BBC Proms 2016: Verdi Requiem
7.30pm, BBC4
Anyone who doesn’t already know about the screaming heavy metal that is the Dies Irae section of this Proms staple would be well advised to check it out. Scholars who knew about it before hearing it on film trailers can learn more from a chat with conductor Marin Alsop. The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment perform with the BBC Proms Youth Choir and soloists Tamara Wilson, Alisa Kolosova, Michael Fabiano and Morris Robinson. John Robinson
Countrywise: Guide to Britain
8pm, ITV
This gentle series is ITV’s answer to Countryfile – and a decent answer it is, too, featuring bucolic scenes held together by Ben Fogle’s inimitable, plummy charm. As it begins a new spinoff, he’s on the Isles of Scilly, presenting what is effectively a tourism advert for this verdant, virtually crime-free corner of Britain. Elsewhere, Liz Bonnin explores Dorset’s Jurassic coast and Victoria Pendleton gets horsey at Holkham Sands in Norfolk. Hannah J Davies
Would I Lie to You?
8.30pm, BBC1
The Rob Brydon-helmed panel show is on its 10th series now, and it has endured for a reason: it’s reliably good – albeit formulaic – fun, thanks to the counterintuitive chemistry of David Mitchell and Lee Mack, plus the well-chosen guests. Tonight’s episode features the irascible Michael Smiley, the mordant Diane Morgan, the always‑inspired Bob Mortimer (look out for a marvellous riff on early 1980s haircuts) and the game, but mildly bewildered, Nadiya Hussain. Phil Harrison
We Love Sitcom
9pm, BBC1
With the Beeb currently, and in some cases ill‑advisedly, reworking classic sitcoms, here’s a tie-in quiz show hosted by Ben Miller in which celebrity funny folk test their knowledge of the genre that made them famous. Jennifer Saunders, Stephen Mangan, Jessica Hynes and Lee Mack are among the contestants. As Pointless fans will attest, however, celebrities are useless at quizzes – none of the luminaries get the Reg Varney question, an old pub quiz chestnut. David Stubbs
Joanna Lumley’s Japan
9pm, ITV
Silky of voice and enthusiastic of spirit, Joanna Lumley is the perfect tour guide as she travels 2,000 miles across Japan. This week, she’s in the northern island of Hokkaido before heading to Sapporo, where the annual snow festival is in full swing. She charms the locals, talks to monkeys and hugs an ice sculpture. However, one of the most poignant moments comes when she meets a man who stayed in Fukushima, the site of the devastated nuclear power plant, to look after pets. Hannah Verdier
The Strain
9pm, W
Series three of the horror drama co-created by Guillermo del Toro. The strigoi, a vampire herd created during an epic underworld disagreement, are rampant in New York and evolving into smarter predators – another bad day for alcoholic epidemiologist Eph (Corey Stoll) and pest exterminator Fet (Kevin Durand), humanity’s best hopes. As good-but-grumpy ghoul Quinlan, Rupert Penry-Jones offers a masterclass in big speeches delivered through restrictive prosthetics. Jack Seale
The Roast of Rob Lowe
10pm, Comedy Central
After holding Justin Bieber’s feet to the fire last year, Comedy Central targets another perpetually boyish celebrity: Wayne’s World and West Wing star Rob Lowe. The roasters lining up to launch near-the-knuckle putdowns at the handsome actor who practically invented the sex tape include David Spade, former Karate Kid Ralph Macchio, quarterback Peyton Manning, Bo Derek and – perhaps weirdest of all – our own Jimmy Carr. Graeme Virtue
Film choice
Steve Jobs (Danny Boyle, 2015) Friday, 1.45pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
Following the success of his Mark Zuckerberg biopic, The Social Network, Aaron Sorkin penned this portrait of another hi-tech/commercial genius – the Apple-designer-cum-cult-hero of the title. It’s arranged into three acts, concerning the fraught launches of the original Apple Mac in 1984, the dodgy NeXT computer in 1988 and the beautiful iMac of 1998. Along with the tour de force of screenwriting, Michael Fassbender is a striking mix of technical wizardry, rage and omniscience in the lead role. Paul Howlett
Frances Ha (Noah Baumbach, 2012) 11.05pm, BBC2
After working together on Greenberg, director Baumbach and star Greta Gerwig co-wrote this portrait of a 27-year-old dancer. Shifting from the Brooklyn apartment she shares with former college friend Sophie (Mickey Sumner), Frances (Gerwig) goes on a quest for unspecified fulfilment. Shot in black and white, it’s a funny, touching, angsty journey, even if Frances can be infuriatingly self-deceptive. PH
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (Tomas Alfredson, 2011) 11.10pm, Film4
John le Carré’s old-school spy George Smiley gets a top-class remake from Alfredson. Cold-war Britain is powerfully evoked in all its down-at-heel detail as Smiley (Gary Oldman) negotiates a mind-bogglingly complex plot of double- and triple-cross. Among the superb cast are Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hardy. PH
Live sport
Paralympics 2016 Day two from Rio includes the debut of Sophie Thornhill. Later, Hannah Cockroft makes her 2016 bow, and there’s action in the pool and the velodrome. 1pm, Channel 4
Tennis: the US Open Including the mixed doubles final. 5pm, Eurosport 1
Championship football: Reading v Ipswich Town Action from the Madejski Stadium. 7.30pm, Sky Sports 1
