This Is a Bomb: The Nevada Casino Heist
9.45pm, BBC Two
This intense, three-part documentary recounts the extraordinary true story of a casino bomb and the individual responsible for it. In 1980, a ticking time bomb containing 1,000lb of dynamite was transported through Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Casino in Lake Tahoe, accompanied by a note demanding $3 million (£2.2 million). The device was so advanced that, as one bomb squad member recalls in the first episode,
“all the usual techniques were thrown out of the window”.
Jamie’s Ultimate BBQ
8pm,
Jamie Oliver aims to enhance the nation’s barbecue skills for the summer season in his latest program. Viewers can expect a familiar combination of detailed instructions and appetizing dishes, including a sirloin steak prepared three ways and succulent lamb lollipops in this opening episode.
Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales
8pm, Channel 5
In the third series of the delightful Our Yorkshire Farm spin-off, a notable development is Reuben’s new favourite tractor, which he promptly uses to assemble a sheep pen. The episode also features the entire family participating in sheep shearing, including younger brothers Miles and Sid, who might consider themselves fortunate not to have their mullets trimmed.
Bear Grylls Is Running Wild
9pm, Sky One
Matthew McConaughey joins Bear Grylls on a challenging expedition into Norway’s remote Vestland mountains. The journey involves dog-sledding across glaciers, waterfalls, and alpine valleys. During the adventure, McConaughey samples a reindeer testicle, commenting,
“That’s really not bad”.The two friends also engage in candid conversations about faith and fatherhood around the campfire.
Berlusconi: Condemned to Win
This captivating series chronicles the ascent of Silvio Berlusconi, who leveraged a media empire and ownership of AC Milan to become one of Europe’s pioneering modern populist leaders. Featuring testimonies from friends, adversaries, and experts on Italian culture, it portrays a man whose achievements coincided with a declining adherence to moral principles.
Richard Gadd: Second Episode
10.40pm, BBC One
The second episode of Richard Gadd’s stark coming-of-age drama follows Niall as he begins university life. While adjusting to new flatmates, he invites Ruben to visit, but the atmosphere sours quickly when Ruben arrives and initiates a game of spin the bottle.
Film Choice: Batman (1989)
5.50pm, Sky Cinema Greats
Tim Burton’s 1989 comic crime thriller revitalized Batman’s image, moving him away from the camp television portrayal. The unconventional casting of Michael Keaton as Batman was a highlight, while Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of the Joker was unmistakably on point, with Nicholson clearly enjoying his role as the manic, purple-clad villain. Additional notable features include a redesigned Batmobile and a soundtrack by Danny Elfman and Prince, both fans of purple.
The superior sequel, Batman Returns, featuring Danny DeVito as the Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman, airs at 8pm.
Live Sport
Champions League football: Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid, 6.30pm, Prime Video. This is the second leg of the semi-final tie.
