Programme Information

Unplaced

BBC TWO Unplaced Week 49

Nigella's Christmas Kitchen Ep 1/5 Unplaced Day and time to be confirmed BBC TWO Feature

Nigella Lawson takes the
stress out of Christmas cooking

Nigella Lawson returns to BBC Two this December with a special week of programmes to help viewers cook up the perfect Christmas.

Nigella's Christmas Kitchen, a five-part series comprising three new programmes and two from the hit 2006 series of the same name, sees the passionate chef lay out her philosophy for not only coping with, but also actively enjoying, cooking at Christmas.

Revealing her culinary secrets guaranteed to make the Christmas period a success, the series includes: tips on starting early, with delicious homemade dishes that can be stored in the freezer; avoiding the shops and making food-based festive presents; short-cut tips on how to add a Yule-tide edge to an everyday recipe; stress-free, pre-Christmas entertaining; and, finally, getting the all-important Christmas dinner just right.

In the first programme, Nigella demonstrates how the freezer can help cooks through the festive season. Abandoning the shops this year in a bid to rediscover a few lost traditions and flavours, Nigella makes her favourite mince pies in bulk and freezes them a week ahead of the big day. Her suet-free mincemeat reminds her of what these little pies should really taste like.

Nigella also demonstrates some stress-free, freezable suppers to help make the season go smoothly. Lamb tagine with dates and pomegranates forms part of a Three Kings Eastern Supper for guests and sets the tone in the run-up to Christmas.

EF

Nigella's Christmas Kitchen Ep 2/5 Unplaced Day and time to be confirmed BBC TWO Feature

Nigella Lawson continues her week of programmes to help prepare viewers for the perfect Christmas and, in tonight's episode, she dodges the shops and makes some Christmas gifts she would be happy to receive herself.

Nigella shows viewers how to make these food-based gifts, including Italian bonbons and chilli jam. A pre-Christmas brunch is also on the menu, featuring an espresso martini, triple-cheese-and-onion strata, a glazed and toasted vanilla cake "brioche" and Nigella's own antioxidant-packed Christmas fruit salad.

But Nigella's virtue lasts about as long as the martinis and her day ends in front of a fire with a comforting plate of fully loaded potato skins.

Nigella's Christmas Kitchen is a five-part Christmas series comprising three new programmes and two from the hit 2006 series of the same name.

EF

Nigella's Christmas Kitchen Ep 3/5 Unplaced Day and time to be confirmed BBC TWO Feature

Nigella takes a trip to Paris in the third programme of her series aimed at taking the stress out of preparing the perfect Christmas feast. She explores the chocolate haven of this famous city and, armed with inspiration, demonstrates a few rich, sweet recipes, including a chocolate rocky road and her favourite Christmas pavlova.

"Chocolate and Christmas are a marriage made in heaven," says Nigella. "My Christmas rocky road has none of the delicate sophistication of French fancies but, in the league table of the wages of sin, it scores highly!"

Like a bow on a parcel or a star on a tree, Nigella has a series of short-cuts and culinary tips that will transform the familiar Sunday rib of beef into a Christmas treat. Also on the menu are a Thai beef salad, a poinsettia cocktail (bringing together Prosecco, Grand Marnier and cranberry juice) and a winter spiced vodka.

Nigella's Christmas Kitchen is a five-part Christmas series comprising three new programmes and two from the hit 2006 series of the same name.

Details for the final two parts of Nigella's Christmas Kitchen are still to be confirmed.

EF

Nigella's Christmas Kitchen – Come On Over! Ep 4/5 Thursday 18 December 8.00-8.30pm BBC TWO (Schedule addition 26 November) Feature

Nigella Lawson is never happier than when in a kitchen made tropical by the heat of an oven. However, the idea of icing a cake or mixing a Christmas pudding, months in advance, is not something she subscribes to. Nigella's last-minute chocolate Christmas cake is a revelation. So, too, is her aromatic Christmas ham, perfect as a must-have standby when unexpected guests drop in.

Catering for large numbers of hungry people is a Christmas challenge and Nigella illustrates just how to serve canapés properly, with a guide to the essential dos and don'ts and some fantastic recipes, including party Parma ham bundles; bourbon-glazed ribs; crab crostini; and chocolate peanut butter cups.

This episode of Nigella’s Christmas Kitchen is a reversion of programmes one and two from her 2006 series of the same name.

EF

Nigella's Christmas Kitchen – There's Life In The Old Bird Yet Ep 5/5 Thursday 18 December 8.30-9.00pm BBC TWO (Schedule addition 26 November) Feature

In the finale of her Christmas Kitchen series, Nigella Lawson tackles the turkey. Even though it's hard to cook to perfection, Nigella has an affection for the big bird and, in her mind, there really is no alternative for a traditional Christmas lunch – the key is serving a turkey that does not disappoint.

