Friday 25 Dec 2009
Programme Information
Network TV BBC Week 29: 18-24 July 2009
Transmission details in the Network TV Programme Information 7-day version are not updated after publication. For updates, please see individual day pages.
Network TV BBC Week 29: Unplaced
BBC ONE Unplaced
Wildest Dreams pits nine amateur wildlife enthusiasts against each other in one of the natural world's greatest and most dangerous arenas – Africa – as they compete for the prize of landing a job at the BBC's prestigious Natural History Unit.
Nick Knowles and award-winning wildlife film-maker James Honeyborne are joined by a team of specialist experts who not only judge the competitors but also keep them safe in a hostile environment.
For the hopefuls – including a factory night-shift worker with a passion for wildlife photography and an ex-fast-food restaurant manager who spends her weekends tracking otters – the adventure starts on day one with an assignment to film elephants from the water.
Armed with cameras, local guides and expert advice from elephant specialist Dr Kate Evans, the teams have to first master their transport – an unstable canoe called the mokoro. Only one of the rookies – James – manages to film an elephant, but he takes a huge risk by standing up in the wobbly vessel. The water they are surrounded by is full of hippos and crocodiles so if they capsize they could become lunch.
Moving to the Kalahari Desert in search of a smaller subject – the meerkat – doesn't make the challenge any easier as the wannabes come face to face with weather at its most extreme. A year's worth of rainfall falls in less than four days during massive electrical storms. The campsite – a dried riverbed – floods in the middle of the night and Nick has to lead the evacuation.
Nick says: "We've just had a storm of biblical proportions." And James Honeyborne comments: "Inside my tent is like being inside a shower cubicle – and even for the Kalahari, you can say this is an extreme weather event."
With the meerkats mission a washout, the next challenge is to track rhinos on foot – aided by Tswalu reserve manager Gus Van Dyk.
Judged by Nick and James, the weakest team is singled out and given One Last Chance – a solo task tracking lions.
For one individual, their dream of being a wildlife film-maker is shattered when the judges send them home.
BR/LS2
BBC TWO Unplaced
Desperate Romantics Ep 1/6
Rebellious, talented and charismatic, three young men – The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood – are on a mission to change the world of art. This lively new drama for BBC Two, starring Aidan Turner, Rafe Spall, Samuel Barnett and Sam Crane and written by Peter Bowker, is all about the personal lives and work of the Brotherhood.
Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Holman Hunt and John Millais declare their irreverent genius to the Victorian artistic establishment as frequently and as loudly as they can. Unfortunately for them, only one man seems to be listening. Fred Walters is a shy hanger-on who ingratiates himself with the Brotherhood by locating the "perfect model" – flame-haired Lizzie Siddal, a hat-shop assistant. Though none of them quite yet realise it, she is soon to be the most famous model in Britain.
Fred immediately falls in love with Lizzie, but he cannot compete with Rossetti's charisma and self-belief. Lizzie, meanwhile, begins to model first for the hard-working and pugnacious Hunt.
The boys' adventurous, anti-establishment style and choice of subject matter and model brings them to the notice of brilliant and influential art critic John Ruskin. Encouraged by Ruskin's interest, and still smarting over their rejection by the Royal Academy, the boys decide to mount an exhibition of their own. One step away from anonymity and poverty, they invite Ruskin in the hope of securing his approval, which is vital to launching them into a world of fame and fortune.
As they work towards each painting becoming a masterpiece for their make-or-break exhibition, the group find themselves distracted by poverty, hunger, jealousy and lust.
Dante Gabriel Rossetti is played by Aidan Turner; William Holman Hunt by Rafe Spall; John Millais by Samuel Barnett; Fred Walters by Sam Crane; Lizzie Siddal by Amy Manson; and John Ruskin by Tom Hollander. Desperate Romantics also stars Jennie Jacques as Annie Miller and Zoë Tapper as Effie Ruskin.
RN
Network TV BBC Week 29: Saturday 18 July 2009
BBC ONE Saturday 18 July 2009
Gary Lineker presents live coverage of the third day of the 138th Open Championship from Turnberry.
During the third round at Royal Birkdale 12 months ago, gusty winds made for brutal playing conditions and resulted in no player breaking par. It was veteran Australian Greg Norman who managed the conditions best to take a shock clubhouse lead after 54 holes. He ended the day two shots clear of KJ Choi and defending champion Padraig Harrington.
Live coverage continues on BBC Two at 5.15pm.
SB4
Filmed against the stunning backdrop of Argentina, Total Wipeout, which features 20 thrill-seeking contestants taking on one of the toughest, most ridiculous and physically demanding games ever created, continues.
As always, Richard Hammond presents from the safety of the studio while Amanda Byram is trackside in Argentina to talk to the brave contestants who, this week, include a Catholic priest, a community support officer and a part-time wrestler.
This episode is notable for a number of larger-than-life characters with larger-than-life nicknames. There's "Yes" Diane (the power of positive thinking), Levitating Ian, Romeo Raymondo (who intends spending the £10,000 prize, if he should win, on building a Chihuahua mansion for his Chihuahua, Romeo) and Andy, an amateur singer-songwriter from Kent, whose nickname is "No Gary Barlow" Andy.
This week's show also introduces a brand-new game called The Dreadmill, in which two huge demolition balls swing from side to side across a couple of giant running machines, which have been set to "fast".
RL
When Adam learns of Jordan's supposed mistake, and of the road traffic collision that Jordan has been involved in, he is sick at the thought that he has been covering for him, as the medical drama continues. Henry offers him promotion to clinical lead but, unable to deal with the guilt, Adam turns it down.
It is the first day of Ruth's surgical rotation and she is given a tough job – to amputate a leg to save a life. Out in the field with Jay, she is nearly overwhelmed by the life-or-death responsibility but Jay gently coaxes her through it.
