01 September 2010 (TV Previews)

Chosen by: Sheena McGinley

A selection of delights for your viewing pleasure, spanning from the 5th - 23rd of September. As always, you can keep yourself up to date with your viewing by visiting our TV Page for our four daily highlights.

U Be Dead. 5th September. 9.00pm. UTV.
Dr Jan Falkowski and his fiancée Debbie Pemberton could think of no-one who would want to stalk them with threatening texts and phone calls. Even when the stalker professed to being in love with Jan, they refused to take her increasingly manic behaviour seriously. That is until she broke into their houseboat and opened the gas taps, threatened Jan's family and attempted to cancel their wedding. . Warning texts and phone calls rained down on everyone connected to the nuptials, and Debbie was advised to "prepare your funeral, not your wedding." As a final text arrived - "U BE DEAD" - they surrounded the phone box it was sent from and arrested the woman who had been stalking Dr Jan Falkowski for two years. Maria Marchese (Dolan) was an unlikely stalker who had only met Jan a handful of times through a patient of his. After initially denying she was guilty of harassing Jan, she then claimed to be texting him because he had raped her. And she had DNA evidence to prove it. Based on a true story, this drama stars David Morrissey.



Mercury Music Prize. 7th September. 10.00pm. BBC2.
Lauren Laverne presents coverage of the Mercury Prize Awards show, hosted by shouty paino tickling man Jools Holland from London's Grosvenor House Hotel. The live programme from 10pm features clips of all 12 of the nominated acts performing and the announcement of this year's winner. BBC Two then returns to the awards at 11.20pm to provide extended coverage, including performances, interviews and highlights from the esteemed event. The shortlist for 2010 is: Biffy Clyro, Dizzee Rascal, I Am Kloot, Paul Weller, Corinne Bailey Rae, The XX, Kit Downes Trio, Foals, Laura Marling, Wild Beasts, Mumford And Sons, and - of course - Villagers.



Mad Men. 8th September. 10.00pm. BBC4.
The first episode of series 4 takes place the week of Thanksgiving, 1964. Let the swinging commence. Don's secretive demeanour results in an unfavourable interview by an Advertising Age reporter, leading an important client to fire his ad agency. He also struggles with a bathing suit account for which the client wants to project a wholesome image... Pete and Peggy work together to secure increased budget from a client with an ill-advised publicity stunt involving two women fighting over a baked ham. Roger attempts to find a girlfriend for Don, setting him up with a friend of his wife. Betty and the kids spend Thanksgiving with her new husband's family, and then Betty gets into a fight with Don over her delay in moving out of the house.

True Blood. 9th September. 10.30pm. TG4.
The "biggest TV phenomenon of last year" (mainly thanks to the blood and bountiful amounts of fornicating) is back with a bite as True Blood series two comes to TG4. In the opening episode, a shocking murder outside Merlotte's has Bon Temps reeling. Meanwhile, Sookie's (Anna Paguin) relationship with Bill (Stephen Moyer) is tested when she discovers his involvement in her uncle's death. Meanwhile, Jason is on the receiving end of a windfall that allows him to pay for a leadership retreat with the anti-vampire sect Fellowship of the Sun. If you miss TG4's airing, series two also kicks off on Channel 4 on September 16th.



Karl Pilkington: An Idiot Abroad. 23rd September. 9.00pm. SKY1.
Of Karl Pilkington, his professional persecutor, Ricky Gervais, said: "He is unintentionally the funniest man I've ever met." Whether it's unintentional or not is open to debate, but there's no denying - out of Gervias, Merchant and Pilkington - the latter is indeed the funniest. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant have thrown down the gauntlet to send Karl around the globe to force him out of his comfort zone. Stephen wants the experience to broaden Karl's mind and change his outlook on the world. Ricky wants Karl to hate every minute of it for his own amusement. Prepare for one of "the most unique and hilarious programmes ever aired" as Karl Pilkington goes on the journey of a lifetime.

Best of the Rest

Big Brother Finale Extravaganza. From 6th September. Channel 4.
They couldn't just have the final of Ultimate Big Brother and be done with it. No, they must have a Come Dine With Me Special: Big Brother Winners (6th September. 8.00pm); 8 Out of 10 Cats: Big Brother Special (9th September. 10.00pm); Big Brother: Dermot's Last Supper (10th September. 9.30pm); Davina's Big Send Off (10th September. 10.00pm); Ultimate Big Brother: The Final (10th September. From 7.30pm); Ultimate Big Brother: The Final Hour (10th September. 11.35pm).....

This Is England '86. 7th September. 10.00pm. Channel 4.
Acclaimed filmmaker Shane Meadows makes his televisual debut with the much-anticipated follow-up to his BAFTA award-winning film, This Is England - set in 1983 and in which 13-year-old Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) found escape from bullying at school when a gang of skinheads, led by the affable Woody (Joe Gilgun), made him part of their 'family'.

Entourage. 9th September. 10.55pm. RTE2.
Entourage returns with the series opener of Season 6. After his post-Medellin difficulties, Vince is on the fast track once again, as he prepares for a driving test as well as an appearance with Jay Leno to promote his new movie Gatsby, directed by Martin Scorsese.



My Family's Crazy Gap Year. 6th September. 9.00pm. Channel 4.
This observational series follows six families as they achieve what many of us can only dream of: swapping the day-to-day grind for life-changing adventures in remote corners of the world. Their itineraries are as varied as their budgets, but each parent is equally determined to show their children a way of life far removed from their own.

Merlin. 11th September. TBC. BBC1.
It has been a year since Lady Morgana disappeared and no trace of her has been found, as the fantasy drama starring Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Anthony Head and Richard Wilson returns for a new series.

Ramsay's Best Restaurant. 14th September. 9.00pm. Channel 4.
Gordon Ramsay's back and is seeking out Britain's best restaurants. From John O'Groats to Land's End, diners have nominated their favourite local eatery, from fine French to irresistible Indian and every cuisine (and expletive) in between.

Grand Designs. 15th September. 9.00pm. Channel 4.
In a brand new series of Grand Designs, Kevin McCloud is once again amazed by the ingenuity and determination of the families who set out to build their dream homes. And, with the recession taking its toll on their budgets, these Grand Designers must come up with bolder ideas than ever before.

 

Back to Other Exclusives