Geek shows and movies on UK TV in the coming week
Doctor Who! Ashes To Ashes! Jonathan Creek! The Pacific! More Doctor Who! How's this for a terrific week for films and shows on UK TV?
We’re all sat, antsy, pouring over stills and looping seconds’ worth of trailers and preview snippets heralding the new Doctor into our lives.
The build up of anticipation continues and whether the offering up of alternate, past Who Doctors makes the ever-shortening wait for the new any less stinging, or eases the itch a bit, is a personal matter. But, we’ll take all the Who we can get, thank you.
The Doctor-ful weekend starts today, and we think it must be the most Who-filled Easter we’ve seen. We’ll get right to the schedules of all things Time Lordish, and the other great programmes guaranteed to make you smile, laugh – or get that puzzled expression that looks so good on you – over the next few days.
Besides those entries listed below, be sure to check out the movie list for other feature-length classic Who sightings (arranged in broadcast order). It’s a Who mother lode…
FRIDAY APRIL 2ND
Doctor Who: The End Of Time – another chance to watch the end of a New Who era and the final goodbye of a beloved 10th Doctor, David Tennant, if your ducts can take it.
The End of Time, Part One 7:00pm BBC3
The End of Time, Part Two 8:05pm BBC3
Doctor Who Confidential: Allons-y!
9:15pm BBC3
Ashes To Ashes – the third and final season opening, welcoming back – and we do mean back, in a rapid rip from the Tensies to the Eighties – Alex Drake, Gene Hunt and the crew, this time to 1983.
9:00pm BBC1
SATURDAY APRIL 3RD
Doctor Who: The Eleventh Hour – the first episode of the new, 11th Doctor, Matt Smith and his time-travelling companion, Karen Gillan. Tenterhooks. Yeah, we got ’em; we’re on them.
6:20pm BBC1, Sunday April 4th 7:00pm BBC3
Doctor Who Confidential: Call Me The Doctor
7:25pm BBC3
SUNDAY APRIL 4TH
Jonathan Creek: The Judas Tree – another one-off special of the brilliant mind in a rumpled duffle coat, starring Alan Davies and guest starring Paul McGann.
8:00pm BBC1
Great Movie Mistakes – hosted by Robert Webb, a look at those things in films you’ve been elbowing friends and family about when you spotted them, all in one 3 hour chunk on the small screen.
8:05pm BBC3
1:30am and 7:00pm Monday April 5th BBC3 (and repeats throughout the week)
Wonders Of The Solar System: Aliens – The excellent, infectiously refreshing series ends its 5-show run this week with a trip in the opposite direction, to the bottom of our seas. Somehow, it will all make sense.
9:00pm BBC2
MONDAY APRIL 5TH
The Pacific – A follow-up to Band Of Brothers, this double-episode block introduces the three men whose, no doubt, gruelling stories will be followed. Sky is also showing additional material on the subject, with character profiles, ‘making of’ and inside stories airing in and around the episodes and their repeat showings.
9:00pm Sky Movies Premiere, 10:00pm Sky Movies Premiere +1, and subsequent nights through the week
Channel 4’s Comedy Gala – If warring isn’t your preferred way to see your holiday weekend out, this broadcast is a distillation of an event that took place on 30th March and included over 20 of the nation’s best comedy acts for the benefit of Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Children’s Charity.
Stand-up acts include: Alan Carr, Bill Bailey, David Mitchell, Jack Whitehall, Catherine Tate, Jack Dee, Jason Manford, Jo Brand, John Bishop, Jonathan Ross, Kevin Bridges and Lee Evans.
9:00pm Channel 4
You can meet us back here through the holiday weekend for reviews (posted as soon as episodes air) to let us and your fellow geeks know what you thought of the new series, specials… oh, and what you make of that new Doctor bloke.
Now, on to the films showing through the holiday weekend and a bit beyond. As always, if we missed anything interesting, have a shout in the comments, with our thanks. UPDATE: Thank you, paddy.omeara! Missed episode is now in position.
Please also note: the ordinal numbers for dates will help you scan through this simple list with your browser’s search function. Enter ‘3rd’ in your browser’s Find box or window to highlight and/or tab through all movies shown on Saturday. Enjoy!
