TV Guide This Week

Contents

A guide to game shows broadcast in the UK and Ireland for the three weeks beginning 20 December 2008

What's better than legendary? How's about a record-breaking never-before-attempted triple issue.

In this edition, we aim to cover all game shows on terrestrial television, the most attractive airing for shows on Freeview channels, and selected highlights from cable and satellite channels. Schedules subject to change. New series are generally not indicated.

Shortcuts: Highlights | Christmas Week | New Year Week | Week of 3 January

Highlights in Christmas Week (20-26 Dec)

  • Strictly Come Dancing reaches the end of its controversial series on Saturday (6.40 and 9pm); ITV retaliates with Mr and Mrs (7.55).
  • QI steps over to BBC1 on Monday night (9pm), but the brain-teasing highlight of the week is the Only Connect final (BBC4, 8.30).
  • Specials include Have I Got News for You (Christmas Eve, 9.30 BBC1) and Celebrity Ding Dong (Tuesday, 10pm C4), while those who prefer seeing celebrities making fools of themselves have a double bill on Christmas night, Strictly Come Dancing at 7pm, Dancing on Ice at 8.
  • Nostalgia includes a night paying tribute to Bill Cotton (BBC2, from 8.30), including a 1973 edition of The Generation Game.
  • High culture has its moments, The Book Quiz comes back for a special (BBC4, 8.30 Christmas Eve) and BBC2 goes behind the scenes of Maestro (6pm Christmas Day).
  • Radio listeners aren't neglected: a special edition of Genius (Radio 4, 6.30 Monday), the Five Live Movie Game (3pm Christmas Day) and Fighting Talk considers Old Chestnuts (10am Boxing Day).

Highlights in New Year Week (27 Dec-2 Jan)

  • Saturday night is University Challenge Night on BBC2, beginning at 8pm with a documentary, and taking in a special edition from 2005, a movie, and a parody from the 1980s.
  • Tuesday night is Shooting Stars Night, with a documentary and a new show. And, er, that's it.
  • There are more brain games on Celebrity Mastermind (BBC1, Su - Th), and there's a Welsh-language edition on Tuesday night.
  • For those after something more visual, iron is pumped on World's Strongest Man (C5, Su - Fr).
  • Comedy quizzes had their time last week, but The Big Fat Quiz of 2008 takes its traditional spot on Sunday night (C4, 10pm).
  • Some shows for the new year get in: In It to Win It returns on Saturday night, Celebrity Big Brother takes over Channel 4 from Friday, and ITV kicks off the new year with the first in a new run of The Krypton Factor (7.30 Th).

Highlights in Week Three (3-9 Jan)

  • Andrew Lloyd Webber is in charge of selecting the BBC's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, and has been hob-nobbing with stars from Poland, Hungary, and President Poutine of Russia. Your Country Needs You begins at 7.10 on Saturday.
  • Richard Hammond won the lucky dip at the Christmas party, and his prize is the BBC Luxury Mansion in the leafy woods of Sussex. Being the careful tenant, his one desire is to blow the place sky-high, and he'll do this with the assistance of some young scientists. Richard Hammond's Blast Lab is on BBC2 at 8.30am on Saturday.
  • It's followed by Sam and Mark asking Who Wants to be a Superhero? (9am), and Richard pops up again on BBC1's Total Wipeout (6.10).
  • Most of the usual shows return this week, though Countdown is still replaced by Come Dine with Me. So is Paul O'Grady.
  • Celebrity Big Brother continues to bore the nation, and the zombie fantasy of Dead Set (Tuesday - Thursday) assumes the contestants have brains to begin with.
  • S4C has Cwis Meddiant, a quiz for rugby clubs, hosted by Blue Peter hardman Gethin Jones.
  • Challenge picks up Joe Pasquale's time on The Price is Right, beginning with five hour-long episodes.

Shortcuts: Highlights | Christmas Week | New Year Week | Week of 3 January

Christmas Week

Saturday 20

0400VIR1 Takeshi's Castle x2
0600VIR1 Millionaire
0800VIR1 Fort Boyard
0900BBC2 Help! Teach is Coming to Stay
0900VIR1 Ninja Warrior
0930TOON SkatoonyAlso 2000.
1000VIR1 Fear Factor UK
1000CBBC Bamzooki
1025CBBC Get Your Own Back
1100 C5 World's Strongest Man
1100Rad5 Fighting Talk
1100CBBC 50/50
1210C5US Whose Line Is It Anyway?
1304RWal Jest a Minute
1400WTCH The Weakest Link: Musicals
1455TV3 The All-Ireland County Quiz
1529TV5M Questions pour un Champion
1530CBBC Trapped!
1530BBC2 Strictly Come Dancing It Takes TwoPreviewing the final.
1610S4C Deal or No Deal
1630CITV Jungle Run: Coronation Street
1740BBC1 Hole in the Wall
1800CBBC Get Your Own Back
1840BBC1 Strictly Come DancingThe grand final. Also BBC-HD. Results at 2100, not in HD.
1855 C4 Come Dine With Me at Christmas
1925ITV Harry Hill's TV Burp
1955ITV All Star Mr and Mrs Christmas SpecialRonan and Yvonne Keating; Terry and Yvette Venables; Tamzin Outhwaite and Tom Ellis.
2025RTE1 Winning Streak
2140BBC2 Have I Got a Bit More News For YouJeremy Clarkson.
2253TV5M Pékin Express
2300Rad4 Brain of Britain

