Far, far away rests a mountain nestled in misty clouds and foothills. Bob Ross creates a scene using soft, brilliant colours.
Classic docusoap with Jane McDonald. A couple, who have run away to sea, work to try to save money for a new home, while a professional gambler plans to take the casino by storm.
Since Ayatollah Khomeini brought revolution to Iran in 1979, the country has become a byword for radical Islam. Western documentary teams are seldom given access, but broadcaster and journalist Samira Ahmed has been given a rare opportunity to discover Iran’s rich, colourful culture and extraordinary history.
In this first episode, Samira journeys to places rarely seen by western audiences to reveal how the Persian Empire was born, the mysterious writing of its early people and how Iran’s powerful kings built a vast empire that became the envy of the ancient world.
It has been the site of royal weddings, funerals and nearly every British coronation since 1066, Westminster Abbey is also known as a Royal Peculiar - a church controlled not by a bishop but by the monarch herself. Crowned there in 1953, Queen Elizabeth II is the world's longest-reigning monarch and in 2018 Westminster Abbey commissioned a historic new work – a towering stained-glass window – to commemorate 65 years of her reign.
The artist behind it is David Hockney - who famously refused a knighthood and declined an invitation to paint the Queen's portrait because he was too busy painting landscapes in Yorkshire. Adopting an art form over 1,000 years old is yet another surprising move from an artist whose career has continually defied expectation. With unique access, imagine... follows the whole process from design to installation.
In an interview first broadcast in 1996, artist David Hockney talks to Jeremy Isaacs about painting, designing for the opera and his growing deafness.
Documentary that takes a behind-the-scenes look at American painter Bob Ross’s journey from humble beginnings to pop culture icon, charting how one local TV commercial evolved into a viral phenomenon that continues to inspire millions around the world.
The film reveals the public and private sides of Bob Ross through accounts from close friends and family, childhood photographs and rare archive footage. Interviewees recount his gentle, mild-mannered demeanour and unwavering dedication to wildlife, as well as disclosing little-known facts about such things as his hair, which was naturally straight, and his fascination with fast cars.
Julia moves out of her comfort zone when she reluctantly invites the entire class to her daughter's birthday party. With her mum still refusing to help out she relies on Liz's party hacks and Kevin's entertaining skills. She organises events for a living anyway, so this will be a breeze.
A school fundraiser is not Julia's idea of an evening out but somehow she finds herself heavily involved in order to impress a former colleague and new mum crush. Kevin has a battle with the cloakroom and despite Anne's protests, Liz takes care of the bar.
A pool party ruins Julia's plans before an important event at work. When an attractive man leaves his wallet in the newsagents, Liz takes it in the hopes of returning it and securing a date. And a new dad on the scene who has a history with Amanda puts Kevin's nose out of joint.
While Paul is away, he has the perfect solution to aid Julia: he sends his parents to help. Luckily, Kevin has a huge fondness for the elderly and assists Julia in her in-laws' wrangling. Meanwhile, Amanda has a clear-out and reluctantly gives Liz her old coat, which seems to have an effect on our Liz.
Anne's new car propels her into the limelight as the mums try to get in on her new car pool. Kevin finds himself in the new role of confidant as Amanda shares a deep secret. And Liz and Julia's friendship is under fire as Liz realises she is just a 'mum' friend.
Julia's childcare problems are solved after she finds the perfect nanny, but her friendship with Liz is strained. Amanda is keeping a low profile after Kevin blurted out her secret. Liz visits Lee's new partner to give her some advice. The school caretaker is in hospital, but the mums have lost their ringleader, and there's nobody to organise a card.
TUESDAY 29 JUNE 2021
TUE 19:00 The Joy of Painting (m000m2dl)
Series 3
Covered Bridge
Enjoy this Bob Ross scene that includes luxurious green foliage and an old weathered trestle-bridge placed lovingly amongst all the beauty.
TUE 19:30 The Cruise (m000xh51)
Stormin' Norman
Professional gambler Norman crosses swords with the ship's casino, while casino workers Dale and Mary embark on a perilous jet-skiing trip in Jamaica. Jane is still seeking that elusive standing ovation.
TUE 20:00 Yes, Minister (b00784q2)
Series 3
Equal Opportunities
Sitcom about a British government minister and the manipulative civil service advisers who surround him. Jim wants to see more women in higher posts.