American SplendorOn: Film4 Date: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 01:05am (and 2:05am Film4+1)
Apollo 13On: ITV2Date: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 6:55pm (and 7:55pm ITV2+1)
Army Of DarknessOn: TCMDate: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 11:20pm
BackdraftOn: Sky Movies Modern Greats Date: Monday 5th AprilTime: 11:55am (and 8:00pm)
Bad Day At Black RockOn: Film4Date: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 3:00pm (and 4:00pm Film4+1)Basic InstinctOn: ITV2Date: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 11:50pm (and 00:50am ITV2+1)
Bat*21On: BBC 1 Date: Tuesday 6th AprilTime: 00:10am
Battlestar Galactica: The PlanOn: Sky Movies Premiere Date: Friday 2nd AprilTime: midnight (and 1:00am 3rd Apr Premiere+1, then daily at similar times through 6th Apr)
Blades Of GloryOn: BBC 3 Date: Monday 5th AprilTime: 10:30pm
Broadway Danny RoseOn: TCMDate: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 6:50pm (and 9:55am 4th Apr)
Buffalo ’66On: Sky Movies Indie Date: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 1:50pm (and 1:00am 4th Apr)
CaddyshackOn: ITV1 Date: Monday 5th AprilTime: 11:15pmCharlie And The Chocolate FactoryOn: ITV2Date: Sunday 4th AprilTime: 5:20pm (and 6:20pm ITV2+1)
Chitty Chitty Bang BangOn: LIVING Date: Sunday 4th AprilTime: 3:00pm (and 2:00pm 5th Apr and +1&+2 channels)
ControlOn: Film4Date: Tuesday 6th AprilTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Film4+1)CreepOn: Film4 Date: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 11:25pm (and 00:25am 3rd Apr Film4+1)
Crocodile DundeeOn: Film4Date: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 5:30pm (and 6:30pm Film4+1)
DefianceOn: Sky Movies Showcase Date: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 09:30am (and 10:55pm)
Destination MoonOn: Film4Date: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 11:00am (and non Film4+1, 2:45/3:45pm 6th Apr Film4/+1)Doctor Who: The MovieOn: WatchDate: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 1:50pm (and 2:50pm Watch+1, 7:05/8:05am 3rd Apr Watch/+1)
Doctor Who: The Ark In Space On: Sci-FiDate: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 2:00pm (and 8:00pm)
Doctor Who: The Pyramids Of MarsOn: Sci-FiDate: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 6:00pm (and 4:00pm 3rd Apr)
Doctor Who: The Face Of EvilOn: Sci-FiDate: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 2:00pm
Doctor Who: LogopolisOn: Sci-FiDate: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 6:10pm (and noon 4th Apr)
Doctor Who: EarthshockOn: Sci-FiDate: Sunday 4rd AprilTime: 1:50pm
Doctor Who: Revenge Of The CybermenOn: Sci-FiDate: Sunday 4rd AprilTime: 3:40pm (and 1:50pm 5th Apr)
Doctor Who: The Caves Of AndrozaniOn: Sci-FiDate: Sunday 4rd AprilTime: 5:30pm (and 3:40pm 5th Apr)
Doctor Who: The Two DoctorsOn: Sci-FiDate: Sunday 4rd AprilTime: 7:30pm (and 5:40pm 5th Apr)
Doctor Who: Warriors Of The DeepOn: Sci-FiDate: Monday 5th April Time: noon (and 8:10pm)
Fast And FuriousOn: Sky Movies Premiere Date: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 8:00pm (and 9:00pm Premiere +1, then daily at similar times through 8th Apr)
Flushed AwayOn: BBC 3Date: Monday 5th AprilTime: 7:40pm (and 8:00pm 8th Apr)
FortressOn: BravoDate: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Bravo+1)
Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of AzkabanOn: ITV1 Date: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 4:20pm
HeatOn: BBC 2 Date: Sunday 4th AprilTime: 11:10pm
Hot Shots!On: Film4Date: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 7:20pm (and 8:20pm Film4+1)Howl’s Moving CastleOn: BBC 2 Date: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 2:00pm
Kill Bill: Vol. 1On: WatchDate: Sunday 4th AprilTime: 11:10pm (and 00:10am Watch+1, 10:10/11:10pm 5th Apr Watch/+1)King Kong (2005)On: ITV1 Date: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 10:15pm