Sunday 21

0025BBC2 Never Mind the Buzzcocks
0400VIR1 Ninja Warrior x2
0520 C4 Scrapheap Challenge
0600VIR1 Millionaire
0750 C4 Adrenalin RushA race round Hobart.
0800DAVE Full Metal Challenge
0800VIR1 Fort BoyardAlso 0500.
0900Mor4 Scrapheap Challenge x4
0900DAVE Whose Line is it Anyway? x2
0900VIR1 Ninja Warrior x2
0930TOON SkatoonyAlso 2000.
1000VIR1 Fear Factor UK
1200CBBC Help! Teach is Coming to Stay
1204Rad4 The Unbelievable Truth Christmas Special
1220 C4 Unsigned Act
1325 C4 Relentless
1400RWal Jest a Minute
15155LIF World's Strongest Man Super Series x4
1620 C4 Deal or No Deal
1630CITV Jungle Run
1700Mor4 Come Dine With Me x5
1750ITV3 Torvill and Dean Dancing on Ice
1830RTE1 Colm and Jim Jim's Home Run
1900Rad5 The Big AskMartin Kelner is joined by guests to answer the big questions of the week. Like, Game Show or Not?
1920S4C Mastermind Plant Cymru"Bill and Ted"; "Harry Potter"; Tony Hawk (skateboarder); "Artemis Fowl".
2000ITV2 The Xtra Factor: The Winner's Story
2000WTCH The Weakest Link: Comedians
2000SKY1 Gladiators - The Legends Strike Back
2100DAVE Mock the Week Night
2300BBC2 Have I Got News For YouSubject to delay by the snooker.

Monday 22

0400VIR1 Ninja Warrior
0500VIR1 Fort Boyard
0600VIR1 Millionaire
0700VIR1 Takeshi's Castle
0945TV5M Des Chiffres et des Lettres
1015TV5M Tout le Monde Veut Prendre sa Place
1030ITV Christmas Cooks Challenge
1100S4C Deal or No Deal x2
1100CITV Jungle Run
1130ITV Dickinson's Real Deal
1200 C5 World's Strongest Man
1215BBC1 Bargain Hunt
1330Rad4 Brain of Britain 2008(13/17) First semi-final.
1330S4C Deal or No Deal x2
1415 C4 Come Dine With Me Extra Portions x4
1529TV5M Questions pour un Champion
1615 C4 Deal or No Deal
1710BBC2 Ready Steady Cook
1715BBC1 The Weakest Link
1730CITV Eliminator
1825CBBC The Slammer
1830Rad4 Genius Christmas Special
1830S4C Pen Campau(16/31) Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr (Swansea) v Ysgol Y Strade (Llanelli).
2000BBC2 University Challenge(23/31) City v Brighton.
2000WTCH The Weakest Link: Glamour
2030BBC4 Only ConnectThe grand final.
2030ALBA Cocaire nan Cocairean
2100BBC1 QIA festive edition, and a new channel. Scotland 2235, NI 2320.
2100DAVE HIGNFY Night
2100SKY1 All Star Don't Forget The LyricsCAUTION: Contains Gareth Gates.
2105TG4 Survivor
2200TG4 Paisean Faisean
2300CLAS Classic EphemeraAn hour of brain-teasers and clues, hosted by Henry Kelly.
2305BBC1 A Question of SportNI 0020, not Scotland.

Tuesday 23

0415VIR1 Takeshi's CastleAlso 0700.
0600VIR1 Millionaire
0700VIR1 Takeshi's Castle
0945TV5M Des Chiffres et des Lettres
1015TV5M Tout le Monde Veut Prendre sa Place
1030ITV Christmas Cooks Challenge
1055S4C Deal or No Deal x2
1100CITV Jungle Run
1130ITV Dickinson's Real Deal
1200 C5 World's Strongest Man
1215BBC1 Bargain Hunt
1230BBC7 We've Been Here BeforeAlso 1930.
1330S4C Deal or No Deal
1415S4C Countdown
1415 C4 Come Dine With Me Extra Portions x4
1529TV5M Questions pour un Champion
1550BBC2 Ready Steady Cook
1615 C4 Deal or No Deal
1715CBBC Hider in the House
1730CITV Eliminator
1825CBBC The Slammer
1830ESP2 Viking
2000ITV Millionaire
2000WTCH The Weakest Link: SoapsAlso 1500.
2030ESP2 Paintball
2100DAVE Buzzcocks Night
2145BBC2 Mock the Week
2200 C4 Alan Carr's Christmas Ding Dong
2300CLAS Classic Ephemera

