Dispatches dissects the woes of Keir Starmer’s government. Plus: Lisa Kudrow, Chase Infiniti and Jimmy Carr join Claudia Winkleman. Here’s what to watch this evening

8pm, Channel 4It’s hard to believe that less than two years ago, the Labour party under Keir Starmer won one of the largest electoral majorities in UK history. The party and the prime minister have been on the back foot ever since. Lewis Goodall explores Labour’s air of rolling crisis and finds causes ranging from the self-inflicted (the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the US) to the unfortunate (the re-election of Donald Trump). Is there any way back? Phil Harrison

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A day off college or work or whatever, for whatever reason. You peel yourself out of bed at 10am and turn on the TV. You have no internet, no *streaming services or DVDs/videos etc.

What are you going to watch on the TV for the next 5 hours?

*Streaming services include subscription services like Netflix, Hulu etc. Home servers like Jellyfish, Plex etc., Satellite pay-to-watch movies or TV e.g. sky movie box office.

The money-saving expert unpicks the upcoming financial changes. Plus: a grim look inside Britain’s steroid boom. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, ITV1Martin Lewis has been dishing up savings tips for more than two decades, from energy prices to mortgages and student bank accounts. Tonight, with the new tax year just 10 days away, he walks us through the April price hikes, flags up the latest deals in News You Can Use – and, presumably, addresses the expensive, war-shaped elephant in the room. Ali Catterall

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I honestly don't think either of these were among the original recommendations I received. Instead, I think they were part of an IMDB trail I followed off one of the other shows that was. Either way, I did enjoy both. One of my "guilty pleasure" favorite movies is "Head Office" from the early 80s. It paints a cynical, and I still think hilarious, view of the corporate world. I see a lot of that in these 2 shows, even though they're taking a more "Office-"style mockumentary path.

Hugh Bonneville is his normal great self in both, and David Tennant's narration is fun, as well. Though the mocking humor in the narration is more subtle in Twenty Twelve than in W1A, both are great. I kept waiting for some joke about constantly referring to Siobhan Sharpe as being from Perfect Curve every time she was mentioned.

The striking difference between the two was with Twenty Twelve, you have people actually moving towards a goal, in whatever way they're able to get there. With W1A, goals are met by almost falling backwards into each one, but it doesn't get repetitive. Also, the sheer nothingness of what a lot of the executives say in the various meetings is half the humor of the show! That, and everyone always saying, "Yes," or "Yes, no" or "No, Yes." How the character of Anna Rampton devolved into a corporate-speak automaton by the end was great (and sad of course, but fun to watch). The Simon Harwood character reminded me a bit of Max Landsberger in Head Office. It's never really clear what he does other than avoid trouble, and say "brilliant" a lot.

Anyway, I enjoyed both shows. Doubt I'll do a rewatch; but they made me laugh, so job done!

The abduction of Steven Stayner sparked a media frenzy, and the story did not end with his return. Plus: Lisa Kudrow returns in The Comeback. What to watch this evening

9.45pm, BBC TwoA grimly remarkable story in which true crime begat content which, in turn, begat more, even more serious true crime. When seven-year-old Steven Stayner went missing in 1972, the search for him sparked a media frenzy. However, when he returned, it triggered something terrifying in his brother Cary, who claimed he had been neglected in favour of Steven and became notorious in his own right. Phil Harrison

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It tells the story of the newsreader’s fall from grace. Plus, what happened to Pa Salieu after his prison sentence? What to watch this evening

9pm, Channel 5

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It’s time to find out whether the US comedy staple raises laughs in the UK. Plus: remember Alan Partridge’s Kate Bush medley? Here’s what to watch this evening