Meanwhile, it's Alice and Curtis's hen and stag nights. Curtis goes to look for Big Mac and finds him with a gun in his flat – too afraid to go out. His flat has been vandalised by the Malones. Curtis convinces Big Mac to leave, but when he gets a call saying that Tony has been released from prison, he doubles back to get the gun.
Adam is played by Tristan Gemmill, Jordan by Michael French, Ruth by Georgia Taylor, Jay by Ben Turner, Alice by Sam Grey, Curtis by Abdul Salis and Big Mac by Charles Dale.
GA
BBC TWO Saturday 18 July 2009
CBBC rolls into action with Skate Nation, a new fast-paced entertainment series presented by Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes.
Fourteen teams of three children (aged between seven and 13) take part in this competition for young roller, hockey and inline skaters. Wobbly dads and have-a-go mums also get a chance to demonstrate their skills as every team must include one adult.
Each team is vying for one of 10 places at Skate Camp, where they will be tutored by top coaches and choreographers – an invaluable chance to hone their skills, before the main competition begins.
Judges Camilla Dallerup, a professional dancer and Strictly Come Dancing reigning champion; Asha Kirkby, a professional skater; and Kevin Adams, Fame Academy fitness instructor, are looking for super-talented skaters with lots of potential.
For the teams that make it through Skate Camp, the Skate Stadium arena awaits. Each week, the skaters have to perfect a new routine to perform in front of the audience. As the weeks go by, the routines become more and more challenging.
The series ends with a skating extravaganza. The competition is fierce, as the grand prize is a trip to the World Games in Taiwan to see the world's best skaters in action.
In today's first episode, Sam and Mark introduce the Pirates, Rapid Rollers, Essence, Toe Jammers, Coast Bladers, Three Blondes And A Baldy, and the Wheeled Wonders. Each team must show the judges their carefully honed routines. Camilla, Asha and Kevin then have the daunting task of deciding which five make it through to the next round.
There will also be a guest appearance by Naomi Grigg, the world No. 4 slalom skater, and some of her buddies, who drop by to demonstrate their dazzling skills and take part in a slalom face-off. It is up to the audience to decide who wins – the red or the blue team.
VT
Gary Lineker introduces continuing coverage from Turnberry as the third day of the Open Championship, also known as "moving day", draws to a close.
Last year, only four players managed to emerge from their rounds with level par, including 2003 Open Champion Ben Curtis and Sweden's Henrik Stenson, who went on to finish third.
SB4
Network TV BBC Week 29: Sunday 19 July 2009
BBC ONE Sunday 19 July 2009
Gary Lineker presents live coverage as the 138th Open Championship from Turnberry draws to a close.
Twelve months ago, Padraig Harrington carded a fine round of 69 to claim his second successive Open title ahead of Ian Poulter. In doing so, Harrington became the first European to claim back-to-back titles in more than a century and only the 16th man to do so in tournament history.
With three-times champion Tiger Woods back in the field and looking for his first Claret Jug since 2006, it promises to be a thrilling climax to the third major of the year on the Ayrshire coast.
Today's coverage begins on BBC Two at 11am.
SB4
As the new owner of the Hope Springs Hotel, Ann Marie wants a quick sale to fund her dream move to Edinburgh, as the quirky drama continues. But when she decides to sell up to a pair of flash city boys, the women hatch elaborate plans to prevent the purchase.
Relegated to living in the caravan, Ellie, Hannah, Shoo and Josie try to bury their resentment towards their boss, agreeing to work for an early pay day in exchange for being nice to the potential buyers – the flamboyant Flavio and his partner, David.
Irked by the city slickers' pushy presence, Sadie is enraged after the pair announce their plans to transform the hotel into a "destination restaurant". Knowing there will be no place for the locals under the new regime – and fearing the heart will be ripped out of the village if the hotel closes – the women devise a series of unfortunate incidents to show off the dirty side of country living.
However, they aren't the only ones with reservations about Flavio and David. Euan is horrified at the thought of the new owners and offers to outbid them, much to the delight of Ann Marie, who is happy to play along.
Ann Marie is played by Ronni Ancona, Ellie by Alex Kingston, Hannah by Sian Reeves, Shoo by Christine Bottomley, Josie by Vinette Robinson, Flavio by Paul Thomas Hickey, David by Jim Sturgeon, Sadie by Annette Crosbie and Euan by Alec Newman.
Hope Springs is also simulcast on the BBC HD channel – the BBC's High Definition channel available through Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media.
JW4
BBC TWO Sunday 19 July 2009
Gary Lineker presents early coverage of the final round of the Open Championship from Turnberry.
Englishman David Howell fired the round of the day from an early starting position last year. His three-under-par round of 67 saw him rise 57 places for an eventual equal seventh overall.
SB4
Suzi Perry introduces live coverage of round nine of this season's MotoGP championship from the Sachsenring circuit in Germany.
Last year, 2007 World Champion Casey Stoner dominated proceedings throughout the weekend. His victory from pole position gave Ducati their first win at the German venue and was also the 100th triumph by an Australian in the top class.
Valentino Rossi was another to excel on the 2.2 mile-long circuit, improving from seventh on the grid at the start of the race to take second place. This was enough to move him up to Championship leader in the overall standings.
CH
Finally, Sunday 4 January 2009 has arrived for the intrepid team – Ben Fogle, James Cracknell and Dr Ed Coats. The air is full of cautious anticipation as the competitors cross the start line of the first organised race to the South Pole since Scott and Amundsen's historic journey almost a century ago.
It's been an unrelenting ride just getting to this point and now the team must venture onto the Antarctic plateau where 480 miles of sheer hell lies ahead.
They start off incredibly well, setting a fast pace and actually leading the pack. However, within days, the relentless cold, the extreme race schedule and physical exhaustion start to take their toll.