TUE 20:30 The Good Life (p00bz916)
Series 1
Plough Your Own Furrow
Classic sitcom. Tom Good decides that commuting is no life for a thinking man. His solution is unique in Surbiton but embarrassing to the neighbours.
TUE 21:00 Hemingway (m000xh55)
Series 1
Episode 1
Ernest Hemingway is considered to be of the great American writers, with his work remaining influential around the world. This documentary series paints an intimate picture of Hemingway the writer, whilst also penetrating the myths surrounding him to reveal a deeply troubled, controversial and ultimately tragic figure.
The series combines a close study of the biographical events of the author’s life, with excerpts from his writings and the controversies in both his personal life and work. It features readings by actors including Jeff Daniels, Meryl Streep, Keri Russell and Patricia Clarkson alongside interviews with acclaimed writers and biographers including Edna O’Brien, Tobias Wolff, Abraham Verghese and Mary Dearborn.
In the first episode, Ernest Hemingway enjoys an idyllic childhood in Oak Park, Illinois. Yearning for adventure, he volunteers for the Red Cross during World War I. After the war, Hemingway marries Hadley Richardson, moves to Paris and begins his life as a writer.
TUE 21:50 Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure (p00xb6vx)
Episode 1
Michael Palin follows Ernest Hemingway's footsteps across Europe, Africa and America. He starts in Spain for Pamplona's bull run, Valencia's bullfighting and a Kenyan safari.
TUE 22:40 Philly DA: Breaking the Law (p09ljbmx)
Series 1
An Eye for an Eye
Krasner campaigned on a historic pledge to end capital punishment in Philadelphia. That promise is put to the test when a police sergeant, Robert Wilson III, is murdered while trying to protect citizens during a robbery.
Family members and the police demand the death penalty for the men who killed him, challenging Larry, who remains firm in his vow to end the execution of prisoners.
TUE 23:35 Art of America (b017j25v)
Modern Dreams
In the second part of his fascinating journey exploring American art, Andrew Graham-Dixon gets under the skin of the modern American metropolis. Starting his journey at the foot of the Statue of Liberty, which he describes as a pioneering early skyscraper, Andrew discovers how the ambitions of visionary artists and architects helped America remove itself from the shadow of Europe and become the most advanced civilisation on earth.
Andrew travels to downtown Manhattan to explore the grimy world of early 20th-century painters John Sloan and George Bellows, and visits Stockbridge in Massachusetts to find out how the world of Norman Rockwell is not as sentimental as it first seems. In Chicago, he explores the visionary mind of architect Louis Sullivan and travels to the decaying outskirts of the city to see the underside of the American dream.
He uncovers the impact the Great Depression had on artists such as Edward Hopper and Arshile Gorky, and finds out how this struggle inspired America's first internationally acclaimed art movement - Abstract Expressionism. He pays a pilgrimage to Jackson Pollock's perfectly preserved studio in Long Island to discover the secrets of his unique drip technique, before flying across America to take in one of modern art's most moving experiences, Mark Rothko's chapel in Houston, Texas.
TUE 00:35 Motherland (p09gv90z)
Series 3
Episode 4
It’s time for the Year 6 school trip, and Julia, Liz and Meg find themselves on the coach journey from hell with humourless school secretary Mrs Lamb and clueless teaching assistant Ms Vaughn.
It all kicks off when a boy banned for bad behaviour is allowed on the coach along with his mother Ashley, and Liz decides to play the hero.
Meanwhile, Kevin takes his driving test, and Amanda pivots her lifestyle brand Hygge Tygge online. She manages to persuade Kevin to help pack up the shop - with unimaginable consequences.
TUE 01:05 Motherland (p07mvqj6)
Series 2
No Mum Left Behind
As a new school year begins, a new mum at the school gates attracts the attention of Julia, Liz and Kevin. Amanda has all the gossip and tells them Meg is a high-flying businesswoman with five kids and a sexy silver-fox husband.
Meanwhile, Julia is struggling to keep her head above water at work when she is offered the choice of promotion or redundancy. When Meg invites the gang for drinks, they go along against Julia’s better judgement and the evening takes a surprising turn, leading Julia to make a big decision.
TUE 01:35 Motherland (p07mvr9b)
Series 2
Soft Opening
Having resigned from her job in PR, Julia tries to adapt to life as a freelancer and reluctantly agrees to help Amanda launch her new shop even though she believes it is nothing but a vanity project. The soft opening is a success but a careless online post threatens to destroy her good work.
