July 28 - August 3: Your TV Picks

It’s one day late, but yet again it’s time for BoxZone’s picks for the week ahead.

Monday 28th July

• Coronation Street, 7:30pm/8:30pm ITV1
  Many have commented that Coronation Street is getting dull, similar to many other soaps. What’s going on with these soaps? They seem to have blips of brilliance and moments of utter mediocrity. Nevertheless, they keep on going. In tonight’s first helping, Pam’s got her own plans for Molly’s wedding while Harry’s flirting with Liz winds Clarissa up. But come 8:30, Ken is inspired to revisit his novel. Gosh - exciting or what?
• Can’t Read, Can’t Write, 9pm C4
  Second part of this documentary series which follows people who cannot read or write (shocking really, considering the title). This is actually quite a shocking and deep story as the people take lessons and try extremely hard. Definitely worth viewing if you enjoy documentaries.
• Make Me a Supermodel US, 9pm LIVING
  In my view this show has been a huge let down compared to America’s Next Top Model. For some reason… it just isn’t as good whatsoever. But for those who enjoy modelling series, it’s worth a watch. There’s some good elements to the show and the photo shoots and tasks are always entertaining. Featuring Tyson Beckford and Niki Taylor.

Tuesday 29th July

• Bonekickers, 9pm BBC1
  The looting of Babylonian relics from the Iraq war starts a trail to the team’s doorstep and intertwines with the destiny of the Middle East in tonight’s episode of the show that is quickly losing its popularity. What do you think of this show? Does it take itself too seriously? I’m not sure. Can be dreadfully dull in some ways.
• The F Word, 9pm C4
  It’s the last one of the series for good old Gordon Ramsay, so tonight let’s welcome Graham Norton for the recipe challenge that features fifty vegetarians while Gordon is off sky-fishing for puffins before visiting his old footie club in Scotland. Then of course he jets off to Southern Spain. It’s a hard life.
• Private Practice, 10pm LIVING
  Addison and co. return for yet another week in their Santa Monica private hospital. Addison confides in Pete while treating newlyweds who are experiencing difficulty in their relationship. Cooper attempts to investigate why four sisters share the same sickness. Starring Kate Walsh.

Wednesday 30th July

• Trinny and Susannah Undress the Nation, 9pm ITV1
  Yes, that’s right, good old fashion lovers Trin and Susie are back with more groping and feeling to make the nation feel like they can look good on a cheaper budget. Beat the credit crunch, go on girls! After all, they’ve always known what not to wear. I’m such a joker.
• Six Degrees, 10:40pm ITV1
  We’re now onto the unaired episodes of the States drama, because it had such low figures they didn’t even show them. Anywho, Ray Jones, a self-described “connector” who has a past with some of the main characters, comes to town and gives Whitney, Steven, Laura, and Damian a $50,000 check, a fruit basket, a job, and a naked marriage proposal — not in that order, and not without arousing suspicion. Carlos interviews for a job at a private law firm.
• Don’t Forget the Lyrics US, 8pm Sky One
  There has to be a US version of everything nowadays, it seems. But in this case, we did a remake of the Yanks version on Sunday nights featuring Shane Richie. And because it did well, Sky must have thought “what the heck?” and thrown in the US version on a good old Wednesday evening. Oh, the fun of it. More dreadful singers trying to score those points. With Wayne Brady.

Thursday 31st July

• Return to Castaway, 7pm/7:30pm BBC2
  Anyone remember Castaway? It was the Beeb’s attempt at a reality show in 2000, that lasted an entire year, which started off to ratings success but eventually halfed. It then got revived last year in March in a Sunday night slot after a seven year break and was a huge disappointment, being dotted around the schedule as the Beeb saw fit. Anyway, tonight we go back and see how the contributers are getting along since the programme was broadcast.
• The Charlotte Church Show, 10pm C4
  Good old Charlotte is back again tonight with the three finalists of Lady to Ladette (her miniseries within the programme), but which Lady has got the worst qualities now? Who will win and who will be told to “Do one!”? It’s just too much fun.
• Alan Carr’s Celebrity Ding Dong, 10:35pm E4
  With another series of this show just round the corner, you can catch up on the first run with E4. Can the Z-list celebs beat the civilians from a city? It’s a really hilarious show, but many complained it’s snobby and offensive. Don’t take yourselves too seriously.