10pm, Sky One

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A two-part documentary looks at the clash between two of our biggest superpowers. Plus: what to do when you’re too busy to cook. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, BBC TwoNorma Percy’s documentaries are always immaculately sourced and meticulous reflections on recent geopolitical events, and this two-parter is no exception. It deals with the escalating clash between the world’s two undisputed superpowers since the beginning of Donald Trump’s first term as US president. Expect insight into the trade wars, nuclear pacts and tech manipulation that have ensued, with contributors including Boris Johnson and Nancy Pelosi, while Chinese academics and experts give Beijing’s side of the story. Phil Harrison

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Ten strangers take on an intense game of hide and seek. Plus: an essential documentary about a chemical scandal. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, Channel 4

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The BBC’s annual comedy money raiser returns. Plus: ClaudiaWinkleman takes a second shot on her chat show sofa. Here’s what to watch this evening

7pm, BBC OneThe fundraiser bonanza is back, with hosts including Davina McCall, Nick Mohammed, Katherine Ryan and Catherine Tate – as Nan! Highlights include a world exclusive of Traitors: The Movie: The Sequel and a dizzying Amandaland sketch. Plus, Greg James finishes his 1,000km tandem bike ride challenge, while Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond take on a secret special project*. Hollie Richardson*

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A documentary charts the environmental disaster on the Welsh coast. Plus: how to make the most of supermarket loyalty schemes. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, BBC Two“Horror. Absolute horror.” It has been 30 years since the Sea Empress oil spill disaster caused one of the UK’s most serious marine pollution incidents. Within hours of hitting rocks in Milford Haven port, Wales, 70,000 tons of oil poured into the sea and spread across the coastline of Pembrokeshire. In this documentary, those who saw the awful event tell their stories. HR

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Emma Harte’s head and heart are torn in A Woman of Substance. Plus: a hen do from hell. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, Channel 4The rags-to-riches period drama continues with young Emma Harte (Jessica Reynolds) choosing a secret relationship with her employer’s son, Edwin Fairley (Ewan Horrocks), over taking the chance to move to Leeds. It can’t end well, though, as present-day Emma (Brenda Blethyn) still holds a grudge with the Fairleys. It continues on Thursday with Lenny Rush giving a heartbreaking performance as Emma’s brother.Hollie Richardson

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Awhile back I asked for some recommendations for British shows that weren't police procedurals, since that seems to be about 90% of our "britbox" subscription options here in the states. Anyway, thought I would post some thoughts about them as I work my way through the list, starting with Taskmaster.

This show is great! I was already familiar with Greg Davies from Dr. Who & The Inbetweeners. I also recognized a lot of contestants from season to season, and even found some more I liked who were new to me. I love watching the interactions between the comedians, and it's especially good when they have a history with Greg. We've also found the "Champion of Champions" episodes and have watched the first couple of those. Lastly, the outtakes and other bits on YT are fantastic. We're all caught up and will definitely keep watching.

A Norwegian film-maker takes us through grief in Storyville. Plus: launching a rocket in French Guiana. Here’s what to watch this evening

10pm, BBC FourA joyous yet tragic introduction to a film by its Norwegian maker and narrator, Gunnar Hall Jensen, as he explains that the little boy in the home video clips we are watching – his son, Jonathan – is now dead. Jensen went on to capture their relationship on camera for more than 20 years, which he candidly reflects on here, until Jonathan started to become withdrawn and distanced from his father before being killed at 21. Hollie Richardson

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Marianna Spring goes Inside the Rage Machine. Plus: the finale of the brilliant comedy Small Prophets. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, BBC Two“My goal is to not get sued,” says Matt Motyl, a former senior staff researcher at Facebook and Meta. He is one of the ex-employees who give reporter Marianna Spring the inside story of how social media giants have profited from algorithms that perpetuate divisiveness and hate. She also studies whistleblower documents, the arrival of TikTok and charts how events such as the pandemic and the Southport riots played out across various platforms. Hollie Richardson

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Metal detectorist and actor Charlie Cooper is amazed as his pupil finds an Iron Age gold coin.

