Geek shows and movies on UK TV in the coming week

Gaye's weekly round-up of what to look forward to on the box over the next week. Highlights? 30 Rock, Stargate Universe, Fringe and some cracking movies...

You knew this was coming – a week packed so tightly with good – nay, vital! – TV that you’d better start practising those phoney coughs now. Finales to the left of us, series premieres to the right and one-off specials thrown into the heady mix. Best surrender yourself and enjoy…

Two fantastic shows reach their bloody peaks on FX this week. Tonight at 10:00 and 12:15 the revelation of the killer’s identity for our favourite mind reading waitress will be shocking and violent in True Blood, You’ll Be The Death Of Me. Will Sookie escape the vamp-lover hater without permanent damage? And what clues will we have for the future of Bon Temps and its human, vamp and shapeshifting citizens?

On Sunday, 4th October at 11:10pm, the nuptials of the most loveable vigilante serial killer ever are fast approaching for Dexter in Do You Take Dexter Morgan?, the third series finale. Will it be a fairy tale affair or will The Skinner ruin the reception? Or the brother of Dexter’s latest victim might make a scene during the first dance. We’ll soon see on FX.

Also on Sunday, on Sky1, the second series of Fringe begins with A New Day In The Old Town at 10:00pm. This is a show you really need to watch from the first moments, as each week’s setup is usually rapidly revealed. Will this opener add fuel to the promise of the series’ potential? Or hit an immovable object at breakneck speed? Tune in and see and let us know what you think.

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By Monday you may need a brief breather from sci-fi and paranormality and we’d recommend heavy doses of laughter as a good refresher. We can think of few shows that could fill that prescription as well as any episode of 30 Rock – the Tina Fey headed sitcom that unveiled Alec Baldwin’s comedic genius. Who knew? If you’ve never seen the show, we’ve got a character rundown and catch-up here before the third season starts on Comedy Central with Do-Over at 10:00pm. You’ll want to go to there too.

You may be ready for a do-over of your own by Wednesday, 7th October and can revisit the vampfest in Bon Temps as True Blood series one bows again, this go round on Channel 4 at 10:00pm.

Another exciting launch occurs on Tuesday the 6th October with the new Stargate Universe. We’re hoping it fits snugly into that big expanse of sci-fi space left vacant and voided and we’re really anxious to see what Robert Carlyle can do with a weekly series of this ilk. We’ve had the smallest peek with a trailer here and spoke with co-creator Brad Wright too, but it finally all kicks off with a hefty two hour chunk of telly on Sky1 Tuesday at 8:00pm with Air Part One and Part Two at 9:00pm.

And now for something completely different…again… Python fans can top up their admiration on Saturday 3rd October at 9:15pm on BBC2 with Monty Python: Almost The Truth – The BBC Lawyers’ Cut. If that title isn’t enough to get you tuning in then the prospect of new interviews with the cast, the first time they’ve assembled together since Meaning Of Life, may be a tempter to join the 40th (can you believe that!? 40 years!) anniversary celebration. It airs again on Sunday the 4th on BBC2 at 11:40pm.

BBC Micros and ZX Spectrums, anyone? Computer enthusiasts (and we’d guess there’s one or two who read these pages) make a date with fellow followers for Micro Men on BBC4 October 8 at 9:00 and 11:50pm. The comic drama stars Martin Freeman and Alexander Armstrong as 80s Acorn and Sinclair bosses in a battle for home computer dominance. It’s got to be good, right?

Now to the week’s films and, as always, if there’s a show or movie we missed this week you feel deserves a nod, shout it out in the comments, please.

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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!


Airplane!On: Sky Movies Modern GreatsDate: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 10:15am (and 8:00pm)

Alien 3On: Sky Screen 2Date: Monday 5th OctoberTime: 01:20am (and 10:30pm 8th Oct)

Arlington RoadOn: Sky Movies DramaDate: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: midnight

Bad BoysOn: Sky Movies Modern GreatsDate: Sunday 4th OctoberTime: 1:55pm (and 8:00pm)

BadlandsOn: Sky Movies Modern GreatsDate: Tuesday 6th OctoberTime: 1:10pm (and 1:30am 7th Oct)

BatmanOn: BravoDate: Thursday 8th OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 9:00pm Bravo+1)

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Batman ReturnsOn: BravoDate: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Bravo+1, 9:00/10:00pm 4th Oct Bravo/+1)