James, the Olympic champion, struggles with severe blisters and the team must endure unexpected and dangerous crevasse fields. Their emotions start to run high as they tackle the treacherous journey. It's one of the hardest challenges of their lives and Ben, James and Ed begin to wonder if they stand a chance of even completing, let alone winning the race.
As they reach the halfway checkpoint, exhausted and near collapse, they have to face the real possibility of not being able to continue. James has deep blisters and a swollen face, his childhood asthma has returned and he has pneumonia in one lung. Will the race doctors let him carry on to the South Pole?
This programme is also available to view on the BBC HD channel on Monday 20 July at 8pm.
KA
BBC THREE Sunday 19 July 2009
ADULT SEASON
Young, Dumb And Living Off Mum
Continuing BBC Three's Adult Season, Young, Dumb And Living Off Mum follows a group of pampered young people, aged between 17 and 25, from various backgrounds, who have never held down a proper job. Dina, Orion, Danielle, Sean, Nicola, Jay, Rachel and Dogan are thrust into the adult world of responsibility, budgeting and hard work.
Each week, under the watchful eye of their parents, the contestants battle to stay in the competition and to win the chance of a round-the-world trip.
This week, the adolescents move in to their new shared home in London and take their first intrepid steps into the world of cooking, cleaning and fending for themselves. They make their first bold trip to the supermarket to stock up on essentials using their new limited budget.
Dogan's mum, Dawn, sets the first weekly task and the gang is split into two teams. They are sent to two top London hotels to work a 15-hour shift as chambermaids, cleaners, kitchen staff and waiters.
Tempers fray and tensions rise when tiredness begins to set in. Will the group complete the task and take their first steps towards self-sufficiency?
EB
BBC PARLIAMENT Sunday 19 July 2009
Mark D'arcy and guests look at books analysing the credit crunch and the effects of the global financial crisis.
Mark's guests include: Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Vince Cable, author of The Storm – The World Economic Crisis And What It Means; assistant editor of the Financial Times Gillian Tett, author of Fool's Gold – How Unrestrained Greed Corrupted A Dream, Shattered Global Markets And Unleashed A Catastrophe; and Newsnight's economics editor Paul Mason, author of Meltdown – The End Of The Age Of Greed.
PR
Network TV BBC Week 29: Monday 20 July 2009
BBC ONE Monday 20 July 2009
Debra is being chased by a mystery man and begs Whitney for help, in the first visit of the week to Albert Square.
Stacey's behaviour becomes increasingly erratic as her quest to discover who Max is seeing grows ever-more obsessive. Meanwhile, Max and Tanya are growing closer.
Debra is played by Ruth Gemmell, Whitney by Shona McGarty, Stacey by Lacey Turner, Max by Jake wood and Tanya by Jo Joyner.
KS3
Anna Friel stars as single mother Dee Purnell, who would do anything for her two boys, as Jimmy McGovern's powerful, award-winning drama continues. Six months ago, Dee moved into the street in a bid to get Jack and Luke into Saint Peter's School from rough Denton Green, where Jack is being bullied so badly that he wets the bed.
Moving into the school's catchment area has meant taking on a bigger mortgage and, to make ends meet, Dee works weekends at a sauna in Bolton in addition to her weekday job at a DIY store. Working as a prostitute in the sauna is only for another six months; just until she's cleared the mortgage arrears and the boys are in Saint Peter's.
However, when Dee's boiler completely packs up in the middle of winter and handsome plumber Mark arrives to fix it, he convinces her to start dating him, although she knows she shouldn't. Mark is a single dad with a 12-year-old football-mad girl, Megan, who is already at Saint Peter's.
Mark is great with Jack and Luke and adores, Dee but when he introduces Dee to his father, Joe, he recognises her from the sauna. Dee knows that she has to finish with Mark.
Joe viciously warns her off Mark, sickened by the thought that she is near his son and grand-daughter. Dee, who has started to fall in love with Mark, tries to break it off, but he won't give up easily and wants to know why she's pushing him away.
When Saint Peter's refuses to take her boys, Dee, more than ever, needs a shoulder to cry on. She has sacrificed so much for her children and is not going to let them down now...
Written by Jan McVerry and Jimmy McGovern, this week's episode of The Street stars Anna Friel as Dee Purnell. Jack is played by Jordan Hill, Luke by Sam Lenthall, Mark by Daniel Mays, Megan by Chelsea Cowper and Joe by David Bradley.
CD
BBC TWO Monday 20 July 2009
Senator Giles Coren and vestal virgin Sue Perkins travel back to 44BC–80AD for a journey through the early days of Ancient Rome, as the culinary history series concludes.
Accompanied by chef Valentina Harris, the Supersizers reside in a magnificent villa with views of the city and a marbled kitchen. Valentina prepares a range of exotic dishes, including the hugely popular but putrid smelling garum sauce – made from rotten fish innards. The Supersizers also discover the origins of pizza and pasta, while sampling their predecessor, popular snack lagana, on a visit to the Colosseum.
After Giles attempts to become a gladiator and Sue takes on the role of Queen Cleopatra, the intrepid duo resolve to conquer the small island of Britannica. Arriving at Dover Beach, the pair sample British oysters while Sue becomes Boudicca and Giles enjoys a freezing cold bath.
Pining for their slaves, the pair retreat back to Rome for the final banquet of the series. Joined by actor Kenneth Cranham, historian Adrian Goldsworthy and foodie Angela Pagano, the gallant Supersizers end their adventures smothered in a sea of rose petals.
TH
A reticent Avon readies his troops for a seemingly endless war against Marlo, as the third series of the acclaimed US police drama concludes.
Meanwhile, as the detail works towards the top rungs of the Barksdale organisation, McNulty reassesses his pursuit of Stringer Bell and the path he's chosen for himself.
While Royce continues to grapple with Amsterdam, Burrell offers a deal to minimise the fallout, even as Colvin's idea becomes public knowledge.