Wednesday 24

0415VIR1 Takeshi's CastleAlso 0700.
0600VIR1 Millionaire
0700VIR1 Takeshi's Castle
0925ITV Mr and Mrs Special
0945TV5M Des Chiffres et des Lettres
1015TV5M Tout le Monde Veut Prendre sa Place
1025ITV Christmas Cooks Challenge
1055S4C Deal or No Deal x2
1100CITV Jungle Run
1100CBBC Hider in the House
1130 C5 World's Strongest Man
1335S4C One Last Consonant Please Carol
1410S4C Countdown
1500S4C Come Dine With Me
1529TV5M Questions pour un Champion
1530 C4 Come Dine With Me Extra Portions x4
1645BBC2 Ready Steady Cook
1715CBBC Best of Friends
1723TV5M Pékin Express
1730RCym Bwletin 'Dolig
1730CITV Eliminator
1745 C4 Deal or No Deal
1800ESP2 Viking
1815S4C Pen Campau'r SerRhys Williams and Ysgol Bro Mogannwg v Lowri Morgan and Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr.
1825CBBC The Slammer
1900ARTS Mastermind
1930ARTS What the Dickens?Germaine Greer, Richard Herring.
2000WTCH The Weakest Link: Singing and DancingAlso 1500.
2025S4C Cyngerdd Ysgol Glanaethwy yn 18The Last Choir Standing runners-up in an anniversary performance. Also Fri 1750.
2030BBC4 The Book Quiz Christmas SpecialAndrew Motion and (yes!) Jan Ravens v Charlie Higson and Joan Bakewell.
2130BBC1 Have I Got News For You Christmas 2008Alexander Armstrong will host, unless he's replaced by that bloke from the sports desk.
2300CLAS Classic Ephemera

Thursday 25

0415VIR1 Takeshi's CastleAlso 0700.
0500 C4 Scrapheap Challenge
0600VIR1 Millionaire
0700VIR1 Takeshi's Castle
0830BRVO UK Strongest Man 2007 x5
0930BBC1 The Slammer
0945TV5M Des Chiffres et des Lettres
1015TV5M Tout le Monde Veut Prendre sa Place
1025ITV Christmas Cooks Challenge
1045S4C Deal or No Deal x2
1100CITV Jungle Run
1100CBBC Hider in the House
1120 C5 World's Strongest Man
1130Rad4 Strictly Come BruciePaul Morley talks with Bruce Forsyth.
1200LIV2 America's Next Top Model x8
1200BBC7 I'm Sorry I Haven't a Christmas CarolAlso 1900.
1305BBCH The Slammer
1500 C4 Deal or No Deal
1529TV5M Questions pour un Champion
1600Rad5 The Movie GameSimon Mayo and Mark Kermode.
1600BRVO UK Strongest Man 2008 x5
1730CITV Eliminator
1800BBC2 Maestro - The Inside Story
1815RCym Talwrn: Y Ffeinal
1825CBBC The Slammer
1830Rad4 Act Your Age
1830ESP2 Viking x4
1900BBC1 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2008Alesha Dixon, Kelly Brook, and Jill Halfpenny challenge this year's semi-finalists. Also BBC-HD, where it's repeated at 0015.
1900RCym Cystadleuaeth Corau Meibion: Y Ffeinal
2000ITV Dancing on Ice at ChristmasSix recent contestants join Torvill and Dean.
2000S4C RhydianA year in the life of last year's X-Factor winner.
2030BBC2 Dragons' Den Around the World
2300CLAS Classic Ephemera

Friday 26

0015BBC2 Have I Got a Bit More News For You
0415VIR1 Takeshi's CastleAlso 0700.
0455 C4 Scrapheap Challenge
0600VIR1 Millionaire
0700VIR1 Takeshi's Castle
0800CBBC The Slammer
0925ITV Millionaire
0945TV5M Des Chiffres et des Lettres
0955BBC1 Hider in the House x2
1000Rad5 Fighting Talk: Old Chestnuts
1015TV5M Tout le Monde Veut Prendre sa Place
1025ITV Christmas Cooks Challenge
1100CITV Jungle Run
1125S4C Deal or No Deal
1130RSco Soundbiters
1200DSCI Scrapheap Challenge x11
1200LIV2 America's Next Top Model x8
1200BBCH The Slammer x4
1500WTCH The Weakest Link: Dr Who
1529TV5M Questions pour un Champion
1535 C4 Come Dine With Me
1550BBC2 Ready Steady CookNot Wales.
1630CBBC Best of Friends
1650 C4 Deal or No Deal
1730CITV Eliminator
1735TV3 Antan Dec's Christmas TakeawayPhone lines are now closed, but do call.
1825CBBC The Slammer
1900WTCH The Strictly Come Dancing Story
1930BBC1 A Question of Sport
2000 C5 World's Strongest Man: 30 Years of Pain
2000S4C Y 7 Magnifico a Matthew RhysSeven S4C celebrities go to Arizona to become cowboys.
2030BBC2 A Tribute to Bill CottonWales 2100.
2100BBC3 Britain's Missing Top Model
2100DAVE QI Night
2240BBC2 The Generation Game 1973Wales 2310.
2250 C4 8 Out of 10 CatsS4C 2235 Sunday.
2300CLAS Classic Ephemera

Challenge?