Overlooked Mary tells her side of the story in The Other Bennet Sister. Plus: irresistible comedy Boarders returns. Here’s what to watch this evening

Sunday, 8pm, BBC One

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How Queen Victoria’s personal life nearly brought down the monarchy. Plus, pugil-sticks at the ready as the Gladiators semi finals begin. Here’s what to watch this evening

9.15pm, Channel 5“Even Queen Victoria’s own children start to call him mother’s lover.” A juicy history documentary that investigates the sovereign’s much rumoured romance with her servant John Brown. Experts including archaeologist Raksha Dave and Dr Amy Boyington share everything they know about the scandal that could have seen the end of the monarchy. Hollie Richardson

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Jennifer Saunders and Jeff Goldblum take a seat in the first episode. Plus, a newspaper agony aunt is poisoned in Death in Paradise. Here’s what to watch this evening

10.40pm, BBC OneIt’s time for Claudia to take her rightful place as chatshow queen. Expect the same vibe as The Graham Norton Show (they share the same producer) with a bit more fake tan and eyeliner. Her first guests are celebrities who always have a good anecdote up their sleeves: Jeff Goldblum, Vanessa Williams, Jennifer Saunders and Tom Allen. Plus, she’s promised to get the audience at home and in the studio involved, too. Hollie Richardson

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Marking the 30th anniversary of the school atrocity, those who pushed to get the weapons outlawed tell their stories. Plus: Spring Clean – Keep, Chuck Or Cash In? Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, BBC TwoA former PE teacher talks with startling calmness as she opens this documentary by recalling 13 March 1996, the day a gunman entered a Dunblane primary school gym and rapidly fired at the adults and children there. It remains the deadliest firearms atrocity in the UK. Parents of the victims, TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, the former prime minister Tony Blair and others help to tell the story of the campaign that followed to outlaw private handguns. “There’s an assumption that this horrific thing happened and guns were banned,” says Kelly. “It didn’t happen like that.” Hollie Richardson

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A new retelling of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s hit novel A Woman of Substance. Plus, cracking comedy We Might Regret This. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, Channel 4Forty years after the Emmy-nominated adaptation of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s 1979 novel, here’s another wonderful (and horny) retelling of the revenge tale. In the 70s, “richest woman in the world” Emma Harte (Brenda Blethyn) reflects on her life from her New York penthouse. Her story starts at the turn of the 20th century in Yorkshire, where she worked as a maid for a wealthy family. When her mother instructs Emma to chase her dreams from her deathbed, she makes plans to never be poor again. But wrong turns are always moments away … Jessica Reynolds plays younger Emma and is joined by an equally brilliant cast including Emmett J Scanlan and Lenny Rush. Hollie Richardson

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Ellis and her trusty sidekick uncover small-town grudges as they investigate a murder. Plus, catch the Bafta award-winning film I Swear. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, Channel 5“It’s all about hiding the evidence in plain sight – it’s a Godfather move.” Sharon D Clarke is back as formidable DCI Ellis, who is parachuted in to rural northern England to solve failing cases, with DS Chet Harper (Andrew Gower) in tow. Their first murder is that of a village’s well-respected businessman, but it turns out that many of the locals held secret grudges against him. Hollie Richardson

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He plays a novelist dad who helps his professor daughter navigate a nasty divorce. Plus: sweet adoption comedy Trying returns. Here’s what to watch this evening

10pm, Sky OneSteve Carell stars in this college campus comedy about a novelist father and his heartbroken professor daughter. Greg (Carell) visits the college when Katie (Charly Clive) is going through a divorce from her fellow academic husband, who cheated on her with a student. Its co-creator is Bill Lawrence, who worked on Ted Lasso and Shrinking, and look out for Scrubs star John C McGinley, who chews up every scene. Hollie Richardson

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The government’s use of AI is more terrifying than ever in The Capture. Plus: a murky drama from the man behind Lupin and Hijack. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, BBC One

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