Bacchus Uncovered: Ancient God of Ecstasy, BBC4, 9pm
BACCHUS is the god of wine, revelry, theatre and excess, so perhaps it’s not surprising that this ancient mythological figure still has a following. Professor Bettany Hughes sets out to investigate his origins, beginning in Georgia and then moving on to Greece, where his worship was embraced by all classes, especially women. She looks at how he has also been embraced by everything from Nietzsche’s philosophy to the hippy movement, while also pointing out that those who choose to celebrate Bacchus should heed the ancient waning of “nothing in excess”.
Benidorm, STV, 9pm
KAT is back in EastEnders, which has left many soap fans wondering why her on-off husband Alfie isn’t with her. Well, one reason could be that Shane Richie is busy living it up in the sun with another guest stint in Benidorm as entertainer Sammy Valentine. Sammy is riding high after his comeback performance and is ready to make his debut at Neptune’s, but Monty remains unconvinced – until they have a meeting with a super fan. However, Joyce is still under the impression they are going to be graced with the presence of a TV superstar.
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, BBC 2, 9pm
FOR the first series of American Crime Story, which dealt with the OJ Simpson trial, the writers’ biggest challenge may have been condensing all those column inches, transcripts and court broadcasts into just 10 episodes. However, this second season has some blanks to fill in, especially when it comes to the life and motivations of killer Andrew Cunanan. This week, Andrew’s certainty that he deserves success sees him brag, bluff and beguile his way into a new life, targeting wealthy men in San Diego.
One Born Every Minute, Channel 4, 9pm
CHANTELL, 34, and 33-year-old Phil arrive in the hospital awaiting the birth of their third child. Chantell had a troubled upbringing and never thought she would find love or have a family, but when she met Phil, everything changed. Meanwhile, young couple Emily and Nathan are determined to show they can embrace the responsibilities of parenthood.
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