Nigella's spiced and super juicy roast turkey is a bird bursting with flavour like no other and certainly fits the bill. To accompany the main attraction are chestnut and pancetta sprouts, gingerbread stuffing, maple roast parsnips, roast potatoes and her mother's bread sauce, all finished off with Fanny Cradock's vodka-flamed Christmas pudding.

This episode of Nigella’s Christmas Kitchen is a repeat programme from her 2006 series of the same name.

EF

Programme Information

Saturday 13 December 2008

BBC ONE Saturday 13 December 2008

Manish Bhasin and guests look ahead to the weekend's football action, which includes a mouth-watering Barclays Premier League clash between Tottenham and Manchester United. Spurs have looked a different team under new manager Harry Redknapp, who has enjoyed some stand-out results against United in the course of his long career – most famously his FA Cup giant-killing success with Bournemouth back in 1984.

Hull's away record has been most impressive in their debut season in the top flight but today they face an awesome task at Anfield, where they meet Liverpool. Meanwhile, there are a couple of North West derbies, with Everton travelling to Manchester City and Wigan hosting Blackburn.

In the Clydesdale SPL, Celtic host Hearts, having beaten them 2-0 at Tynecastle earlier this season, while Rangers are at Dundee United – who came within a minute of a shock win at Ibrox when the sides met in November.

Manish also looks back at the midweek Champions League games and previews the upcoming Uefa Cup fixtures.

NA

Final Score Saturday 13 December 4.30-5.20pm BBC ONE www.bbc.co.uk/football

Viewers can get up to speed with what's been happening on the pitch today in Final Score, with all the results, reports and reaction from all the big games up and down the country.

Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal were all involved in Premier League fixtures while, north of the border, both Celtic and Rangers were in action.

Digital viewers can watch Final Score from 2.30-6pm by pressing the Red button on their remote controls.

NA

Strictly Come Dancing Saturday 13 December Time to be confirmed BBC ONE www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing Press pack

Tensions reach fever pitch in tonight's penultimate show, as the semi-final stage sees the four remaining celebrity couples strut their stuff on the dance floor in the hope of making it through to next week's glittering final. With the whiff of victory in the air, there's more pressure than ever on the couples as they compete to win that all-important Strictly Come Dancing trophy.

Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly once again preside over the proceedings, live from BBC's Television Centre, and judges Arlene Phillips, Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman offer their critiques of the performances. However, it is the public vote which will decide the contestants' fate.

SM4

Merlin Ep 13/13 Saturday 13 December Time to be confirmed BBC ONE www.bbc.co.uk/merlin Press pack

Arthur's (Bradley James) life
hangs in the balance

Arthur's life hangs in the balance, as the magical family drama reaches its conclusion. Merlin is the only one who can save him – but at what cost?

Whilst out on a hunting trip, Arthur and his men encounter a huge and terrifying monster that has the body of a lion and the head of a serpent, with a huge pair of dripping fangs.

Gaius explains that what they encountered was a questing beast, said to have been conjured from the nightmares of a long-dead king. It is a creature of great power from the old religion, whose bite is always fatal. Uther refuses to acknowledge such folly and sends the knights out to kill it.

Arthur and his men, meanwhile, creep through the forest to find the tracks of the beast and nervously follow its trail to a cave. As they cautiously enter its lair, the beast jumps out of the darkness at Arthur. Merlin rushes to help but doesn't get there in time, and the beast hurls Arthur to one side. Merlin uses magic to send a sword flying at the creature and it vaporises before his eyes. The beast is dead, but Arthur lies unconscious on the floor, blood dripping from his shoulder. He has been bitten and it looks like he may not survive.

Merlin seeks the help of the Great Dragon, who tells him he must go to the Isle of the Blessed and ask the old religion to save Arthur – it alone has the power.

Merlin goes back to Gaius with the clues the dragon has given him. Gaius fills in the gaps – the ancient magic which has the power to mirror life can reverse death itself. But there is a price to pay: in order to save a life, a life must be taken.

Merlin has some tough decisions to make that could see his world changed for ever.

Bradley James plays Arthur, Colin Morgan plays Merlin, Richard Wilson plays Gaius and Anthony Head plays Uther. Tonight's concluding episode also stars Michelle Ryan as Nimueh and John Hurt as the voice of the Great Dragon.

MO

Jessica finally admits to a delighted Sean that she is pregnant, as the medical drama continues. She is secretly furious, however, when Sean announces the news to the entire department. Without consulting her first, Sean then tells everyone that they are moving to Saudi Arabia.

