Five shows not to miss 11 /12 September

Albert’s Memorial (Sun, ITV1, 9pm) – our top pick


Sir David Jason is in his element as taxi driver Harry who – along with Frank (David Warner) – agrees to fulfil dying pal Albert’s last wish: to bury him in Germany. Over half a century ago, the three men had been best friends in the British Army invasion of Berlin but none had been able to leave the memories and scars of war behind. Drama mixes with comedy as the pair kidnap Albert’s body from the hospital mortuary, strap it to the roof-rack of Harry’s taxi and begin a journey both literal and into their own memories and unexpressed feelings. Bittersweet and, as you would imagine, winningly played by Sir David.

David Jason: Battle Of Britain (Sun, ITV1, 10pm) is a documentary featuring interviews, many of them fascinating, with survivors.



Strictly Come Dancing (Sat, BBC1, 6.25pm)

This is not the start of series eight proper, but rather a ‘Red Carpet Launch Show’, whatever that is when it’s at home. Basically a chance to size up this year’s contestants, and meet three new male pro dancers. So who are the hopefuls? Well, one name absolutely leaps out (in a ball gown the size of a barrage balloon, landing with a thump): Ann Widdecombe, surely looking at the John Sergeant role. The only surprise about Gavin Henson and Goldie is that they haven’t been in it previously, while Paul Daniels and Pamela Stephenson do their bit for the oldies and Kara Tointon and Tina O’Brien add the soap. Bruce, etc, all return.



Merlin (Sat, BBC1, 7.25pm)

This is, to all intents and purposes, a children’s show in terms of style, dialogue and plotting – but we have it on very good authority that the powers-that-be are trying to take it tween. Following the monstrously successful ‘Twilight’ formula, expect more teen-type angst – and more cute-but-unthreatening boys with their tops off – this season. In this first episode, Morgana is sought and eventually found, but she is not a happy witch, spelling trouble for Arthur and Merlin. The meddling of Morgana’s evil sister Morgause (Emilia Fox) also means trouble is in store for Uther.



71 Degrees North (Sat, ITV1, 9pm)

Yes! It’s a new reality show – with rugby star Gavin Henson as one of the contestants. Jeez, doesn’t he have some non-reality TV stuff to do? Anyway, this here finds ten celebrities – and, as ever, we use the word under advisement – competing in a series of challenges in the Arctic Circle. It is, indeed, like ‘I’m A Celeb… On Ice’, and very enjoyable it is too, seeing the likes of Shane Richie, Joe Absolom and Diarmuid Gavin shiver and suffer as they fool around in fjords, herd reindeer and generally work for their (frozen) crust.



9/11 Things – some of which are our wildcard choices

Eagle-eyed schedulers have certainly spotted Saturday’s date and, while we’re obviously not recommending the following if you’re feeling a bit down in the dumps, there is some excellent programming around the anniversary. ‘9/11 State Of Emergency’ (Sat, C4, 9pm) is a definitive minute-by-minute drama-doc about the events and ‘9/11 After The Towers Fell’ (Sat, Discovery, 8pm) a heartbreaking account of the search for survivors. But the most astonishing programme is ‘The 9/11 Faker’ (Sun, C4, 7pm) about Tania Head, who falsely claimed to be a Twin Towers survivor and became the poster girl for the victim network. It was all baloney. ‘9/11: I Was There’ (Sun, Nat Geo, 9pm) is a simple and moving series of testimonies from people who were.



ALSO

Idiots making music: ‘The X Factor’ (Sat, ITV1, 7.45pm). Idiots waving flags and listening to music: ‘Last Night Of The Proms‘(Sat, BBC2, 7.30pm and BBC1, 9.10pm). How about ‘The Vera Lynn Story’ (Sun, BBC2, 8pm)? Gosh there’s a lot of war / nostalgia stuff this weekend, isn’t there? Talking of which: it’s the last-ever ‘Heartbeat’ (Sun, ITV1, 8pm).