Gladiators gets a reboot from the Beeb, Michael McIntyre's Big Show returns for a seventh run, there's more intimate chat with Tommy Tiernan, a double dose of Dwayne Johnson and Leinster host Stade Français at the Aviva . . .
Pick of the Day
Gladiators, 5.50pm, BBC One
Gladiators . . . Ready!
An awful lot of thirty and fortysomethings will be giving this a look. Just make sure you've an eight-year-old for cover.
This time, father and son team Bradley and Barney Walsh host a revival of the competition show that was huge during the 1990s.
Four contenders must face five brutal events before going head-to-head in the legendary Eliminator.
Who has the will and the skill to conquer the infamous travelator and win a place in the quarter-finals?
In the first episode, Legend makes a statement on Hang Tough, Sabre gets her claws out in The Ring and contenders feel Viper's venom on the Collision Bridge.
New or Returning Shows
Michael McIntyre's Big Show, 6.50pm, BBC One
The hugely popular comic Michael McIntyre (below) returns with a seventh season of his series filmed at London's prestigious Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Dermot O'Leary bravely hands over his phone for Send to All, Spandau Ballet's Tony Hadley gets the shock of his life as he becomes the first ever Unexpected Star…Star of the Show.
Then there’s chef Tom Kerridge, who helps Michael dish up a prank on a member of the public. Plus, there's some music from Jess Glynne.
New to Stream
Book Club: The Next Chapter, Sky Cinema & NOW
Comedy starring Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen, Andy Garcia and Don Johnson.
The highly anticipated sequel follows the four best friends as they take their book club to Italy for the fun girls trip they never had.
When things go off the rails and secrets are revealed, their relaxing vacation turns into a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country adventure.
Don’t Miss
The Tommy Tiernan Show, 9.25pm, RTÉ One
Streaming on RTÉ Player
This latest run got off to an interesting start with last week’s chat Tommy (below) had with fellow stand-up comedian Dylan Moran.
Even more interesting was the tweak of having no audience. It definitely added a touch of intimacy to the interview.
With Tommy in the dark about who he will be interviewing until they walk out to greet him, anything can happen - especially if Tommy doesn't have a clue who they are.
Parkinson, 11.10pm, BBC Four
This is an outstanding example of how much TV chat shows have changed over the past 50 years.
Here's a 1973 edition of the talk show which sees Michael Parkinson joined by poet John Betjeman, Carry On star and raconteur Kenneth Williams (below) and actress Maggie Smith.
The show includes a heated exchange between Williams and the host over the trade union movement and a sweeter moment when the two actors recite the poet's work Death in Leamington.
Sport
NFL Playoffs: Wildcard Weekend, from 8.30pm, Sky Sports & NOW
The road to the Super Bowl starts here as the NFL 2023/24 playoffs begin with the Wildcard Weekend.
For those not in the know, this is where the second, third and fourth seeded teams from each conference are paired off against three Wildcard teams - in other words the three teams with the best overall record of all remaining teams in the conference.
The winners of this round will go on to the Divisional Playoffs where the first seeded teams from both divisions have automatically advanced.
Investec Champions Cup, 4.45pm, RTÉ2
Streaming on RTÉ Player
All the action from the Pool Four match in the third round of fixtures, as Leinster host Stade Français (KO 5.30pm) at Aviva Stadium.
Last season's runners-up Leinster have made a strong start as they look to go one better this time around, defeating Sale Sharks and the team that beat them in last term's final.
Meanwhile, Stade Français are looking for their first win of the campaign after losing out to Sale and Leicester Tigers.
Jacqui Hurley presents, with analysis from Jamie Heaslip, and commentary by Hugh Cahill and Donal Lenihan.
Saturday Cinema
Hope and Glory, 10.30pm, BBC Two
Director John Boorman's Oscar-winning semi-autobiographical (and often funny) drama, starring Sebastian Rice-Edwards, Sarah Miles, Susan Wooldridge, Ian Bannen and Sammi Davis.
London is in upheaval during the WWII Blitz, but for a young boy the devastation presents a fabulous adventure.
Eventually he gets sent to live with his grandfather. Away from the familiarity of London he discovers a wonderfully eccentric and playful friend.
Jumanji: The Next Level, 7.50pm, Channel 4
Here's a bit of fun and adventure to kick-start the night.
Director Jake Kasdan's fantasy adventure sequel to his 2017 rebooted hit Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, starring Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart and Jack Black.
The players of Jumanji return, but as they attempt to rescue one of their own, they will have to brave parts unknown from arid deserts to snowy mountains, to escape the world's most dangerous game.
Family Flick
The Tooth Fairy, 6.35pm, RTÉ One
This comedy stars Dwayne Johnson (again!), Ashley Judd, Stephen Merchant, Ryan Sheckler and Seth MacFarlane.
Johnson plays a minor-league ice hockey player who is nicknamed the Tooth Fairy for knocking opponents' teeth out on the ice.
But when the cynical athlete discourages a young fan, he is forced to pay penance by spending a week as the real Tooth Fairy, rediscovering his dreams in the process.
