Staying in at all this week? Here are the picks of TV and on-demand to keep you entertained without breaking the bank.
JUMP TO: TUESDAY / WEDNESDAY / THURSDAY / FRIDAY / SATURDAY / SUNDAY / RADIO
Monday
TV: Shop Secrets, 8.30pm, Channel 4
It’s all stuff we’ve seen before, but there are some interesting insights into how shops and businesses trick you into buying stuff you don’t want.
TV/ON-DEMAND:Modern Family, 8.30pm, Sky One / NOW TV
Still as funny as ever. Even if you don’t subscribe to Sky or Virgin, you can also watch Modern Family, past episodes and other shows via Sky’s Now TV online service (see below for details).
TV: Coffee Shop Hotshots, 9pm, BBC Two
This new business series looks behind the scenes of companies that are beating the recession. This one is about coffee shops.
TV/ON-DEMAND: Game Of Thrones, 9pm, Sky Atlantic/NOW TV
It’s finally back. After the trauma of the Red Wedding, expectations are high for Game Of Thrones season four. You don’t need to have Sky to watch it. Instead you can watch each episode live or on catch up with their on-demand service NOW TV (it’s their iPlayer). The first 30 days are free, then it’s £4.99 a month (for people who sign up before the end of May). Click here to get your free trial, or read our full article about the Cheapest Ways to Watch Game Of Thrones for more details.
Tuesday
TV: New Worlds, 9pm, Channel 4
The sequel to English Civil War drama The Devil’s Whore continues.
FILM: The Box, 11.20pm, BBC One
This is a weird movie. At the time I couldn’t decide if it was good or bad as I was surrounded by kids who just didn’t get it so started being idiots (rule #343: Don’t go to see an art house movie in Streatham at half term when it stars Cameron Diaz and kids are expecting Scream). From the director of Donnie Darko. You’ll really like it or completely hate it.
Wednesday
TV: Monkey Planet , 9pm, BBC One
What’s your favourite TV/Movie Monkey? Marcel in Friends was great but the one in the Pirates movies was hilarious. This BBC programme is more serious.
TV: W1A, 10pm, BBC Two
Olympics comedy Twenty Twelve rightly won loads of comedy awards. This follow up series sees Hugh Bonneville and Jessica Hynes start working at the BBC.
FILM: In Bruges , 10.50pm, Film4
Foul mouthed and hilarious comedy as two Irish crooks hide out in Belgium. Ralph Finnes is fantastic as their angry boss.
Thursday
TV: The Big Bang Theory, 8pm, E4
It might not be as good as it once was, but it’s still full of big laughs.
TV: The New Troubleshooter, 8pm, BBC Two
The Trouble Shooter gave viewers a great behind the scenes look when it ran in the 90s. It’s now back and worth a look as the try to turn around a failing business.
TV: Panorama, 9pm, BBC One
This special looks into the impact of benefit changes. Hopefully the antidote to Benefit Street.
Film: The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, 9pm, BBC Two
A fantastic adaptation of this children’s book about the holocaust that is as moving as Schindler’s List.
Friday
TV: Have I Got News For You , 9pm, BBC One
Some critics have been saying it’s time to finish, but I think it’s still well worth watching.
TV: Britpop At The BBC, 9pm, BBC Four
Alongside the Radio 2 and 6 Music celebrations (see Radio Pick below), TV gets in on the act tonight with archive of the best of Britop. Followed by Blur at Glastonbury.
TV: The Trip To Italy, 10pm, BBC Two
Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon return as themselves in this semi improvised comedy that follows them as they travel and write restaurant reviews. This time they go to Italy. The best reason to stay in on a Friday night in years (well you can always watch it on catch up).
Saturday
TV/ON-DEMAND:True Detective, 9pm, Sky Atlantic / Now TV
The final episode!!!
TV:The Guess List, 9.30pm, BBC One
This could be awful. It probably will be. But if you’re in, you never know. Rob Brydon presents what sounds and looks like an updated Blankety Blank.
Sunday
ON-DEMAND: House Of Cards, Netflix
Ok, there’s nothing (!) that looks very exciting tonight, so it’s the perfect chance to catch up with a box set you may have missed – and I can’t recommend House Of Cards on Netflix enough. You’ve two series to watch but the 30 day free trial at Netflix (or £5.99 monthly charge if you’ve already had one) will be enough. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright excel.
You can read our thoughts on Netflix vs Amazon Prime vs NOW TV in this blog.
Radio
MUSIC: Britpop Week, Radio 2, 6 Music
To celebrate 20 years since the birth of “Britpop”, there are loads of programmes across both stations. The most exciting is the reuniting of Jo Whiley and Steve Lamac for more Evening Sessions. If you grew up in the 90s, this was essential listening, so should be once more. Monday to Thursday 8pm, Radio 2.