Carcetti's ambition becomes obvious to his friend and fellow councilman Tony Gray, even as Gray has disclosed his own political plans.
Cutty struggles to keep his young boxers off the corners, as he and Fruit cross paths once again. Bubbles offers his view of the world, both as it is and once was.
Wood Harris plays Avon, Jamie Hector plays Marlo, Dominic West plays McNulty, Idris Elba plays Stringer Bell, Frankie R Faison plays Burrell, Aidan Gillen plays Carcetti, Chad L Coleman plays Cutty and Andre Royo plays Bubbles.
RN
BBC FOUR Monday 20 July 2009
A coming-of-age film with a difference, The Time Of Their Lives, part of BBC Four's Grey Expectations season of programmes dedicated to understanding life's twilight years, is a portrait of three of the oldest residents living in the Mary Feilding Guild, a home for the active elderly in North London.
Rose is a former sex therapist and a newspaper columnist since the age of 100; Hetty, at 102, is a veteran Stop-The-War campaigner, while Alison, 87, was once a reporter for the Daily Worker and a card-carrying Communist.
Together, the three women share their passionate concerns about everything – from terrorism and global warming to sex, death and the meaning of life – while quietly negotiating the final years of their lives.
Surprising, poignant and at times very funny, The Time Of Their Lives reveals the everyday mystery of how very elderly people experience life and the intense challenges that old age brings.
GD/JF
CBEEBIES Monday 20 July 2009
Chris Jarvis and Pui Fan Lee continue to inspire the imaginations of younger viewers with another week of fun and adventures on Show Me Show Me.
Every week day on CBeebies, Chris and Pui, joined by toys Tom, Stuffy, Miss Mouse and Teddington, bring objects and ideas to life in their magical playroom in the sky.
On Monday, elephants and trumpets take centre stage as Chris and Pui look through the telescope to watch baby elephants playing in the mud. The toys play a game of hide and seek, but Miss Mouse gets stuck in a trumpet. Will Teddington get her out?
On Tuesday, the toys want to play shopping and make their own shop in the playroom. Then it's time to look at clocks – cuckoo clocks, grandfather clocks and a clock for Miss Mouse to run up...
On Wednesday, kings, queens and the seaside are the order of the day. King Chris and Queen Pui dress up as royals and make thrones. The toys, meanwhile, do like to be beside the seaside, but what should Humpty take to sit on? Not a wall – he might fall off.
On Thursday, there's a fishy feel to the playroom as the gang look at fish and jewels. Children can learn how to make a sparkly fish that flips and flaps and then take a trip with Mo MoBot the robot to look for things that sparkle and shine.
The final visit of the week to the playroom sees Chris and Pui explore all things wiggly. Looking through the telescope reveals twisting, turning snakes, while Miss Muffett tries spaghetti. Will she like it, or will it frighten her away?
FW
CBeebies Bedtime Stories – Nature Tales Ep 1/5
Springwatch presenter Chris Packham reads this week's CBeebies Bedtime Stories.
The stories, A Toad Abode, A Seagull Surprise, Hibernating Hoglets, Lazarus The Ladybird and Bernie The Busy Bee, feature members of the popular CBeebies Green Balloon Club, which has successfully introduced children to a range of environmental, conservation and wildlife-related issues.
In the first story today, Gus the toad is looking for a home far away from the busy road, and away from tabby cats Tammy and Tibby, who are sometimes too busy to spot him in the grass. When Skipper the bouncy dog almost lands on Gus, a surprising solution is found to the toad's search for a safe home.
BBC Learning, in partnership with the popular CBeebies Green Balloon Club, is calling on youngsters to go outside during their school summer holidays and do one thing for nature.
Green Balloon Club Week features themed events and planned activities from 25 July to 2 August. Young children, their parents and carers will be inspired through story-telling to do something for nature, such as baking for birds, creating a log pile, making a bug hotel or planting seeds.
Information about local events will be available soon at bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces, along with free activity sheets, including Green Star certificates and the Nature Tales stories themselves. Read by BBC newsreader Huw Edwards, all the tales can be collected from Monday 20 July by downloading them as audio or as illustrated text from the website. The programmes will also be available on the CBeebies iPlayer for seven days after transmission.
SS
Network TV BBC Week 29: Tuesday 21 July 2009
BBC ONE Tuesday 21 July 2009
Team Nihal and Team Bobby hit the halfway mark in this week's edition of Clash and scale new heights in the head-to-head contest to revamp two well-known classical pieces into pop tracks. BBC Radio 1 DJs Bobby Friction and Nihal and their talented teams face a Doctor Who musical challenge; are paid a visit by beatboxer Beardyman; and meet the stars at the Classical Brits.
Mastering musical film and television scores is this week's challenge and Ben Foster, composer for Torchwood and orchestrator and conductor for Doctor Who, is on hand to give the two teams a master class. The teams are shown a Doctor Who clip and have to record a score to accompany it using their instruments. Elizabeth Sladen from The Sarah Jane Adventures also drops by to help judge the teams.
Beatboxing champion Beardyman, meanwhile, visits the teams – much to the delight of Lloyd, one of Bobby's team members and an up-and-coming beatboxer. Lloyd gets to perform alongside Beardyman.
Next up is a surprise visit to the Classical Brits, where the Clash crew get to meet Katherine Jenkins, Myleene Klass and Faryl Smith.
Clash is simulcast on the BBC HD channel – the BBC's High Definition channel, available through Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media.
VT
Whitney is shocked to discover who the mystery man is, in today's visit to Albert Square, while Abi and Lauren grow suspicious over whether Max and Tanya are back together.
Elsewhere, Jean confesses her fears to a doctor that Stacey might have bi-polar disorder.
Whitney is played by Shona McGarty, Abi by Lorna Fitzgerald, Lauren by Madeline Duggan, Max by Jake Wood, Tanya by Jo Joyner, Jean by Gillian Wright and Stacey by Lacey Turner.