Beverly Hills CopOn: Sky Movies ComedyDate: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 11:10am (and 8:00pm, 11:15am 4th Oct, 1:20am 5th Oct)

Bill And Ted’s Excellent AdventureOn: ITV2Date: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 6:15pm (and 10:45am 4th Oct)

Boogie NightsOn: TCMDate: Thursday 8th OctoberTime: 9:00pm

Catch-22On: Sky Movies ComedyDate: Thursday 8th OctoberTime: 03:25am

Close Encounters Of The Third KindOn: Sky Movies Sci-Fi/HorrorDate: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 2:45pm (and 10:05am & 4:45pm 8th Oct)

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CloverfieldOn: Sky Screen 2Date: Thursday 8th OctoberTime: 1:15pm (and 9:00pm)

Coming To AmericaOn: Sky Movies ComedyDate: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 2:25pm (and 9:35pm)

Death Becomes HerOn: Sky Movies ComedyDate: Tuesday 6th OctoberTime: 08:40am (and 6:05pm)

Death RaceOn: Sky Screen 2Date: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 11:05pm (and 1:25pm & 9:00pm 7th Oct Sky Action)

Deep Blue SeaOn: Sky Screen 2Date: Monday 5th OctoberTime: 9:00pm

DesperadoOn: Sky Movies IndieDate: Wednesday 7th OctoberTime: 10:00pm (and 3:40am)

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Die HardOn: Sky Screen 2Date: Monday 5th OctoberTime: 07:10am (and 1:10am 6th Oct)

Die Hard 2 Date: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 1:45pm (and 10:10pm, 00:55am 7th Oct Sky Screen 2)

Eastern PromisesOn: Sky Movies Action/ThrillerDate: Tuesday 6th OctoberTime: 01:50am

Edward ScissorhandsOn: Sky Movies Modern GreatsDate: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 2:35pm (and 10:00pm, 6:00pm 8th Oct)

Enemy MineOn: Sky Screen 2Date: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 08:05am

EquilibriumOn: Film4Date: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Film4+1, 9:00/10:00pm 8th Oct Film4/+1)

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Escape From New YorkOn: ITV4Date: Sunday 4th OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 11:10pm 6th Oct)

Event HorizonOn: ITV4Date: Thursday 8th OctoberTime: 00:05am

FargoOn: Sky Movies IndieDate: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 10:00pm (and 3:40am 3rd Oct)

Fatal AttractionOn: Sky Screen 1Date: Wednesday 7th OctoberTime: 00:40am

Ferris Bueller’s Day OffOn: Sky Movies Modern GreatsDate: Monday 5th OctoberTime: 4:00pm

FootlooseOn: Sky Movies DramaDate: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 6:05pm

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Full Metal JacketOn: ITV4Date: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 11:00pm

F/XOn: Sky Movies Action/ThrillerDate: Sunday 4th OctoberTime: 08:10am (and 3:30pm)

Galaxy QuestOn: Sky Movies Sci-Fi/HorrorDate: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 09:50am (and 7:15pm)

Good Morning, VietnamOn: Sky Screen 1Date: Monday 5th OctoberTime: 01:50am (and 7:20am 8th Oct Sky Modern Greats)

HannibalOn: Sky Movies Sci-Fi/HorrorDate: Sunday 4th OctoberTime: 02:45am (and 2:30am 7th Oct)

Harry And The HendersonsOn: Sky Screen 1Date: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 06:40am (and 4:10am 4th Oct)

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Hellboy II: The Golden ArmyOn: Sky Screen 2Date: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 1:55pm (and 9:00pm, 12:30pm & 9:00pm 8th Oct Sky Horror)

High FidelityOn: Sky Movies IndieDate: Sunday 4th OctoberTime: 09:00am (and 4:45pm)

Ils (Them)On: Film4Date: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 01:00am and 2:00am Fim4+1)

In BrugesOn: Sky Movies IndieDate: Sunday 4th OctoberTime: 11:40pm (and 3:35am 5th Oct, 11:50pm 7th Oct)

Indiana Jones And The Temple of DoomOn: Sky Movies FamilyDate: Wednesday 7th OctoberTime: 12:35pm (and 8:00pm)

Iron ManOn: Sky Movies Action/ThrillerDate: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 11:40am (and 8:00pm)

