Geek shows and movies on UK TV in the coming week

We have to admit that we lost interest in Heroes when the programme lost the plot, all good sense, signs of life and Bryan Fuller (twice). That was long before it became The Claire Goes To College Show in season 4. But with the recent news that the show just might get a fifth season, it may be worth tuning in to the double episode finale on BBC2, Saturday, May 1st at 10:40pm with back-to-back airings of The Wall and Brave New World. Who knows, Heroes may try to go out with a race to recover its former glory and not just a limp meander to a finish line. So, best to be up to speed? Just in case?

If you have the Quest channel (Freeview 38, Sky Digital 154 or Virgin Media 179) you can catch a very geeky show, with extra added nerd in Science Of The Impossible on Sunday, May 2nd at 9:00pm. In this documentary series, scientists and sci-fi writers look at whether the future and fantasy tech and weapons from some of our favourite films can be achievable now. Yes, right now. And this week? How to build a lightsaber. You read that right. Better clear some workspace in the back room, we think. (Oh, and order a lightning harnesser sharpish. We expect demand will exceed supplies.)

On Tuesday, May 4th, BBC1 airs the first of a six-episode detective drama, Luther, at 9:00pm. Now, this isn’t normally the sort of genre that gets a mention here. But it does, and for two reasons: Idris Elba and Paul McGann. Those are two names that have never let us down, and are worth the effort to find the remote or remember to set the timer. We’ll have a review of the first episode soon after it airs, so you can submit your verdict and share your opinions on these pages.

And we wouldn’t be worth our pixels if we didn’t remind readers that Ashes To Ashes airs in its usual spot on BBC1 at 9:00pm tonight and Doctor Who parks the TARDIS on BBC1 at 6:25pm on Saturday, May 1st, where Flesh And Stone is the inflight episode.

That’s it for new and finishing shows, but there’s plenty of classic and iconic horror, action and comedy films for the holiday weekend. Plus some Sly love (even if it’s in its insect incarnation in Antz) and Muppets! We vote Muppets for every bank holiday weekend! Telly schedulers make a note, please.

Now, on to those 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 ‘1st’ in your browser’s Find box or window to highlight and/or tab through all movies shown on Saturday. Enjoy!

AntzOn: BBC 1     Date: Monday 3rd MayTime: 1:15pm

Army Of DarknessOn: TCMDate: Friday 30th AprilTime: 9:00pm (and 1:10am 1st May)Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged MeOn: G.O.L.D.    Date: Monday 3rd MayTime: 00:10am (and 1:10am Gold+1, 11:30pm/00:30am 3rd/4th May Gold/+1)

Back To The Future Part IIOn: Sky1Date: Saturday 1st MayTime: 9:00pm (and 5:55pm 2nd May, 9:00am 3rd May Sky2)

Batman (1966)On: Film4  Date: Sunday 2nd MayTime: 3:10pm (and 4:10pm Film4+1)Benny And JoonOn: TCM  Date: Saturday 1st MayTime: 1:00pm (and 5:00am 2nd May)

Blind FuryOn: Five USA (150)    Date: Saturday 1st MayTime: 10:00pm (and 11:05pm 5th May)

Blood WorkOn: ITV1  Date: Friday 30th AprilTime: 10:35pmBullittOn: Sky Movies Showcase   Date: Sunday 2nd MayTime: 3:40pm

Con AirOn: Sky Movies Modern GreatsDate: Saturday 1st MayTime: midnightCrashOn: Film4   Date: Tuesday 4th MayTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Film4+1)

Crimson TideOn: BBC4 Date: Monday 3rd MayTime: 10:00pm

DisturbiaOn: BBC3Date: Monday 3rd MayTime: 10:30pm

Dog SoldiersOn: FiveDate: Sunday 2nd MayTime: 10:20pm

Dr. StrangeloveOn: Sky Movies Indie   Date: Sunday 2nd MayTime: 09:30am (and 9:00pm)

East Is EastOn: E4Date: Saturday 1st MayTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm E4+1, 11:00pm/midnight 3rd May E4/+1)

EquilibriumOn: Film4Date: Sunday 2nd May

Time: 11:10pm (and 00:10am 3rd May Film4+1)FirestarterOn: TCMDate: Sunday 2nd MayTime: 9:00pm (and 1:00am 3rd May)

Flatliners On: Fiver Date: Monday 3rd May Time: 9:00pm

Ghostbusters IIOn: G.O.L.D.  Date: Sunday 2nd MayTime: 12:50pm (and 1:50pm Gold+1, 12:15/1:15pm 3rd May Gold/+1)