Adam is left reeling at the news and, after a day out with his brother, Alex, during which Alex reveals his condition has worsened, remains in denial.

Ben, meanwhile, confronts Toby about his suspension. However, although Toby tries to sort the situation out, he cannot bring himself to admit to Jordan that Ben did not put him under any pressure to sleep with him.

Elsewhere, Ruth attends her interview for surgical rotation but is furious when Jordan's questions during the board scupper her chances.

Jessica is played by Gillian Kearney, Sean by Richard Dillane, Adam by Tristan Gemmill, Alex by Luke Hamill, Ben by Mark Letheren, Toby by Matthew Needham, Jordan by Michael French and Ruth by Georgia Taylor.

JM3

Gary Lineker brings viewers highlights from today's Premier League games, which include a fascinating clash between Tottenham and Manchester United at White Hart Lane.

After their dreadful start to the season, Spurs have been revived by the arrival of Harry Redknapp, who is an old friend of Sir Alex Ferguson, but who will have known better than to expect any favours from the United manager today. Hull's away record, meanwhile, is among the best in the Premier League but their strength on the road would have faced a real test today when they visited Anfield, the home of Liverpool. On their last visit to the North East, Arsenal had to rely on a last-minute Cesc Fabregas goal to earn a point at Sunderland – Arsene Wenger would not have wanted a repeat of that against Middlesbrough at the Riverside today.

Sunderland have won their last three games against West Brom, including a 1-0 win in the Premier League two years ago, one of just three victories for the Black Cats in a miserable season that culminated in relegation. Stoke, who have surprised several teams since their ascent into the Premier League, were at home to Fulham. There were also two North West derbies, with Everton travelling to Manchester City and Wigan hosting Blackburn, while Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa were at home to Bolton.

NA

BBC TWO Saturday 13 December 2008

Four weeks of intense training comes to
an end for the lifeguard wannabes

It's the end of the road for the British teenagers after four weeks of constant training in America. As the observational documentary series in which eight British teens dived into San Diego's junior lifeguard programme concludes, the final tests see the group become involved in a swim with leopard sharks and try some deep-water snorkelling. A nervous Yasmine, meanwhile, is asked to prepare a speech for the final day.

This is the ultimate "work hard, play hard" environment, where the dream of the Californian lifestyle meets tough discipline. But will any of them manage to pick up an award for their efforts in training to be a junior lifeguard? And how much will everyone miss life on Mission Beach?

IV

Programme Information

Sunday 14 December 2008

BBC ONE Sunday 14 December 2008

BBC Sports Personality Of The Year 2008 Sunday 14 December Time to be confirmed BBC ONE www.bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality

Gary Lineker, Sue Barker and
Jake Humphrey host the annual
celebration of sporting
excellence, live from Liverpool

Sue Barker and Gary Lineker are back at the helm of BBC Sports Personality Of The Year as they guide viewers through another great night of entertainment that honours the biggest names in the world of sport. They are joined this year by Jake Humphrey in his first Sports Personality.

This celebration of sporting excellence, which is one of television's most anticipated annual events, is broadcast live from the Echo Arena in Liverpool before an audience of around 8,000 people – just the third time in its history that members of the public have been able to attend the prestigious event.

With the competition now in its 55th year, the title of Sports Personality of the Year 2008 will be awarded to the sportsman or woman whose actions have most captured the public's imagination over the last year. The trophy, which is decided on the night by a public vote, last year went to boxer Joe Calzaghe and this year's competition promises another knock-out field.

Other hotly contested awards to be presented tonight include Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Overseas Personality of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement Award, which will honour a true sporting legend.

ST2

Inspector Kurt Wallander
(Kenneth Branagh) needs to
track an assassin who is
always one step ahead

It is Midsummer's Eve. In the woods, a party of three young adults, in period fancy dress, enjoy a picnic, in the final story adapted from Henning Mankell's bestselling novels. Through the trees a lone assassin, armed with a gun, approaches…

Later, a slightly hysterical mother arrives at the police station. She has received a postcard – her daughter has gone to Europe with two friends, on a whim. The three were last seen heading off to the woods for a Midsummer's Eve picnic. Inspector Kurt Wallander wonders what the problem is; presumably the handwriting is the daughter's?

Meanwhile, Wallander's colleague, Svedberg, is murdered at home, shot at close range. Details about Svedberg's personal life emerge and Wallander wonders how well he really knew him. Svedberg seems to have been involved with the missing youths from the picnic, but it's not clear how.