KS3
Ric tells Donna that Derek's cancer has spread and that the outlook is bleak, as the medical drama continues. But Donna refuses to accept this and gets a second opinion from Michael. The scan, however, is no different to the previous one and Donna has to tell her father that he has terminal cancer.
Penny, meanwhile, wants to observe an operation with Jac and Connie, but misses the start due to Jac not telling her about it – she's no longer allowed to be informed. Elliot and Tara, however, let Penny join in on one of the procedures for their forthcoming operation.
Elsewhere, Mark notices Chrissie and Oliver flirting and quizzes Chrissie about her feelings for him.
Ric is played by Hugh Quarshie, Donna by Jaye Jacobs, Derek by Clarke Peters, Penny by Emma Catherwood, Jac by Rosie Marcel, Connie by Amanda Mealing, Elliot by Paul Bradley, Mark by Robert Powell, Chrissie by Tina Hobley and Oliver by James Anderson.
IJ
Alan Yentob asks what happens to art in times of recession, in two timely episodes of the flagship BBC One arts and culture strand, Imagine. Imagine... Art In Troubled Times explores the role the arts play in people's lives and how they survive during economic instability.
The Great Depression and the Second World War both radically altered the way people looked at the arts, and what they expected from them. Could this current recession see the next transformation? It's certainly a moment at which to take stock. When money for everything is tight, why are we paying for art, and what is art for? Art In Troubled Times looks at the state of the arts following the collapse of several high-profile banks and the ramifications for arts institutions, as their private and public funding is threatened.
Part one looks in depth at America – at the boldest experiment ever in public arts funding in a democracy: President Franklin D Roosevelt's New Deal of the Thirties, which set artists to work for the common good. In contrast, Alan looks at how most art in America is funded by the wealthy and suffering accordingly, while President Obama offers inspiration but no hard cash. There is hope, however, as Alan visits a school in the Bronx where the arts are staying firmly on the agenda, thanks to an unlikely saviour – Giorgio Armani.
Art In Troubled Times features comments and interviews from contributors including Peter Gelb, manager of the Metropolitan Opera, in New York; artist Chuck Close, an ex-student of Philip Guston, who painted giant public murals during the depression; and actor Simon Callow, amongst others, as they piece together the American story of art funding in troubled times.
AH
BBC TWO Tuesday 21 July 2009
For the first time, Coast is in France on a journey following the shoreline of Normandy to discover the surprisingly close connections to our neighbours across the English Channel, as the Bafta Award-winning series continues.
On Cap Gris Nez (The Grey Nose), the closest point between Britain and France, Neil Oliver explores the hidden remains of a fortress built by Henry VIII in a desperate attempt to keep an English toe-hold on French soil, and Dick Strawbridge unearths the story behind the ultra-secret map that stopped the D-Day landings sinking into the sands of Normandy.
Dick meets 89-year-old veteran Royal Engineer Major-General Logan Scott-Bowden who, on New Year's Eve 1943, a full six months before the invasion, swam onto the D-Day beaches in the dead of night to take sand samples from under the noses of the Nazis.
Miranda Krestovnikoff, meanwhile, has a close encounter with the bats that have set up home in bunkers abandoned by the German army and Mark Horton discovers how William the Conqueror taught the English the art of constructing castles and why William looked to Normandy for the stone to build the Tower Of London.
Amateur artist Alice Roberts also packs her paints for a lesson in how to become an instant impressionist and tries to capture the spectacular chalk cliffs at Etretat on canvas – using the impressionist style pioneered by Claude Monet on this stretch of the French coast. Nick Crane explores the white cliffs of France and finds evidence for the catastrophic "mega flood" that separated Britain from the continent half a million years ago and, finally, Dick learns how a revolutionary lens, invented by Normandy-born Augustin Fresnel, is now used the world over because it made lighthouses brighter and lighter.
Coast is co-produced by The Open University and a free booklet is available to accompany the series. Viewers can visit open2.net or phone 0845 300 8847 to receive one.
KH
Series four of the American crime drama kicks off tonight as four boys from West Baltimore – Michael, Namond, Randy and Dukie – play out their summer vacation in the streets as the autumn school semester approaches.
Having failed to capture a potentially valuable homing pigeon, the boys are stirred to action when Dukie is beaten up and Randy concocts a retaliation plan against the rival gang. The action is slower at Bodie's corner, giving young Namond an excuse to take off early from his "summer job" as a runner.
Elsewhere, Marlo has solved the problem that baffled Stringer Bell and, at the detail office, Freamon and Sydnor press Pearlman to issue City Hall subpoenas, while Daniels's replacement, James Asher, surveys the blueprints to his dream house.
With the mayoral race heading into its final weeks, Mayor Royce and his primary challenger, Tommy Carcetti, hit decidedly different campaign trails. Carcetti's deputy campaign manager, Norman Wilson, and his campaign guru, Theresa D'Agostino, try to keep their candidate focused, despite the odds. Prez preps for a new career in higher education, while McNulty turns down a promotion.
Michael is played by Tristan Wilds, Namond by Julito McCullum, Randy by Maestro Harrell, Dukie by Jermaine Crawford, Stringer Bell by Idris Elba, Freamon by Clarke Peters, Sydnor by Corey Parker Robinson, Pearlman by Deirdre Lovejoy, Carcetti by Aidan Gillen, Norman by Reg E Cathey, Prez by Jim True-Frost and McNulty by Dominic West.
RN
BBC FOUR Tuesday 21 July 2009
The Chaser use public transport as a cheap alternative to removalists, in the penultimate episode of the Australian satirical show.
Ken Loach makes a gritty film based on the musical Cats, and the team discover whether women really do swoon into a man's arms when he dresses as a dripping-wet Mr Darcy.
