TV Times top picks for today
What’s on telly tonight? Here the TV Times team of expert reviewers highlight the best shows on Friday 18th May
The Bridge, 9.00pm, BBC2
Well, this was worth the wait! As the fourth and final season of the superior Scandi drama continues, the Swedish and Danish police must once again join forces. Murdered Margrethe was Danish, and the suspects are Swedish – but grumpy Danish cop Jonas (The Killing’s Mikael Birkkjaer) is not happy about the new working arrangement. Meanwhile, Patrik is about to find out that posing as his twin brother, controversial reporter Richard, is a very dangerous game, a pair of young pickpockets get mixed up in something much bigger and an abused wife and her son find themselves in a very strange place. And what is Margrethe’s shady widower hiding? Another supremely satisfying episode. **** EP
Friday Night Dinner, 10pm, C4
There’s excitement chez Goodman as a surprise party has been organised for Mum’s birthday in Friday Night Dinner. Though, as sons Adam and Jonny (Simon Bird and Tom Rosenthal) point out, it won’t be much of a surprise to Mum (Tamsin Greig) as she’s forced Dad (Paul Ritter) to organise it! What could possibly go wrong? Well, inviting people on the wrong date for starters… **** IM
Tap America, 9pm, BBC4
As part of BBC4’s Dance Season, actor Clarke Peters, creator of the musical Five Guys Named Moe, explores the history of tap dancing. It’s a treat for the eyes and ears as Clarke reveals how the genre originated out of the slave trade, when men would make music with their feet in chain gangs. By the 19th Century Irish clogging had further influenced the Afro-American dance scene. Stars including Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson and the Nicholas Brothers emerged, playing supporting roles to white Hollywood stars. Includes fabulous archive film footage, scenes from the Cotton Club and, of course, the legendary Shirley Temple, Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. ***** MC
More previews tomorrow.
