Tonight's telly: Cracker takes on the Heroes

Posted by Remote Control on August 15, 2007 12:26 AM | Permalink

It would probably be wholly inappropriate for me to go big on Heroes (BBC 2,9pm) again. After all, what’s the point of reading a blog if you already know what it’s going to back?

But it goes without saying that the evening’s viewing will, as usual, be built around the programme which we’re all still talking about in the office. Normally when we’re due in a meeting.

But Wednesday night’s are not one programme nights, you know. Oh no. If you want to Sky plus Heroes, there’s a nice little alternative over on ITV 1 at 9pm, called Robbie Coltrane: B Road Britain.

Now, Ross Kemp, watch and learn. It is possible to go from actor to documentary maker without bringing the character you are best known for playing with you.

After all, you wouldn’t catch Cracker travelling up and down Britain in a 1950s car exploring life away from the A-roads and motorways, would you?

But that’s exactly what Coltrane – the man, the comedian – is doing in this new series, and his brief is simple: Find life away from the bypasses, the four-lane highways and the service station-littered expressways which we all seem to spend too much time on.

Think about it – imagine travelling from Manchester to Chester but not taking the M56 – once you’d passed the OTT footie wives communities like Holmes Chapel, you see some lovely villages, some great pubs and some stunning countryside.

The instructions behind this programme are very simple – but then again, so was the brief for Coast or Mountain, both on BBC 1. Proof, you’ve got to hope, that ITV1 is showing it can show quality documentary series which show a different side to Britain.

Also tonight:

Heroes (BBC 2, 9pm): If you aren’t up to speed yet, then I suggest you get on to the BBC site straight away and check out the previous clips. Unlike Lost, it’s still not to late to catch up, even if tonight’s is episode five. The police come calling on Niki, but not for the reason she suspects. Hiro and Ando find out superheroes can get into trouble in Las Vegas.

Ann Widdecombe Versus (ITV, 10pm): I had a mate who considered her a pin up, largely because of her views rather than the view of her. But her heart is in the right place as she sets out tackling social ills. And you’ve got to respect a politician who is prepared to meet pimps and prostitutes – without paying them for their services.