TV highlights 23/07/2013 Jul 23rd 2013, 06:00
Live Darts: The World Matchplay | Luther | Hunting The Doorstep Conmen | Why Don't You Speak English? | Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood | Badults | Imagine – Woody Allen: A Documentary
Live Darts: The World Matchplay
7pm, Sky Sports 1
As the summer finally kicks in, what better way to avoid the inevitable sunburn than to scurry indoors and enjoy darts' most popular mid-year tournament? As far as betting goes, it's hard to see past the unflappable Phil "The Power" Taylor. Although he hasn't been at the absolute top of his game in the runup to the tournament, the 16-time champion remains world No 1. Other hot contenders, however, include double world champ Adrian Lewis, Michael van Gerwen and Canadian player John Part. David Stubbs
Luther
9pm, BBC1
As good an impression as he does of still waters running deep, Luther is in a pretty tight spot at the start of tonight's episode. His buddy Ripley is dead, posh vigilante killer Tom Marwood is hellbent on blowing a hole in him and every unpainted wall in his shabby chic townhouse, and Stark now feels he finally has something solid to arrest him for. Inevitably, however, the thing that bothers Luther most is being misunderstood by Mary. Luckily help, from an unexpected (if hinted at) quarter, may well be at hand. John Robinson
Hunting The Doorstep Conmen
9pm, ITV
Conmen come in many guises. For the purposes of reporter Conor Woodman, the ones that situate themselves on our doorsteps are of particular interest. A genuinely impressive £2bn worth of goods are sold to us on our doorsteps, but it's not all legit. Some have been tricked out of their life savings, while others have become the subject of complex long-running scams, all instigated in the supposed comfort of their own homes. In the first of two programmes, many of the tricks of this audacious trade are unveiled. Ben Arnold
Why Don't You Speak English?
9pm, Channel 4
There seems to be near-ubiquitous indignation at non-English-speaking immigrants, like a last remaining acceptable prejudice. That is something this sweet "social experiment" documentary aims, in a small way, to rectify. Four immigrants who've lived here for over a year but can't speak English are sent to stay in British households for a week of total linguistic immersion. Some bond, others clash, but all learn a great deal. Part two will see the dynamic switch, with the hosts experiencing the immigrants' everyday lives. Rachel Aroesti
Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood
9pm, BBC4
Hindsight is never clearer than when looking at the follies of the big screen, and they don't come much bigger than Cleopatra. This detail-heavy survey of the making of the movie – the first with a million-dollar payday for its leading lady – is fascinating. Nothing on the production seemed to gel: labour disputes, terrible weather, Taylor's persistent illness and her "naivety and compulsive behaviour". Then there's the story of Taylor and Burton's "erotic vagrancy". A tad over-long, but thoroughly enjoyable. Bim Adewunmi
Rachel Bruno: My Dad & Me
9pm, BBC3
The narrator's father is Frank Bruno, boxing's one-time world heavyweight champion who has more recently undergone an excruciatingly public struggle with bipolar disorder. The film chronicles Rachel's attempts to understand the disease, which in the past year has seen Bruno sectioned twice and alienated from his family. It is desperately sad, the more so for Frank's undimmed likability; his altogether admirable daughter is sympathetic while maintaining a brisk, common-sense approach. Andrew Mueller
Badults
10pm, BBC3
All-male flat-share sitcom from sketch troupe Pappy's, who tasted 2012 Edinburgh fringe glory with their Last Ever Show. It's worth a watch for its strange moments, such as the recurring use/abuse of the Les Mis soundtrack and Matthew's (Matthew Crosby) obsession with the sign language lady off the telly. For the most part, however, the trio's slapstick stand-up doesn't transfer over as well to the small screen as it could in this first episode, although the show may well find its feet a bit more in the coming five weeks. Hannah J Davies
Imagine – Woody Allen: A Documentary
10.35pm, BBC1
A chance to enjoy Robert B Weide's retrospective of the inestimable funnyman. Two years in the making, the film sees Allen drop his defences to provide a glimpse into the private life of the quintessential comic auteur, revisiting the Brooklyn locations that shaped his outlook and talking about all aspects of his career. While he's not quite as razor-sharp as imperial-phase Allen might have been, this opportunity to explore the mind of a cinematic icon is not to be shrugged at. Part two airs tomorrow. Mark Jones
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