telling him to be “balanced, boring and bland” and his newspaper editor wife (Alex Kingston) knowing how these things play out (“Delete these messages – I work with people who hack your phone!”), can Douglas avoid being cancelled? Hollie Richardson

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The first series of Russell T Davies’s return to Doctor Who – and Ncuti Gatwa’s first season at the helm of the world’s longest-running sci-fi show – came to an end with Saturday’s Empire of Death. But what did the show’s superfans make of the first Disney-backed season?

We spoke to four: Tony Jordan, 65, the coordinator of the Doctor Who Society, who’s watched since he was four years old; Lauren Amelia Miller, 31, a disabled writer and actress who’s been a fan since she was five and owns a Dalek nicknamed Woody; Zoe Butler, 23, a civil servant who started watching in 2005 and cites David Tennant as her favourite Doctor; and JJ, 28, who works in digital media, blogs on Doctor Who and has been a fan since 2012.

Archive

The truth is, TV superheroism is now a genre all of its own, with its own tropes, rules and language that have for the most part left the comics far behind.

Netflix’s Supacell, written and directed by rapper, record producer and director, Rapman is best seen within the context of that TV superhero genre and lineage. The six-episode show revolves around the lives of five individuals who spontaneously begin exhibiting superpowers – incredible strength, incredible speed, teleportation, invisibility… all the classics are represented. Where it differs from other superhero narratives is that all the people who get these powers live in South London, and are Black.

Its closest relations are not the Avengers, or even the Arrow-verse spandex crowd, but shows like The Umbrella Academy (which has an identity all of its own, distinct from the comics that inspired it), Misfits, Heroes, The 4400 and even The Tomorrow People.

While the future of Doctor Who is already confirmed in the short term - with the show returning for a Christmas special this year and another season next year - beyond that, things are currently less certain.

This is because the show's fate in its current form rests with Disney Plus, who the BBC did a deal with for the new era.

Not only does Disney distribute the series internationally, it also helps to finance it, meaning that while the show could continue without the streamer, its budget may have to be slashed.

The question of the show's future following what have been described as season 14's "underwhelming" ratings was raised in a recent article in The Times, and now the BBC has weighed in.

A BBC spokeswoman told the publication: "Overnight ratings no longer provide an accurate picture of all those who watch drama in an on-demand world.

"This season of Doctor Who premiered on iPlayer nearly 24 hours before broadcast, and episode 1 has already been viewed by nearly 6 million viewers and continues to grow.

"Doctor Who remains one of the most-watched programmes on iPlayer and is the BBC’s top drama for under-35s this year, making it one of the biggest programmes for the demographic across all streamers and broadcasters."

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Hopefully these assurances will calm fans' nerves about the show's future. It certainly appears that Davies seems hopeful, as he has already started writing season 16.

The writer has also confirmed that "there are offices that exist" that are dedicated solely to planning potential spin-offs, although what these would be focused on is currently unclear.

The Mercury Prize winner reflects on Glastonbury festivals past. Plus: Hilary Swank’s Eileen is off to the country fair on Alaska Daily. Here’s what to watch this evening

10pm, BBC Two

Glastonbury 2024 headliners Dua Lipa and Coldplay have already been profiled in this pre-festival hype strand. Now the spotlight falls on Little Simz, the 2022 Mercury prizewinner poised to make her Pyramid stage debut on Saturday night. It has been a fascinating journey for the rapper and Top Boy star, who first played Glasto in 2016. Here, she reflects on her previous experiences in deepest Somerset and shouts out some of her favourite festival sets. Graeme Virtue

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A Muscogee media group fights attempts to censor it in the run-up to an election. Plus: The Great British Sewing Bee. Here’s what to watch this evening

10pm, BBC Four

This documentary, which concerns the Muscogee journalist Angel Ellis’s battle for press freedom, is structured like a political thriller. The Muscogee Nation is the fourth-largest Native American tribe – and one of the few to have established an independent press. But that progressive movement was censored in 2018 by the tribe’s legislature, acting in self-interest in the run-up to an election. Ellis consistently says exactly what she thinks – can she win back the right to report whatever she sees fit? Jack Seale

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Krishnan Guru-Murthy hosts a debate on how to fix the NHS after a special Dispatches. Plus: an extra-long episode of House of the Dragon. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, Channel 4This exposé of the NHS’s dire state airs bang in the middle of the election campaign for maximum impact. It features footage secretly shot over two months by a reporter working inside an A&E department, and promises a litany of horrifying conditions – including seriously ill patients sleeping on chairs for days at a time, superbugs fed by overcrowding and ambulances having to queue for hours before dropping off patients. It’s followed by a debate hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy on how to fix the NHS. Alexi Duggins