Back in the woods, three bodies are discovered, all shot at close range. A fourth girl who was meant to attend the picnic is assassinated while in Wallander's care and, shortly afterwards, a newlywed couple falls prey to the assassin's gun.

The assassin plans his murders with meticulous precision, relying on knowledge that is secret to everyone except his victims. How is he privy to this information? Wallander must track a killer who always seems to be one step ahead – and who seems to be following Wallander as much as Wallander is following him.

Kenneth Branagh stars as Kurt Wallander. The cast also includes Sarah Smart as Anne-Britt Hoglund, Sadie Shimmin as Lisa Holgersson, Tom Beard as Svedberg, Tom Hiddleston as Martinsson, Richard McCabe as Nyberg, Jeany Spark as Linda Wallander, Lorraine Brunning as Eva Hilstrom, Samantha Best as Lillmor Norman, Duncan Holmes as Klas Boge and Sanchia McCormack as Ylva Brink.

IJ

BBC TWO Sunday 14 December 2008

Steve Cram presents coverage
of the 15th European Cross
Country Championships, from
Ostend, Belgium

Steve Cram presents coverage of the 15th European Cross Country Championships, which are taking place in Ostend, Belgium.

Ukraine's Sergey Lebid is the man to beat, having won the title seven times, including last year in Toro, Spain. One of his challengers could be the man who won in 2006 – Britain's Mo Farah, who disappointed in the Olympics but came back to win the Great North Mile in October.

The generally disappointing performance by the British athletics team in Beijing led to the appointment of Charles van Commenee as head coach and the trip to Ostend will be his first in his new role.

Spaniard Marta Dominguez won the women's race last year, but conditions will probably be very different this time, with mud and heavy ground in Ostend more likely than the dry and fast going that the athletes encountered in Spain in 2007. Meanwhile, Britain's Steph Twell will be aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive win in the junior women's event.

CH2/ST2

Adrian Chiles presents highlights of today's two Barclays Premier League games, which included a London derby between Chelsea and West Ham.

Gianfranco Zola was a legend at Chelsea and the Italian is bound to have received a warm reception at Stamford Bridge this afternoon, even though he was arriving as West Ham manager. Zola will have had his work cut out as the Hammers lost their last six Premier League games against Chelsea. The Blues also have a new manager this season in Luiz Felipe Scolari, whose attacking brand of football has delighted home fans and neutrals alike.

Portsmouth and Newcastle have also both suffered recent managerial upheaval – in fact, the Magpies' two meetings with Pompey last season came first under Sam Allardyce and then under Kevin Keegan, both of whose tenures at the club proved short-lived. Portsmouth's former manager, Harry Redknapp, rejected the Newcastle job last season but he, too, has since moved on (to Tottenham), leaving Tony Adams in charge at Fratton Park.

There will also be a chance to see all of yesterday's Premier League goals and the programme will ensure the weekend ends with a chuckle in 2Good 2Bad.

NA

Programme Information

Monday 15 December 2008

BBC ONE Monday 15 December 2008

The Sarah Jane Adventures – Enemy Of The Bane (Part 2) Monday 15 December 4.35-5.00pm BBC ONE www.bbc.co.uk/sja Press pack

Mrs Wormwood and Kaagh reveal their true colours, in the concluding episode of this two-part adventure.

Sarah Jane and the gang, meanwhile, find themselves in a race against time when Luke is kidnapped and they discover they have a hidden enemy amongst them.

Only the Brigadier can save the day, before a final showdown at an ancient stone circle ensues.

Mrs Wormwood is played by Samantha Bond, Sarah Jane by Elisabeth Sladen, Luke by Thomas Knight and the Brigadier by Nicholas Courtney.

TD

Bianca (Patsy Palmer) and Ricky
(Sid Owen) discuss Whitney
and Tony

Whitney runs off when she hears Bianca talking to Ricky about her and Tony, in today's visit to Albert Square.

Dot, meanwhile, receives both some good news about Jim and a phone call from Dr Legg, who has a surprise in store.

Elsewhere, Pat is shocked when she reads about a forthcoming wedding.

Whitney is played by Shona McGarty, Bianca by Patsy Palmer, Tony by Chris Coghill, Dot by June Brown, Jim by John Bardon and Pat by Pam St Clements.

JM3

BBC TWO Monday 15 December 2008

Anjum Anand cooks up a spicy
feast in Bradford in the last
programme in the series

Spice queen Anjum Anand concludes her journey around the UK to discover the regional flavours of the Indian subcontinent, with a trip to Bradford to meet Jessica, who, as a volunteer chef on board a classic Yorkshire Dales steam train, is no stranger to mass catering. Jessica and her team have never given the passengers who dine on the train an Indian menu. However, with Anjum's help, they are keen to give it a go.