Saturday

0000Distraction x2
0100Gambling
0300Take It or Leave ItTo 0400.
0700House of Games x2
0800Don't Try This at Home!
0900Takeshi x2
1000The Krypton Factor
1100Britain's Worst
1200The Crystal Maze
1300Gladiators
1400Take It or Leave It
1500Bruce's Price is Right x2
1600Wipeout x2
1700Catchphrase x2
1800Take Your Pick x2
1900Bullseye x2
2000Family Fortunes x2
21008 Out of 10 Cats x2
2200Take It or Leave It
2300Shooting Stars x2

Sunday

As Saturday except

00008 Out of 10 Cats x2To 0100.
1500Celebrity Weakest Link x6To 2100.

Monday

00008 Out of 10 Cats x2
0100Gambling
0300Take It or Leave ItTo 0400.
0700Fort Boyard
0800Takeshi x2
0900Ninja Warrior x2
1000Unbeatable Banzuke
1100The Crystal Maze
1200Gladiators
1300Strike it Rich x2
1400Wipeout x2
1500Bullseye x2
1600Bruce's Price is Right x2
1700Catchphrase x2
1800Wipeout x2
1900Family Fortunes x2
2000One Versus One Hundred
2100Celeb Millionaire
2200Take It or Leave It
2300Celeb Millionaire

Tuesday - Friday

As Monday except

0000Take It or Leave ItTo 0100.
0300Take It or Leave ItTo 0400.

The same schedule repeats in New Year Week

Shortcuts: Highlights | Christmas Week | New Year Week | Week of 3 January

New Year Week

  • Saturday night is University Challenge Night on BBC2, beginning at 8pm with a documentary, and taking in a special edition from 2005, a movie, and a parody from the 1980s.
  • Tuesday night is Shooting Stars Night, with a documentary and a new show. And, er, that's it.
  • There are more brain games on Celebrity Mastermind (BBC1, Su - Th), and there's a Welsh-language edition on Tuesday night.
  • For those after something more visual, iron is pumped on World's Strongest Man (C5, Su - Fr).
  • Comedy quizzes had their time last week, but The Big Fat Quiz of 2008 takes its traditional spot on Sunday night (C4, 10pm).
  • Some shows for the new year get in: In It to Win It returns on Saturday night, Celebrity Big Brother takes over Channel 4 from Friday, and ITV kicks off the new year with the first in a new run of The Krypton Factor (7.30 Th).

Saturday 27

0600VIR1 Millionaire
0800VIR1 Fort Boyard
0900VIR1 Ninja Warrior
0910BBC2 Help! Teach Is Coming to StayAlso CBBC 1200.
1000CBBC Bamzooki
1000VIR1 Fear Factor UK
1030CBBC Get Your Own BackAlso 1800.
1040BBC2 Best of Friends: Sports Relief
1100Rad5 Fighting Talk
1100CBBC 50/50
1130BBC1 Take On the Takeaway
1300TV3 The All-Ireland County Quiz
1304RWal Jest a Minute
1529TV5M Questions pour un Champion
1555S4C Deal or No Deal
1630CITV Jungle Run
1635BBC2 Ready Steady CookLee Meads and his brother Casey.
1800CBBC Get Your Own Back
1850BBC1 The Weakest LinkStrictly Come Dancing. We'll be watching for the tie-break in the final elimination.
1905ITV All-Star Family FortunesHollyoaks v Emmerdale. They're not even related!
1950BBC1 In It to Win ItFirst of a new series.
2000BBC2 University Challenge: The Story So FarA repeat. Part of University Challenge Night.
2015RTE1 Winning Streak
2100BBC2 Comic Relief Does University ChallengeFrom 2005: South (Fry, Grant, Alexander, Djalili) v North (Iannucci, Morrissey, Murray, Thomson), hosted by Angus Deayton.
2100 C4 Why I Love Celebrity Big BrotherFormer contestants and others who owe Endemol a good turn.
2100DAVE HIGNFY Night
2200BBC1 A Question of Sport Extra TimeThe bits they can't show before the watershed.
2253TV5M Pékin Express
2300BBC2 The Young OnesTheir take on University Challenge.
2300Rad4 Brain of Britain

Sunday 28

0400VIR1 Ninja Warrior x2
0440 C4 Scrapheap Challenge
0600VIR1 Millionaire
0755 C4 Adrenalin RushThe Intelligent Sports final, from Cyprus.
0800DAVE Full Metal Challenge
0800VIR1 Fort BoyardAlso 0500.
0900Mor4 Scrapheap Challenge x4
0900VIR1 Ninja Warrior x2
1000VIR1 Fear Factor UK
1200CBBC Hider in the House
1300 C4 Relentless
1345ITV Dancing on Ice at ChristmasTV3 1830.
1400RWal Jest a Minute
1600Mor4 Come Dine With Me x5
1700 C4 Deal or No Deal
1745TV3 All-Star Family Fortunes
1800BBCH Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
1830BBC1 Celebrity MastermindDavid Lammy, Dave Myers, Toyah Willcox, David Harewood.
1830RTE1 Celebrity BainisteoirDefending champion Marty Whelan and his Maryland side take on Patrick Kielty and Tir Chonaill Gaels of London. CAUTION: oh, you noticed.
1900DAVE Dragons' Den
1950S4C Mastermind Plant Cymru"Horrid Henry", William the Conquerer, "Doctor Who" 1965-6, British Second World War Aeroplanes.
2000 C5 World's Strongest ManFrom Charleston, Virginia West. Heat 1.
2000WTCH The Weakest Link: Comedians
2100 C4 The Big Fat Quiz of the YearS4C 2200 tomorrow.
2100DAVE Buzzcocks Night
2130BBC2 Have I Got News For You
2200BBC2 Have I Got News For You
2230BBC2 Never Mind the Buzzcocks