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The actor is on a mission to learn the truth about witchcraft and women. Plus, Sabrina Carpenter performs the sizzling song of the summer. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, Channel 4

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The star takes a trip down memory lane with Dermot O’Leary. Plus, the tense climax of Swedish thriller Jana: Marked for Life. Here’s what to watch this evening

9.20pm, BBC Two

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Get comfy for an all-night run of the Isle of Wight Festival. Plus: will love bloom for the Nevermets? Here’s what to watch this evening

7pm, Sky ArtsFestival season is here – but with the likelihood of it being a washout year for many events, it might be best to stay at home and watch the highlights on TV. The Isle of Wight’s all-night run has a (very male-heavy) lineup including the Streets, the Darkness, the Prodigy, Pet Shop Boys, Green Day and the Pretenders. Hollie Richardson

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A documentary about the controversial world of NFTs. Plus, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen visits some outrageous homes. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, BBC Two

Wrap your head round the mind-boggling concept of NFTs – where modern art meets cryptocurrency – with this documentary about a contentious sale of works based on Star Wars Stormtrooper helmets. Artists, buyers and insiders help explain the story of the controversial man behind it all, Ben Moore – described more than once as a “chancer” – who became a millionaire overnight. But what was really going on? Hollie Richardson

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He tells the story of LGBTQ+ pop stars in a candid documentary. Plus, meet the dogs who save lives. Here’s what to watch tonight

9pm, ITV1

American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert has toured as the lead singer of Queen for more than a decade. Here, he looks at the history of LGBTQ+ stars in music – from the boldly queer to the more secretive mainstream – and asks: is the progress of pride slowing down? He has a great lineup of interviewees: Brian May and Roger Taylor remember Freddie Mercury, and he speaks candidly with singers such as Skunk Anansie’s Skin and Erasure’s Andy Bell, as well as Pose star Michaela Jaé Rodriguez. Hollie Richardson

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A gay man’s escape from persecution in Afghanistan is told beautifully through animation. Plus: the dreadful impact of one-punch killings. Here’s what to watch this evening

10pm, BBC Four

The breathtaking, Sundance-winning and Oscar-nominated animated documentary about a gay Afghan man’s remarkable story of escaping persecution hits the small screen. The man, “Amin”, is based on the director Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s friend, who in the 1980s made his way from war-torn Kabul to Denmark and revealed his tale through interviews, which are brought beautifully to life. Hollie Richardson

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The Game of Thrones prequel is back – and everyone is hungry for revenge. Plus: a shocking tale of deaths in the Mediterranean. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, Sky Atlantic

The first rule of Westeros? Don’t mess with a Targaryen queen’s children. In the case of this fiery Game of Thrones prequel, don’t let your dragon gobble up Rhaenyra Targaryen’s son. That was the cliff on which we were left hanging at the end of the first season – and it is sure to lead to all-out war between Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and her rival Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke). Don’t expect too much action in this slow-burn opener, though: there is plenty of plotting, alliance-making and world-building to set things up first. But an attention-grabbing payoff reminds us just how seriously George RR Martin’s characters take the act of seeking revenge. Hollie Richardson

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Netflix viewership isn’t the only thing “Bridgerton” has boosted.

According to Netflix, the Shonda Rhimes-produced universe –including Seasons 1-3 and spinoff “Queen Charlotte” — has added over a quarter of a billion pounds to the U.K. economy since its launch in December 2020, benefitting nearly 5,000 local businesses.

To mark the milestone, Rhimes will open markets for trading at the London Stock Exchange on Friday. The announcement was made after the second part of Season 3, which focuses on the romance between Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), launched on the streaming platform on Thursday.

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Indeed, “Bridgerton” has also boosted visitation to the areas in which it is set, including Bath and Bristol, and has led to a 51% increase in babies named Daphne, a 27% increase in the name Eloise and a 26% increase in Colin since its premiere.

They hit Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where there is a statewide drag ban. Plus: unwind with a trip to the Shetland islands. Here’s what to watch this evening

11pm, Sky Max

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They recall the rollercoaster year that England could have won. Plus: a thrilling two-part finale for Doctor Who. Here’s what to watch this evening

10.30pm, BBC One

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cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/13359804

Radio 1’s Sian Eleri will return to investigative work for BBC One and BBC Three's upcoming series, 'Paranormal: The Village That Saw Aliens.'

The series delves into strange happenings along the south-west coast of Wales during the 1970s and 1980s, dubbed the largest reported UFO and extra terrestrial activity in history.

Dozens of unconnected people in various locations spoke of terrifying sightings, sparking fear and intrigue.

The series, in particular, lays focus on a 1977 incident where 14 schoolboys in Broad Haven reported seeing a UFO in their school playground.

The boys' account, supported by similar drawings executed under exam conditions, set off a wave of unexplained happenings on the Welsh coastline.

