Earthflight | Putin, Russia and the West | Eternal Law | American Idol | Mad Dogs | The Big C
Earthflight
8pm, BBC1
"A bird's eye view of the world" is what's offered in this latest, almost routinely astonishing offering from the BBC's natural history team, as we effectively hitch a lift with birds on the wing and see the world as they see it. It's thrilling, not to say vertiginous stuff; this week hanging out with the scavenging Andean condor at the southernmost tip of South America. As much as the new window the show opens on the landscape and the wildlife, the show also creates a DVD extras-style longing to know how they did it. John Robinson
Putin, Russia and the West
9pm, BBC2
Amid the tumult of 2011, one potentially important story was somewhat overlooked ? the first large-scale protests against Vladimir Putin. As Putin begins wondering if his imminent reclamation of Russia's presidency from his mini-me, Dmitri Medvedev, will be as smooth as he anticipated, this series examines his decade-plus at the pinnacle of Russian politics. The picture that begins to emerge in this first of four episodes, from footage and interviews with comrades and rivals, is of a ruthlessly effective operator. As this episode recalls, Putin began his presidency by steamrolling enemies within: the restive Chechens and the wealthy oligarchs. Andrew Mueller
Eternal Law
9pm, ITV1
As with any show that deals with supernatural, paranormal or science-fiction elements, it usually takes a few episodes to see what works and what doesn't. Tonight's case is pretty dull, concerning the closing of a retirement home, but the glimpses of the angels/lawyers' pasts are interesting. And while the dialogue is often poor, the performers are hard to fault, with Tobias Menzies' underused turn a highlight. Phelim O'Neill
American Idol
9pm, ITV2
Super-slick Ryan Seacrest presides over the 11th series of the original US singing competition. Simon Cowell's absence last season allowed hair-mates Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler to bed-in their judging seats next to old faithful Randy Jackson, and finally there is a feeling that the panel is just right. OK, so no one can really remember who won last series and why (Scotty McCreery, anyone?), but the standard of performances in the live shows puts UK efforts to shame. First, the auditions offer the dual pleasure of spotting raw talent and pointing a jovial finger. The second set of auditions from New Orleans is at the same time tomorrow night. Hannah Verdier
Mad Dogs
9pm, Sky1
Having backed the pulling power of BBC regulars Marc Warren, Philip Glenister, John Simm and Max Beesley last year, as pals from way back whose holiday in Majorca goes hugely awry, it's no surprise to see Sky bringing back Mad Dogs for four more episodes here. This second series doesn't cheat the cliffhanger from the last, with the gang up to their necks in blood, guns and bent coppers. What will they do? Go to Ibiza, of course. JR
The Big C
10pm, More4
The Big C could have bowed out at the end of the last series, with Cathy finally telling her family about the cancer she fought to keep so quiet. But Laura Linney's heroine is back, and switches her behaviour from eccentric to practical as she opts for treatment. Husband Paul is on a mission to become useful, and son Adam is finding it tough adjusting to the news ? but instead of teen rebellion, he lets out his emotions via the medium of flatulence. Dr Todd is finding Cathy's switch to hopeful mode a little tricky, too. HV
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2012/jan/18/tv-highlights-19-january
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