Geek shows and movies on UK TV in the coming week

We start our viewing week by saying goodbye to the current series of QI, the Stephen Fry-hosted panel show that forever ruined sunsets for me and millions by revealing in a recent episode that the gorgeous glowing orb we see on the horizon isn’t really there. It’s already gone, leaving behind a mere optical illusion to trick us all and make us feel stupid when we learn the truth. I’d rather know than be fooled for a lifetime, but it still smarts. The ninth series concludes tonight, Friday, January 14th at 8:30pm on BBC1, or catch the XL version, with extra bits, on BBC2 at 10:30pm on Saturday January 15th.

Following on QI‘s heels is The Tick, the 2001-2002 live action version starring Patrick Warburton in a role he is perfectly suited for, if you’ll pardon the pun, as it still fits, and snugly. This mad series of the good but goofy superhero was far too short at only nine episodes, but at least it’s had a resurrection, something rare in short but sweet series runs. The pilot airs tonight, Friday, January 14th at 9:00pm on Syfy, followed by episode 2, The Terror, at 9:30pm. Tune in for the OTT toon-ish action.

Vamp fans can then switch over to FX for the third series premiere of True Blood. The first of a dozen episodes is entitled Bad Blood and picks up from the prior season at a fair pace, with Sookie frantically trying to track down the vanished Bill, with little aid from the authorities, and having to turn to Eric for help. That can only lead to interesting things, so to see where it begins, watch tonight, Friday, January 14th at 10:00pm.

Or, if you’re more partial to a bit of improvisation, you can tune to BBC2 instead for Fast And Loose, a show hosted by Hugh Dennis that sounds similar to Whose Line Is It Anyway? except that new, rather than established, well known comedians take part in the scenes, with material suggested by the host and audience. This could be a more down and dirty way to learn about fresh and funny talent than the typical televised stand-up spots and panel shows reveal. The first of eight episodes airs tonight, Friday, January 14th at 10:00pm.

Another new show for comedy connoisseurs comes along on Sunday, January 16th at 10:00pm on Channel 4 with Comic’s Choice. Hosted by Bill Bailey, it runs for five consecutive nights (leading up to the The British Comedy Awards on Saturday, January 22nd at 9:00pm on Channel 4). It features five comedians – Alan Davies (Sunday), Lee Mack (Monday), Jo Brand (Tuesday), Jessica Hynes (Wednesday), and Sean Lock (Thursday) – talking about other comedians, their inspirations, favourites, and who they’d nominate for awards. Again, the chance for a closer, more frank look into the minds of the funniest of us is rife with possibilities.

And lastly, another comedy source we’re very hopeful about is 10 O’Clock Live. The show will feature topical subjects and interviews, investigations and opinion pieces, which could be pretty dry stuff unless it’s David Mitchell, Jimmy Carr, Charlie Brooker and Lauren Laverne applying their brand to proceedings. Facing news of disasters and disappointments is always a little easier when a professional funny person is doling it out to us. So, we’ll be tuning in starting Thursday, January 20th at 10:00pm on Channel 4, when the first of a generous 15 episodes airs.

Now, on to the films showing through the weekend and a bit beyond. As always, if we missed anything interesting, have a shout in the comments, with our thanks.

Please also note: the ordinal numbers for dates will help you scan through this simple list with your browser’s search function. Enter ’15th’ in your browser’s Find box or window to highlight and/or tab through all movies shown on Saturday. Enjoy!

An American Werewolf In LondonOn: horror channelDate: Friday 14th JanuaryTime: 10:55pm

BeetlejuiceOn: FIVERDate: Monday 17th JanuaryTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Fiver+1)

Blazing SaddlesOn: TCMDate: Sunday 16th JanuaryTime: 9:00pm (and 2:15am 17th Jan)

Clear And Present DangerOn: Film4Date: Saturday 15th JanuaryTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Film4+1)

CollateralOn: Film4Date: Sunday 16th JanuaryTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Film4+1)

Dawn Of The Dead (2004)On: Film4Date: Friday 14th JanuaryTime: 11:40pm (and 00:40am 15th Jan Film4+1)

Deep Blue SeaOn: ITV2Date: Saturday 15th JanuaryTime: 11:35pm (and 00:35am ITV2+1)

ExplorersOn: Film4Date: Sunday 16th JanuaryTime: 4:50pm (and 5:50pm Film4+1)

From HellOn: FiveDate: Thursday 20th JanuaryTime: 10:00pm

Full Metal JacketOn: ITV4Date: Saturday 15th JanuaryTime: 10:05pm (and 11:05pm ITV4+1, 10:35/11:35pm 19th Jan)