Grosse Pointe BlankOn: Sky Movies Indie  Date: Saturday 1st MayTime: 1:15pm (and 10:00pm)

HellboyOn: FiveDate: Sunday 2nd MayTime: 8:00pm

HighlanderOn: ITV4  Date: Friday 30th AprilTime: 10:00pm (and 11:00pm ITV4+1)

I, RobotOn: Film4  Date: Sunday 2nd MayTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Film4+1)

James And The Giant PeachOn: Film4Date: Monday 3rd MayTime: 3:10pm (and 4:10pm Film4+1)Jay And Silent Bob Strike BackOn: BBC 2   Date: Sunday 2nd MayTime: 00:35am

JawsOn: Sky Movies Modern GreatsDate: Sunday 2nd MayTime: 12:30pm (and 8:00pm)

Lawrence Of ArabiaOn: FiveDate: Sunday 2nd MayTime: 1:40pm

Lemony Snicket’s A Series Of Unfortunate EventsOn: BBC1Date: Monday 3rd MayTime: 2:35pm

Mad Max 2: The Road WarriorOn: Sky Movies Action and Adventure  Date: Sunday 2nd MayTime: 02:30am

No Way OutOn: Virgin 1Date: Saturday 1st MayTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Virgin+1)

Pet SemataryOn: TCMDate: Saturday 1st MayTime: 11:05pm

Predator 2On: Film4Date: Friday 30th AprilTime: 11:15pm (and 00:15am 1st May Film4+1)

RecOn: Sky Movies Indie  Date: Saturday 1st May 2Time: 01:10am

School Of RockOn: Film4Date: Friday 30th AprilTime: 6:50pm (and 7:50pm Film4+1, 1/2:00pm 2nd May Film4/+1)

She-DevilOn: TCMDate: Saturday 1st MayTime: 9:00pm (and 1:10am 2nd May)

Sleepy HollowOn: Channel 4  Date: Saturday 1st MayTime: 10:50pm (and 11:50pm 4+1)

Teen WolfOn: Comedy Central   Date: Saturday 1st MayTime: 6:00pm (and 7:00pm CC+1)

The Andromeda Strain (1971)On: Sky Movies Sci-Fi/HorrorDate: Friday 30th AprilTime: 10:05am

The BeachOn: E4Date: Saturday 1st MayTime: 10:55pm (and 11:55pm E4+1)

The BirdsOn: ITV1   Date: Sunday 2nd MayTime: 11:45pm

The Golden Voyage Of SinbadOn: Five    Date: Sunday 2nd MayTime: 5:55pmThe Hitcher (1986)On: ITV4Date: Sunday 2nd MayTime: 10:00pm (and 11:00pm ITV4+1)

The Hound Of The Baskervilles (1959 Peter Cushing)On: more4  Date: Friday 30th AprilTime: 11:50am

The Muppets Take ManhattanOn: Film4  Date: Sunday 2nd MayTime: 5:10pm (and 8:10pm Film4+1)

The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three (1974)On: TCMDate: Friday 30th AprilTime: 11:00pm

The TransporterOn: Channel 4Date: Saturday 1st MayTime: 9:05pm (and 10:05pm 4+1)

TimecrimesOn: Film4  Date: Saturday 1st MayTime: 11:00pm (and midnight Film4+1)

Tin CupOn: ITV3Date: Friday 30th AprilTime: 11:40pm (and 00:40am 1st May ITV3+1)

Tristan + IsoldeOn: Film4  Date: Monday 3rd MayTime: 4:40pm (and 5:40 Film4+1)

UnforgivenOn: ITV1Date: Monday 3rd MayTime: 10:15pm

WaterworldOn: ITV2Date: Saturday 1st MayTime: 10:45pm (and 11:45pm ITV2+1, 00:30/1:30am 5th May ITV2/+1)

X-MenOn: Film4  Date: Saturday 1st May Time: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Film4+1)

X-Men: The Last StandOn: Film4  Date: Monday 3rd May Time: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Film4+1)

xXxOn: WatchDate: Saturday 1st MayTime: 11:05pm (and 00:05am 2ndMay Watch+1, 9/10:00pm 2nd May Watch/+1)

ZoolanderOn: G.O.L.D.  Date: Saturday 1st MayTime: 00:40am (and 1:40am Gold+1, 00:15/1:15am 2nd May Gold/+1)