Friday 1st August

• Big Brother, 9pm/10:35pm C4
  Who’s going to be the next out, I wonder. I have absolutely no idea who is nominated or what has happened in the week, so we’ll have to just wait and see who will be the next one booed to fury. With the nomination pod added and the housemates already having seen the audition tapes, it seems Big Brother is in a cheeky mood.
• The Kevin Bishop Show, 10pm C4
  We know we had both these shows last week, but this comedy was really hilarious. With its fast-pace and good wit, you’re bound to be having a good laugh on your Friday night. And if you don’t find one funny, you can just wait a few seconds and it’ll be off the screen.
• Over Her Dead Body, Various Times Sky Box Office
  2007 movie featuring Eva Longoria and Paul Rudd. When Kate dies on the day of her wedding, she returns to Earth as a ghost thinking her aim is to stop her fiancee Henry finding somebody else. But it suddenly comes apparent the only person who can see her is Henry’s girlfriend Ashley, played by Lake Bell. Sounds like a ridiculous plot, but Longoria’s comedic timing makes this film a funny experience.

Saturday 2nd August

• Who Dares Sings!, 8:20pm ITV1
  Ben Shephard and Denise Van Outen bring us yet another episode of karaoke fun where members of the studio audience compete for a prize by singing for a music note analysis system called SAM. But… can any of them actually sing? No, I don’t think so.
• Bridget Jones’s Diary, 9:20pm BBC1
  2001 romantic comedy based on the novel of the same name by Helen Fielding. Bridget, a woman in her thirties, works at a book publishing company in London where her main focus is fantasising about her boss Daniel Cleaver. But when things don’t really go to plan with him, can she find love elsewhere? Starring Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant.
• America’s Sweethearts, 10:20pm C4
  Another 2001 romantic comedy, but this time starring Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Billy Crystal. Film about a movie publicist who is struggling with the fact that celebrity couple Gwen and Eddie have recently split. But there’s a twist along the way when Eddie starts to fall for Gwen’s sister/assistant Kiki.

Sunday 3rd August

• Dragons’ Den, 7pm BBC2
  Repeat of Monday’s episode of the business reality show. Can the dragons find a success with another entrepreneur who is pitching their idea? There’ll be the odd one, but what makes this show so excellent is the incredibly wacky inventions that have an eof over £10 million.
• Back to You, 11:55pm C4
  This show seems to be shoved into a later slot each week, doesn’t it? Anyway, starring Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton, this US comedy is quite a good laugh based in a television news station. It doesn’t quite hit the spot of the stars’ previous works, but most will enjoy it.
• Mark Ronson vs. Duran Duran at the Smirnoff Experience Paris, 12:50am C4
  Producer Mark Ronson collaborates with Duran Duran in this ridiculously late slot. Live from La Cigale in Paris.

Anything we’ve missed?

BoxZone - Keeping you tuned in!

Mon 28th July at 2:12pm 7 comments
Tags › Television, Alan Carr, Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong, America's Next Top Model, America's Sweethearts, Back to You, BBC One, Ben Shephard, Big Brother, Billy Crystal, Bonekickers, Bridget Jones's Diary, Can't Read Can't Write, Castaway, Castaway 2000, Castaway 2007, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Channel 4, Charlotte Church, Colin Firth, Coronation Street, Davina McCall, Denise Van Outen, Don't Forget the Lyrics US, Dragon's Den, Duran Duran, E4, Eva Longoria, Gordon Ramsay, Graham Norton, Helen Fielding, Hugh Grant, ITV1, Julia Roberts, Kate Walsh, Kelsey Grammer, Kevin Bishop, La Cigale, Lake Bell, LIVING, Living TV, Make Me A Supermodel US, Mark Ronson, Niki Taylor, Over Her Dead Body, Patricia Heaton, Paul Rudd, Private Practice, Renee Zellweger, Return to Castaway, Shane Richie, Six Degrees, Sky Box Office, Sky One, Smirnoff Experience, Susannah Constantine, The Charlotte Church Show, The F Word, The Kevin Bishop Show, Trinny & Susannah, Trinny and Susannah Undress the Nation, Trinny Woodall, Tyson Beckford, Wayne Brady, Who Dares Sings!