Meanwhile, Liz rails against the gentrification of the area and the loss of her beloved kebab shop and Kevin reveals he has written an unusual children’s book, which he wants Amanda to sell in her shop.
TUE 02:05 Motherland (p07mvrqr)
Series 2
Mother's Load
Julia finds that working from home is impossible due to all the tasks she has to do for her family. Meg tells her this is her 'mother’s load' - all the things that no-one else will do but that need to be done to keep the home running. Julia removes herself to the cafe to work but even there finds that it is not that easy to get her work done. A possible solution presents itself when she shares a table with a fellow freelancer, but is Julia taking advantage of him?
TUE 02:35 Motherland (p07mvsgm)
Series 2
The Purge
Kevin reluctantly agrees to host a last-minute Halloween party despite the fact that he’s had no time to prepare. Meanwhile at the school gates the mums are all talking about a celebrity who has moved into the neighbourhood - Lee Mead from Holby.
As this is Julia’s favourite programme she is determined to meet him and decides to take all the kids trick or treating hoping that they will find his house. Liz tags along as she has been stood up by a date and Anne is in attendance trying to make sure that the kids are safe. However by the time they reach Kevin’s one of the kids is missing - Amanda’s little boy Manus. Despite the fact that the happy teatime trick or treat atmosphere has now turned violent and terrifying Liz, Kevin and Julia must venture back out into the streets to search for him through terrifying hordes of teenage zombies and mutant nuns.
TUE 03:05 Motherland (p07mvszc)
Series 2
Le Weekend
The gang are delighted when Kevin books a cottage for them to spend half term holidays in the countryside with all their kids. But it is not as nice as the pictures online, and Kevin seems to have miscalculated the number of bedrooms.
When it transpires that Julia has failed to bring any booze, the atmosphere takes a turn for the worse. All hopes rest on Kevin’s plan to cook an event meal by roasting a whole pig in a pit he has dug in the garden. As the long night wears on, tempers begin to fray. Meanwhile, Liz catches the eye of a handsome shepherd.
WEDNESDAY 30 JUNE 2021
WED 19:00 The Joy of Painting (m000m2dg)
Series 3
Quiet Inlet
Sneak away into the sounds of quiet waters, velvety green shrubs and distant foothills. Bob Ross creates a scene of perfect relaxation.
WED 19:30 The Cruise (m000xh71)
Break a Leg
Lead dancer Philip has had a fall, so Jack steps in from the chorus. Jane visits a medium, while Dale and Mary buy roller blades.
WED 20:00 The Horizon Guide to AI (b0bhwhw3)
The BBC's Horizon programme began in 1964, and since then has produced films looking at computer technology and the emergence of 'artificial intelligence'.
Our dreams always begin with ideology and optimism, only for this optimism to be replaced with suspicion that AI machines will take over. However, as the Horizon archive shows, throughout each decade once we have learnt to live with the new emerging technology of the time, the pattern begins again. We become once more optimistic, before becoming fearful of it. The dream for decades had been for a computer with AI to be embedded within a humanoid robot, but just as scientists began to perfect machines with these qualities, something happened nobody expected.
Today, AI systems power our daily lives through smart technology. We are currently experiencing a level of fear about the power of AI, but will we enter the next decade optimistic about all that AI can deliver - or fearful of its ability to control vast areas of our lives?
WED 21:00 The Joy of AI (b0bhwhw1)
Professor Jim Al-Khalili looks at how we have created machines that can simulate, augment, and even outperform the human mind - and why we shouldn't let this spook us.
He reveals the story of the pursuit of AI, the emergence of machine learning and the recent breakthroughs brought about by artificial neural networks. He shows how AI is not only changing our world but also challenging our very ideas of intelligence and consciousness.
Along the way, we'll investigate spam filters, meet a cutting-edge chatbot, look at why a few altered pixels makes a computer think it's looking at a trombone rather than a dog and talk to Demis Hassabis, who heads DeepMind and whose stated mission is to 'solve intelligence, and then use that to solve everything else'. Stephen Hawking remarked 'AI could be the biggest event in the history of our civilisation. Or the worst'.
Jim argues that AI is a potent new tool that should enhance our lives, not replace us.
WED 22:00 Storyville (m000xh73)
Petite Fille
Petite Fille (Little Girl) is a moving and sensitive portrait of a young French girl called Sasha, who was assigned male at birth. This poignant and emotional documentary follows the shy seven-year-old and her parents over the course of a year, documenting her progress with delicate intimacy. As her family come to terms with her gender dysmorphia, we witness how Sasha is affected by the societal norms that make it far from easy for her to experience childhood in the same way as most of her peers.