HighlanderOn: ITV1Date: Wednesday 19th JanuaryTime: 10:35pm

If…On: Film4Date: Thursday 20th JanuaryTime: 01:15am (and 2:15am Film4+1)

Indiana Jones And The Last CrusadeOn: BBC 1Date: Wednesday 19th JanuaryTime: 8:00pm

InnerspaceOn: TCMDate: Saturday 15th JanuaryTime: 3:00pm (and 5:30pm 16th Jan)

Innocent BloodOn: horror channelDate: Saturday 15th JanuaryTime: 00:55am

Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1978)On: Film4Date: Wednesday 19th JanuaryTime: 5:15pm (and 6:15 Film4+1)

Le Diner De ConsOn: BBC 4Date: Sunday 16th JanuaryTime: 10:30pm (and 11:00pm 20th Jan)

LifeboatOn: Film4Date: Sunday 16th JanuaryTime: 3:00pm (and 4:00pm Film4+1)

Logan’s RunOn: FiveDate: Sunday 16th JanuaryTime: 4:45pm

Moby Dick (1998)On: Five USADate: Sunday 16th JanuaryTime: 12:25pm (and 1:25pm Five USA+1)

My Cousin VinnyOn: Sky2Date: Saturday 15th JanuaryTime: 9:00pm

Needful ThingsOn: BBC 1Date: Monday 17th JanuaryTime: 00:15am

Pulp FictionOn: BBC 3Date: Wednesday 19th JanuaryTime: 10:00pm

Reservoir DogsOn: Five USADate: Saturday 15th JanuaryTime: 10:00pm (and 11:00pm Five USA+1)

School Of RockOn: Channel 4Date: Sunday 16th JanuaryTime: 5:25pm (and 6:25pm)

Silent HillOn: Film4Date: Saturday 15th JanuaryTime: 11:40pm (and 00:40am 16th Jan Film4+1)

Silver StreakOn: Film4Date: Saturday 15th JanuaryTime: 4:55pm (and 5:55pm Film4+1)

SlitherOn: Film4Date: Saturday 15th JanuaryTime: 01:40am (and 2:40am Film4+1)

Star Trek: GenerationsOn: Film4Date: Saturday 15th JanuaryTime: 1:00pm (and 2:00pm Film4+1)

Star Trek: First ContactOn: Film4Date: Monday 17th JanuaryTime: 6:50pm (and 7:50pm Film4+1)

Star Wars: Episode II – Attack Of The ClonesOn: ITV1Date: Saturday 15th JanuaryTime: 3:30pm

Starship TroopersOn: BBC 1Date: Friday 14th JanuaryTime: 11:30pm

Synecdoche, New YorkOn: Film4Date: Monday 17th JanuaryTime: 10:55pm (and 11:55pm Film4+1)

The Basketball DiariesOn: TCMDate: Tuesday 18th JanuaryTime: 11:30pm

The Book Of EliOn: Sky Movies PremiereDate: Friday 14th JanuaryTime: 10:00pm (and 110:00pm Premiere+1, then daily at similar times through 20th Jan)

The Bourne IdentityOn: ITV2Date: Sunday 16th JanuaryTime: 10:00pm (and 11:00pm ITV2+1)

The Bourne SupremacyOn: ITV2Date: Monday 17th JanuaryTime: 10:00pm (and 11:00pm ITV2+1)

The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince CaspianOn: BBC 3Date: Sunday 16th JanuaryTime: 8:00pm

The Evil DeadOn: horror channelDate: Saturday 15th JanuaryTime: 10:55pm (and 10:55pm 29th Jan)

The Hitcher (1986)On: ITV4Date: Monday 17th JanuaryTime: 10:00pm (and 11:00pm ITV4+1)

The Hunt For Red OctoberOn: Film4Date: Friday 14th JanuaryTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Film4+1)

The Last SamuraiOn: ITV2Date: Friday 14th JanuaryTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm ITV2+1)

The StingOn: ITV1Date: Thursday 20th JanuaryTime: 02:35am

The Talented Mr. RipleyOn: more4Date: Friday 14th JanuaryTime: 9:00pm (and 00:45am 15th Jan)

The TerminatorOn: BBCDate: Saturday 15th JanuaryTime: 9:45pm

TwisterOn: ITV2Date: Sunday 16th JanuaryTime: 6:45pm (and 7:45pm ITV2+1)

Wallace And Gromit: A Close ShaveOn: BBC 3Date: Sunday 16th JanuaryTime: 7:00pm

Wallace And Gromit: The Wrong TrousersOn: BBC 3Date: Sunday 16th JanuaryTime: 7:30pm

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