Television schedules are finally giving our feline friends the prime-time attention they deserve, thanks to a heartfelt new series fronted by comedian David Baddiel. His show, 'Cat Man', headlines a packed evening of viewing that also includes a gripping Australian crime prequel, a luxurious travelogue, and a data-driven comedy lesson.
Feline Fantasies and Paddleboarding Tabbies
In David Baddiel: Cat Man at 8pm on Channel 4, the comedian and proud cat owner sets out to rectify the surprising lack of dedicated cat programming. The first of a three-part series promises to be a moving ode to cat lovers and their pets. Baddiel meets fellow enthusiasts, including presenter Jonathan Ross and psychotherapist Philippa Perry, to share in their kitty camaraderie.
The episode features the unusual spectacle of Baddiel attempting paddleboarding with a tabby cat named Bongo. A significant highlight will be his attempted encounter with the UK's most famous political feline: Larry, the 18-year-old Downing Street cat. The question of whether Larry will allow himself to be picked up adds a layer of charming suspense to the show.
From Crime Outback to Luxury Cruises
Elsewhere, the prequel to the acclaimed Australian drama Mystery Road: Origin continues on BBC Two at 9pm. Set in the year 2000, this slow-burning crime story follows Detective Jay Swan (Mark Coles Smith) as he investigates an unexplained death in the Loch Iris community, suspecting foul play where others see an accident.
For a change of pace, Jane McDonald: From Pole to Pole on Channel 5 at 9pm sees the cruise-ship chanteuse arrive in South America. Her journey includes sampling authentic gaucho barbecue in Uruguay and marvelling at the breathtaking coastline of Brazil, which she compares to 'the beginning of Jurassic Park'.
Comedy Class and Star-Studded Sofas
Later, Channel 4 offers a meta look at laughter with Taskmasterclass at 10pm. In this 'educational' spin-off, host Greg Davies analyses the state of modern British comedy using clips from the Taskmaster archive. His assistant, Little Alex Horne, supports the thesis with data, including a pun-based graph and highlights from past contestants like Romesh Ranganathan and Mel Giedroyc.
The evening's chat show slot is filled by The Graham Norton Show on BBC One at 10.40pm. Guests include Erin Doherty, discussing the second series of 'A Thousand Blows', and Martin Freeman, talking about the new Agatha Christie adaptation 'Seven Dials'. Singer Olivia Dean provides the live music.
Tonight's Film Highlights
Film choices for the evening span from quirky British comedy to high-tension thrillers. On Sky Cinema Premiere, The Ballad of Wallis Island (airing at 10.25am and 8pm) is a Britcom written by and starring Tim Key. It features Tom Basden as a folk singer and Carey Mulligan as his former musical partner, exploring themes of lingering pain and loneliness with a heartwarming touch.
For streaming subscribers, Netflix offers The Rip, a propulsive Miami-set cop thriller. The film marks the first on-screen reunion of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon since 2023's 'Air'. They play narcotics team officers whose raid on a stash house goes awry, leading to suspicions of corruption within their own unit, which includes Teyana Taylor and Steven Yeun.
On BBC Two at 11pm, the powerful drama Lollipop presents a devastating portrait of homelessness. Directed by Daisy-May Hudson, it follows a young mother, played by Posy Sterling, fighting a bureaucratic system to regain custody of her children.
For sports fans, Sky Sports Main Event broadcasts Championship football at 7.30pm, featuring West Bromwich Albion versus Middlesbrough live from The Hawthorns.
