Barry Murphy once more trawls the TV and radio guides (so you don’t have to) to find anything worth tuning into this week. All listings are for UK terrestrial TV, Freeview and national radio, with the shows running from Friday 23rd March to Thursday 29th March.
Highlight of the week: British R&B Night, BBC4 Friday 23rd March 8.30pm onwards.
BBC 4 devote their regular Friday night music programming slot to an evening of shows concerning the 1960s R&B boom in Britain. Shows include a rare screening of 1964 music show the Beat Room, documentaries on Long John Baldrey and John Mayall as well as a Rock Family Tree, tracing the development of scene in the 60s.
Friday 23rd March
TV
Soul of Stax – Community Channel. 6.00am – 7.05am
Another early morning repeat of this recent French documentary. A history of the legendary soul label, featuring music and interviews from Rufus Thomas, William Bell and Issac Hayes. Worth setting the video for if you haven’t caught this before.
The Beat Room – BBC 4. 8.30pm – 9.00pm
Music show, from 1964 featuring John Lee Hooker, Tom Jones and the Kinks. Although some of the performances have turned up on Sound of the Sixties compilations this should be worth coping as it is unlightly the whole programme will be repeated.
Long John Baldry: In the Shadow of the Blues – BBC 4. 9.00pm – 9.50pm (Repeated 1.00am)
Profile of British musician John William Baldry, whose enthusiasm inspired the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
Rock Family Trees – BBC 4. 9.50pm – 10.40pm
The British rhythm-and-blues scene of the 1960s, when bands transformed American blues into rock.
John Mayall: 40 Years of the Blues – BBC 4. 10.40pm – 11.40pm (Repeated 1.50am)
Profile of the musician whose influential band the Bluesbreakers helped to launch the careers of musicians including Eric Clapton.
The Avengers – BBC 4. 11.40pm – 12.30am
Steed goes for a spot of bird-watching and Emma does a comic strip.
Saturday 24th March
TV
TOTP2 – BBC 2. 4.35pm – 5.00pm
More archive performances.
Radio
Sounds of the 60s – BBC Radio 2. 8.00am – 10.00am
Brian Matthew spins two hours of hits, B -sides and album tracks.
The Funk and Soul Show – BBC Radio 6. 6.00pm – 9.00pm
3 hours of funk, soul and blues.
Sunday 25th March
TV
Mission: Impossible – ITV 4. 7.00pm – 8.00pm
The IMF try to foil a bank director’s plot.
TV’s Black Pioneers – BBC 4. 10.00pm – 11.00pm
Leading black British actors discuss their experiences in the television industry, recalling encounters with stereotyping, hostility and the racism of other performers.
Film: Experiment in Terror (1962) – FiveUS. 1.00am – 2.50am (Mon am)
Gripping film noir thriller starring Glen Ford and Lee Remick.
Monday 26th March
TV
Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) – ITV 4. 6.00pm – 7.00pm
A big-time crook threatens Jeff.
Film: The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) – Film4. 9.00pm – 11.00pm
Insurance agent Faye Dunaway falls for bad boy Steve McQueen in this slick and stylish heist caper.
Radio
Mark Lamarr’s Alternative 60s – BBC Radio 2. 9.30pm – 10.30pm
Radio 2’s resident rock ‘n’ roll enthusiast Mark Lamarr plays more psychedelia, soul, R&B and garage.
Tuesday 27th March
TV
The Persuaders – ITV 4. 6.00pm – 7.00pm
Danny and Brett help a Russian aristocrat.
Film: The Long Good Friday (1979) – Film4. 9.00pm – 11.10pm
Explosively violent thriller about a gangster who seeks revenge after a rival ruins a property deal. Starring Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren.
Life on Mars (6/8) – Series two – BBC 1. 9.00pm – 10.00pm
When a suspicious white powder is found on the victim of a shooting, it looks like heroin has come to the streets of Manchester. Much to Sam’s disapproval, Gene makes an alliance with local hard man Toolbox Terry in an attempt to keep the drug off the streets.
Life on Mars (5/8) – Series two – BBC 4. 10.00pm – 11.00pm
When local businessman Simon Lamb finds his wife and daughter have been kidnapped, he threatens to hang himself in the station’s canteen.
Radio
Dick Gregory Live – BBC Radio 4. 6.30pm – 7.00pm
From the DC improv comedy club in Washington, veteran African-American stand-up comedian and civil rights campaigner Dick Gregory performs a new show exclusively for BBC Radio 4. This programme contains offensive language.
Wednesday 28th March
TV
Film: This Island Earth (1955) – More4. 4.00pm – 5.45pm
Classic B-movie. Aliens come to Earth seeking scientists to help them in their war.
The Saint – ITV 4. 6.00pm – 7.00pm
Simon teeters between two women.
The Truth about Diana Ross – Five Life. 10.00pm – 11.00pm
The turbulent career of the former Supremes singer.
Hotel – BBC 4. 10.00pm – 10.30pm
The staff prepare for the annual Beatles Convention, which attracts lookalike bands and groupies of every description.
TV’s Black Pioneers – BBC 4. 11.00pm – 12.00am
Leading black British actors discuss their experiences in the television industry, recalling encounters with stereotyping, hostility and the racism of other performers.
Radio
The Reggae Show – BBC Radio 2. 9.00pm – 10.00pm
With Mark Lamarr.
Thursday 29th March
TV
The Champions – ITV 4. 6.00pm – 7.00pm
Fantasy drama.
Sounds of the Sixties – BBC 4. 7.00pm – 7.10pm
The first showing of Top of the Pops, broadcast on New Year’s Day 1964.
The Avengers – BBC 4. 7.10pm – 8.00pm
Steed and Emma investigate rumours of a ghost.
Roots Remembered – BBC 4. 9.00pm – 10.30pm
The impact of the 1977 mini-series is explored to mark its 30th anniversary, with contributions by original cast members and a look at the staggering "Rootsmania" that swept the world.
Radio
Paul Jones – BBC Radio 2. 8.00pm – 9.00pm
Classic r&b and blues.
