Retro TV W/C 30th March 2007

Barry Murphy once more trawls the TV and radio guides (so you don't have to) to find anything worth tuning into this week. All listings are for UK terrestrial TV, Freeview and national radio, with the shows running from Friday 30th March to Thursday 5th April.

Highlight of the week: Soul Britannia. BBC 4. Thursday 5th April, 9pm onwards.
Another opportunity to catch BBC 4's excellent Soul Britannia season. Tonights shows include the first (and perhaps best) episode of Soul Britannia followed by an hour of classic soul from the Beeb's archive and the first part of the tie-in concerts from the Barbican featuring Sam Moore and Eric Burdon.

Friday 30th March

TV

Sounds of the Sixties - BBC 4. 8.30pm - 9.00pm
Hits from the world of psychedelia, featuring the Who, Pink Floyd, Joe Cocker and the Nice.

Hawkwind - Do Not Panic -  BBC 4. 9.00pm - 10.00pm (Repeated 11.50pm)
The story behind one of Britain's wildest acid rock bands, who emerged from the Ladbroke Grove underground the late 1960s and have been a direct influence on punk, metal, dance and rave.

New Horizons - BBC 4. 10.00pm - 11.00pm
1971 documentary about the Notting Hill area where young people, the alternative society, congregated.

The Avengers - BBC 4. 11.00pm - 11.50pm
Steed and Emma investigate rumours of a ghost.

The US vs John Lennon - BBC 2. 11.35pm - 1.10pm
Documentary account of how John Lennon's campaign for peace and his association with left-wing activists brought him into conflict with the Nixon administration in the 1970s.

4Music - Channel 4. 11.35pm - 12.40am
Featuring the Horrors and the Archie Bronson Outfit.

Saturday 31st March

TV

A Tribute to John Inman - BBC 2. 8.25pm - 9.05pm
Wendy Richards presents a tribute to the comic actor who died earlier this month.

Radio

Sounds of the 60s - BBC Radio 2. 8.00am - 10.00am
Brian Matthew spins two hours of hits, B -sides and album tracks.

The Funk and Soul Show - BBC Radio 6. 6.00pm - 9.00pm
3 hours of funk, soul and blues.

Sunday 1st April

TV

Mission: Impossible - ITV 4. 7.00pm - 8.00pm
The IMF team is on the trail of Elkabar slave traders.

Film: Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) - Channel 4. 10.00pm - 11.45pm
60s spy spoof with Mike Myers and Michael Caine.

Roots Remembered - BBC 4. 11.00pm - 12.30am
The impact of the 1977 mini-series is explored to mark its 30th anniversary, with contributions by original cast members and a look at the staggering "Rootsmania" that swept the world.

Monday 2nd April

TV

Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) - ITV 4. 6.00pm - 7.00pm
Jeff stumbles across a kidnap plot.

Jonathan Ross's Japanorama - BBC 3. 11.00pm - 11.30pm
The presenter explores Japanese pop art, meeting two of the form's leading contributors.

Radio

Mark Lamarr's Alternative 60s -  BBC Radio 2. 9.30pm - 10.30pm
Radio 2's resident rock 'n' roll enthusiast Mark Lamarr plays more psychedelia, soul, R&B and garage.

Tuesday 3rd April

TV

Life on Mars (7/8) - Series two. BBC 1. 9.00pm - 10.00pm
When a water-tight court case fails to put away a local gangster, Gene turns to alcohol for comfort and soon becomes a suspect in a murder case.

Life on Mars (6/8) - Series two. BBC 4. 10.00pm - 11.00pm
When a suspicious white powder is found on the victim of a shooting, it looks like heroin has come to the streets of Manchester. Much to Sam's disapproval, Gene makes an alliance with local hard man Toolbox Terry in an attempt to keep the drug off the streets.

The Secret World of Haute Couture - BBC 2. 11.20pm - 12.20am
Film-maker Margy Kinmouth explores how to succeed in the fashion industry. She takes in Paris, New York and Los Angeles and interviews stylish millionaires and world-famous designers to find out what it takes to be a part of its most exclusive areas.

Radio

Great Lives - Joe Strummer - BBC Radio 4. 4.30pm - 5.00pm
Phil Jupitus nominates Clash frontman Strummer, who died in 2002, aged 50.

You Win Again - the Bee Gees Story - (1/2) BBC Radio 2. 8.30pm - 9.30pm
Paul Gambaccini profiles the toothy trio. As this is the first part, hopefully it will concentrate on their 60's pop-psych stuff. 

Wednesday 4th April

TV

The Saint - ITV 4. 6.00pm - 7.00pm
A group of students get a taste for murder.

All Mod Cons - BBC 4. 8.30pm - 9.00pm
Exploring the nation's obsession with styles and architecture from the past and the inspiration to be found in junkshops and Victoriana.

Film: Up the Front (1972) - BBC 1. 12.45am - 2.15am (Thurs am)
Dire comedy set during the First World War, starring Frankie Howard. Apart from a gag featuring a regimental goat  this one is chuckle free as I recall.

Radio

The Reggae Show - BBC Radio 2. 9.00pm - 10.00pm
With Mark Lamarr.

Thursday 5th April

TV

Sounds of the Sixties - BBC 4. 7.00pm - 7.10pm
Studio performances from yesteryear.

The Avengers - BBC 4. 7.10pm - 8.00pm
Steed sets off on the hunt for a big cat.

Soul Britannia - (1/3) - BBC 4. 9.00pm - 10.00pm
The impact of black American and Caribbean sounds on British music and society.

Classic Soul at the BBC - BBC 4. 10.00pm - 11.00pm
Archive performances by the likes of Al Green and Aretha Franklin. Also features Solomon Burke's mighty performance of Don't Give up on Me, from Later.

Soul Britannia @ the Barbican - BBC 4. 11.00pm - 12.00am
Pauline Black (shudder) presents the first of a two-part celebration of black American and Caribbean sounds, featuring Sam Moore and Eric Burdon.

Radio

Paul Jones - BBC Radio 2. 8.00pm - 9.00pm
Classic r&b and blues.