Louis Theroux Interviews… – Tuesday, BBC Two, 9pm
The adventurer and broadcaster Bear Grylls often comes across as an inadvertently comical figure; a gung-ho action man with zero self-awareness. That, of course, is why Louis Theroux wanted to interview him. Grylls can’t really be like that? Well, he is and he isn’t. While perfectly pleasant and evidently sincere, he doesn’t appear to have much of a sense of humour about himself. That’s probably because, as the programme suggests, he’s an insecure person who feels compelled to live up to a self-made alpha male image. Grylls, to his credit, is candid about his lonely boarding school childhood, and one gets the impression that he’s never fully come to terms with that experience. It’s all rather sad.
Hong Kong’s Fight for Freedom – Monday, BBC Two, 9:30pm
The latest two-part report from BBC Two’s deservedly acclaimed This World strand focuses on some of the Hong Kong protestors who took a stand against their government and China’s authoritarian regime in 2019. Their identities are protected, that goes without saying, but to even speak about this at all is testament to their bravery. Hundreds of thousands of justifiably angry Hong Kong citizens took to the streets when their long-held autonomy from mainland China was threatened by a newly introduced extradition bill triggered by a murder that took place in Taiwan. That bill is a human rights violation, with far-reaching implications for the people of Hong Kong. This World, as always, exposes the details with journalistic rigour.
1966: Who Stole the World Cup? – Monday, Channel 4, 10pm
When England hosted the World Cup in 1966, their eventual triumph was somewhat undermined by the theft of the Jules Rimet trophy. As we all know, it was eventually discovered in a bush by a dog called Pickles. This irreverent documentary digs deeper into one of the most farcical sagas in football history. It makes you feel proud of good old-fashioned British incompetence. Narrated by actor Alan Ford of fictional cockney gangster fame, it plays out like an Ealing comedy crime caper. If this notorious incident had occurred at the start of the decade, you can absolutely guarantee that Peter Sellers would’ve starred in a film adaptation. The programme features contributions from some of those involved in the investigation.
Imagine… Douglas Stuart: Love, Hope and Grit – Monday, BBC One, 10:40pm
Scottish-American author Douglas Stuart won the 2020 Booker Prize for his visceral debut novel Shuggie Bain, which tells the semi-autobiographical story of a queer boy and his alcoholic single mother in working class Glasgow. A TV adaptation is on its way. Stuart’s latest novel Young Mungo is also a bestseller. In this revealing profile, the New York-based Stuart returns to Glasgow in the company of Alan Yentob to reflect upon his tough upbringing. He comes across as a pleasant and perceptive man whose pride in where he came from is plain for all to see. His reminiscences are accompanied by contributions from famous fans such as Alan Cumming, Lulu and Stuart Murdoch from Belle and Sebastian.
Grand Designs: House of the Year 2022 – Wednesday, Channel 4, 9pm
In which the perpetually arch Kevin McCloud returns for another mosey around homes nominated for this year’s Royal Institute of British Architects House of the Year award. McCloud doesn’t do all the heavy-lifting, he’s supported by a team of experts. In episode one, they visit five architectural wonders competing for a place on the shortlist. Our budding nominees include: an eccentric pink beach house built to withstand fierce weather; a meticulously renovated 1960s household; a highly ambitious DIY eco-home; a boldly reimagined redbrick structure; and a new-build that required major renovation on its vast basement. Yes, folks, this will provide tremendous comfort to all of us struggling through the cost of living crisis. Approach with caution.
Oti Mabuse: My South Africa – Thursday, BBC One, 9pm
The former Strictly star Oti Mabuse is beloved by all good people. In this touching documentary, she returns to the townships of South Africa where she was born and raised. Celebrity travelogues are ten a penny, but this is so much richer than your standard ‘journey’. Mabuse’s perspective on the socio-political changes in South Africa during her lifetime naturally carries more weight than the ruminations of well-meaning UK celebs who occasionally make programmes on this subject. She reflects upon the struggles of those who suffered under Apartheid while highlighting myriad hopes for the future. A commendably nuanced and thoughtful essay presented by someone with first-hand cultural experience, it’s sad and inspirational in roughly equal measure.
The Horne Section TV Show – Thursday, Channel 4, 10pm
Little Alex Horne is sick and tired of living in the gargantuan shadow of Greg Davies. It was Horne who came up with Taskmaster in the first place, he’s the brains behind it all, but his role is that of the hapless sidekick. Davies bullies him both onscreen and off. It’s just not fair, he needs to escape for the sake of his sanity. Not really. This is, after all, a self-mocking meta sitcom in which Horne and Davies play fictionalised versions of themselves. It follows Horne and his band, The Horne Section, as they attempt to branch out on their own. It’s all fairly charming and totally harmless, but it never raises more than a smile.
