Brodie Millichap picks out this week’s TV highlights…
Five picks of the week
SuperScrimpers: Monday Channel 4, 8pm.
In times of economic struggle, Miss Moneypenny continues to showcase her financial knowledge in this revealing series. This week she reveals how you can haggle to get a better TV package as well as examining different ways to improve a credit rating. She also pays a visit to big-spending family the Dobles, who she challenges to live on £50 worth of food a week. A good watch for anyone who is keen to cut-back on their spending.
Whitechapel: Monday ITV1, 9pm (pictured)
The East End is once more gripped with uncontrollable fear as Whitechapel makes a rip-roaring return for another new series. Starring Rupert Penry-Jones (DI Joseph Chandler), Phil Davis (DS Ray Miles) and Steve Pemberton (Edward Buchan), this latest series is opened up with four people slaughtered at a tailor’s workshop. As the series evolves, the scenes get even gorier and you will be on the edge of your seat throughout.
Prisoners’ Wives: Tuesday BBC1, 9pm.
This new six-part drama focuses on the lives of the women left behind when their loved ones are banged up for various crimes. Gemma (Emma Rigby) had a seemingly perfect life until her husband was arrested on suspicion of murder. Francesca (Polly Walker) is the apparent glam wife of a career criminal. Harriet (Pippa Haywood) is the unfortunate mother, suffering to come to terms with the imprisonment of her son. And Lou (Natalie Gavin) is left to suffer while her boyfriend serves time on her behalf. The drama is tense stuff and it asks the question as to whether or not the women will stand by their men?
The Restoration Man: Thursday Channel 4, 9pm.
Architect George Clarke is back for another week’s instalment of restoration. This week he visits artist Sarah McCombie and ex-soldier Barrie Taylor, to find out how they fared with their attempts to transform old military sites in Kent and Renfrewshire into unique homes.
Chris Moyles’ Quiz Night: Friday Channel 4, 10.30pm.
In the last of the popular series, John Barrowman, JLS and Alesha Dixon join loveable host Chris Moyles to answer questions asked by famous faces. It’s a quiz show with a humorous twist, with laughs promised aplenty.
Soap Watch:
Coronation Street sees the rape trial of the callous Frank Foster unfold with more twists than a barrel of pretzels. Frank is standing trial after being accused of raping Carla but he plays a trump card that throws the whole case into turmoil. On the eve of the trial, Frank’s female private investigator produces photographs of Carla and Peter kissing which raises question marks over her integrity. What is to follow is a classic court room drama that shouldn’t be missed by any soap fan.
Emmerdale yet again mirrors Coronation Street as they host their own courtroom story, albeit not as deadly serious. Rodney Blackstock is the character before the judge and after he took the speeding points for Carl King previously, he is now bribing Carl to the tune of £10,000 or he’ll happily drop him in it.
In Eastenders love is in the air when gentle giant Andrew proposes to Heather on Tuesday. After Heather’s previous experiences, you’ve got to hope that this time she will be eternally happy. But, this is Eastenders.
There’s been another Murder in the village of Midsomer:
Making a timely return to our screens on Wednesday are cop duo Barnaby and Jones, with bodies mounting up after neighbours war with each other. There has been so many deaths in Midsomer, it’s a wonder that there any residents left but we are thankful that they are as this now iconic drama continues to churn out mystery after mystery.