This week's top TV: 19 - 25 September

This week's top TV: 19 - 25 September

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Monday, 19th September 2016
Robbie Coltrane and Julie Walters play Paul and Marie Finchley in Jack Thorne's topical drama (credit: Channel 4)

Monday

Secrets of the SAS

Channel 5

9pm

Channel 5 takes a look at the conditions endured by Britain's specialist military corps (credit: Channel 5)

In the latest installment of this critical look at the Special Air Service, former soldier Yorky Crossland recalls his time as leader of Alpha Two patrol, operating in Iraq during its coldest winter for 20 years.

The squadron suffered extreme sleep deprivation over a six week period as they regularly drove through the night, and Crossland endured long bouts of depression after lethal contact with the enemy.

 

Tuesday

National Treasure

Channel 4

9pm

Robbie Coltrane and Julie Walters star in this topical drama about a disgraced comedian facing historic rape allegations from the 1990s.

Falling star Paul Finchley, once revered as one half of a successful double act, now lives a retiring life in an exclusive estate with his wife Marie (Walters). Everything changes when the police knock on the Finchleys' door one day, catapulting Paul into the public eye once again, this time in a much darker light as a high profile sex criminal. 

Explicitly inspired by the events surrounding Operation Yewtree - at one point Paul exclaims "They think I'm Jimmy f*****g Savile" - this four-part series is penned by Skins and This Is England writer Jack Thorne.

 

Wednesday

Ross Kemp: Extreme World

Sky1

9pm

Ross Kemp travels to Mozambique, and is surprised to find how locals view endangered elephants as pests (credit: Dave Williams/Soundd ltd)

Ross Kemp journeys to Mozambique in the new series of Extreme World, to uncover the true nature of the world's ivory trade. 

Meeting with farmers in the heartland of a global epidemic, Kemp is surprised by local attitudes towards the rapid decline of elephants in east Africa, who consider the majestic creature a pest.   

Thursday

Red Dwarf

Dave

9pm

The Dwarfers are back! After a four year hiatus since their last reunion, Craig Charles, Chris Barrie, Danny John-Jules, and Robert Llewellyn  return to our screens as Lister, Rimmer, the Cat, and Kryton aboard the mining ship Red Dwarf.

In episode 1 of the news series, the crew find themselves in an alternative 1920s where prohibition laws prevent the use of technology, rather than alcohol. Our four heroes must infiltrate an underground network of scientists in order to defeat the regime responsible.  

 

Friday

Keith Richards' Lost Weekend

BBC FOUR

7pm

Keith Richards takes viewers on a mystical tour of rock 'n' roll (credit: BBC/Nitrate Films/Jane Rose)

The Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards takes over BBC FOUR for three whole nights in a pirate broadcast dedicated to the legendary rock star's life and philosophy. 

The notorious musician will hand pick the channel's programming over the weekend for a dusk 'til dawn schedule, taking viewers on a mystical tour of rock 'n' roll and waxing lyrical about the price of fame.

 

Saturday

8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

Channel 4

9pm

The comedy crossover continues with a brand new series of Cats Does Countdown (credit: Channel 4)

Jimmy Carr and Jon Richardson join Rachel Riley and Susie Dent for another Cats Does Countdown crossover in a brand new series of the comedy quiz.

David Walliams features as guest team captain, partnered with the inimitable Jonathan Ross, while Joe Lycett makes up the rest of Richardson's team. Peep Show actor Isy Suttie provides the laughs in Dictionary Corner.

 

Sunday

Ozzy and Jack's World Detour

History

9pm

Ozzy confronts his past misdeeds in San Antonio in the latest Osbourne vehicle (credit: Edward A. Omelas/ San Antonio Express-News)

Almost 15 years since the Osbournes first made waves in their groundbreaking reality show, father and son team Ozzy and Jack hit the road on a world tour, each with their own agenda in mind.

Flying around the world visiting international landmarks, the Osbournes' trip sees them in Japan hunting Samurai masters, being knighted on Glastonbury Tor, and joining the first tourists in Cuba for 50 years.

This week's episode follows the pair's journey to the Alamo. Steeped in US military history, the site has some personal significance for Ozzy who was arrested there in 1982, and banned from entering for ten years after urinating a public monument. 

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