Highlighted for the Week
The Renowned Great British Bake Off
Tuesday, Channel 4, 8pm
Though UK’s global supremacy may have seen better days and its political landscape might be unstable, one token of perseverance that is undeniable is The Great British Bake Off. This show is a sweet treat of television in which amateur bakers battle to craft the ultimate baked goods. The imminent series teases more appetising on-screen delights for viewer’s vicarious pleasure and enjoyment. Hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond are set to invite a fresh set of bakers into the Bake Off marquee, while adjudicators Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith will scrutinise and taste the participant’s creations. Unfounded whispers of Leith’s departure from the show caused relief among countless Bake Off devotees when they were proven false – though her absence from the celebrity version of the show arises from her need for a break: “Frankly, there’s zero downtime.” Let the baking showdown commence.
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing
Sunday, BBC2, 9pm
One cannot help but wonder, why is there an influx of surrealist comedians transitioning into serene, countryside-themed shows? Regardless, it’s enjoyable to watch Noel Fielding host Bake Off, Vic Reeves portray birds on Sky TV and Bob Mortimer join Paul Whitehouse for a seventh instalment of Gone Fishing. Look forward to more adventures with the duo as they fish in scenic spots, all the while engaging in profound conversations about life and fishing. It’s simple, humorous and invigorating. The inaugural episode sees Bob and Paul journey to Norfolk to fish for tench in the hidden treasure of Rocklands Mere.
Tom Jones
Sunday, UTV, 10.20pm
Solly McLeod is cast as the eponymous protagonist of this fresh interpretation of Henry Fielding’s comedy novel, joined by Sophie Wilde as Sophia Western and Hannah Waddingham playing the cunning and alluring Lady Bellasto. Tom, a destitute lad of ambiguous ancestry, falls for Sophia, the wealthy damsel from the neighbouring grand mansion. However, their love story faces numerous challenges, eventually leading Tom to London’s abundant worldly allurements. The original publication of “The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling” stirred significant controversy among the genteel society in 1749, while the ongoing critique of this TV series revolves around the insufficient romantic tension between the main characters.
House of the Year
Showtime: Monday, on BBC1 at 8pm
A new six-episode property series kicks off in search of the best house in Northern Ireland with television personality and design specialist Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen taking the charge. Rather than a traditional glamorous cliffside glass house, he seeks a home that reflects the personal touch and emotional investment of its owners. Assisting Llewelyn-Bowen in this endeavour are architect Jane Larmour, interior decorator James Fairley and Patricia McGinnis, the proprietor of a Belfast-based interiors store. The series will feature 15 houses across Northern Ireland, culminating in five ultimate contenders battling it out for the prestigious title of ‘House of the Year’. The opening episode introduces a bohemian bungalow in Lisburn, a family residence in the Belfast Hills boasting a blend of repurposed and old-fashioned decorations, and an elegantly restored villa dating back to the 19th century in Holywood, Co Down.
Rebus
Airtime: Tuesday, on RTÉ2 at 10.15pm.
The popular Edinburgh detective character, John Rebus, returns in a new series, embodied by a younger, though no less troubled, actor: Richard Rankin from the Outlander series. This reincarnation of Rebus is even more complex and unpredictable as the series takes liberty with Ian Rankin’s original novels, introducing new narratives and darker themes. As Rebus, along with his associate detective Siobhan Clarke (played by Lucie Shorthouse), explores a violent assault and faces his ex-spouse’s exceedingly wealthy new spouse, he recognises how the expanding economic disparities within the city are opening up space for serious crimes.
In another show, titled Ludwig, airing on BBC1 Wednesday at 9 pm, David Mitchell, known for his role in Peep Show, plays the introverted genius, John Taylor. When his detective twin brother James vanishes without a trace, John, who lives a comforted life of solitude and earns a living creating puzzles under the pseudonym Ludwig, is cajoled by his sister-in-law Lucy (played by Anna Maxwell Martin) to assume his missing brother’s identity in order to solve the mystery. John, now Ludwig, must integrate into Lucy’s family to maintain this deception, but will he be able to uncover the truth before his masquerade unravels?
