Geek shows and movies on UK TV in the coming week

The Pillars Of The Earth. Dave's One Night Stand. Mark Gatiss. Buzzcocks. Sanctuary. The Inbetweeners. Movies. It's a busy week of British telly ahead...

For the second week running, there’s a lot to get through over the next seven days of UK telly, so we’ll be short and, hopefully, sweet in helping you set your reminders early.

8 Out Of 10 Cats bids farewell to Tellyville tonight, Friday, October 15th at 10:00pm on Channel 4. The show, hosted by Jimmy Carr with team captains Sean Lock and Jason Manford, will, no doubt, get the groans going amid the giggles, with this week’s guest comedians Rufus Hound and Russell Kane seeing the current series out.

The Pillars Of The Earth debuts on Saturday, October 16th at 9:00pm on Channel 4. The mini-series, set in 12th century England, stars Donald Sutherland, Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell and Hayley Atwell and looks like a well realised reproduction of the bleak and violent era. Well worth a peek, we think, but if you need more convincing, here are more reasons to tune in.

Dave is the place to be on Sundays at 10:00pm when any liquid refreshment risks a high speed exit from nostrils during Dave’s One Night Stand, where Jack Whitehall, Sarah Millican, Ben Elton and Johnny Vegas are just some of stand-up comedians threatening your sides and nasal cavities in weeks to come.

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A History Of Horror With Mark Gatiss continues on Monday, October 18th at 9:00pm on BBC4 with Home Counties Horror, the second of three episodes. We were quite impressed with the first episode (reviewed here) and this next, spotlighting Hammer Films horror, should be just as interesting and illuminating a look at a favourite genre in this neck of the dark woods.

Also on Monday, October 18th, at 10:00pm on Hallmark (soon to be renamed Universal) a new crime drama series starts up with the first of 13 episodes, The Sins Of The Father. Why mention that here? Well, it stars Battlestar Galactica‘s Callum Keith Rennie and the premise is one you have to read to believe. We’ve had quirky detectives before and quite enjoyed obsessive-compulsive Monk and Zen-enlightened, perpetual fruit-munching Charlie Crews in Life, but a cop with Multiple Personality Disorder? How does he pass the entrance exam, would be our first question. (Second is: which one took it?) But, we’re intrigued, that’s for sure. This could be a case of so preposterous it’s compelling. A watch will tell. It’s called Shattered.

The naughty boys of The Inbetweeners say goodbye to their third series at 10:00pm, Monday, October 18th on E4 with Camping Trip. It’s a final boys’ adventure before Jay, Neil and Simon part company.

Mark Gatiss is back by Tuesday, October 19th at 9:00pm on BBC4 in an HG Wells sci-fi drama, The First Men In The Moon. Gatiss adapted the tale of a 1909 lunar visit and stars alongside Rory Kinnear. Ryan’s had a look and his review can be found here.

Luckily, the above airs on additional nights through Sunday, October 24th, leaving Sanctuary fans able to tune in to the third season premiere on Tuesday, October 19th at 9:00pm on Watch. The first episode of the sci-fi series’ new season, starring Stargate‘s Amanda Tapping, is called Firewall.

Also returning for laughing fans’ enjoyment is the fifth season of The Office: An American Workplace in a double header episode, Weight Loss, starting at 10:00pm on Wednesday, October 20th on Comedy Central.

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Thursday, October 21st, sees the return of Never Mind The Buzzcocks for its 24th series at 10:00pm on BBC2. The first of 12 episodes welcomes Mark Ronson as guest host and brings back Noel Fielding and Phill Jupitus to captaining duties.

That ought to keep those remotes busy and batteries needing recharging.

Now, on to the films showing through the weekend and a bit beyond, including a Star Trek movie marathon and our featured black-and-white greats. 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 ’16th’ in your browser’s Find box or window to highlight and/or tab through all movies shown on Saturday. Enjoy!


101 Dalmatians (1996)On: BBC 1Date: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 2:45pm

A Mighty HeartOn: Channel 4Date: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 11:10pm (and 00:10am 17th Oct 4+1)

Deep Blue SeaOn: ITV2Date: Friday 15th OctoberTime: 10:35pm (and 11:35pm ITV2+1, 1100pm/midnight 19th/20th Oct)

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Die HardOn: E4Date: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm E4+1)

Enemy at the GatesOn: more4Date: Friday 15th OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 00:35am 16th Oct)

EraserOn: E4Date: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 11:40pm (and 00:40am 17th Oct E4+1)

From Russia With LoveOn: ITV1Date: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 3:15pm

Gods And MonstersOn: BBC 4Date: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 10:40pm

Jaws 2On: ITV4Date: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 10:45pm (and 11:45pm ITV4+1, 9/10:00pm 19th Oct)

