I WANT MY WIFE BACK, BBC1, 9.30pm
This new sitcom often feels old-fashioned, but in a warm and pleasant way. You won’t be knocked off your feet with hysterical laughter but we know not to expect anything wild on BBC1 at such a sensible hour.
Ben Miller plays Murray, a middle-aged man who’s frantically busy with his career. His wife, Bex, is dismayed by her workaholic husband. She doesn’t sit back to enjoy the fruits of his labour, spending it all on Laboutins and fancy lunches. Instead, she sits alone at dinner tables and birthday celebrations, waiting for a husband who never appears as he’s always delayed at work.
So Bex decides to leave him. But she does so on the day Murray finally realises his neglect and decides to throw her a surprise birthday party as a feeble gesture of atonement.
Murray is already stressed by work, and is now frazzled further by clandestine party arrangements and by having to then pretend to the houseful of guests that his wife hasn’t dumped him.
Can he win her back by changing his ways? More importantly, is there enough charm and wit here to sustain six episodes?
JAK AND EDDIE’S SCOTTISH KITCHEN, STV, 8pm
The SNP government have announced plans to appoint a “national chef” for Scotland who will help reverse our rising obesity levels whilst also championing Scottish food.
Some might laugh, saying it’s Scottish food that contributes to our weight problem. That’s entirely correct if you consider “Scottish food” to be Irn Bru, square sausage and fish suppers but if we step away from the supermarket or the chip shop, Scottish fare can be quite glorious and healthy.
The Herald named Jacqueline O’Donnell as one of the contenders for the role of “national chef” and she presents this food show with baker Eddie Boyle. Together they serve up Scottish recipes and tonight they’re making Cullen Skink and Arbroath Smokie, joined by comedian Des McLean and Glen Michael of the beloved Cartoon Cavalcade.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here