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of LifeOn: WatchDate: Sunday 4th AprilTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Watch+1, 8/9:00pm 5th Apr Watch/+1)
Layer CakeOn: FiveDate: Sunday 4th AprilTime: 9:00pmMars Attacks!On: ITV4 Date: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 8:00pm (and 9:00pm ITV4+1, 7:55/8:55pm 5th Apr ITV4/+1)
Oliver! (1968)On: FIVER Date: Sunday 4th AprilTime: 6:05pm (and 3:10pm)
One Hour PhotoOn: Channel 4 Date: Sunday 4th AprilTime: 01:25am (and 2:25am 4+1)
Over The HedgeOn: BBC 3Date: Wednesday 7th AprilTime: 7:40pm
PapillonOn: BBC 2 Date: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 10:30pm
Pan’s LabyrinthOn: Channel 4Date: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 11:15pm (and 00:15am 4th Apr 4+1)
PaycheckOn: SCI FIDate: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 10:00pm
Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black PearlOn: BBC 3 Date: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 9:30pm
Quatermass Xperiment, TheOn: BBC 2 Date: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 01:35amQuatermass 2On: BBC 2 Date: Monday 5th AprilTime: 01:50am
Queen Of The DamnedOn: ITV4Date: Monday 5th AprilTime: 11:00pm (and midnight)
RecOn: Sky Movies IndieDate: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 10:00pm
RobotsOn: Film4Date: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 4:40pm (and 5:40pm Film4+1)
Romancing The StoneOn: Film4 Date: Monday 5th AprilTime: 6:55pm (and 7:55pm Film4+1)
Shallow GraveOn: Film4Date: Monday 5th AprilTime: 11:30pm (and 00:30am 6th Apr)
Shark TaleOn: BBC 3Date: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 10:30pm (and 8:00pm 6th Apr)
ShrekOn: Sky Movies Comedy Date: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 09:35am (and 6:25pm, 11:50am & 6:25pm 5th Apr)
Slumdog MillionaireOn: Film4Date: Monday 5th AprilTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Film4+1)
Spy KidsOn: BBC 1 Date: Monday 5th AprilTime: 2:20pm
StardustOn: Film4Date: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Film4+1)
Tales From EarthseaOn: Film4Date: Monday 5th AprilTime: 00:50am (and 1:50am Film4+1)
Teen WolfOn: Comedy CentralDate: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 7:00pm (and 8:00pm CC+1, 8/9:00pm 4th Apr CC/+1)
Terminator 3: Rise Of The MachinesOn: Watch Date: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 11:35pm (and 00:35am 3rd Apr Watch+1, 10/11:00pm 3rd Apr Watch/+1)The BFGOn: ITV3Date: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 12:50pm (and 1:50pm ITV3+1, 2:50/3:50pm 3rd Apr ITV3+1)
The Blues BrothersOn: ITV4Date: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 10:15pm (and 11:15pm ITV4+1)
The Hard WayOn: BBC 1 Date: Tuesday 6th AprilTime: 11:25pm
The Island Of Dr. Moreau (1977)On: TCM Date: Tuesday 6th AprilTime: 01:20am
The MaskOn: FIVERDate: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 9:00pm (and 9:00pm 4th Apr)
The Monster SquadOn: Sky Movies Sci-Fi/Horror Date: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 08:00am (and 4:05m 3rd Apr)
The Oblong BoxOn: Sky Movies Classics Date: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 11:00pm
The Science Of SupermanOn: Sky Movies Sci-Fi/Horror Date: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 08:00amThe Sixth SenseOn: ITV2Date: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 9:40pm (and 10:40pm ITV2+1, 10:45/11:45pm 5th Apr ITV2/+1)The StingOn: ITV4 Date: Friday 2nd AprilTime: 12:45pm (and 1:45pm ITV4+1)There’s Something About MaryOn: E4Date: Wednesday 7th AprilTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm E4+1)
Wallace And Gromit: A Grand Day OutOn: G.O.L.D.Date: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 6:00pm (and 7:00pm Gold+1, 11:00am/noon 4th Apr Gold/+1)
Wallace And Gromit: The Wrong TrousersOn: G.O.L.D.Date: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 6:35pm (and 7:35pm Gold+1, 11:35am/12:35pm 4th Apr Gold/+1)Wallace And Gromit: A Close ShaveOn: G.O.L.D. Date: Saturday 3rd AprilTime: 7:15pm (and 8:15pm Gold+1, 12:15/1:15pm 4th Apr Gold+1)