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Jurassic Park IIIOn: SyFyDate: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 9:00pm (amd 10:00pm Syfy+1, 8:10/9:10pm 18th Oct)

Kelly’s HeroesOn: FiveDate: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 4:30pm

Kill Bill: Vol. 2On: WatchDate: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 10:05pm (and 11:05pm Watch+1, 10/11:00pm 17th Oct)

LA AntenaOn: Film4Date: Monday 18th OctoberTime: 01:15am (and 2:15am Film4+1)

Lucky Number SlevinOn: Film4Date: Friday 15th OctoberTime: 11:35pm (and 00:35am 16th Oct Film4+1)

Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The WorldOn: Channel 4Date: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 6:30pm (and 7:30pm 4+1)

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Me, Myself And IreneOn: E4Date: Friday 15th OctoberTime: 10:00pm (and 11:00pm E4+1)

Mystery MenOn: ITV4Date: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 4:40pm (and 5:40pm ITV4+1)

Nicholas And AlexandraOn: BBC 2Date: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 2:00pm

Raw DealOn: ITV4Date: Friday 15th OctoberTime: 10:00pm (and 11:00pm IT4+1)

SaharaOn: E4Date: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm E4+1)

SleeperOn: TCMDate: Friday 15th OctoberTime: 1:10pm

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Star Trek: The Motion PictureOn: Film4Date: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 2:00pm (and 3:00pm Film4+1)

Star Trek II: The Wrath of KhanOn: Film4Date: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 4:40pm (and 5:40pm Film4+1)

Star Trek III: The Search for SpockOn: Film4Date: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 6:50pm (and 7:50pm Film4+1)

Star Trek IV: The Voyage HomeOn: Film4Date: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Film4+1)

Star Trek V: The Final FrontierOn: Film4Date: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 11:20pm (and 00:20am 17th Oct Film4+1)

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered CountryOn: Film4Date: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 2:00pm (and 3:00pm Film4+1)

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Star Trek: GenerationsOn: Film4Date: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 4:20pm (and 5:20pm Film4+1)

Star Trek: First ContactOn: Film4Date: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 6:40pm (and 7:40pm Film4+1)

Star Trek: InsurrectionOn: Film4Date: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Film4+1)

Star Trek: NemesisOn: Film4Date: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 11:05pm (and 00:05am 18th Oct Film4+1)

Starship TroopersOn: Sky Movies ShowcaseDate: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 10:10pm (and 2:40am 18th Oct)

StigmataOn: TCMDate: Friday 15th OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 2:25am 16th Oct)

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Stir of EchoesOn: SyFyDate: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 00:30am (and 1:30am Syfy+1)

SuperbadOn: FiveDate: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 9:00pm

SupermanOn: Five USADate: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 3:05pm (and 4:05pm Five USA+1)

Superman 2On: TCMDate: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 9:03pm (and 4:50pm 17th Oct)

TenebraeOn: horror channelDate: Friday 15th OctoberTime: 10:55pm

The Brides Of DraculaOn: BBC 4Date: Monday 18th OctoberTime: 10:00pm

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The ‘BurbsOn: ITV4Date: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 7:05pm (and 8:05pm ITV4+1)

The Children’s HourOn: TCMDate: Friday 15th OctoberTime: 3:00pm (and 5:00am 16th Oct)

The Dam BustersOn: BBC 2Date: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 11:30pm

The Golden Voyage Of SinbadOn: Five USADate: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 7:50pm (and 8:50pm Five USA+1, 1:50/2:50pm 17th Oct)

The Lost WorldOn: ITV2Date: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 3:55pm (and 4:55pm ITV2+1)

The Mummy ReturnsOn: Sky1Date: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 9:00pm 17th Oct Sky2)

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The Night Of The HunterOn: TCMDate: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 2:35am 18th Oct)

The Witches Of EastwickOn: ITV3Date: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm ITV3+1)

The World’s Fastest IndianOn: BBC 2Date: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 5:00pm

This Is Spinal TapOn: GOLDDate: Friday 15th OctoberTime: 11:20pm (and 00:20am 16th Oct Gold+1, 11:15pm/00:15am 16th/17th Oct)

To Kill A MockingbirdOn: ITV3Date: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 3:15pm (and 4:15pm ITV3+1)

Trekkies 2On: Film4Date: Sunday 17th OctoberTime: 01:25am (and 2:25am Film4+1)

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UnbreakableOn: Sky Movies Crime and ThrillerDate: Saturday 16th OctoberTime: 1:40pm

Walk The LineOn: Film4Date: Friday 15th OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Film4+1)

When We Were KingsOn: ITV4Date: Monday 18th OctoberTime: 01:05am (and 2:05am ITV4+1, midnight/1:00am 18th/19th Oct)