Presenter Sian Eleri, initially a sceptic, delved deep into the historical incident, tracing the boys and the original investigator, Randall Jones-Pugh.

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Mr Jones-Pugh's own words in an old VHS tape warn: "If the public knew the truth behind UFOs, they would run for their lives."

Ms Eleri also explores other theories, including the possibility of the boys spotting a military

Journalist Sian Eleri reaches out to the 14 men who saw a flying object when they were schoolboys in 1977. Plus: Gardeners’ World live. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, BBC Three

The TikTok generation are increasingly obsessed about UFO sightings, according to curious Welsh journalist Sian Eleri, who investigates the local history of the phenomenon in this four-part series. She starts with a double bill, reaching out to the 14 men who claimed to see a UFO when they were boys in 1977, and the hotelier who weeks before said she saw a spaceship and “two creatures”. Hollie Richardson

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Julie Etchingham will have her hands full as they vie for the public’s approval. Plus: the finale of We Are Lady Parts. Here’s what to watch this evening

8.30pm, ITV1Penny Mordaunt, Angela Rayner, Daisy Cooper, Stephen Flynn, Nigel Farage, Carla Denyer and Rhun ap Iorwerth have been confirmed as the representatives of the seven main parties (Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Reform UK, Green, Plaid Cymru) to take part in ITV’s second general election debate. Following last week’s Sunak-Starmer head to head, Julie Etchingham will again lead the hour-and-a-half discussion. Hollie Richardson

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The deliciously dark cult-hit anthology series comes to a fitting end with Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith taking centre stage. Plus, the start of The Traitors US season two. Here’s what to watch this evening

10pm, BBC TwoHow will Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith end their deliciously dark cult-hit anthology series? They are keeping details about the final episode tightly under wraps (making it all the more intriguing), but – after a series that has boasted guest stars such as Natalie Dormer, Vinette Robinson and Mark Bonnar – it has been confirmed that they are the only two people who appear in it. A fitting ending. Hollie Richardson

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BBC Arts has announced the subjects of major new strand In My Own Words for BBC One and iPlayer – ranging from comedian, actor, writer and musician Billy Connolly and author Jilly Cooper, to poet and novelist Jackie Kay; playwright, screenwriter and author Hanif Kureishi and artist Alison Lapper. Together, they will take BBC audiences closer than they’ve ever been into the life and work of some of the UK’s leading cultural figures.

Suzy Klein, Head of Arts and Classical Music TV says: “This country boasts some of the most super-charged creative minds anywhere in the world - our artists, writers, actors, comedians and poets are second to none. But we rarely get the chance to get up close to them and discover what fires their imaginations, and the forces that have shaped their extraordinary lives. In this fresh, contemporary series of unmediated interviews, we will get inside the creative minds of some of Britain's leading lights - prepare for a thought-provoking and often emotional ride.”

Victoria Cilliers tells her astonishing story. Plus: series two of Tokyo Vice bows out with a plan to bring down Tozawa. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, Channel 4

A stranger-than-fiction true crime retold through dramatisations, recordings and the people who were there – including the victim. In 2015, Victoria Cilliers plummeted to the ground during a skydive after a parachute failure – and astonishingly survived. But this was no accident. Detectives spent two years digging into the murky life of Victoria’s husband (affairs, debts, sex clubs) and found that he was the person who tried to murder his wife. Hollie Richardson

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Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace returns to tug on our heartstrings. Plus: the beautiful finale of Lost Boys and Fairies. Here’s what to watch today

9pm, ITV1

Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell return with their heartstring-tugging family DNA series. First to go through the life-changing experience: Thomas, who was left in a train station waiting room in Reading in 1965. Remarkably, they find a relative who was also abandoned – on the steps of a Dublin church. There are plenty of questions when they meet for the first time. Hollie Richardson

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While Charlie Brooker might be best known by a wider audience for his science fiction anthology series Black Mirror, the English writer and satirist has a back catalogue that spreads far and wide. Amongst his writing credits on the likes of Brass Eye and Nathan Barley is a hidden gem, a satirical take on the detective genre, A Touch of Cloth.

Arriving a year after Black Mirror first aired on Channel 4, A Touch of Cloth was written by Brooker and Daniel Maier, who had previously worked on Harry Hill’s TV Burp. With the two comic writing masters behind the show, A Touch of Cloth sees John Hannah play police detective Jack Cloth, and Suranne Jones play his colleague Anne Oldman.

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“It’s a gag-packed spoof of dark British detective serials in the sort of Messiah, Wire in the Blood mould,” Brooker had once told The Guardian around the time A Touch of Cloth was being released on Sky One back in 2012. “The idea was to do something that was just outrageously stupid as opposed to dark or satirical.”