Friday’s U&Dave Line‑up
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Start at 05:00 with Teleshopping and finish at 01:00 next day. Here’s what deserves your time.
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06:25 – 07:20: Pointless
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Quiz in which contestants try to score as few points as possible by plumbing the depths of their general knowledge to come up with the answers that no‑one else can think of. S26 Ep36.
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Pointless keeps the casual quiz fan in check, but the low‑point chase is a bit of a slow burn. Still entertaining for those who like the mental gymnastics.
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07:20 – 08:20: Border Force America’s Gatekeepers
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An elderly couple from Mexico with five suitcases and a truck carrying garden furniture run into a quirky border encounter. S1 Ep3.
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The series offers a glance at border life with a dose of surprise. One of the better options for a quick dose of reality TV.
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08:20 – 09:20: Border Force America’s Gatekeepers
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Officers pull over a man from Mexico and a misunderstanding leads to a rare journey. S1 Ep4.
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The second episode builds on the first’s premise, but the pacing feels a touch uneven. Holds up well for a casual viewer.
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09:20 – 10:20: Rick Stein’s Long Weekends
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Thessaloniki: a culinary city break in Greece’s northeastern city, arriving just in time for its peach harvest. S1 Ep9.
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If you’re a food lover, this episode is a quiet treat. The pacing is steady and the visuals are crisp.
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10:20 – 11:20: Rick Stein’s Long Weekends
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Palermo: a Sicilian finish with dishes flavoured by pine nuts, raisins, lemons and almonds. S1 Ep10.
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The final episode delivers a satisfying conclusion. One of the better options for a culinary escape.
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11:20 – 12:20: Top Gear
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Freddie Flintoff, Chris Harris, and Paddy McGuinness head to the British Grand Prix for a showdown with F1’s finest drivers – Paddy pays tribute to Eddie Kidd OBE. S31 Ep1.
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Top Gear keeps the automotive fan alive with a mix of speed and banter, and the Grand Prix segment adds a refreshing dose of adrenaline.
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12:20 – 13:20: Top Gear
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Freddie, Chris and Paddy set out to revolutionise caravanning with electric cars and tiny caravans, and Chris reviews the extravagant Lamborghini Huracan STO. S31 Ep2.
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The episode has a modern edge, but the focus on electric caravanning makes it a niche pick.
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13:20 – 14:00: Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing
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Bob and Paul head to the historic chalk stream of Driffield Beck in East Yorkshire, hoping to catch wild brown trout, while Ted is spruced up in a local doggy spa. S7 Ep3.
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The fishing trip is laid‑back, and the dog spa cameo adds a lighthearted touch.
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14:00 – 15:00: How Britain Worked
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Guy Martin helps restore the oldest surviving Brixham sailing trawler, discovering how Britain acquired its taste for fish and chips. S1 Ep5.
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The historical angle gives depth to a familiar dish; a solid watch for history buffs.
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15:00 – 16:00: Hairy Bikers’ Best of British
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Pub Grub: The bikers head to the pub to explore the story behind the boom in pub food and snacks and recreate mouthwatering dishes. S1 Ep14.
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The food‑centric episode is a reliable treat for foodies, delivering hearty dishes and a splash of nostalgia.
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16:00 – 17:00: Rick Stein’s Long Weekends
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Thessaloniki repeat for the second half‑hour (same as earlier).
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17:00 – 18:00: Rick Stein’s Long Weekends
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Palermo repeat for the second half‑hour (same as earlier).
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18:00 – 18:40: Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing
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Bob and Paul head to Nottinghamshire to fish for barbel in the River Trent, staying in a memorable party house with DJ Tony Blackburn. S7 Ep4.
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The addition of a DJ adds a playful twist – one of the better options for a light evening.
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18:40 – 19:20: Would I Lie To You?
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Rob Brydon, Lee Mack and David Mitchell are joined by guests Steph McGovern, Richard Osman, Jennifer Saunders and Joe Sugg. S13 Ep6.
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The show’s witty banter keeps the audience engaged; holds up well for a casual laugh.
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19:20 – 20:00: Would I Lie To You?
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Guests join this time: Tom Allen, Geoff Norcott, Vicki Pepperdine and Esme Young. S13 Ep7.
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Consistent humor but a bit repetitive; still a reliable pick for a relaxed night.
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20:00 – 21:00: QI XL
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Numbers: Go figure! Odd facts about numbers courtesy of host Sandi Toksvig. Colin Lane, Sarah Millican, Noel Fielding and Alan Davies attempt to avoid a minus score. S14 Ep14.
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The intellectual quirkiness of QI is a good fit for viewers who love quirky facts.
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21:00 – 22:00: Magnum P.I.
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A Kiss Before Dying: when dogs dig up a human bone, Magnum and Higgins investigate the murder of a former mentor. S1 Ep18.
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The crime‑drama keeps viewers on edge; a solid option for thriller fans.
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22:00 – 23:00: Magnum P.I.
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Blood In the Water: Higgins is shot and wounded while on a yacht, and the pair must reach land before she bleeds out. S1 Ep19.
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This episode’s tension is palpable; holds up well for a gripping finish.
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23:00 – 23:40: Mock the Week
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Dara O Briain and Hugh Dennis jab at news gone by with guests Maisie Adam, Alasdair Beckett‑King, Ivo Graham, Rhys James and Ria Lina. S20 Ep7.
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Mock the Week delivers timely satire, making it a reliable choice for a witty end of day.
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23:40 – 00:20: Would I Lie To You?
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Rob Brydon, Lee Mack and David Mitchell are joined again by Steph McGovern, Richard Osman, Jennifer Saunders and Joe Sugg. S13 Ep6.
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Repetition keeps the rhythm but could feel stale for some; still a dependable pick.
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00:20 – 01:00: Would I Lie To You?
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Guests Tom Allen, Geoff Norcott, Vicki Pepperdine and Esme Young. S13 Ep7.
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The late‑night version is calm but still holds up for a relaxed watch.
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01:00 – 02:05: QI XL
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Numbers: odd facts about numbers with Sandi Toksvig and friends. S14 Ep14.
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The extended length makes it a good late‑night option for fact lovers.
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02:05 – 03:00: Dave Gorman: Modern Life Is Goodish
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I Like Hot Bananas: one very funny man and his laptop. Dave puts ‘Greatest Hits’ albums and superlative abuse under the spotlight. S2 Ep7.
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Dave Gorman’s quirky humour is a reliable late‑night laugh, though the content may be a bit niche.
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03:00 – 05:00: Teleshopping
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Shopping from Home.
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Bright‑sided retail, a segment for those who enjoy bargains; holds up as a filler.
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05:00 – 06:10: Teleshopping
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Shopping from Home.
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Another round of retail, keeping the evening in line with the channel’s late‑night vibe.
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Bottom Line
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For a Friday filled with a mix of quizzes, reality, culinary delights, car culture and late‑night banter, the standout is Top Gear for its energetic mix of automotive adventure. If you’re into food, Rick Stein’s Long Weekends offers a relaxed culinary escape, while Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing and How Britain Worked provide lighter, documentary‑style content. The late‑night slots—Mock the Week and QI XL—offer a solid dose of satire and trivia to cap off the night.
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