TV: New comedies, old favourites and returning live music awards
John Sims returns in Life on Mars
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England ended their tour down under on a high after winning the three-match one-day tri-series final in Sydney by 34 runs. |  |
Monday, 12, Feb 2007 06:14
Television screens will be awash with new faces this week as a number of new and returning series kick off.
First up is The Abbey (ITV1 14/02/07), a drama detailing a fictional sanctuary for celebs who have been through the wars and are facing a break down. Morwenna Banks stars alongside a whole host of comedians including Russell Brand, and Omid Djalili and the model/actress Tamsin Egerton. The Abbey is a retreat for the notorious and dysfunctional, offering new age therapies for their addictions and disorders. Prepare for numerous laughs and complicated on-screen crushes.
Returning to screens is the Emmy award-winning Life On Mars (BBC1 13/02/07). John Sims is back as the time-travelling detective, DI Sam Tyler, who finds himself back in 1973 following a car crash. But he won't be around for long as it is the final series of the show, with viewers finally able to learn the truth about how he came to be stuck in the past in the finale.
Hotel Babylon's second series (BBC1 15/02/07) features numerous cameos from celebrities including Chris Moyles, Chantelle Houghton, Ronni Ancona, Russ Abbot and Ronni Ancona. Tamzin Outhwaite returns as hotel manager Rebecca along with Max Beesley as the viewers' guide to the decadent goings on behind the scenes.
For those looking to spice up bedroom antics on Valentine's Day then The Sex Inspectors (Channel 4 12-16/02/07) could help. Running over four nights, the show is presented by sexpert Tracey Cox and Michael Alvear, who give couples a tailor-made plan to kick-start their relationship.
But if romance is the last thing on your mind for February 14th then tuning in to the Brit awards (ITV1 14/02/07) could provide the perfect distraction. Hosted by Russell Brand and shown live for the first time since 1989, the show will be a star-packed affair. Oasis are set to receive an award for their outstanding achievement and performers include The Scissor Sisters, The Killers, Snow Patrol and Corinne Bailey Rae.
Many parents may have wished that they could show their children what it was like to live when they were children, and in Never Did Me Any Harm (Channel 4 13/02/07) four families are given the opportunity to do so. The clock is turned back for two weeks and the children have to cope as thought it were 30 years ago and without the trappings of modern technology.
Comedians battle it out in the new series Balls of Steel (Channel 4 16/02/07), including Mark Dolan, Olivia Lee and Alex Zane. Interviews with Jennifer Lopez, burger bowling and competitions tormenting innocent contestants are just a few of the series' antics.
Bradley's in a muddle as Valentine's Day approaches in EastEnders (BBC1 12,13, 15, 16/02/07) after spending time with former flame Stacey and hard nut Phil decides to show Ben who's boss.
Steve has his hands full in Coronation Street (ITV1 12,14,16/02/07) this week after his one-night fling with Tracy manages to make Michelle jealous.
And over in Emmerdale (ITV1 12-17/02/07) Jamie's stuck in a hard place as he tries to pay off his blackmailer and Val is distraught when she learns about her daughter's impending marriage.