All Sasha wants is to be herself. To be able to wear what she wants to school, to bring friends home and to play with her dolls. But to her family’s distress, there are battles they must face for Sasha to find acceptance.
Award-winning film-maker Sébastien Lifshitz captures Sasha’s story with a non-judgmental, insightful and subtle eye, including truly moving moments of joy as well as the many challenges she and family must face together.
WED 23:25 Prejudice and Pride: The People's History of LGBTQ Britain (p0578x02)
Series 1
Episode 1
Every so often the world changes beyond your wildest dreams. In 1967, the Sexual Offences Act partially decriminalised homosexuality, offering lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people the opportunity to start living openly for the first time.
Presented by Stephen K Amos and Susan Calman, this unique series features LGBTQ people from across the UK as they share the objects that have helped define their lives during 50 transformative years.
In episode one, these crowdsourced treasures range from a rare collection of the first openly gay magazine (featuring a virtually unknown young singer called David Bowie) to letters from worried parents trying to understand their newly 'out' daughters and sons.
Over 20 incredible years, 1967-1987, we meet the fearless revolutionaries of the Gay Liberation Front, a transgender pioneer who almost caused a strike and a woman who faced losing her children when she came out as a lesbian. By the early 1980s, LGBTQ people were starting to build a community, which would be tested to the limit when Aids loomed.
This is the story of ordinary people in extraordinary times - told through their cherished possessions - charting the joys and heartbreaks of just being true to yourself.
Prejudice and Pride: The People's History of LGBTQ Britain is part of Gay Britannia, a season of programming produced in 2017 to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Sexual Offences Act.
WED 00:25 Prejudice and Pride: The People's History of LGBTQ Britain (b08zn99q)
Series 1
Episode 2
Every so often the world changes beyond your wildest dreams. In 1967 the Sexual Offences Act partially decriminalised homosexuality, offering lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people the opportunity to start living openly for the first time.
Presented by Stephen K Amos and Susan Calman, this unique series features LGBTQ people from across the UK as they share the objects that helped define their lives during 50 transformative years.
In episode two, these crowdsourced artefacts include a copy of the controversial schoolbook Jenny Lives with Eric and Martin, naval discharge papers and even a pair of Ugg boots.
We meet the nun-impersonating freedom fighters the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the writer behind TV's steamiest lesbian kiss and a Muslim man who set up an LGBT support group for Southeast Asians.
Ranging from 1987 to 2017, this was an era when public acceptance of homosexuality overtook the government's - a time when many celebrities came out and stood up for LGBTQ rights. But it is also the story of ordinary people in extraordinary times - told through their treasured possessions - charting the joys and heartbreaks of just being true to yourself.
Prejudice and Pride: The People's History of LGBTQ Britain is part of Gay Britannia, a season of programming produced in 2017 to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Sexual Offences Act.
WED 01:25 The Joy of Painting (m000m2dg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 today]
WED 01:55 The Cruise (m000xh71)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:30 today]
WED 02:25 Motherland (p07mvtbr)
Series 2
Good Job
Julia struggles to abide by the rules and clashes with Mrs Lamb as she attends her first ever school sports day. Apparently it's no longer acceptable to cheer for individual kids, and you can only offer generic support like 'good job'. Over at the Kidiverse soft play centre, Kevin is devastated that an important work presentation means he will miss the dads' race. Liz worries that her new boyfriend is blanking her. And Anne discovers something that leads to a nasty surprise for Amanda.
WED 02:55 Art of Persia (m000k48g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
20:00 on Monday]
THURSDAY 01 JULY 2021
THU 19:00 The Joy of Painting (m000m2f4)
Series 3
Night Light
In this dark, breathtaking scene, Bob Ross creates an almost calm night with waves crashing against rocks and a protective lighthouse.
THU 19:30 The Cruise (m000xnyf)
Dancing with Dolphins
Classic docusoap with singer Jane McDonald. While Jack gets ready to take on injured Philip's demanding dance role, he and Michele still find time to commune with a school of dolphins in Mexico.
