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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment

TV tonight: Greg James’ new reality show is a striking social experiment

Rise And Fall hosted by Greg James on Channel 4.
Rise And Fall hosted by Greg James on Channel 4. Photograph: Channel 4

Rise and Fall

9pm, Channel 4

From the makers of The Traitors, Greg James hosts a new reality series that doubles as a striking social experiment. Sixteen contestants from all walks of life will start the show as equals – but some will quickly be made Rulers and live in a penthouse, while the rest become powerless Grafters in a basement. The Rulers will make all the decisions, and the Grafters will have to complete tasks to build a big prize fund. One tiny thing: only a Ruler can win the money. All contestants can, however, rise to and fall from power. All feels a bit close to the bone, eh? It’s on every evening this week, and has the potential to be even more twisted, evil and addictive than its predecessor. Hollie Richardson

Wild Isles

7pm, BBC One

In this episode of what is said to be David Attenborough’s final series shot on location, he focuses on woodland. In the Scottish Highlands, all eyes are on the male capercaillie as he spends six hours every morning prancing and preening just to get some female attention – as well as that of an angry male competitor. Another star of the show is the ash-black slug, which has a penis that becomes as long as its body (up to 30cm) when mating. HR

The Great Celebrity British Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer

7.45pm, Channel 4

“My expectations are so low, I think I’ll do well for myself,” deadpans David Schwimmer. This week, the Friends star joins ex-Little Mixer Jesy Nelson and comedians Rose Matafeo and Tom Davis in the tent for Stand Up to Cancer. Expect celebrity embarrassment in meringue form. Danielle De Wolfe

Grace

8pm, ITV1

John Simm returns as DS Roy Grace for the third series of the detective drama adapted from Peter James’s novels. After violence at a colleague’s leaving do, Grace and his colleague DS Glenn Branson (Richie Campbell) have to investigate their coworkers. Grace has his suspicions but, in actuality, all bets are off in the first of three standalone mysteries. Micha Frazer-Carroll

The Gold

9pm, BBC One

Neil Forsyth’s masterful drama concludes, with the Brink’s-Mat robbers and fencers and smelters behind bars, or on their way. As ringleader Kenneth Noye (Jack Lowden) stands trial, the apparent end of the investigation just means stakes are raised. Forsyth wrings maximum tension out of whether justice can prevail. Jack Seale

We Need to Talk About Cosby

9pm, BBC Two

W Kamau Bell continues to explore how Bill Cosby used his fame to allegedly perpetuate sexual assaults against dozens of women. This week’s episode centres on The Cosby Show, which arrived at a major moment for Black culture in America during the mid-80s and provided ample cover for its star’s behaviour. Crucially, there’s plenty of space for the victims to speak. Selim Bulut

Film choice

The Hurt Locker, 10.45pm, BBC Two

The Hurt Locker on BBC Two.
The Hurt Locker on BBC Two. Photograph: First Light Production/Sportsphoto/Allstar

“War is a drug,” says a quote at the start of Kathryn Bigelow’s sweat-soaked Iraq occupation thriller. That is what Jeremy Renner’s bomb disposal expert Sgt William James contends with as he leads his Baghdad-based US army unit out to defuse IEDs, devices in cars, even humans strapped with explosives. His addiction isn’t shared by his colleagues, particularly Anthony Mackie’s JT Sanborn who fears James’s insouciance in the face of danger will be the death of them. Bigelow builds an atmosphere of near-constant tension where everyone could be your enemy. Simon Wardell

Live sport

FA Cup Football: Sheffield United v Blackburn, 11.15am, ITV1 Man United v Fulham is at 3.45pm on ITV1, while Brighton v Grimsby is at 1.50pm on BBC One.

Premiership Rugby Cup Final: London Irish v Exeter Chiefs, 1.30pm, BT Sport 1 At the Gtech Community Stadium.

Formula One: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, 4.55pm, Sky Sports Main Event At the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

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