Bradford is home to a large Kashmiri community, which inspires Anjum to teach Jessica a menu of delicately flavoured Kashmiri dishes.

First up is traditional Rogan Josh – rich, hearty and full of flavour, which Jessica will serve on the train with a pilaf rice cooked in a seasoned broth. Anjum takes Jessica to the restaurant kitchen of Mohammed Aslam, a local Kashmiri chef, who shows them how to make this rice dish perfectly.

Back in the kitchen, Jessica discovers how to make scrumptious peppers, stuffed with spicy paneer – an Indian cheese. The dessert, meanwhile, is a childhood favourite of Anjum's: angel vermicelli topped with orange cream.

With a packed train eagerly awaiting their first onboard Indian meal, Jessica's tiny kitchen faces a real challenge. As always, Anjum's calm composure ensures that the passengers enjoy the food as much as the scenery.

RN

Joseph Stalin was a tyrant, responsible for the death of millions – yet he was also a vital ally of Britain and America during the Second World War.

Using unique archive material only available since the fall of Communism, the final episode of Laurence Rees's landmark history series looks at how, by the end of the War, much of Europe simply swapped the rule of one tyrant for that of another.

As the Second World War came to an end, the Soviets took over a notorious Nazi concentration camp and began imprisoning their enemies.

Minutes of confidential meetings reveal the Western Allies' alarm as much of Eastern Europe fell under Stalin's control.

The Soviets were denying millions of Europeans the freedoms which many in the West thought the War had been fought to protect. Was the Soviet Union, the wartime ally of the West, becoming the new enemy?

EF/JF

BBC THREE Monday 15 December 2008

Clone – Dude Ep 5/6 Monday 15 December 8.30-9.00pm BBC THREE www.bbc.co.uk/clone Press pack

The Clone (Stuart McLoughlin) and
Victor (Jonathan Pryce)
continue their quest to
unlock the Clone's superhuman
abilities

Victor constructs a "cortical remapping device", based on the information he learned about Rose's brain, as he and the Clone continue their quest to unlock the Clone's superhuman abilities.

Victor must also deal with something else he learned during Rose's brain scan – the fact that she seems to be in love with him. Meanwhile, the Clone learns about the concept of being "cool".

Victor is played by Jonathan Pryce, the Clone by Stuart McLoughlin and Rose by Fiona Glascott.

JD/PA

Programme Information

Tuesday 16 December 2008

BBC ONE Tuesday 16 December 2008

Whitney goes through Bianca's handbag to look for her real mum's address, in tonight's visit to Albert Square.

Meanwhile, Suzy wants to get her hands on the cash in the Queen Vic safe.

Elsewhere, Billy tells Ricky he should go to Janine's wedding. He says that if he doesn't, he may regret his decision.

Whitney is played by Shona McGarty, Bianca by Patsy Palmer, Suzy by Maggie O'Neill, Billy by Perry Fenwick, Ricky by Sid Owen and Janine by Charlie Brooks.

JM3

Ric (Hugh Quarshie) struggles
with his work

Ric struggles to work while trying to contact Michelle, as the hospital drama continues. He has to operate on Callie with Michael and Linden but he messes up and Michael grows annoyed with him. The operation is a success, although Callie is still in a coma.

Meanwhile, Daisha brings prospective adoptive parents to Holby to meet baby Joe. But she becomes more confused than ever as she tries to decide whether to keep Joe or give him up.

Elsewhere, the Holby Christmas party is cancelled, so Donna decides to raise money and organise one herself. Maria and Donna are still not on the best of terms and Maria is confused about Kieron. She then discovers that he's Sam's son...

Ric is played by Hugh Quarshie, Michael by Hari Dhillon, Linden by Duncan Pow, Daisha by Rebecca Grant, Donna by Jaye Jacobs, Maria by Phoebe Thomas and Kieron by Misha Crosby.

JM3

Survivors Ep 5/6 Tuesday 16 December 9.00-10.00pm BBC ONE www.bbc.co.uk/survivors Press pack

Anya (Zoë Tapper) is worried
that her secret will come out

When a so-called spiritual leader called John turns up at the survivors' home with his group of followers, some in the house are suspicious of his motives, in the penultimate episode of Adrian Hodges's post-apocalyptic drama series.

Charming and eloquent, John is a preacher with a unique perspective on the new world, but the family's opinion of him is split. Some find comfort in his message, while others are deeply distrusting of his motives.

