What to Watch
This week marks the return of some Good Stuff to television, so I thought I'd tell you all about it...
Sunday (today) brings us a clash in the 8pm slot...
George Gently (BBC1) is a 1960s police drama starring the wonderful Martin Shaw (AKA Doyle in the Professionals; see icon - he's on the left) as an old Met detective living up in Northumberland and investigating mysteries with his gung-ho sidekick Sgt John Bacchus. It's quite actiony, but also pleasantly slow-paced and thoughtful - good entertainment for anyone who likes 1960s nostalgia, Martin Shaw, the guy who played Sam Tyler's dad in Life on Mars, police dramas, murder mysteries, etc.
There is also a new Midsomer Murders (ITV1). I really hope I don't need to explain what this is about to you - think countryside detectives with an obscene murder rate. The reason this one is special is that Barnaby's daughter, Cully, is getting married - and Troy is coming back for the ceremony! I'm quite excited about this, though I don't know for sure that Troy's return is in this week's episode. So, if you're not sure, I recommend you opt for George Gently.
Monday sees the return of University Challenge (BBC2), yay! King's actually put a team through this year, which is exciting - but I just watch it for the quizzing. Try it - it'll improve your general knowledge no end.
Tuesday is another day with two programmes...
First there's the children's series Roman Mysteries (BBC1), returning for another season (the first was terrific). It's a very colourful account of some children in the earlyish Roman empire who go around accidentally getting involved in mysteries and saving people's lives and so on. Very entertaining, good acting, not too dumbed down for children. Think Rome with no sex but still lots of murder.
Then there's the new archaeological drama Bonekickers (BBC2, I think). I'm not convinced it'll be good, but how can I resist watching a drama about archaeology. May be be a bit sensationalist from the reports I've heard, but I'll be giving it a go.
Thursday heralds the return of Mock the Week, which I always think is pretty good fun even if the number of actually funny lines is quite restricted. But it's better than Have I Got News For You? and 8 Out of 10 Cats these days.
Hmm, I think that's everything...
ETA: OMG, how could I forget? Tomorrow and all week also heralds the return of Doctors... and I wonder what actually happened to Vivien?
Sunday (today) brings us a clash in the 8pm slot...
George Gently (BBC1) is a 1960s police drama starring the wonderful Martin Shaw (AKA Doyle in the Professionals; see icon - he's on the left) as an old Met detective living up in Northumberland and investigating mysteries with his gung-ho sidekick Sgt John Bacchus. It's quite actiony, but also pleasantly slow-paced and thoughtful - good entertainment for anyone who likes 1960s nostalgia, Martin Shaw, the guy who played Sam Tyler's dad in Life on Mars, police dramas, murder mysteries, etc.
There is also a new Midsomer Murders (ITV1). I really hope I don't need to explain what this is about to you - think countryside detectives with an obscene murder rate. The reason this one is special is that Barnaby's daughter, Cully, is getting married - and Troy is coming back for the ceremony! I'm quite excited about this, though I don't know for sure that Troy's return is in this week's episode. So, if you're not sure, I recommend you opt for George Gently.
Monday sees the return of University Challenge (BBC2), yay! King's actually put a team through this year, which is exciting - but I just watch it for the quizzing. Try it - it'll improve your general knowledge no end.
Tuesday is another day with two programmes...
First there's the children's series Roman Mysteries (BBC1), returning for another season (the first was terrific). It's a very colourful account of some children in the earlyish Roman empire who go around accidentally getting involved in mysteries and saving people's lives and so on. Very entertaining, good acting, not too dumbed down for children. Think Rome with no sex but still lots of murder.
Then there's the new archaeological drama Bonekickers (BBC2, I think). I'm not convinced it'll be good, but how can I resist watching a drama about archaeology. May be be a bit sensationalist from the reports I've heard, but I'll be giving it a go.
Thursday heralds the return of Mock the Week, which I always think is pretty good fun even if the number of actually funny lines is quite restricted. But it's better than Have I Got News For You? and 8 Out of 10 Cats these days.
Hmm, I think that's everything...
ETA: OMG, how could I forget? Tomorrow and all week also heralds the return of Doctors... and I wonder what actually happened to Vivien?