Sunday Slot Showdown: Friends, Police Interceptors, and Other Must‑Watch Binge‑Bites
If you’re looking for something on 5* this Sunday, you’ll find a mix of nostalgia, gritty police realism, and a few medical dramas that keep the adrenaline pumping.
Friends (08:00‑09:00 BST)
Rachel submits to peer pressure at work. Joey auditions against Ross’s son. Monica and Phoebe plan a surprise birthday party for Rachel. (S5 Ep18)
Opinion: Still entertaining, holds up well even after the show’s long run.
Friends (08:30‑09:00 BST)
Ross’s flirting technique fails to impress. Joey is in for a surprise when he tells everyone about his big television appearance. (S5 Ep19)
Opinion: Still entertaining, holds up well.
Friends (09:00‑09:30 BST)
The guys take a ride with a police officer. Rachel overhears a telephone message for Ross. (S5 Ep20)
Opinion: Still entertaining, holds up well.
Friends (09:30‑10:00 BST)
Phoebe’s boyfriend wants to move in with her. Ross and Joey involve Chandler and Monica in an obsessive game. (S5 Ep21)
Opinion: Still entertaining, holds up well.
Car Pound Cops (09:00‑10:00 BST)
With exclusive access to car pounds, police forces, local council enforcement agencies and national organisations, we track cars as they are seized for a variety of offences. (S2 Ep2)
Opinion: One of the better options for those who enjoy behind‑the‑scenes police procedure.
Traffic Cops (12:00‑13:00 BST)
Derbyshire’s Road Crime Team lead a county lines drugs crackdown in Chesterfield, capturing three suspects in the space of a couple of hours. (S11 Ep 8)
Opinion: Still entertaining, holds up well for fans of high‑speed pursuits.
Police Interceptors (16:00‑17:00 BST)
Observational documentary series. The high‑speed pursuit specialists of Cumbria tackle a runaway knifeman, an overturned trailer full of cows and a ruptured gas main. (S5 Ep1)
Opinion: Reliable choice if you want raw police action without the fluff.
The Surgeon (20:00‑21:00 BST)
We go behind the mask to reveal what life is really like for consultant breast surgeon Sascha Dua, juggling the high‑pressure world of the operating theatre with life as a single mum. (Ep2/4)
Opinion: Holds up well as a realistic look at surgical life.
Casualty 24/7: Every Second Counts (21:00‑22:00 BST)
Paramedics bring in care home manager Kirsty, who has fallen badly. And the team must stabilise 67‑year‑old Bridget, whose heartbeat is twice as fast as it should be. (S11 Ep7)
Opinion: Still entertaining for those who want medical drama with a personal touch.
A&E After Dark (22:00‑23:00 BST)
Incidents featured include an abusive patient refusing to leave the department, a heroin overdose, an agonising toothache and a supermarket guard who’s attacked while doing his duty. (S5 Ep2)
Opinion: One of the better options for a late‑night medical showcase.
New: Accused: Guilty or Innocent? (23:00‑00:00 BST)
…Defender? When a Marine Corps veteran gets drawn into a domestic shoot‑out in El Paso, a 16‑year‑old boy is shot dead. Was the veteran overzealous or acting in self‑defence? (S7 Ep10)
Opinion: Still entertaining, holds up well for fans of courtroom drama.
My Lover, My Killer (00:00‑01:00 BST)
Kasey Anderson’s kind nature is twisted and exploited by Natalie Bennett, whose bitterness and control lead to his murder. (S3 Ep9)
Opinion: Holds up well as a psychological thriller.
Skin A&E (01:00‑01:45 BST)
Four top dermatologists treat patients for skin conditions such as cysts, lipomas and skin tags that the NHS views as cosmetic, but that can hugely affect the sufferers. (S3 Ep 2)
Opinion: Reliable choice for medical reality fans.
Babies 24/7: The Maternity Ward (01:45‑02:35 BST)
Baby Amber was born three months early and admitted to the hospital’s NICU. Jun is keen to have her baby before her parents need to return to China. (S1 Ep5)
Opinion: Still entertaining for those who enjoy hospital heart‑warming stories.
Bottom line: 5* offers a solid lineup this Sunday, from classic sitcoms to edge‑of‑the‑seat police shows and medical dramas that keep the tension high. Pick one that suits your mood and you’ll find something that holds up well.