Produced by the group (Chris Taylor, Julian Morrow, Craig Reucassel, Andrew Hansen and Chas Licciardello), the sketch-and-stunt series was nominated for the Rose d'Or, probably due to a bureaucratic error. In its native Australia, the War On Everything won a swag of awards which the Chaser team assures the BBC are very prestigious.
CP
BBC PARLIAMENT Tuesday 21 July 2009
BOOKtalk enters the summer season with a guide to the best books for the politically minded to take to the beach, or possibly just as far as the garden, given the current economic climate.
Mark D'Arcy is joined by television presenter Nicholas Parsons, Guardian columnist Madeleine Bunting and the Bishop of Southwark, the Right Reverend Dr Tom Butler, for a look at the best political books of the year.
PR
CBEEBIES Tuesday 21 July 2009
Yojojo is spinning and showing off to the other Piplings, in the penultimate episode of the pre-school series.
They are impressed – Yojojo can spin more times than any of them. Next, they play lifty leaf and Yojojo is best at that game, too. But when the Cheebies arrive, Yojojo gets the hiccups. Suddenly, he cannot spin or play lifty leaf any more, so the other Piplings and Cheebies help him find a cure. Once his hiccups have gone, Yojojo shows them a game that everyone can play. Now they can all be the best.
FW
Network TV BBC Week 29: Wednesday 22 July 2009
BBC TWO Wednesday 22 July 2009
Highlights from the men's individual 10m platform diving come from the FINA World Championships in Rome, where young British star Tom Daley is going for glory.
Daley made his Olympic debut in Beijing, aged just 14, and, though he returned from China without a medal, the Devon schoolboy is likely to be a real contender at the 2012 Games in London.
The World Championships, held biannually, are the biggest event in the diving calendar outside of Olympic years and Daley will be eager to impress. The Briton has been in good form this year, winning the recent Grand Prix event in Fort Lauderdale ahead of Olympic silver medallist Luxin Zhou.
CH2
Tim Marlow presents tonight's edition of the newly extended Culture Show which, again, comes from Albert Square in Manchester, covering the third and final week of the Manchester International Festival.
Tim looks at the collaboration between Elbow and the Hallé, Manchester's acclaimed symphony orchestra and the city's original cultural icon. Over two nights at The Bridgewater Hall, Elbow and the Hallé will be playing songs from across the band's career, curated in collaboration with Mancunian composer Joe Duddell.
Tom Dyckhoff tells Manchester's distinctive architectural story and reviews Zaha Hadid's new chamber music hall, installed in the Manchester Art Gallery.
Conductor and music critic Jason Lai finds out how Bach's solo works sound in the new music chamber, with a special performance by Alina Ibragimova on violin, playing the Sarabande from the Partita in D minor, for solo violin, by JS Bach.
In A Paean To Wilson, Vini Reilly of the Durutti Column pays a musical tribute to Tony Wilson. The Durutti Column was the first band to be signed to Wilson's Factory Records label.
Tim is also joined by a team of critics who discuss the highlights of all three weeks of the Manchester International Festival.
There is also another session of Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo's Screening Room. This week, with the help of a live audience, Kermode and Mayo argue about the merits of music biopics.
This programme is repeated on Saturday 25 July.
AH
There is more conflict in the African country of Karibu when junior BBC stringer Harry meets girlfriend Grace's father for the first time, as BBC Two's news satire continues.
Senior correspondent David and new cameraman Rory clash over the uses of root ginger and producer Jane loses her patience after David's passport comes to a sticky end at the hands of the local militia – who soon want much more than a bribe.
There's good news as charity worker Samantha organises a traditional summer fête in aid of boy soldiers, Sons Without Guns. However, after a mix-up involving the Beckhams, will Fiona Bruce witness the BBC's Chief Foreign Editor being terminated, live, on air?
Harry is played by Bruce Mackinnon, Grace by Lydia Gitachu, David by Martin Jarvis and Jane by Doon Mackichan. Fiona Bruce guest stars.
CS
Herc's soft-duty job with the mayor takes an unexpectedly hard turn as series four of the acclaimed US police drama continues.
Despite the potential damage to her career, Pearlman provides Freamon and Sydnor with subpoena ammunition for their "grizzly bear" hunt in City Hall.
Carcetti concentrates on games he can win; Namond gets some grooming advice from his father, Wee-Bey; and Marlo plays Robin Hood with the neighbourhood kids.
Bubbles brings an apprentice into his mobile-emporium business; Cutty juggles his landscaping job with a volunteer gig as a boxing mentor; and Prez braces himself for his first day as a schoolteacher.
At the televised mayoral debate, Carcetti drops a bombshell on the Mayor.
Domenick Lombardozzi plays Herc, Deirdre Lovejoy plays Pearlman, Aidan Gillen plays Carcetti, Julito McCullum plays Namond, Hassan Johnson plays Wee-Bey, Jamie Hector plays Marlo, Andre Royo plays Bubbles, Chad L Coleman plays Cutty and Jim True-Frost plays Prez.
RN
BBC FOUR Wednesday 22 July 2009
The season of programmes dedicated to understanding life's twilight years continues on BBC Four with the final programme in The Grandparent Diaries, which examines the relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren.
Three years ago, 78-year-old widow Avril Pengilly sold her bungalow and moved in with her daughter, son-in-law and their 11 and 16-year-old sons. This step was not taken because Avril was too old and frail to look after herself but because her daughter's family needed her help, both financially and practically.
Through interview and observation, the film explores both the advantages and challenges for all three generations living under one roof. Using personal photographs and memories of the life she lived in a small north Devon farming community, Avril looks back at her own history and how it informs her role as a grandmother and mother today.
GD/JF
The legacy of the Ivy fight is proving problematic, as the comedy starring Jo Brand, Vicki Pepperdine and Joanna Scanlan and devised and written by the cast, directed by Peter Capaldi, concludes.
Hilary has accused Kim of making an inappropriate remark and is insisting on disciplinary action, forcing Kim to call in her union rep.