Linda, a woman in John's group, is pregnant, and Abby allows her to stay until the baby is born. Anya fears that she will be forced to reveal the fact that she is a doctor if there are any problems with the birth. Worse than that, she picks up on some unusual remarks made by John, which make her concerned for the group's safety.

Al is much more positive about John's group. He spots a pretty woman called Louise and uses his charm to seduce her. He is feeling much more like his old self – until he realises that Louise isn't as innocent as she seems.

Meanwhile, Anya's fears are realised when Linda experiences complications and John's serene façade starts to crumble.

As the situation reaches crisis point, Anya is forced to confront some harrowing truths about her own past, putting her relationship with Tom on a new footing. Abby and the others also realise that, through a misguided act of kindness, they have put themselves in terrible jeopardy.

John is played by Kieran O'Brien, Linda by Claire Keelan, Abby by Julie Graham, Anya by Zoë Tapper, Al by Phillip Rhys, Louise by Louise Dylan and Tom by Max Beesley.

AF

Programme Information

Wednesday 17 December 2008

BBC TWO Wednesday 17 December 2008

Explorer Paul Rose, environmentalist Philippe Cousteau Jr, maritime archaeologist Dr Lucy Blue and marine biologist and oceanographer Tooni Mahto journey to the frozen seascape of the Arctic Ocean, in the final episode of the series delving into the hidden stories of the planet's oceans. It may be the smallest and shallowest of the world's great oceans, but the Arctic Ocean plays an unusually important role in stabilising the climate.

The team ventures into one of the world's most hostile environments – travelling within 600 miles of the North Pole to dive beneath the great mass of drifting ice that is essential in keeping the Arctic Ocean cold and, therefore, regulating ocean currents and weather around the globe. They explore how the ice, the dominant feature of the Arctic Ocean, is shrinking and the effect this change may have on this ocean's ecosystems and the rest of the world.

The polar bear is threatened by the retreating ice, but it isn't alone. The team dives below the frozen surface to collect samples of the tiny creatures – amphipods and copepods – that depend on the ice and live right underneath it. They help support the food chain here by storing a precious commodity in the Arctic: fat. The team contributes the findings from their dive to a global census of life in our oceans. This information will help determine how life in the Arctic Ocean is coping with the changes afflicting it.

The team also searches for a glimpse of the world's only white whale – the beluga – to see how it is recovering after years of whaling, and dive in the "crossroads" between this cold ocean and the warmer North Atlantic Drift to see what life exists in this unusual ecosystem.

As the seas warm, not all life will be threatened in the short term. The Atlantic walrus looks as though it could be initially a global warming winner. To discover why, the team attempts to get close to one of the Arctic's most iconic beasts.

The planet's seas are changing fast and this series has built up a global picture of the oceans to offer viewers a timely understanding of our planet's most magnificent and vital asset.

LG

BBC THREE Wednesday 17 December 2008

Lucy (left) and Natalie are desperate to avoid
being named The Last Millionaire

With last week's winners, Carl and James, safely back home with their entrepreneurial reputations intact, it's up to the last two contestants, Lucy and Natalie, to battle it out in Hong Kong, in the final episode of the series which pitches 12 of Britain's brightest young entrepreneurs against one another to see who can create the most profitable businesses from scratch.

This week, the two entrepreneurs must produce a product or product range with the theme East Meets West. Unbeknown to each other, both decide to plunge into Hong Kong's highly competitive t-shirt manufacture and design sector, but they take very different approaches. Lucy acts as a broker for underground designers, trying to place their designs with chic retailers and powerful distributors. Natalie, meanwhile, decides to manufacture t-shirts promoting entrepreneurialism which can be customised with clients' logos and brand names.

It's a frenetic week in Hong Kong, but both girls are fuelled by the desire to make more money than their rival – and avoid becoming The Last Millionaire.

Other programmes in BBC Three's Money Season include Filthy, Rich And Famous, How To Rob A Bank and The Way To Riches (working title).

CS

BBC FOUR Wednesday 17 December 2008

As BBC Four's The Art Of Italy season draws to a close, director Tim Kirby marks the quincentenary of the birth of Andrea Palladio – considered by many to be the world's most influential architect. The villas and palaces that he designed for the aristocrats of Vicenza and Venice, as well as his seminal Four Books Of Architecture, defined an architectural style that became known as neo-classicism.

Palladio's influence can be seen everywhere, from the dome of Jefferson's Monticello to the portico of the "Southfork" ranch in Dallas. Even an arch Modernist like Le Corbusier confessed to being a "disciple" of this miller's son, who rose from apprentice stonemason to the leading architect of the Venetian Republic.

Drawing on his own detailed research of the architecture of Ancient Rome, Palladio developed a set of rules that transformed domestic architecture by appropriating the language of the classical temple and applying it to the home.