Monday 29

0400VIR1 Ninja Warrior x2
0500VIR1 Fort Boyard
0520 C4 Scrapheap Challenge
0700VIR1 Takeshi x2
0925ITV Dickinson's Real Deal
0930CBBS The Shiny ShowAlso 1230.
0945TV5 Des Chiffres et des Lettres
1015TV5 Tout le Monde Veut Prendre Sa Place
1025ITV Celebrity Millionaire
1100CITV Jungle Run
1100CBBC Hider in the House
1200BBCH The Slammer x3
1205 C5 World's Strongest Man
1330Rad4 Brain of Britain(14/17) The second semi-final.
1515S4C Deal or No Deal
1530TV5 Questions Pour un Champion
1615 C4 Deal or No Deal
1640ITV2 The Xtra Factor x2The series condensed.
1700 C4 Celebrity Come Dine With Me
1730CITV Eliminator
1825CBBC The Slammer
1830Rad4 Just a MinutePaul Merton, Charles Collingwood, Graham Norton, Shappi Khorsandi. First in a new series.
1830BBC1 Celebrity MastermindRav Wilding, Mark Chapman, Philippa Gregory, Jon Culshaw.
2000 C5 World's Strongest ManHeat 2.
2030ALBA Cocaire nan Cocairean
2100ITV Who Wants to be a Millionaire?Zac Purchase and Sarah Webb; Darren Kenny and Liz Johnson; Steve Williams and Christine Ohuruogu.

Tuesday 30

0500 C4 Scrapheap Challenge
0600VIR1 Millionaire
0700VIR1 Takeshi x2Also 0415.
0930BBC1 Gimme a Break
0930CBBS The Shiny ShowAlso 1230.
0945TV5 Des Chiffres et des Lettres
1015TV5 Tout le Monde Veut Prendre Sa Place
1025ITV Dickinson's Real Deal
1100CITV Jungle Run
1125ITV Celebrity Millionaire
1200BBCH The Slammer x2Another at 1440.
1225 C5 World's Strongest Man
1515S4C Deal or No Deal
1525S4CD Mastermind Plant Cymru
1530TV5 Questions Pour un Champion
1615BBC2 Ready Steady Cook'Enry Cooper and Geoff Capes.
1615 C4 Deal or No Deal
1630CBBC Beat the Boss: Rocket
1645ITV2 The Xtra Factor x2
1700BBC1 The Weakest Link: Strictly Come Dancing
1700 C4 Celebrity Come Dine With Me
1700S4CD Mama Mia
1715CBBC Hider in the House
1730CITV Eliminator
1825CBBC The Slammer
1830RTE1 Celebrity ShowhouseDecorating by the D-list.
1840WTCH Strictly Come Dancing: Christmas Champion of ChampionsWinners from series 1 and 2.
1900BBC1 Celebrity MastermindBob Harris, John Sessions, Louise Minchin, Andrew Neil.
1900BBC4 Young Musician of the Year: Concerto FinalThe complete performances from May's event.
2000 C5 World's Strongest ManHeat 3.
2025S4C Mastermind Cymru NadoligYes! A celebrity edition! Dafydd Du (Llanberis FC), Elin Manahan Thomas (The Mabinogi), Aneurin Karadog ("Superman" films), Alex Jones (Madonna).
2100BBC2 Shooting Stars: The Inside StoryA documentary about the late-90s cult show.
2200BBC1 QINI 0000.
2200BBC2 All New Shooting StarsVic, Bob, and Matt return with captains Ulrika-ka-ka-ka and (er) Jack Dee, with guests Peter Jones (3), Kate Garraway, Christine Walkden, Dizzee Rascal.

Wednesday 31

0600VIR1 Millionaire
0700VIR1 Takeshi x2Also 0415.
0800CBBC The Slammer
0930CBBS The Shiny ShowAlso 1230.
0945TV5 Des Chiffres et des Lettres
1015 C4 RelentlessLast in the present series.
1015TV5 Tout le Monde Veut Prendre Sa Place
1025ITV Torvill and Dean: Dancing on Ice
1100CITV Jungle Run
1120 C5 World's Strongest Man
1130RSct The Auld Grey Thistle TestA mock Scottish citizenship exam.
1200BBCH Raven x2
1515S4C Deal or No Deal
1525S4CD Mastermind Plant Cymru
1530TV5 Questions Pour un Champion
1615 C4 Deal or No Deal
1645ITV2 The Xtra Factor x2
1700 C4 Celebrity Come Dine With Me
1725TV5 Pékin Express
1730CITV Eliminator
1825CBBC The Slammer
1900BBC1 Celebrity MastermindSally Lindsay, Mick Hucknall, Summer Strallen, Mel Smith. Cor, two chart stars from 1991!
1900Rad2 Showman and Star-Maker: A Tribute to Bill CottonPart 1; concludes tomorrow.
2000BBC1 The Weakest LinkWest End Special.
2000 C5 World's Strongest ManHeat 4.
2000DAVE Dragons' Den Where Are They Now
2000Rad5 Fighting Talk Old Chestnuts
2030RTE1 Winning StreakDream Ticket Celebrity Special.
2100 C5 An Audience with Bruce Forsyth
2100DAVE Mock the Week
2130ESP2 Viking
2140DAVE Buzzcocks
2200 C4 Big Fat Quiz of the Year
2210 C5 Bruce Forsyth's Comedy Heroes
2220DAVE QI
2300DAVE HIGNFY

