Later … With Jools Holland
10.30pm, BBC Two
A barely believable 63rd series for this hardiest of perennials: musicians know they’re approaching a certain middlebrow status when Jools comes knocking. Still, even if this show does feel overfamiliar, Holland’s passion to showcase new acts – and possibly, contribute a little boogie-woogie piano to their performance – shows no sign of waning. Here, he presents Jorja Smith, the National, Say She She, Antony Szmierek and fellow post-punk survivor Wreckless Eric. Phil Harrison
Strictly Come Dancing
6.30pm, BBC One
As Strictly gets into its stride, contenders are emerging. After the early stages, the smart money might be on Amanda Abbington whose partnership with Giovanni Pernice looks to be flourishing. Krishnan Guru-Murthy’s have-a-go charm and Layton Williams’s previous experience make them both worth a punt, too. PH
When Train Journeys Go Horribly Wrong
8pm, Channel 5
Fortunately not the horrifically tasteless look at rail disasters the title threatens, this show interviews passengers about unpleasant trips featuring power cuts, delays and heat. It’s punctuated by talking heads stating the obvious (“Complete disaster!” “Three hours is a long time!”) to further knock one of the greenest forms of transport in the midst of a climate crisis. Alexi Duggins
Julia Bradbury’s Irish Journey
8.30pm, Channel 4
Julia Bradbury’s passion for the great outdoors is only further stoked by the landscapes of Ireland’s “wild” west Atlantic coast. All that walking helps her work up an appetite for a forest feast, then puts her in a poetic frame of mind, for a visit to the erstwhile summer home of WB Yeats. Ellen E Jones
Blankety Blank
9.30pm, BBC One
More endless banter as Bradley Walsh struggles to keep six celebrities on track through the usual gauntlet of suggestive questions. If Martine McCutcheon, Alex Brooker, the Rev Kate Bottley and Darren Harriott simply seem happy to be there, Phil Tufnell and Mel Giedroyc are the class clowns acting the giddy goat. Graeme Virtue
First Ladies of Hip Hop
9.30pm, BBC Two
This fine series reaches the 90s, a decade in which male stars (Snoop, Tupac) asserted themselves, before hip-hop’s women struck back in style. The highlights are provided by the sublime, expressive Lauryn Hill and the magnificent, mercurial Missy Elliott, described by narrator Neneh Cherry as “the greatest all-round female hip-hop talent ever”. PH
Film choice
The Red Shoes (Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, 1948), 1pm, BBC Two
A modern spin on the Hans Christian Andersen fable, Powell and Pressburger’s vivid 1948 drama explores the creative impulse – and the warping effect it can have on relationships. Moira Shearer plays dancer Victoria, who finds fame with a ballet based on the fairytale while falling for its young composer Julian (Marius Goring). But the company’s impresario, Lermontov (a glowering Anton Walbrook), resents their affair and thinks she should devote her life to her art. A cinematic tour de force, with a surreal, exquisite 17-minute ballet sequence at its centre. Simon Wardell
Champions (Bobby Farrelly, 2023), Saturday, 5.40pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
A drink-driving basketball coach finds redemption while doing community service training a team of disabled youngsters. So far, so cliched, but Bobby Farrelly’s comedy avoids most of the pitfalls by giving his supporting cast, who have intellectual disabilities, individuality and agency. Woody Harrelson is his usual engagingly exasperated self as the talented but short-fused coach who bonds with Kevin Iannucci’s player Johnny and his sister Alex (Hacks’ Kaitlin Olson). An aspirational drama realised with bags of charm. SW
Live sport
Cricket World Cup: India v Pakistan, 9am, Sky Sports Main Event Virat Kohli captains the home team in the game from Ahmedabad.
Rugby Union World Cup: Wales v Argentina, 3pm, ITV1 The first quarter-final. The second, Ireland v New Zealand, is at 7.15pm.
Super League Rugby: Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons, 5pm, Sky Sports Main Event The grand final from Old Trafford.
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