The Palladian villa has been described as "the perfect house", combining an austere grandeur with an inspiring and yet intimate human scale. The German poet Goethe summed up the reactions of many who have experienced a Palladian house first hand: "You have to see these buildings with your own eyes to realise how good they are."

The Perfect House – The Life And Work Of Andrea Palladio provides the next best thing to a personal visit – a ravishing documentary journey through the plains of the Veneto, visiting the 17 villas that remain and exploring in detail what makes them work. From the rugged farmhouse outlines of the Villa Emo to the seductive pleasure-dome curves of the Villa Rotonda, the programme combines history and biography with a critical appreciation from leading experts of a man whose designs for living changed the face of the world.

Contributors include: architects Zaha Hadid, Robert Adam and Robert Tavernor; architectural historians Howard Burns, Guido Beltramini and Charles Hind; and owners of some of Palladio's most celebrated buildings, among them Count Foscari (Villa Foscari) and Contessa Diamonte Luling Buschetti (Villa Barbaro).

TM

Programme Information

Thursday 18 December 2008

BBC ONE Thursday 18 December 2008

It's the final week of Election and, out of all the applications from around the country, only one contestant can win. For nine action-packed weeks, the 10 talented contestants have been competing and, today, the remaining two battle it out for the ultimate prize: becoming the winner of Election.

The last Leadership Challenge sees the remaining two deliver a two-minute manifesto to a packed audience of schoolchildren in the House of Commons. The atmosphere is electric ... especially as their eight fellow contestants are back to vote for who they think should win today's final showdown.

Before the manifestos are delivered, there is a quick recap of what the contestants have faced over the last 10 weeks – their trials, tests and ups and downs. It's the end of a fantastic journey but today is their biggest challenge.

Back in the House of Commons, the presentations are about to be made and Jonathan Dimbleby is in charge of the debate. But which finalist will make the best case for "How to make Britain better for kids"? And have they got what it takes to be a great leader?

Today's winner will not only claim the title of winner of Election but also be whisked, by speedboat, up the Thames and taken on an exclusive tour of No. 10 Downing Street. This is followed by a private audience with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, to whom the winner will present their manifesto.

Perhaps the winner of Election will get the taste for a political future and be a future leader of Britain...

FW

Archie asks for Suzy's help, in today's visit to Albert Square. But does he have an ulterior motive?

Elsewhere, Roxy is concerned about Sean's whereabouts, especially as it is Amy's first day back from hospital.

Heather talks to Peggy about how to reward Dot, the Square's unsung hero. Peggy advises her to contact the Walford Gazette.

Archie is played by Larry Lamb, Suzy by Maggie O'Neill, Roxy by Rita Simons, Sean by Rob Kazinsky, Heather by Cheryl Fergison and Peggy by Barbara Windsor.

JM3

Apparitions Ep 6/6 Thursday 18 December 9.00-10.00pm BBC ONE Press pack

Cardinal Bukovak (John
Shrapnel) is concerned about
Jacob

Jacob is unable to complete Mass after performing the reverse exorcism to release Michael's demon from hell, as the supernatural drama concludes. A concerned Cardinal Bukovak calls in a psychologist to assess Jacob. However, during the session, Jacob sustains a serious injury to his arm and the psychologist concludes that it was self-inflicted.

Jacob realises that he needs to be exorcised himself but this is impossible with Bukovak assuming control of the seminary. When Jacob receives a terrifying vision of his friends' murders, he decides to leave the seminary for their safety and books into a hotel. At his lowest ebb, he encounters a woman in the hotel who taunts him.

Jacob visits Vincenzo in prison. As the former chief exorcist of Rome, Vincenzo is the only man who can help him. Vincenzo initially refuses but Satan's victory would be all the more satisfying if he could defeat Jacob at full strength, so Vincenzo is instructed to perform the exorcism after all.

Ignoring Bukovak's orders to return to London, Jacob stays in Rome with Sister Ruth, in an attempt to thwart Michael's plans before it is too late.

Martin Shaw is Father Jacob, Rick Warden is Michael, John Shrapnel is Cardinal Bukovak, Cherie Lunghi is the woman in the hotel, Luigi Diberti is Vincenzo and Sister Ruth is Siobhan Finneran.

KW

CBBC Thursday 18 December 2008

Stefan Gates and his intrepid team of Gastronuts set off to find out what would happen if humans didn't break wind. While the act may often provoke embarrassment or laughter, the team discovers that it's an essential part of human digestion.

As they ask what would happen if people tried to stop "parping", the Gastronuts put theory into practice by cooking up the world's best windy foods and catching their "trumps" in a swimming pool, to see what a whole week's worth of stored-up wind would do to the human body.