THU 20:00 The Lady Vanishes (p00szx2w)
Beautiful and wealthy young socialite Iris Carr is used to being at the heart of her social group, but when her friends' raucous and unsociable behaviour escalates whilst on holiday in the Balkans, she resolves to seek out some tranquillity and travel home alone. But her expectations of peace are short-lived when, at the railway station, Iris wavers in the scorching heat and constant jostle of passengers, fainting suddenly on the platform. She wakes in time to be rushed onto the train, but with a pounding head and a feeling of being almost in a dream. Whilst in this malaise she is comforted by an older English lady called Miss Froy, but when Iris falls asleep, she awakes to find Miss Froy has gone and her fellow passengers are denying she ever existed.
With only the friendship of handsome English traveller Max Hare for support, Iris will have to rely on a strength of character she never knew she had. She has to battle doubt and overcome danger as she strives to solve the mystery of why the lady vanished.
THU 21:25 Casablanca (m000mmc2)
Classic romantic drama. Rick's Cafe is a centre for criminals, refugees, resistance fighters and Nazis. Its cynical owner takes risks for no-one - until the arrival of Ilsa.
THU 23:05 Hemingway (m000xh55)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 on Tuesday]
THU 23:55 Philly DA: Breaking the Law (p09ljbmx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:40 on Tuesday]
THU 00:50 The Joy of Painting (m000m2f4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 today]
THU 01:20 The Cruise (m000xnyf)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:30 today]
THU 01:50 The Lady Vanishes (p00szx2w)
[Repeat of broadcast at
20:00 today]
FRIDAY 02 JULY 2021
FRI 19:00 Sounds of the Sixties (b0074qbf)
Original Series
1964-66: The Beat Room
Things get cool and serious in the archive rock show as it highlights the BBC's cutting-edge pop programme The Beat Room amongst others, with great performances from John Lee Hooker, The Pretty Things and Tom Jones.
FRI 19:30 Island at the BBC (b00kvd3b)
Compilation of performances from the BBC archives of top Island Records artists, including Cat Stevens's Father and Son, Roxy Music's Do the Strand and Stir It Up by Bob Marley and The Wailers, plus tracks from Steel Pulse, U2, PJ Harvey, Baaba Maal and Amy Winehouse.
FRI 20:30 Top of the Pops (m000xh7c)
Bruno Brookes presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 28 March 1991 and featuring Dannii Minogue, James and Chesney Hawkes.
FRI 21:00 Top of the Pops (m000xh7f)
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 4 April 1991 and featuring Inspiral Carpets, N-Joi and Chesney Hawkes.
FRI 21:30 Canadian Hits at the BBC (m000xh7h)
It’s time to Canuck n’ Roll as we celebrate Canada Day with a trip through the best of the BBC’s music archives, exploring some of that great nation’s finest music stars. It’s a collection encompassing song-writing legends like Joni Mitchell, k.d. lang and Leonard Cohen, with added pop perfection in the shape of Justin Bieber and Avril Lavigne. You Oughta Know, we’ve also got Alanis Morisette, Arcade Fire, Nickelback and Bryan Adams, and with some added Celine Dion, Michael Buble and Shania Twain, the one thing you won’t be saying is: “That Don’t Impress Me Much.”
FRI 22:30 BBC Four Sessions (b008yw99)
k.d. lang
Series of unique concerts featuring musicians from around the world at St Luke's in London. Canadian country singer and four-times Grammy Award winner k.d. lang performs together with a 30-strong strings section from the BBC Concert Orchestra. The set features songs from across her 25-year career, including her biggest hit Constant Craving, covers of Neil Young and Leonard Cohen songs, and material from her 2008 album Watershed.
FRI 23:30 Buble at the BBC (b081vcx0)
Claudia Winkleman meets Michael Buble in this entertainment spectacular. Michael performs classic tracks including Cry Me a River and Feeling Good alongside songs from his brand new album, including Nobody but Me.
Michael also goes undercover as a sales assistant at a London department store to surprise a few unsuspecting fans.
FRI 00:30 In Concert (b00z2nc2)
Gordon Lightfoot
A classic concert by Gordon Lightfoot from 1972, accompanied by Red Shea and Richard Haynes. They perform songs including Summer Side of Life, Saturday Clothes, That's What You Get For Loving Me, Affair on 8th Avenue, If I Could Read Your Mind, Steel Rail Blues, Ten Degrees and Getting Colder, Early Morning Rain, Me and Bobby McGee, Minstrel of the Dawn and Canadian Pacific Trilogy.
FRI 01:35 Top of the Pops (m000xh7c)
[Repeat of broadcast at
20:30 today]
FRI 02:05 Top of the Pops (m000xh7f)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 today]
FRI 02:35 Canadian Hits at the BBC (m000xh7h)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:30 today]