Thursday 1

0450 C4 Scrapheap Challenge
0600VIR1 Millionaire
0700VIR1 Takeshi x2Also 0415.
0930CBBS The Shiny ShowAlso 1230.
0945TV5 Des Chiffres et des Lettres
1000BBC1 The Slammer
1015TV5 Tout le Monde Veut Prendre Sa Place
1100CBBC Hider in the House
1100CITV Jungle Run
1200Rad5 The PMQ ShowAndy Parsons hosts a battle between three would-be prime ministers. Repeated at 2100.
1230 C5 World's Strongest Man
1230BBC7 I'm Sorry I Haven't a ClueMarch 1983. Also 1930.
1500Mor4 Come Dine With Me x5
1525S4CD Mastermind Plant Cymru
1530TV5 Questions Pour un Champion
1635 C4 Deal or No Deal
1730CITV Eliminator
1825CBBC The Slammer
1900 C4 Come Dine With MeGlasgow.
1900Rad2 Showman and Star-Maker: A Tribute to Bill CottonPart 2.
1915S4C Pen Campau'r Ser
1930ITV The Krypton FactorFirst in a new series. Also TV3.
2000BBC1 Celebrity MastermindPhil Daniels, the legendary Rick Wakeman, Ian Lavender, Tim Vine.
2000 C5 World's Strongest ManHeat 5.
2005WTCH The Weakest Link: Paranormal
2100DAVE QI night
2200 C4 Why I Love Celebrity Big Brother
2300BBC2 Shooting Stars: The Inside Story
2305 C4 8 Out of 10 Cats: Big BrotherRepeat from September 2008.

Friday 2

0000BBC2 All New Shooting StarsRepeat.
0505 C4 Scrapheap Challenge
0600VIR1 Millionaire
0700VIR1 Takeshi x2Also 0415.
0930CBBS The Shiny ShowAlso 1230.
0945TV5 Des Chiffres et des Lettres
1015TV5 Tout le Monde Veut Prendre Sa Place
1025ITV Dickinson's Real Deal
1100CITV Jungle Run
1125ITV Millionaire
1225 C5 World's Strongest Man
1330S4C Deal or No Deal x2
1525S4CD Mastermind Plant Cymru
1530TV5 Questions Pour un Champion
1615 C4 Deal or No DealThe More4 repeat begins at 1630, and finishes before the C4+1 repeat starts.
1700 C4 Celebrity Come Dine With Me
1700CBBS Kerwhizz
1730CITV Eliminator
1800WTCH The Weakest Link: Pub
1825CBBC The Slammer
1930BBC1 A Question of Sport
2000 C5 World's Strongest ManThe final.
2100 C4 Celebrity Big BrotherContinues for the next few months. S4C 2230.
2100DAVE Buzzcocks Night
2200BBC2 QI
2315BBC2 Mock the Week

Challenge?

(This is exactly the same line-up as in Christmas week.)

Saturday

0000Distraction x2
0100Gambling
0300Take It or Leave ItTo 0400.
0700House of Games x2
0800Don't Try This at Home!
0900Takeshi x2
1000The Krypton Factor
1100Britain's Worst
1200The Crystal Maze
1300Gladiators
1400Take It or Leave It
1500Bruce's Price is Right x2
1600Wipeout x2
1700Catchphrase x2
1800Take Your Pick x2
1900Bullseye x2
2000Family Fortunes x2
21008 Out of 10 Cats x2
2200Take It or Leave It
2300Shooting Stars x2

Sunday

As Saturday except

00008 Out of 10 Cats x2To 0100.
1500Celebrity Weakest Link x6To 2100.

Monday

00008 Out of 10 Cats x2
0100Gambling
0300Take It or Leave ItTo 0400.
0700Fort Boyard
0800Takeshi x2
0900Ninja Warrior x2
1000Unbeatable Banzuke
1100The Crystal Maze
1200Gladiators
1300Strike it Rich x2
1400Wipeout x2
1500Bullseye x2
1600Bruce's Price is Right x2
1700Catchphrase x2
1800Wipeout x2
1900Family Fortunes x2
2000One Versus One Hundred
2100Celeb Millionaire
2200Take It or Leave It
2300Celeb Millionaire

Tuesday - Friday

As Monday except

0000Take It or Leave ItTo 0100.
0300Take It or Leave ItTo 0400.