FW

Programme Information

Friday 19 December 2008

BBC ONE Friday 19 December 2008

Is this the end of the road for
Dani and the gang?

Dani discovers that her house is up for sale, in the last episode of the children's comedy starring Dani Harmer. The aspiring young actress needs to scupper the plans laid by Max and his greedy mentor, estate agent Edgar Molloy, if she wants to keep the big bedroom and stay living close to her friends.

Toby is also in a spot of bother after borrowing Sam's savings to set up a joke supply company, which is failing and yet to generate a sale.

Things turn desperate when the gang discovers plane tickets to Florida and even Max has a change of heart when forced to make a choice between living in another country and being with his best friend, Ben.

They all unite and set about using Toby's surplus joke bugs, vomit and stink bombs to put off the potential buyer. Their fears are soon allayed, however, when it turns out that the estate agent should have been next door and had been showing people around the wrong house. But, just when they think things have returned to normal, a property developer announces his plans to demolish the whole estate. What will become of them all?

Dani is played by Dani Harmer, Edgar Molloy by Phil Cornwall, Toby by Harry Culverhouse, Sam by Klariza Clayton, Max by Sebastian Applewhite and Ben by James Gandhi.

VT

Janine is about to get married but Pat is determined to see the ceremony cancelled, in tonight's visit to Albert Square.

Phil and Suzy, meanwhile, break the news about Suzy's pregnancy to Ben and tell him about their plans to get married.

Janine is played by Charlie Brooks, Pat by Pam St Clements, Phil by Steve McFadden, Suzy by Maggie O'Neill and Ben by Charlie Jones.

JM3

Phil is in a good mood when he receives a royalty check for his Eighties hit, as the family drama in which three reluctant rock stars are thwarted by their meddling parents continues. It may be only for £72.50 but, hey, it's a night out. All being well it should be a night out with Sandy...

Jack, meanwhile, is smitten when he meets Inge, a girl from Denmark, in the park. When Jack learns that Inge sings, he is convinced she would be a great addition to the band, but Granville and Eddie aren't so keen – Adi is already their lead singer and they don't want to stab him in the back. Phil is especially concerned at the prospect. As far as he is concerned, having a woman in a band only leads to strife and heartache, and that's the last thing he wants for Jack. However, when Phil sees how hard Jack has fallen for Inge, he decides it wouldn't hurt to at least have some rehearsals with her.

When Sandy, Ashton and Carmen learn that Phil has made a decision about the band without them, it doesn't go down well. But when Phil plays them the track he's recorded with Inge and the band, they see that maybe he was right after all. And, luckily for Phil, this also means that his date with Sandy is still on. But how will Adi and his father, Daneesh, take the news?

Phil is played by Jimmy Nail, Sandy by Niky Wardley, Jack by Peter Losasso, Inge by Sarah Vezmar, Granville by Franz Drameh, Eddie by David Barseghian, Adi by Michael Karim, Ashton by Colin McFarlane, Carmen by Nicola Hughes and Daneesh by Inder Manocha.

CS

It's Gwen's birthday and Bryn has arranged a special treat as a surprise, as the critically acclaimed comedy, written by James Corden and Ruth Jones (and previously aired on BBC Three), continues.

The stress of organising the treat, however, is starting to get the better of Bryn and arouses Gwen's suspicions. Things take a turn for the worse when an uninvited guest turns up and Stacey tells Gavin of her big decision.

Gwen is played by Melanie Walters, Bryn by Rob Brydon, Stacey by Joanna Page and Gavin by Mathew Horne. James Corden, Ruth Jones, Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb also star.

CS

BBC FOUR Friday 19 December 2008

The Swing Thing traces the story of swing music, from the jazz clubs of the Twenties, through the heady days of the Rat Pack, to modern-day stars such as Harry Connick Jr and Michael Bublé.

Swing sparked a youthful cultural revolution and went on to produce some of the most iconic stars of the 20th century: Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Eighty years on, it is still topping the charts, thanks to artists including Bublé, and remains one of the longest-lived and most successful forms of popular music.

As band leader Artie Shaw once said: "Swing is a verb, not an adjective." Swing, in other words, is something you do – an action, a rhythm, an energy, an attitude. Swing is the thing which, for over 80 years, has created some of music's greatest artists and records and which simply refuses to go away.

Narrated by Kenneth Cranham, The Swing Thing combines commentary and archive footage of some of the finest swing performers and performances of all time. It also examines the impact swing music has had on American society – as a youth movement, a force for sexual liberation and a challenge to the country's racial divide.

SV