British Telly

The cult BBC science-fiction series Blake's 7 is being restored to "maximum power" with a new Blu-ray set that featured digitally restored episodes and all-new visual effects.

Running for four seasons between 1978 and 1981, the programme – devised by Terry Nation, creator of Doctor Who's Daleks – followed a rag-tag band of rebels as they waged war on a corrupt galactic Federation.

War meant casualties, with a number of series regulars exiting the show across its run – and now, star Sally Knyvette has spoken out about her exit after two seasons as space smuggler and skilled pilot Jenna Stannis.

Speaking at a BFI event to mark the release of Blake’s 7 - The Collection: Series 1, Knyvette explained that the character was originally pitched to her as an "intergalactic space pirate" and that she ended up feeling "a bit short-changed" by her eventual on-screen portrayal.

"I think it's well-known that I felt my role became less and less of an intergalactic space pirate and more and more of a sort of dolly bird," she said.

"I was given extra hair to look like Raquel Welch and I was given tighter and tighter clothes, of which there were a lot of lingering shots in certain positions, and it was counter-productive to the sort of feisty, intergalactic space pirate [character]... I felt so constrained by how I had to look all the time."

Knyvette recalled that, in a later encounter with series creator Nation, he admitted to her that he "was much more comfortable writing for men" – with Jenna's lack of screen-time and absence from key action sequences eventually pushing the actress to attempt to exit the series.

"I tried to leave after series 1 and I wasn't allowed to because I was under contract.

"I was particularly unhappy at the end of series 1 – and as I think they knew I was going to leave, I think I got written less and less for in the second series."

Sophie Willan’s brilliant comedy is back for a second season. Plus, Brian Cox on the Solar System. Here’s what to watch this evening

10pm, BBC Two

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A shocking new series from the filmmaker behind Tiger King. Plus: courtroom thriller Showtrial returns. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, Sky Documentaries

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Watch rousing performances by the singer, who would have turned 65 this year. Plus: it’s movie week on Strictly! Here’s what to watch this evening

8.40pm, BBC Two

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Watch rousing performances by the singer, who would have turned 65 this year. Plus: it’s movie week on Strictly! Here’s what to watch this evening

8.40pm, BBC Two

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GB News has asked a High Court judge to temporarily block Ofcom from sanctioning it for what the regulator says would be the channel’s 12th breach of its code in less than two years.

The channel is seeking to challenge Ofcom’s provisional decision that a Q&A with then-prime minister Rishi Sunak, which aired on February 12, was a “serious” breach of its rules, and that attempts to adhere to them were “wholly insufficient”.

In a hearing on Thursday, lawyers for the broadcaster said that the regulator had acted unlawfully by finding that the breach was “serious and repeated”, and asked a judge to pause Ofcom’s “sanctions process”, pending it getting the green light to challenge the watchdog’s decision.

Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride return in the Daryl Dixon spin-off. Plus: Hugh Grant discussing his terrifying role in new film Heretic. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, Sky Max

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The chef heads out with an amusingly named forager, and prepares a special meal for his son. Plus more from the ever-outrageous Brassic. Here’s what to watch this evening

7pm, BBC TwoThe chef heads to the Lake District, where the first hearty dish he tucks into is mutton hotpot. He also meets the delightfully named chef-forager Kevin Tickle, before learning the history of the yorkshire pudding, visiting the world’s biggest tofu factory and making his mum’s shepherd’s pie with son Jack. Hollie Richardson

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cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/18163510

This four-part documentary series examines the most astonishing and baffling UFO stories from around the UK.

• Berwyn Mountain Mystery
• The Welsh Triangle
• UFO Alley
• Alderney Lights

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IMDb

The TV host, whose father has dementia, meets others who are affected in a devastating documentary. Plus: 40 years of Lorraine Kelly on telly. Here’s what to watch this evening

10pm, Channel 4

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cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/18148476

Fortean TV was a British paranormal documentary television series produced by Rapido TV, originally broadcast from 29 January 1997 to 6 March 1998 on Channel 4. The series was about anomalous phenomena and the paranormal, based upon the Fortean Times magazine; it was presented by Reverend Lionel Fanthorpe. Fortean TV ran for 3 series (the third was an adult version renamed Fortean TV Uncut with unseen material from the previous two series as well as new items). The three seasons comprised 22 half-hour episodes (the last of the first season was a compilation "Best Of"), plus a final hour-long family Christmas special.

Wikipedia

IMDb

It was released on DVD in late 2022 but is hard to find now.

cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/18147182

Charlie Cooper is best known for creating the sitcom This Country with his sister, Daisy May.

But his latest solo project - Charlie Cooper's Myth Country - will see him campervanning around Britain to investigate some "gloriously bonkers rural myths".

The first episode - airing on BBC Three at 9pm on Friday - will show him in East Anglia learning about the story of Black Shuck the "devil dog".

It lurks around the coast and in rural roads and churchyards after dusk.

Anyone who meets it is allegedly condemned to die within 12 months.

Cooper explained: “I’m really excited about this new series as I’ve always been fascinated by local legends, myth and folklore.

"As I see it, my mission is to explore our ancient world, seek out mythical creatures and boldly go where no TV presenter has gone before.”

The series will be split into three 30-minute episodes which will be available on BBC iPlayer shortly after airing.

In general I'm really liking Jamali style, though I do think that at times he makes the people he's interviewing feel a little too comfortable. I understand that they need to be, so that they open up (and don't turn on him), but also there's a level of comfort and chumminess that Nazis and the likes don't deserve, and I feel like he crossed that line a couple of times (not accusing him of supporting or agreeing with them or anything, to be clear, but I'd much rather he didn't have to do that).