The ensuing meeting does little to sort out the mess and, feeling vengeful, Hilary demands the ward be shut down for a "deep clean", which forces extra work on the already hard-pressed staff.
Meanwhile, Pippa, undaunted, leaves them to get on with it, heading for foreign climes with her stool sample research finally complete.
Ricky Grover plays Matron Hilary Loftus, Jo Brand plays Nurse Kim Wilde and Vicki Pepperdine plays Doctor Pippa Moore. Getting On also stars Joanna Scanlan as Sister Den Flixter.
JP
Network TV BBC Week 29: Thursday 23 July 2009
BBC ONE Thursday 23 July 2009
Whitney discovers that Debra has been lying to her, in tonight's visit to Albert Square.
Meanwhile, Max realises that winning his family back is not going to be easy; and Jean convinces Stacey that she needs help.
Whitney is played by Shona McGarty, Debra by Ruth Gemmell, Max by Jake Wood, Jean by Gillian Wright and Stacey by Lacey Turner.
KS3
Viewers are in for a treat as team captains Fern Britton and Jason Manford battle it out in five trivia rounds in the second episode of As Seen On TV. Chaired by host Steve Jones, this week sees Fern joined by Albert Square resident Dianne Parish and comedian Rufus Hound. Jason is joined by Kate Garraway and TV legend John Craven.
NW
Conspiracy theories and government cover-ups face the team when they reopen a case involving the suspected suicide of respected journalist Peter Edelmann, as the drama continues.
Halford is rattled when confronted at the funeral of a colleague by his widow, Cheryl Brooker. She plans to drag her former husband's name through the mud in order to contest his will, proving he wasn't of sound mind when he wrote her out of it. It's a question of honour and Halford is determined to protect his friend's name – even at the cost of his own reputation.
Former policeman Derek Brooker was obsessed with the circumstances surrounding Edelmann's death. Written off as suicide, Brooker was convinced Edelmann's involvement with a UFO-tracking group was behind his unexplained death in woods bordering a US Air Force base. Brooker devoted his retirement to trying to prove that Edelmann was silenced by the US government because he had evidence suggesting they were communicating with extra-terrestrial life forms.
With the help of Edelmann's girlfriend, Susannah Morton, and geeky UFO-spotters Beaumont and Thaxted, the team discover that Edelmann had witnessed a mysterious air crash near the perimeter fence of the military base. With the base now decommissioned, the team track down two of the original personnel – base commander Colonel Norton, who claims there was no such crash, merely a military training exercise, and Leonard Kuziak, who soon has reason to regret cooperating with the Unsolved Crime And Open Case Squad.
Amanda Redman is Detective Superintendent Sandra Pullman, Alun Armstrong is Brian Lane, James Bolam is Jack Halford, Dennis Waterman is Gerry Standing, Glynis Barber is Cheryl Brooker, Michael Brandon is Colonel Norton, Raquel Cassidy is Susannah Morton, Mark Williams is Beaumont, Mark Rice-Oxley is Thaxted and Michael Landes is Leonard Kuziak.
AC
BBC TWO Thursday 23 July 2009
The characters are slowly drawn together in the penultimate episode of this extraordinary comedy thriller, written by Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, two of the acclaimed creators of The League Of Gentlemen.
Robert uses Debbie's amnesia for his own purposes and more than cross words fly through the air. Mr Jelly is entertaining the folk at an old people's home when a phone call from Mr Jolly plunges him back into danger. Maureen, meanwhile, learns the truth about David while out shopping for a barbeque; and Mr Lomax has acquired a new home help after being betrayed by Michael.
Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton have also written exclusive content for Psychoville to offer viewers an online comedy experience at bbc.co.uk/psychoville. Principal characters are supported by their own websites and there are exclusive videos and extra comedy. Viewers can also interact with the mysterious blackmailer to uncover more about the secrets surrounding the main characters.
Robert is played by Jason Tompkin, Debbie by Daisy Haggard, Mr Jelly and Maureen by Reece Shearsmith, Mr Jolly by Adrian Scarborough, Mr Lomax by Steve Pemberton and Michael by Daniel Kaluuya.
Psychoville is simulcast on the BBC HD channel – the BBC's High Definition channel available through Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media.
IV
BBC THREE Thursday 23 July 2009
Two teenage girls who are determined to have breast-enlargement surgery – a boob job – go on a very personal journey of self-discovery, along with their mums, gran and aunt, as My Big Decision, part of The Adult Season, continues.
Separated by age, culture and geography, but sharing the same all-consuming desire, the two girls are facing a potentially life-changing decision.
Taking a break from everyday life, the six women embark on a five-day road trip across the UK, immersing themselves in the subject matter. Offering help and support throughout the experience, it's the last chance the older women have to persuade the teenagers to think about making the right choice.
Thirteen-year-old Kianna has wanted a boob job ever since she can remember and is determined to go to America when she's 16 to have the operation. Since all her friends have begun to develop quicker than her, Kianna has absolutely no body confidence and feels that she doesn't fit in. Mum, Sharon, and aunt, Angela, delve deeper into the real reasons Kianna wants the surgery.
Sixteen-year-old Katrina has low self-esteem and hopes plastic surgery will make her feel more confident about her body. For many reasons, both mum, Jules, and gran, Lola, want to persuade Katrina not to go ahead with having the operation when she turns 18.
Along the way, the families are introduced to people and situations that are designed to get them talking openly and honestly and help inform their "Big Decision" at the end of the trip.
Both families meet a surgeon and observe a breast-augmentation procedure; discuss whether fake or real boobs are more beautiful with page three models and glamour photographer Alison Webster; and get up close and personal with women who've chosen to have their breasts enlarged.
Also on the trip, Kianna spends the day at a dance class exploring how her future could pan out if she followed her passion while Katrina finds out exactly what the members of a rugby team think about fake breasts, with surprising results.