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JunoOn: Sky Movies IndieDate: Sunday 4th OctoberTime: 3:05pm (and 10:00pm)

Jurassic Park IIIOn: Sky Movies FamilyDate: Tuesday 6th OctoberTime: 10:45am (and 11:25pm)

Layer CakeOn: WatchDate: Wednesday 7th OctoberTime: 11:00pm (and midnight, 9:00/10:00pm 8th Oct Watch/+1)

Mary ReillyOn: Five USADate: Tuesday 6th OctoberTime: 9:00pm

Men In BlackOn: WatchDate: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 10pm Watch+1, 4:10/5:10pm 4th Oct Watch/+1)

Midnight RunOn: Sky Movies ComedyDate: Tuesday 6th OctoberTime: 02:55am

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Mission: Impossible IIOn: Sky Screen 2Date: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 3:10pm (and 9:00pm, 2:20pm & 10:30pm 7th Oct Sky Screen 1)

Monsters, Inc.On: FiveDate: Sunday 4th OctoberTime: 6:15pm

Monty Python’s The Meaning of LifeOn: Sky Movies ComedyDate: Wednesday 7th OctoberTime: 02:55am

Mr. BrooksOn: Sky Movies Action/ThrillerDate: Sunday 4th OctoberTime: 9:00pm

Mystery MenOn: ITV4Date: Monday 5th OctoberTime: 7:40pm

National Lampoon’s VacationOn: FIVERDate: Sunday 4th OctoberTime: 2:30pm

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National Lampoon’s European VacationOn: FIVERDate: Monday 5th OctoberTime: 9:00pm

Night WatchOn: Film4Date: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 10:50pm (and 11:50pm Film4+1, 11:00pm and midnight 8th Oct)

No Country For Old MenOn: Sky Screen 2Date: Monday 5th OctoberTime: 4:30pm (and 11:00pm)

ParenthoodOn: Sky Movies Modern GreatsDate: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 1:45pm

Passenger 57On: ITV2Date: Tuesday 6th OctoberTime: 10:00pm

Pink Floyd: The WallOn: TCMDate: Thursday 8th OctoberTime: midnight

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PredatorOn: Sky Movies Modern GreatsDate: Monday 5th OctoberTime: 10:25pm

Predator 2On: Sky Movies Action/ThrillerDate: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 07:45am

Raiders Of The Lost ArkOn: Sky Movies FamilyDate: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: noon (and 8:00pm)

Raising ArizonaOn: Film4Date: Sunday 4th OctoberTime: 10:55pm (and 11:55pm Film4+1)

RecOn: Sky Movies Sci-Fi/HorrorDate: Tuesday 6th OctoberTime: 02:55am

RenaissanceOn: Film4Date: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 11:00pm (and midnight Film4+1)

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RocknRollaOn: Sky Movies PremiereDate: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 10:00pm (an 11:00pm Premiere+1 and similar times daily through 9th Oct)

Rumble FishOn: Sky Movies DramaDate: Tuesday 6th OctoberTime: 02:20am

Saving Private RyanOn: Sky Screen 1Date: Monday 5th OctoberTime: 8:00pm

SecondsOn: Sky Movies Sci-Fi/HorrorDate: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 08:00am (and 2:45am 3rd Oct)

Shoot ‘Em UpOn: Sky Movies Action/ThrillerDate: Thursday 8th OctoberTime: 11:05pm

Short CutsOn: TCMDate: Tuesday 6th OctoberTime: 9:00pm

ShrekOn: Sky Movies ComedyDate: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 11:15am (and 6:25pm, 11:00am & 6:20pm 7th Oct Sky Family)

Son Of RambowOn: Sky Movies FamilyDate: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 9:30pm (and 2:30am 3rd Oct)

Star Trek: The Motion PictureOn: Sky Movies Sci-Fi/HorrorDate: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 08:30am (and 6:45pm 5th Oct Sky Screen 2)

Star Trek II: The Wrath Of KhanOn: Sky Movies Sci-Fi/HorrorDate: Sunday 4th OctoberTime: 08:20am (and 4:35pm 6th Oct)

Star Trek III: The Search For SpockOn: Sky Screen 2Date: Wednesday 7th OctoberTime: 2:35pm

Star Trek IV: The Voyage HomeOn: Sky Screen 2Date: Thursday 8th OctoberTime: 2:50pm

