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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Phil Harrison, Ali Catterall and Hannah Verdier

TV tonight: a brave documentary about the 2023 Kirkby riots

Mobeen Azhar in Small Town, Big Riot.
Mobeen Azhar investigates in Small Town, Big Riot. Photograph: BBC/Forest

Small Town, Big Riot

9pm, BBC Three

The riot outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Kirkby in 2023 was an uncanny foreshadowing of the disorder that swept Britain this summer. In this gripping two-part documentary, Mobeen Azhar heads to Merseyside to explore the roots of the disturbance. As a result of his probing, a tale of online misinformation and misplaced rage unfolds. It’s a brave piece of journalism, prompting bleakly familiar conclusions about how close to the surface racist violence remains. Phil Harrison

Britain’s Biggest Dig

7.40pm, PBS America

In 2017, in readiness for HS2, archaeologists began excavating thousands of bodies from a former burial ground in London’s Euston. It was, as Prof Alice Roberts and historian Dr Yasmin Khan say, “a unique opportunity” to learn about our Georgian ancestors. In this series opener, they uncover everything from grave robbing to premature burial. Ali Catterall

Mozart: Rise of a Genius

9pm, BBC Two

Mozart goes from getting angry and sticking two fingers up at the establishment to falling in love in the second episode of this fascinating exploration of his life. When his father doesn’t approve of his wife, Constanze, he throws himself into composing and performing. Richard E Grant, Chris Addison and Stephen Fry add illuminating commentary. Hannah Verdier

My Mum, Your Dad

9pm, ITV1

This dating show proves that you can find a whole lot of warmth outside the bikini-and-heels v waxed-chest format of Love Island. This year, it’s no surprise to the parents that their grownup kids are watching, but it hasn’t hampered the action so far. Who’s getting closer this week? HV

We Might Regret This

10pm, BBC Two

As this smart, accomplished sitcom ends, it’s the anniversary of Sam’s death. This prompts responses ranging from Abe’s pass-agg control freakery to Jane’s studied detachment. When Freya arranges a party, the consequences are huge – but the nature of her disability means her capacity to make big, sudden changes is limited. A subtly brilliant conclusion. PH

In My Own Words: Jackie Kay

10.40pm, BBC One

This often revelatory series, in which artists examine their pasts, continues with the poet Jackie Kay. Kay’s background is unusual: she was adopted by a Glaswegian couple and has early memories of attending communist marches. From there, it’s a warmly told tale encompassing a motorcycle accident, literary success and political activism. PH

Live sport

Snooker: British Open, 12.45pm, ITV4 Day one of the tournament.

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