Finally, after five days on the road, have the shared experiences had any affect on what the girls decide?
My Big Decision is part of BBC Three's Adult Season, on TV and Online.
CD4
BBC FOUR Thursday 23 July 2009
The first of BBC Four's regular twice-weekly broadcasts of Proms concerts begins by commemorating the 75th anniversary of Elgar's death with his Second Symphony, played by the BBC Philharmonic and conducted by Vassily Sinaisky.
Two intriguing English rarities start the programme: Ernest Moeran's G minor Symphony and Gerald Finzi's Grand Fantasia and Toccata, with piano soloist Leon McCawley. Charles Hazlewood presents.
CF2
CBEEBIES Thursday 23 July 2009
A beautiful big bubble floats past Yojojo's home, in the last episode of the pre-school series set in the magical land of Nara. Yojojo loves bubbles and he chases after it to stop it from bursting. He saves the bubble from branches, bushes and the other Piplings.
Finally the bubble floats away. When the Cheebies arrive, the bubble reappears and, together, they all try keeping it the air. They follow the bubble to the waterfall, where they discover lots more bubbles. There are so many that they can all enjoy popping them ... even Yojojo.
FW
CBBC Thursday 23 July 2009
Steve Backshall continues his journey in India and, this week, is on the hunt for two large and endangered predators to add to his Deadly 60 list.
It is thought that there are only 200 breeding pairs of gharials left in the wild. These ancient reptiles have been on the planet since the time of dinosaurs. They are one of the largest reptiles and the fastest breed of crocodile in the water. Steve gets to hold a baby gharial and finds out why they are so successful at fishing.
Next up is a hunt for the largest of the big cats, the Bengal tiger, which can grow to over three metres in length. Driving in the jeep it is not long before the crew have an extremely close encounter when they get in the way of some of the parks' larger residents. After a very long wait, and after hunting high and low, Steve and his crew are finally rewarded, especially Johnny the cameraman, who gets to see exactly why the Bengal tiger is no pussy-cat.
VT
Network TV BBC Week 29: Friday 24 July 2009
BBC ONE Friday 24 July 2009
Stacey agrees to visit the doctor and finally accepts that she is unwell, in today's visit to Albert Square.
Meanwhile, in a bid to get Debra to stay, Whitney tells her mother about Tony and the upcoming trial; and Max ends up in hospital after an eventful evening out at the bowling alley with Abi and Lauren.
Stacey is played by Lacey Turner, Debra by Ruth Gemmell, Whitney by Shona McGarty, Max by Jake Wood, Abi by Lorna Fitzgerald and Lauren by Madeline Duggan.
KS3
Viewers are in for a treat as team captains Fern Britton and Jason Manford battle it out in five trivia rounds in the second episode of As Seen On TV. Chaired by host Steve Jones, this week sees Fern joined by Albert Square resident Dianne Parish and comedian Rufus Hound. Jason is joined by Kate Garraway and TV legend John Craven.
NW
It's spring-clean time at Babylon and Sam's main focus is on his team, as the drama set in a five-star hotel continues. He's enrolled them onto a team-building course to improve their performance, but Juliet isn't happy.
However, Sam is resolute and, as the gang attends the first set of exercises, the woman running the course identifies a serious problem in Juliet.
Meanwhile, Ben has befriended a homeless chap, Martin, who is masquerading as a hotel guest in order to have somewhere warm to sleep. Martin used to be a famous children's TV presenter but he's now fallen on hard times. Determined to rehabilitate him, Ben persuades Juliet to help. Wanting to prove her mettle to Sam, Juliet agrees and borrows a large sum of cash from Babylon to buy Martin a new suit and sends him for a job interview. But things go from bad to worse for Juliet when Martin seemingly disappears, along with valuables from the hotel.
Elsewhere, a large group of sci-fi geeks attend their yearly Captain Stranger convention, and Gino is bewitched by Mary, one of the attendees.
Denise Van Outen plays Mary and James Fleet plays Martin. They are joined by the regular cast of Nigel Harman, Alexandra Moen, Dexter Fletcher, Michael Obiora, Martin Marquez, Ray Coulthard and Danira Govic.
UM
BBC TWO Friday 24 July 2009
Hazel Irvine presents live action from Crystal Palace as the world's elite athletes finalise their preparations ahead of next month's World Championships in Berlin.
As always, the Grand Prix has attracted some of the biggest stars in athletics, with Usain Bolt and Yelena Isinbayeva as stand-out names.
Jamaican sprint sensation Bolt has won the 200m at Crystal Palace for the last two years but will now switch to 100m for the first time.
Russian pole-vault star Isinbayeva also seems to relish trips to South London. She has won the Grand Prix six times, setting three world records in the process. Like Bolt, she is a red-hot favourite for the World Championships.
CH2
BBC FOUR Friday 24 July 2009
From Ravel and Takemitsu to Debussy's La Mer, Charles Hazlewood presents tonight's Prom celebrating the fascinating musical links between East and West.
The French Orchestre National de Lyon, under their half-German, half-Japanese music director, Jun Märkl, perform with young Japanese virtuoso violinist Akiko Suwanai.
Mayumi Miyata introduces a legendary oriental instrument, the Shō, to the Proms audience.
CF2
Programme information
Network TV
Network TV – Days
- Highlights of the week
- Desperate Romantics Feature
(interview with Aidan Turner) - Desperate Romantics Feature
(interview with Samuel Barnett) - Wildest Dreams Feature
(interview with Nick Knowles) - Red Button Feature
- Unplaced programmes
- Saturday 18 July 2009
- Sunday 19 July 2009
- Monday 20 July 2009
- Tuesday 21 July 2009
- Wednesday 22 July 2009
- Thursday 23 July 2009
- Friday 24 July 2009
- 7-day version
Key
- New series
- Live event/outside broadcast
- Interactive programme
© MMIX