Either way, they're definitely worth watching.

Hate Thy Neighbour

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The Game of Thrones actor stars as high-powered businessman Sir Henry Muck. Plus, week two of The Great British Bake Off. Here’s what to watch this evening

10.40pm, BBC One

Gird your loins as we return to London’s financial district for a third series of this full-throttle drama by ex-City workers. Kit Harington joins as the subtly named Sir Henry Muck; the IPO of his “green” company is being handled by Pierpoint, so Yasmin (Marisa Abela) must impress new partner Eric (Ken Leung) while also dealing with the high-profile disappearance of her father. Elsewhere, Harper (Myha’la) is keeping her head down as a PA until she meets portfolio manager Petra Koenig (Sarah Goldberg). How best to deal with all this? A cocktail of drugs, sex and backstabbing, apparently. Hollie Richardson

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The polymath comic, who fled Zimbabwe as a child, investigates life in the hermit kingdom. Plus: Phillip Schofield does some self-reflection on the beach. Here’s what to watch this evening

10pm, Channel 4

Is Kim Jong-un about to start a third world war? The comedian Munya Chawawa may not seem to be the most obvious candidate for this investigation, but he has been fascinated by dictators ever since his family fled Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe. Having made a documentary about the country where he grew up, he has now turned his attention to the notorious hermit kingdom. It is fascinating and funny, mixing on-brand sketches and rare interviews with people who were imprisoned in North Korea. Hollie Richardson

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cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/18066559

The BBC will release Blake’s 7 The Collection: Series 1 on Blu-ray featuring optional new effects on 11th November, the SF series created by Terry Nation, also creator of Doctor Who’s Daleks and the post-apocalypse series, Survivors.

...

All 13 episodes of the first season feature on this new Blu-ray release, newly remastered from the best available sources, including the original film, where available. Plus, fans can experience their favourite show like never before, with brand new optional updated effects on every episode, exclusive to this Blu-ray set.

Blake’s 7 The Collection: Series 1 is also jam-packed with hours of new and exclusive material including the previously unreleased Making Of Blake’s 7, featuring extensive interviews with cast and crew; a new feature-length documentary offering a look back at the making of the first season; an “In Conversation” interview with actor Sally Knyvette, conducted by Matthew Sweet; and a tribute to actor Stephen Greif, offering a look at the life and career of the first incarnation of Travis.

Also included is previously unreleased convention footage of convention panels with the cast and crew, many no longer with us; treats such as BBC continuity, TV coverage and music from the Blake’s 7 vinyl record; photo galleries with previously unseen images, and featurettes, audio commentaries and more from previous DVD releases. Plus, to round this incredible collection off, production paperwork, scripts, studio floorplans and much more, available for the first time.

cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/18052026

A South Yorkshire hairdressers better known as a corner shop in a hit BBC sitcom is set to go under the hammer.

The property, in Lister Avenue, Balby, Doncaster, was used for external shots of Arkwright’s in Open All Hours, starring Ronnie Barker and Sir David Jason.

In 2008, the building, which campaigners had previously saved from demolition, went up for auction but failed to meet its reserve price.

It is now listed for bidding once again from 15 October, with a guide price of £150,000.

Joan is a six-parter that tells the story of a real-life jewel thief. Plus: a knotty, tragic documentary about children in the West Bank. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, ITV1

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The competition’s first elimination weekend is here. Plus: a night of irresistible soul music with Jools Holland. Here’s what to watch this evening

BBC One, 6.15pm

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This three-part documentary paints a powerful portrait of the Hollywood trailblazer. Plus: Demi Moore on Graham Norton. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, BBC TwoWhen Elizabeth Taylor was 12, she put herself on a protein-rich diet in an attempt to gain enough inches to be cast in National Velvet. This story speaks of a single-mindedness that is evident throughout this three-part series, executive produced by Kim Kardashian. From taking on the sleazy Louis B Mayer to bridling at being screen-kissed by adult men at 16, this is a portrait of a woman who always fought her corner and knew her own value. Phil Harrison

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The plight of revellers hit by the 7 October terror attack is highlighted in this moving documentary. Plus: 12 new queens in RuPaul’s werk room. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, BBC Two

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A puzzle-setter turns detective when his twin brother goes missing. Plus: how does the Parole Board makes decisions? Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, BBC One

An amusing comedy drama from Mark Brotherhood (Mount Pleasant, Benidorm) about a reclusive and socially inept puzzle-setter, John “Ludwig” Taylor (David Mitchell, doing his familiar young fogey thing). John is called on to impersonate his identical twin brother, a detective named James, after he goes missing. When James’s wife, Lucy (Anna Maxwell Martin), asks John to pick up some documents from James’s station, the inevitable happens: John finds himself investigating a murder. Phil Harrison

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Paul Hollywood and pals return for the show’s 15th series. Plus: an Aussie interior designer tries to transform an apothecary on the Outer Hebrides. Here’s what to watch this evening

8pm, Channel 4In recent years, Bake Off has started to feel like a show on borrowed time. But here we are again with a new batch of keen and charming bakers attempting to impress the increasingly demanding judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, with Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding returning as jocular, empathetic ringmasters. We begin, sensibly, with cakes – specifically, the loaf cake.Phil Harrison

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Journalist Mobeen Azhar’s gripping but bleak investigation. Plus: Mozart sticks two fingers up to the establishment. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, BBC Three

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