Weekend TV and Radio Highlights – Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1
Explore our detailed TV guide for the complete listings this week.
When Bruce Springsteen Came to BritainBBC2, 9.30pmTonight, BBC2 pays tribute to Bruce Springsteen, known as The Boss, featuring several programs marking the 50th anniversary of his initial UK concert. The highlight, When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain, chronicles the arrival of the 26-year-old Springsteen and his E Street Band in November 1975, culminating in a sold-out show at London’s Hammersmith Odeon. The program includes a fresh interview with Springsteen, revealing that he was so critical of his performance that he experienced PTSD and avoided watching the footage for decades. Fortunately, the concert recording follows at 10.35pm on BBC2.
The Black Forest MurdersBBC4, 9pm/9.45pmThe narrative opens as Stefanie Berghoff sets out for a run in her picturesque mountain village, foreshadowing ominous events. This four-part murder mystery, a German subtitled detective drama based on real-life incidents, offers a subdued take on the genre. While the show’s aesthetic remains restrained, it offers an insightful depiction of a thorough investigation, led by the captivating detective Barbara Kramer, portrayed by Nina Kunzendorf.
Doctor WhoBBC1, 6.50pmIn the previous episode, viewers witnessed Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor facing dire circumstances as his adversary, the Rani, threatened Earth. As the series finale approaches, expectations are high for a heroic resolution. However, hints that Gatwa has filmed a regeneration scene and diminishing interest from co-producers Disney suggest uncertainty about the Doctor’s fate beyond the episode’s end.
Fawlty Towers: A Very British Comedy5, 9.30pmThis peculiar retrospective on the iconic John Cleese comedy delves into modern sensibilities regarding its humor rather than solely celebrating its comedic legacy. Featuring commentary from personalities like Trevor McDonald and Nina Myskow, the discussion touches upon the portrayal of Spanish immigrants in 1970s Britain. Viewers may find the critiques from a Gen Z panel jarring, but the classic clips from the original show remain timelessly entertaining.
Streaming Suggestions, by Andrew Male
Burton and TaylorBBC iPlayerThis 2013 drama, featuring Dominic West and Helena Bonham Carter, highlights the tumultuous relationship between Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor during their time in New York for Private Lives. The screenplay by William Ivory effectively captures the couple’s complex devotion. Additionally, viewers can access Burton’s open 1974 interview with Michael Parkinson, documenting his life shortly after a six-week stint in a rehabilitation clinic.
Film Recommendations, by Kevin Maher
See How They Run (12, 2022)Channel 4, 9.25pmIn this whodunit comedy, Saoirse Ronan features as the enthusiastic trainee Constable Stalker, partnered with heavy-drinking Inspector Stoppard (Sam Rockwell) in 1953 London. Together, they investigate the murder of a notorious American filmmaker (Adrien Brody) at a West End theatre celebration. The film includes an impressive ensemble cast and creatively pays homage to Richard Attenborough, who previously portrayed the Mousetrap’s Detective Sergeant Trotter, evoking a chilling accuracy (98min).
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (18, 1965)ITV4, 10pmSergio Leone’s climactic spaghetti western installment stands as his most ambitious, though its events unfold prior to its predecessors. Clint Eastwood’s drifter navigates an uneasy alliance with a heartless mercenary and a bandit in a quest for treasure during the American Civil War. Ennio Morricone’s score, regarded as a masterpiece, features the instantly recognizable flute melody accompanying Eastwood’s iconic entrance (180min).
Radio Highlights, by Clair Woodward
Music PlanetRadio 3, 9.45pmLopa Kothari presents her top track selections, alongside a performance from Ghanaian frafra artist Florence Adooni and a segment featuring Peggy Seeger during her final tour.
Sunday
Viewing Recommendations, by Victoria Segal
MountainheadSky Atlantic/Now, 9pmAfter diving into the elite world in Succession, Jesse Armstrong directs Mountainhead, a feature-length satire set in a luxury mountain retreat in Utah where four technocrats gather for a poker weekend. However, the stakes rise significantly due to chaotic deepfake upgrades on a controversial social media platform. The isolated group, including the chilling disruptor Venis (Cory Michael Smith), strategy while grappling with the implications of their actions, offering a comedic yet bleak commentary on societal power dynamics.
Our Guy in VietnamChannel 4, 9pmMarking 50 years since the Vietnam War’s conclusion, Channel 4 sends Guy Martin on a journey through the country. This engaging program serves as both a travelogue and a light historical insight into Vietnam’s evolving economy. While some segments may raise eyebrows, Martin effectively illustrates the war’s lingering effects through personal stories and cultural encounters, even tapping into hands-on experiences with traditional crafts.
Walking with DinosaursBBC1, 6.25pmExploring the Sahara Desert’s vastness 100 million years ago, this episode reveals the journey of a spinosaurus family seeking sustenance amid perilous predators. The stunning CGI breathes life into this primordial tale.
Death ValleyBBC1, 8.15pmFollowing a hiker’s tragic death in Wales, DS Janie Mallowan (Gwyneth Keyworth) seeks the assistance of former TV detective John Chapel (Timothy Spall). As Chapel questions the necessity of a thespian’s aid in solving real crimes, his instincts prove invaluable, delivering a delightful performance alongside Keyworth’s charming portrayal of a detective hand-in-training. This episode will appeal to fans of Death in Paradise and scenic Welsh landscapes.
Streaming Suggestions, by Andrew Male
Secrets We KeepNetflixWhile navigating the influx of subpar Nordic thrillers, don’t overlook this six-part Danish domestic thriller penned by Ingeborg Topsoe. It uses the disappearance of an au pair to unravel the hidden complexities of affluent Danish life, delivering strong performances highlighted by Per Fly’s suspenseful direction.
Film Recommendations, by Wendy Ide
Spartacus (PG, 1960)BBC2, 1pmKirk Douglas stars in this iconic swords-and-sandals epic as Spartacus, the slave who leads a revolt against oppression. Douglas’s portrayal captures the essence of a gladiator forced into a fight against Laurence Olivier’s enigmatic Roman senator, all under the watchful eye of director Stanley Kubrick, who inherited the project from Anthony Mann.
Saving Private Ryan (15, 1998)BBC1, 10.30pmThe gripping 24-minute opening sequence of Steven Spielberg’s World War II film encapsulates the harrowing reality of the Normandy landings. While the rest of the narrative centers on Private Ryan (Matt Damon), the film leverages sentiment deftly, underscoring the harrowing costs involved in rescuing him from behind enemy lines.
Radio Highlights, by Clair Woodward
The Verb (Radio 4, 5.10pm)Ian McMillan hosts guests celebrating hedges in a unique thematic exploration. Contributing works include Alison Brackenbury and Testament, as well as Michael Symmons Roberts examining Edward Thomas’s Adlestrop. In Poetry Extra (Radio 4 Extra, noon), Daljit Nagra reflects on the BBC’s poetry archive, showcasing seasonal works from renowned authors such as Margaret Atwood and WH Auden.
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