Some great shows tonight, ranging from prestige drama The Plot Against America to a documentary about The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty, Bake Off: The Professionals to The Nolans Go Cruising, and the final episode of The Secrets She Keeps . . .
Pick of the Day
The Plot Against America, 9.00pm, Sky Atlantic
Given that the source material is superb, this could be the drama of the year. The cast and crew are pretty impressive too.
Zoe Kazan, Winona Ryder and John Turturro star in this timely alternate-history drama from The Wire creator David Simon and based on the Philip Roth novel of the same name.
Told from the perspective of the Levins, a working- class Jewish family based in New Jersey, they watch as aviator-hero Charles Lindbergh ascends to the Presidency of the United States.
But while he's heralded for his aviation career, Lindbergh is also a xenophobic populist, and when taking office, he turns the nation towards fascism and anti-Semitism.
In the series opener, family patriarch Herman Levin is anticipating a promotion at work, and takes his family to look at a house in a upwardly mobile neighbourhood, despite his wife Bess’s misgivings about leaving the safety of their tight-knit Jewish community.
Don't Miss
Bake Off: The Professionals, 8.00pm, Channel 4
Liam Charles and Tom Allen host the quarter final of the baking contest, with the five best teams returning for their most gruelling challenges yet.
In the first round, they teams must create 24 macarons and 24 cocktail-inspired desserts, in just three-and-a-half hours.
For the second round, they must combine sugar and chocolate work to create a spectacular showpiece that incorporates an edible game for judges Benoit Blin and Cherish Finden to play before they decide who is going through to the semi-final.
The Nolans Go Cruising, 10.00pm, Quest Red
Last week’s opening episode set the scene for the singing sisters’ double journey of a cruise and a return to performing live as a group for the first time since sibling Bernie died in 2013.
This week sees the ship making its first stop in Palermo, Sicily. Cannoli, the Godfather and the Catholic church are on the menu and the ladies encounter strange appendages on a city tour.
New or Returning Shows
The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty, 9.00pm, BBC Two
Three-part documentary about the media mogul's influence on international politics and the power struggles within his own family.
The first episode focuses on the build-up to the 1997 UK general election, where Rupert Murdoch had to decide if his business interests were best served by the continuation of John Major's struggling government, or a new Labour leadership under Tony Blair.
Eventually, the full force of his media empire is placed behind the rising Labour leader, but some question how high a price was paid.
Elsewhere, Murdoch marries a woman 37 years younger than he is, dividing his children and jeopardising his plans to choose a successor.
Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby, 8.00pm, BBC Two
Giles Coren and Monica Galetti visit a hi-tech hotel in the self-governing Chinese gambling capital of Macau.
Monica gets special access to a secret set of VIP suites dubbed The Mansion, where it takes more than just money to book an exclusive room.
Giles visits a special theatre that sends its audience flying through the air, and helps to arrange the flowers for the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Saudi Women's Driving School, 9.00pm, Sky Documentaries
For many, getting a driver's license is a mundane rite of passage. But for women in Saudi Arabia, who were only allowed to drive legally starting in June 2018, it’s a critical step along the road to independence.
Centred around Riyadh’s The Saudi Women’s Driving School – said to be the world’s largest driving school catering exclusively to women – this documentary draws on unprecedented access to a number of Saudi women as they embrace a new way of life and the freedom that comes from being behind the wheel.
Wild Journeys, 7.30pm, RTÉ2
The extraordinary travels of animals migrating to or from Ireland, the challenges they face and the landscapes seen on their journeys.
The first creature followed is the humpback whale, the 50-ton mammal that appears on the southern coast each year, but breeds in the Cape Verde Islands in the mid-Atlantic.
United Skates - Storyville, 10.00pm, BBC Four
Documentary exploring the campaign to save the US's last standing roller rinks from closure against a backdrop of growing racial tension.
The film reveals the story of underground subculture that has grown up around these venues and given rise to some of the world's greatest musical talent - but has itself remained virtually unknown to the mainstream.
New to Download
Urzila Carlson: Overqualified Loser, Netflix
Urzila Carlson keeps the laughs coming with thoughts on The Biggest Loser, sex tapes and boxed wine in a stand-up special from Melbourne, Australia.
Ending Today
The Secrets She Keeps, 10.10pm, RTÉ One
As the Australian drama concludes, with no money and Rory's health faltering, Agatha finds refuge in the storeroom of her old workplace.
Meghan and Jack are at breaking point until Agatha takes a phone call from Hayden, who is in police custody. Laura Carmichael stars.
Betty, 9.35pm, Sky Comedy
It’s the season finale of this very enjoyable skater comedy-drama, and the ladies are gathered for another all-girls skate session – it’s time to show off their skills.
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