You know, the point at which I realised that it was 10 years since Britpop (the point at which I was informed by the Guardian Friday Review, of course) I happened to be sitting on a bus, listening to Blur's The Great Escape. In Camden.
"My God," I thought, "I've not moved on at all, have I?... And I'm also nearly 30."
Add this to the fact that Sky One are trailing a show that looks like The Hundred Best Top 10 Things I Love About The 1990s... Ever!, and the whole thing starts to smack of the premature dissection of a decade many of us are essentially still living in. So a pox on this Nineties nostalgia, I'll be watching something on TV tonight, but certainly not Britpop Night on BBC4 from 8.30. Even though it looks quite good. And to find out what else to watch, I'll be consulting our pick of tonight's TV, from Guide and today's Guardian, as should you.
After the War - Conquering Germany 9pm, BBC2 Not exactly another documentary series about the war but as near as dammit. The 60th anniversary of the end of the war is the peg for this three-parter which explores the aftermath of the second world war, examining how the allies embarked on the reconstruction of Nazi Germany. It all sounds very predictable but, mercifully, is a commanding and well-researched piece of work, filled with astonishing footage and recollections as well as revelations that are just coming to light; such as the mass rapes committed by allied troops, and prisoner abuse at a secret British interrogation centre.
Neil Crossley
10 Years Younger 8.30pm, C4 A testimony, this, to the failure of the human spirit. Ex-"rock chick" Angela Small, under the strain of raising two rambunctious kids has, quite sensibly, decided to make her personal appearance a lower priority. She is, however, told otherwise by a group of beauty experts who persuade her that her self-esteem depends on putting out the illusion that she's younger than she is. Would that she turned round and said, "Sod you, I've got a life to live that's already too short, and if that means ageing into a scarecrow then so be it." But she doesn't.
David Stubbs
Britney's Redneck Roots 10pm, C4 Britney Spears' hometown of Kentwood, Louisiana is the focus of this entertaining documentary which aims to trace her journey from small-town gal to strutting megawarbler. Most of Kentwood's 2,000 population seem to be "kin" of some kind and all seem to remember the frighteningly ambitious Britney either cartwheeling through doorways or bursting into song at any given opportunity. "Even at four, she just wouldn't shut up," says one.
Neil Crossley
Britpop Night 8.30pm, BBC4 When your grandchildren ask you what you did during the Britpop years you can hold your head up and say, "I did some terrible things, but at least I wasn't in Menswear… or Powder." This evening gives you a chance to trawl through the music that, with hindsight and a lack of drugs in the system, sounds quite dreadful. Of course there a few exceptions — Pulp, Supergrass and Oasis certainly had their moments and it's always fun to see ex-Blur guitarist Graham Coxon cringe his way through their "cor blimey" knees-ups. Tonight includes The Britpop Story, Pulp's No Sleep Till Sheffield, Weller's Stanley Road Later special and Live Forever — the latter includes gormless Oasis covers band Wonderwall, the true legacy of uncool Britannia.
Phelim O'Neill
Six Feet Under 10pm, E4 This is a remarkably dark beginning to the new series, even by undertakers' standards. George is losing his mind; Clare has moved in with the equally unstable Billy; and the opening death involves a woman standing up to her husband for the first time and subsequently eye-butting a fire iron. But even more darkness is settling on Brenda's attempts to live a normal life, as she miscarries the day before her intricately planned, much-dreamed of white wedding. At least her mother is on hand to offer consoling words: "more women have had miscarriages than they have masturbated with a dildo. They just don't talk about it."
William Hodgkinson
Location, Location, Location 8pm, Channel 4 The first in this new series features a family from Bath who want to move from their very desirable city-centre townhouse to a bungalow to avoid having to climb any more stairs.
Neil Crossley
Light Fantastic 7pm, BBC2 Simon Shaffer presents this four-part series which was first shown on BBC4. Essentially it explores the relationship between life and light, examining how "its true essence" has fascinated humans since classical times. Each of the programmes is based around a key breakthrough in ways of understanding and controlling light. Here, Shaffer looks at the Greek philosopher Empedocles, who created the first comprehensive theory of light and vision. .
Neil Crossley
See, the trials and tribulations of a family moving house so they can avoid stairs. Who could possibly turn that down?
