Critics’ choice
Not fade away
The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks (Sky Atlantic, 9pm)
The opening of this true story about the existence beyond death of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were cultured shortly before she died from cancer in 1951 and are still used for research today, is a Technicolor display of pharmaceutical company logos, announcing the birth of the biomedical industry with a jazzy fanfare.
The drama seeks to tell the story of her family, who were not told about her ever- replicating cells until 1975, via the relationship between a white journalist (Rose Byrne) and Lack’s daughter Deborah (Oprah Winfrey). The media mogul is magnificent as a difficult, tormented woman, but Byrne’s reliance on a nervy tooth-baring smile quickly loses its charm. Winfrey’s performance is impressive and moving, but the hazy recollections of Lack’s unremarkable life render the film unsatisfying — neither history lesson nor complete personal drama.
Helen Stewart
Alternative Election Night (C4, 9pm); Frankie Boyle’s New World Order (BBC2, 10.30pm)
Politics may now include women in senior positions but tonight’s “alternative” election coverage demonstrates that punditry is still a boys’ game. Jeremy Paxman, David Mitchell and Richard Osman host on Channel 4, while Frankie Boyle (who at least deigns to feature female guests) is brought back from internet purdah. (HS)
Paula (BBC2, 9pm)
After BBC1’s mother-scare drama The Replacement, Paula offers another shot of lurid psycho-horror straight off the shelf marked “Murder! Mystery! Suspense!” Even the more predictable elements — a sinister funfair, a frightening child, a doomed pet — cannot ruin a denouement that unravels with a wild disregard for credibility. Denise Gough remains excellent as Paula, haunted by the danger posed by James (Tom Hughes). (VS)
10 Homes That Changed America (PBS America, 9pm)
This breezy, well-appointed architectural hit parade takes a look at 10 dwellings of historical importance, from the pre-Columbian multi-storey adobe houses of the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico to California’s environmentally sound modern prefab, the Glidehouse. It also casts a little light into the gloom of the New York tenement, highlighting the building’s role in the city’s evolution. (VS)
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Joanna Lumley’s Postcards (ITV, 8.30pm)
On a night when our futures hang in the balance, there is something rather soothing about choosing to spend time with a woman unaltered by time and fortune. Let Lumley’s mellifluous RP tones comfort brows wrinkled by worry as she heads down the Nile to the healing waters at the source of the river in Uganda, goes on safari and learns who is Ethiopia’s patron saint. (HS)
Film choice
The Sons Of Katie Elder (1965)
Film 4, 2.20pm
Henry Hathaway’s reliable old-fashioned western was the first film in which John Wayne appeared after losing a lung to cancer, but he shows no fatigue as he does his usual thing, this time in the role of an outlaw who joins his siblings (one played by Dean Martin) in avenging wrongs suffered by their Ma.
The Raid (2011)
Film 4, 12.25am
Tracking the progress of a cop (Iko Uwais) as he tries to battle his way out of a tower block full of crooks, this Indonesian film (by a Welsh director, Gareth Evans) is a classic of relentless, fight-driven action movie-making. The Raid 2, a sequel offering more of the same, debuts on Film 4 on Friday evening.
Klute (1971)
Sky Cinema Select, 12.40am
Alan J Pakula’s film is an awkwardly plotted thriller that gains punch from seamy New York locations and a clever performance by Jane Fonda, who plays a prostitute encountered by Donald Sutherland’s John Klute, an out-of-towner searching for a missing person. Fonda’s depiction of her character’s fakery amounts to a study of the nature of acting.
Previews by Edward Porter
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Radio pick of the day
Ballad And Folksong — Romeo And Juliet (Radio 4 Extra, 1pm/8pm)
Unheard since 1966, Charles Parker’s radio ballad rejigs Shakespeare’s play with Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger’s music. In Our Time (R4, 9am/9.30pm) is on Christine de Pizan, the Renaissance writer. Unusually, Carolyn Quinn and James Naughtie’s Election 2017 (R4, 10pm), has a rival: Election Results Live (R5 Live, 9.55pm), co-hosted by Emma Barnett.
Paul Donovan
Sports choice
Champions Trophy Cricket (Sky Sports 2, 10am)
French Open Tennis (ITV4/Eurosport, 11am)
Super League (Sky Sports 1, 7pm) Leigh v Wigan
Isle Of Man TT (ITV4, 9pm)
You say
Hinterland (BBC4) is excellent, but the best series of the week was without a doubt Storyville’s OJ — Made In America on BBC4. Riveting stuff.
Louise Crocker, Dorchester
I have just watched Hinterland for the first time. It was probably the longest 90 minutes of my life
Anthony Roberts, Shoreham by Sea
Is it just me or is there anyone else who is fed up with the perpetual “jolly hockey sticks” approach that the BBC’s weather presenters seem to have adopted? It is really annoying.
Rex Pengilly, Poole
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