The Thursday 9 pm slot on BBC2 features the documentary, “Surviving October 7th: We Will Dance Again,” retelling the terrifying occurrences of the Gaza war almost a year ago. Directed by Yariv Mozer, the 90-minute documentary explores the massacre of young revellers at the Nova music festival in the Negev desert during Hamas’s unexpected assault on Israel that initiated this cycle of violence. Survivors recount their experiences, and various forms of footage, such as phone recordings, Hamas’s live-streamed videos, and CCTV and dashcam footage, provide a chilling narrative of the events.
Lastly, the show Brassic is set to air on Sky Max and Now at 10 pm, Thursday 26th.
The infamous squad, consisting of Vinnie, Erin and the rest, are back, but not as we know it, for a sixth series of outrageous escapades. Their past involvement with narco kingpin, Manolito, has altered their realities significantly. As they gradually mature, the notion of growing up seems much more intimidating to them than any savage mob boss. Joe Gilgun once again steps into the shoes of gang chief, Vinnie O’Neill and is joined by Michelle Keegan who plays Erin Croft, a woman keen to create a brighter future for her son, Tyler, despite the financial constraints.
The Graham Norton Show
On Friday, tune into BBC1 at 10:40pm for another appearance of Graham Norton, hot off the heels of his latest book release, Frankie. He’ll be welcoming a fresh set of film and TV personalities to his red plush sofa and extracting amusing stories from ordinary citizens positioned on the famed red chair. A Batman theme will dominate his show as the new season kicks off, featuring celebrated guests like Colin Farrell, star of the newly launched HBO series The Penguin, and Lady Gaga, the onscreen counterpart of Joaquin Phoenix in Joker: Folie à Deux. The red sofa also makes room for Demi Moore, promoting her daring new horror flick, The Substance, and Richard Ayoade discussing his most recent literary effort, The Unfinished Harauld Hughes.
Streaming
Evolution of the Black Quarterback
Available from the 24th of September on Prime Video. Mike Vick, the retired NFL quarterback, embarks on a journey to discover the impact black quarterbacks have made on the sport over its lifetime. This journey pays homage to their struggle from fighting for their position in the team to becoming instrumental in their team’s league victories. Some notable encounters include conversations with American football greats like Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Cam Newton, Dak Prescott, Russell Wilson and Warren Moon. A few celebrities like Common, Larry Wilmore, Steve Young and Jamie Foxx also lend their perspectives.
Midnight Family
Available from the 25th of September on Apple TV+.
Introducing the Tamayos, an unconventional superhero family. Marigaby Tamayo, alongside her father, Ramon, and brothers, Marcus and Julito, turns into protectors of lives in Mexico City at nightfall. They act as a beacon of hope in a city of 10 million where the emergency services are desperately lacking. Whilst Marigaby is engaged in her medical studies during the day, she embarks on a vocation as a paramedic under the starry skies. She maneuvers through the vast city in their privately-owned ambulance, responding to drastic emergencies. But will her demanding schedule bring upon exhaustion or even jeopardize lives? This Spanish-language drama series is derived from a real-life documentary about an extraordinary family of night-time medical professionals.
Coming your way from September 26th on Netflix is “Nobody Wants This”. This might have been the response of a television executive upon the presentation of yet another comedy series centered around a well-intentioned yet odd couple. The stars of “Nobody Wants This” are Kristen Bell and Adam Brody portraying Joanne and Noah – characters from polar opposite backgrounds who stumble upon love. Joanne is outspoken, stimulating and devoid of religion, whilst Noah is a risk-averse, good Jewish boy who avoids any extraordinary actions. Will this ill-matched pair achieve lasting happiness? The chances are slim given that sitcoms thrive on unresolved matters. The cast is complimented by Justine Lupe playing the role of Joanne’s delightful, quick-thinking and sharp-tongued sister Morgan, and Timothy Simons acting as Sasha, Noah’s peculiar and overly-confident older sibling.