Strange DaysOn: Sky Movies Modern GreatsDate: Monday 5th OctoberTime: 02:00am

Taxi DriverOn: Sky Screen 1Date: Wednesday 7th OctoberTime: 02:45am

The 51st StateOn: Channel 4Date: Sunday 4th OctoberTime: 10:00pm (and 11:00pm 4+1)

The Bank JobOn: Sky Movies Action/ThrillerDate: Monday 5th OctoberTime: 1:40pm (and 10:00pm)

The Blair Witch ProjectOn: Film4Date: Tuesday 6th OctoberTime: 11:50pm (and 00:50am 7th Oct Film4+1)

The Breakfast ClubOn: Sky Movies Modern GreatsDate: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 4:25pm (and 3:20am 4th Oct)

The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951)On: Sky Movies ClassicsDate: Tuesday 6th OctoberTime: 11:05am (and 11:30pm)

The DepartedOn: Film4Date: Tuesday 6th OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Film4+1)

The Fast And The FuriousOn: WatchDate: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 10:50pm (and 11:50pm Watch+1, 9:00/10:00pm 4th Oct Watch/+1)

The FirmOn: Sky Movies Modern GreatsDate: Wednesday 7th OctoberTime: 12:35pm (and 8:00pm)

The Fisher KingOn: more4Date: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 00:45am 3rd Oct)

The GodfatherOn: Sky Screen 1Date: Wednesday 7th OctoberTime: 11:20am (and 00:40am 8th Oct)

The HoleOn: E4Date: Wednesday 7th OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm E4+1)

The HungerOn: TCMDate: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 01:15am

The Iron GiantOn: Sky Movies FamilyDate: Monday 5th OctoberTime: 10:15am (and 6:25pm, 10:15am & 5:00pm 8th Oct)

The JerkOn: ITV1Date: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 11:50pm

The KeepOn: Sky Movies Sci-Fi/HorrorDate: Sunday 4th OctoberTime: 10:45pm

The KraysOn: Sky Movies Action/ThrillerDate: Sunday 4th OctoberTime: 02:20am

The Last Of The MohicansOn: Sky Screen 1Date: Monday 5th OctoberTime: 3:55pm (and 00:40am 6th Oct)

The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The KingOn: Channel 4Date: Saturday 3rd OctoberTime: 7:05pm (and 8:05pm 4+1)

The MaskOn: FIVERDate: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 7:30pm 3rd Oct)

The MatrixOn: ITV2Date: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm 7th Oct)

The Mothman PropheciesOn: BBC 1)Date: Wednesday 7th OctoberTime: 10:45pm

The NinesOn: SCI FIDate: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: midnight

The OmenOn: Sky Movies Sci-Fi/HorrorDate: Wednesday 7th OctoberTime: 09:45am (and 2:50am 8th Oct)

The PawnbrokerOn: Sky Movies ClassicsDate: Tuesday 6th OctoberTime: 03:10am

The Rocky Horror Picture ShowOn: Sky Movies IndieDate: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 2:15pm (and 8:15pm)

The Usual SuspectsOn: Sky Screen 1Date: Monday 5th OctoberTime: 10:50pm

Three KingsOn: Sky Movies Action/ThrillerDate: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 6:50pm

Trading PlacesOn: Sky Movies ComedyDate: Sunday 4th OctoberTime: 7:40am (and 8:00pm)

Tropic ThunderOn: Sky Movies PremiereDate: Thursday 1st OctoberTime: 8:00pm (and 9:00pm Premiere+1, 8:00/9:00pm 2nd Oct Premiere/+1)

Wall StreetOn: Sky Movies PremiereDate: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 5:15pm (and 6:15pm Premiere+1)

Wayne’s WorldOn: Sky Movies ComedyDate: Wednesday 7th OctoberTime: 2:30pm (and 10:00pm)

Wayne’s World 2On: Sky Movies ComedyDate: Wednesday 7th OctoberTime: 4:15pm (and 11:40pm)

X-MenOn: Sky Movies Modern GreatsDate: Friday 2nd OctoberTime: 11:55am (and 9:40pm)

You Only Live TwiceOn: ITV1Date: Sunday 4th OctoberTime: 4:00pm

Young FrankensteinOn: Sky Movies Modern GreatsDate: Wednesday 7th OctoberTime: 3:45pm (and 10:40pm)