THE BEST OF THE WEEK AHEAD SEVEN-DAY LISTINGS FOR FEBRUARY 6-12
Carlito’s Way
Wednesday,
Sky Cinema Greats, 9pm
The old crime-movie story
of a hoodlum trying to go
straight is delivered afresh in
this 1993 film. Al Pacino brings
his swagger to the lead role
— an ex-convict in 1970s New
York — and Brian De Palma
(who directed the star in
Scarface) crafts the film’s
tense, flamboyant set
pieces with the confidence
of a mob boss on home turf.
FILM OF
THE WEEK
Bjorn From Abba
And Friends
Podcast
A four-part series in which
Bjorn Ulvaeus talks to guests
about the big world of Abba.
First guest is Nile Rodgers,
with future programmes
featuring the playwright
Catherine Johnson, who
penned Mamma Mia!, and
Johan Renck, creative director
of the Abba Voyage concerts.
Station Eleven
Starzplay
A virus has killed 99 per cent
of the world’s population and
... ok, maybe you’ve had
enough of “that sort of thing”,
but this ambitious mini-series
is wise enough to focus on the
human details and flickers of
hope rather than horror and
decay. Some aspects might be
too jingoistic but the central
performance from Himesh
Patel will get you through.
AUDIO PICK
OF THE WEEK
DEMAND PICK
OF THE WEEK
OUR FAVOURITE TV DOCTORS (TIME LORDS NOT INCLUDED)
PICK OF
THE WEEK
THIS IS GOING
TO HURT
Tuesday, BBC1, 9pm
The sight of Ben Whishaw
as obstetrician Dr Adam
in Adam Kay’s adaptation
of his best-selling book
provokes immediate
feelings of warmth; we are
in the comforting paws
of Paddington. So it is
rather a shock to see
this bleakly witty new
BBC drama so faithfully
reproduce the system
of permanent hierarchical
hazing upon which the NHS
runs. Whishaw is excellent as
a man in a state of permanent
attrition, failing his family,
friends and patients alike.
Helen StewartTell us who we have missed and who should be struck off. Send your thoughts to [email protected]Hawkeye Pierce
M*A*S*H (1972-83)
Bedside Manner: Alan
Alda was the original
Dr McDreamy. Perfect
mix of strong drink,
empathy, sex appeal,
good humour and the
futility of war. Oh, the
humanity, baby.Zoe Hanna
Casualty (2007-18)
Bedside Manner:
Ambitious and husky
voiced, Sunetra Sarker
doctored hard and
played harder. Anyone
fancy a ciggie break on
the fire escape to work
off their hangover?Bones McCoy
Star Trek (1966-69)
Bedside manner:
DeForest Kelley had
the white heat of 2266
technology to hand.
Little diagnosing is
required if you have
what appears to be a
silver tape recorder.Gemma Foster
Doctor Foster (2015-17)
Bedside manner:
Multitasking Medea,
balancing prescription
and retribution. Don’t
ask Suranne Jones to
babysit, but if you want
something done, call
for a busy woman.Gregory House
House (2004-12)
Bedside Manner:
Morphine-addicted
limper. Offset pain by
torturing colleagues,
students, patients.
Irredeemably dishy
once Hugh Laurie
got his teeth done.6 February 2022 29