Shortcuts: Highlights | Christmas Week | New Year Week | Week of 3 January

Week Three

  • Andrew Lloyd Webber is in charge of selecting the BBC's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, and has been hob-nobbing with stars from Poland, Hungary, and President Poutine of Russia. Your Country Needs You begins at 7.10 on Saturday.
  • Richard Hammond won the lucky dip at the Christmas party, and his prize is the BBC Luxury Mansion in the leafy woods of Sussex. Being the careful tenant, his one desire is to blow the place sky-high, and he'll do this with the assistance of some young scientists. Richard Hammond's Blast Lab is on BBC2 at 8.30am on Saturday.
  • It's followed by Sam and Mark asking Who Wants to be a Superhero? (9am), and Richard pops up again on BBC1's Total Wipeout (6.10).
  • Most of the usual shows return this week, though Countdown is still replaced by Come Dine with Me. So is Paul O'Grady.
  • Celebrity Big Brother continues to bore the nation, and the zombie fantasy of Dead Set (Tuesday - Thursday) assumes the contestants have brains to begin with.
  • S4C has Cwis Meddiant, a quiz for rugby clubs, hosted by Blue Peter hardman Gethin Jones.
  • Challenge picks up Joe Pasquale's time on The Price is Right, beginning with five hour-long episodes.

Saturday 3

0505 C4 Scrapheap Challenge
0600VIR1 Millionaire
0700VIR1 The Krypton Factor x2
0800VIR1 Fort Boyard
0800WTCH The Weakest Link x3
0830BBC2 Richard Hammond's Blast LabBoom! Shake the room!
0900BBC2 Who Wants to be a Superhero?Sam and Mark encourage youngsters to claim super powers, like being the new JK and Joel.
0900VIR1 Ninja Warrior
1000 C5 World's Strongest Man: 30 Years of Pain
1000VIR1 Takeshi x2Also 0400.
1100 C5 World's Strongest Man: Final
1100CBBC Best of Friends
1100Rad5 Fighting Talk
1130BBC1 Take On the Takeaway
1130CBBC Best the Boss
1304RWal Jest a Minute
1430CBBC Raven
1500CBBC Trapped!
1530TV5 Questions Pour un Champion
1615S4C Deal or No Deal
1630CITV Jungle Run
1810BBC1 Total WipeoutRichard Hammond and Amanda Byram invite more contestants to give the eleven right answers. What, it's not Wipeout? Shame!
1900WTCH The Weakest Link: Sport
1910BBC1 Your Country Needs YouAndrew Lloyd Webber goes hob-nobbing with Europe's nobility.
2000TV5 Speciale Questions Pour un Champion: Juniors
2010BBC1 In It to Win It
2020ITV All-Star Family FortunesEdwina Currie v Mark Durden-Smith and Judith Chalmers.
2100 C4 Celeb Big BrotherS4C 2350.
2105ITV Millionaire CelebrityDr. Hilary Jones and Andrea McLean; Jonathan Ansell and Connie Fisher.
2125RTE1 Winning Streak
2300Rad4 Brain of Britain

Sunday 4

0700VIR1 The Krypton Factor x2
0800VIR1 Fort BoyardAlso 0500.
0900BBC2 Escape From Scorpion Island(13/15) Crush Rush, in which JK and Joel run for their lives from their fans.
0900VIR1 Ninja Warrior
0930Mor4 Scrapheap Challenge x3
1000VIR1 Takeshi x2
1100FOOD Celebrity Masterchef x4
1204Rad4 Just a Minute
1403RWal Jest a Minute
1430CBBC Raven
1500CBBC Trapped!
1600FIVR World's Strongest Man x7
1630BBC1 The Weakest Link: West End
1630CITV Jungle Run
1645Mor4 Come Dine With Me
1655 C4 Deal or No Deal
1800VIR1 MillionaireAlso 0600.
1800SKY1 Gladiators
1830RTE1 The All-Ireland Talent Show
1845RCym Y Talwrn
1950S4C Mastermind Plant CymruTutankhamun, "Ally's World", Williams Edwards, Philip Pullman.
2030RTE1 The Restaurant
2100 C4 Celebrity Big BrotherS4C 2200.
2345BBC3 The Last MillionaireBehind the scenes, and thanks to the BBC Press Office for revealing the loser many weeks in advance.

Weekdays

0350VIR1 Casino CasinoNot Mo.
0600VIR1 Millionaire
0700VIR1 Takeshi x2Also 0415, except Mo.
0800DAVE Dragons' Den
0900CBBC Best of Friends
0945TV5 Des Chiffres et des Lettres
1015TV5 Tout le Monde Veut Prendre Sa Place
1020DAVE A Question of Sport
1030CBBC Raven
1100CBBC Bamzooki
1130CBBC The Sorcerer's Apprentice
1200CBBC Brain-Jitsu
1215BBC1 Bargain Hunt
1245 C5 Going for GoldAlso 1450.
1345S4C Deal or No Deal
1400ITV Dickinson's Real Deal
1500STV House Guest
1500WTCH Bargain Hunt
1505 C4 Come Dine With Me Extra Portions x2Also 1700; S4C 1430 (1 ep) and 1700 (2 eps).
1530TV5 Questions Pour un Champion
1610 C4 Deal or No Deal
1700ITV Golden BallsSTV 1530, not UTV.
1700WTCH Celebrity Masterchef
1715BBC1 The Weakest Link
1800WTCH The Weakest Link
1800DOCU Mechannibals x2
2030BBC2 MasterchefMo-We only; Th 2000, not Fr.
2100 C4 Celebrity Big BrotherAlso 2305 Tu, 2235 Fr. S4C 2245 Mo, 2200 Tu-Fr.
2100DAVE QI
2140DAVE BuzzcocksNot Mo.
2220DAVE Mock the Week
2300DAVE HIGNFY

