TONIGHT: The Golden Rules of TV (ITV1, 6.05pm). Comedian Robert Webb narrates this new series which takes a good look at the dos, don'ts and absolute-must-nots of telly. Rummaging through 60 years' worth of archive footage, we're about to find out exactly the right way to go about pulling in the viewing figures, making great television and avoiding the pitfalls that haunt many a production. Of course, the programme wouldn't be complete without inviting a few familiar faces along for the ride, so small-screen royalty including Piers Morgan, Al Murray, Sir Trevor McDonald, Noel Edmonds, Jason Gardiner, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Denise Welch and Peter Sissons have their say and give up the funny stories they've collected from their years in the limelight. Webb's hilarious tones show he's as comfortable behind the camera as he is in front of it.
TOMORROW: Harry & Paul (BBC 2, 10pm). The world of comedy may have moved on since the late 1980s and early 1990s, when Harry Enfield ruled our TVs with his Loadsamoney and Stavros characters, but he's refusing to be left behind. Along with long-term collaborator Paul Whitehouse, he's back with the fourth series of Harry & Paul, the show which proves that sketches still have a place alongside the myriad panel shows in our comedy schedules. With a blend of old favourites and new and innovative characters, Harry and Paul will - among other things - be lampooning the likes of Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train and the hit Danish crime drama series The Killing. Look out for the guest stars – and the wonderful Victoria Wood features in this first episode, while the likes of Kevin Eldon, Simon Day and Justin Edwards also make guest appearances in the near future.
MONDAY: Top Gear (BBC 2, 9pm). Celebrating half a century of Bond movies, Richard Hammond jumped at the chance to put the beloved Aston Martin DB5 through its paces in this show. 'Hamster' will spend plenty of time plugging new 007 movie Skyfall, as well as waxing lyrical about some of the most thrilling cars ever featured on the big screen. As Hammond reminds us, to date over a quarter of the planet's population has seen Bond going about his 'spectacular day job', and here he reflects on those cars with a license to thrill. Look Out For: The fascinating lunchtime gamble that ensured the Lotus Esprite wound up being THE Bond car of the 1970s. And look out for Lotus employee Roger Becker. While making The Spy Who Loved Me, the Lotus Esprite gripped so well on location in Sardinia, the stunt driver had trouble making it look dynamic on screen.
TUESDAY: The Pride of Britain Awards 2012 (ITV1, 8pm). What it's not all about is the crop of celebrities who will no doubt descend on this glamorous awards do. That's because it's that time of year again when the spotlight is well and truly turned on the awe-inspiring members of the British public who have gone over and above in the community, and displayed admirable acts of selflessness. Carol Vorderman is once again on hosting duties at the ceremony, held at London's Grosvenor House, as a six-year-old girl who risked her own life to save her sister and a terminally ill teen are among those honoured for their courageous actions. Plus, Olympic hero Mo Farrah will be stepping in to honour the inspirational teacher who encouraged him to change paths as a tearaway teen, while luminaries such as Prince Charles Stephen Fry, PM David Cameron and David Beckham guest.
FRIDAY: The Mentalist (Five, 9pm). Bruno Heller's procedural drama is one of America's most successful crime sagas, not least because of intelligent scripts and a charismatic performance from Simon Baker as former conman Patrick Jane. Now the CBI's ace detective is back for more cups of tea and crimebusting, while trying to track down arch-enemy Red John, the man who killed his family. There's no shortage of drama in the season five opener as tensions rise between the CBI and the FBI. They try to cover up the events leading to Patrick's unsuccessful takedown of Red John and the death of Wainwright. While Jane attempts to uncover more details about Lorelei's connection to the serial killer, the agencies work together to investigate the murder of a hotel employee.Look Out For: regulars Tim Kang (Kimball Cho), Owain Yeoman (Wayne Rigsby) and Amanda Righetti (Grace Van Pelt).