Monday 5

0500VIR1 Fort Boyard
1330Rad4 Brain of Britain(15/17)
1830Rad4 Just a MinutePaul Merton, Clement Freud, Helen Lederer, Julian Clary.
1830S4C Pen Campau(17/31). First second round match - Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen (Caernarfon) v Ysgol Uwchradd Tregaron.
2000BBC2 University Challenge(24/31) Sheffield v Exeter. Scotland 2200.
2030ALBA Cocaire nan Cocairean

Tuesday 6

1630CBBC Hot Rods
1635BBC1 Best of Friends
2200 C4 Dead SetS4C 0040.
2235ITV The Krypton Factor

Wednesday 7

1635BBC1 Best of Friends
1715CBBC Richard Hammond's Blast Lab
1900DAVE Dragons' Den
1900ARTS Mastermind 1980
1930ARTS What the Dickens
2025S4C Cwis MeddiantA general knowledge quiz for rugby clubs, presented by Gethin Jones.
2200 C4 Dead SetS4C 0005.

Thursday 8

1230BBC7 I'm Sorry I Haven't a ClueMarch 1983. Also 1930.
1325CBBC Get Your Own Back
1715CBBC Beat the Boss
1930ITV The Krypton Factor
2000BBC2 Masterchef
2200 C4 Dead SetS4C 0020.

Friday 9

1715CBBC Trapped!
1810RSco Step Back in Time
1830Rad4 The News QuizJeremy Hardy, Fred MacAulay, Phill Jupitus.
1930BBC1 A Question of Sport
2100BBC1 QI
2200BBC2 Shooting Stars

Challenge

Saturday

0000Take It or Leave It
0100Gambling
0300Eggheads x2To 0400.
0700Stake Out x2
0800The Moment of Truth
0900You Bet!
1000Takeshi x2
1100Gladiators
1200The Crystal Maze
1300Take It or Leave It x2
1500Bullseye x3
1630Wipeout x3
1800Bruce's Price is Right x3
1930Family Fortunes x3
2100Take It or Leave It x2
23008 Out of 10 Cats

Sunday

As Saturday except

0000Endurance UK x2To 0100
1700Britain's Worst x3To 2000

Monday

0000Endurance UK x2
0100Gambling
0300Eggheads x2To 0400.
0700Fort Boyard
0800The Crystal Maze
0900Supermarket Sweep x2
1000Wheel of Fortune x2
1100Wipeout x2
1200Family Fortunes x2
1300Catchphrase x2
1400Family Fortunes x6
1700Takeshi x2
1800You Bet!
1900The Biggest Loser UK
2000Joe Pasquale's Price is Right Special
2100Take It or Leave It
2200Millionaire
2300Bullseye x2

Tuesday

As Monday except

0000Ninja Warrior
0030TakeshiTo 0100
1300Pasquale's Price
1400Wipeout x6To 1700

Wednesday - Friday

As Tuesday except for the 1400 slot

WedsCatchphrase x6
ThurMillionaire x3
FriOne Versus One Hundred x4

And if you've read through all three weeks of this, we heartily congratulate you on your patience. May you and all our readers find rewarding viewing over the coming weeks, and very best wishes for the season.

Shortcuts: Highlights | Christmas Week | New Year Week | Week of 3 January

Channel abbreviations

4MUS4 Music
ABSRAbsolute Radio
ALBABBC Alba
BBC1BBC1 (Network unless otherwise noted)
BBC2BBC2 (Network unless otherwise noted)
2W BBC2 Wales digital service
BBC3BBC3
BBC4BBC4
BBC7BBC7 (Radio)
BOOMBoomerang
BORDBorder (ITV in Cumbria and south-west Scotland)
BRVOBravo
C5 Five
CBBCCBBC
CBBSCbeebies
CLASClassic FM (Radio)
DAVEDave
DISCDiscovery
DISNDisney Channel
DRAMUKTV Drama
DRT Discovery Real Time
DSCIDiscovery Science
ESPTEurosport
ESP2Eurosport 2
GOLDUKTV Gold
HLMKHallmark
ITV ITV (Network unless otherwise noted)
ITV2ITV2
ITV3ITV3
ITV4ITV4
LIV UK Living TV
LIV2UK Living TV 2
MOR4More 4
NICKNickelodeon
PCM1Paramount Comedy 1
PCM2Paramount Comedy 2
Rad1BBC Radio 1
Rad2BBC Radio 2
Rad3BBC Radio 3
Rad4BBC Radio 4
Rad5BBC Radio 5
RCymBBC Radio Cymru
RSctBBC Radio Scotland
RUlsBBC Radio Ulster
RWalBBC Radio Wales
RTE1RTE1 (Irish)
RTE2RTE2 (Irish)
RTR1RTE Radio 1 (Irish)
S4C S4C (analogue)
S4CDS4C Digidol
SCI Sci-Fi
SKY1Sky One
SKY2Sky Two
SKY3Sky Three
STV STV (ITV in North and Central Scotland)
TLKSTalk Sport (radio)
TV3 TV3 (Irish)
TV5MTV5 Monde (Europe)
TG4 TG 4 (Irish)
UTV Ulster Television (ITV in Northern Ireland)
VIR1Virgin 1
WTCHWatch

See also

TV Guide Last Week

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