What To Watch This Weekend: Friday 8th July – Sunday 10th

From hairy hobbits and celebrity dates to the much anticipated finale of Love Island 2016...

What to watch

by Hannah Mellin |
Published on

It's all going on this weekend!

Have you got anything exciting planned this weekend? No? Well we've got just the guide for some cosy nights in front of the telly - fun for ALL the family.

Word on the street is that the weather isn't looking too rosy, so why risk even going outside?

The big Euro 2016 final is being shown on Sunday, so some TV schedules are subject to change.

Friday 8th July

Celebrity First Dates, 9PM, Channel 4

Brand spanking new series!

What to watch

What can make the fabulous First Dates even better? A celebrity version of course, where the likes of TOWIE’s Jess Wright, Richard Blackwood from EastEnders, Esther Rantzen (who’s found life lonely since losing her beloved husband 15 years ago) and paralympian silver medalist Will Bayley hope to find The One. Yes, this is likely to be as brilliant as it sounds.

**Gogglesprogs, 8PM, Channel 4 **

Not quite as ‘up to the moment’ as the regular Gogglebox it seems, the Sprogs sprout their words of wisdom on telly shows including Call The Midwife, The Voice and The Wizard Of Oz.

Saturday 9th July

**Ted, 9.30 PM, Channel 4 **

What to watch

A talking stuffed toy, what’s not to love? As the result of a childhood wish, John Bennett’s (Mark Wahlberg) furry friend miraculously came to life and has been by his side ever since. Still the best of friends 27 years later, perhaps somewhat incredibly, John has managed to snare himself a beautiful girlfriend (Mila Kunis), who understandably feels there are three people in this relationship. Fed up of sharing her bloke with a furball and tired of his slobby ways, Lori puts John to the test to see if they are actually meant to be.

Did you know?

At one point in the movie, Ted mentions 9/11. Both Mark Wahlberg and Seth McFarlane both narrowly missed on being on one of the planes that hit the World Trade Centre – Mark decided to get in the car instead, and Seth was too late to board.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, 7.45 PM, ITV

What to watch

Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) is perfectly happy to kick about with his fellow hobbits and their hairy feet in the Shire, until the wizard Gandalf arrives and convinces him to join a group of fellow vertically-challenged folk on a quest to reclaim the kingdom of Erebor. Cue all manner of things happening (of a treacherous nature), and a pressing need to get their hands on a fancy ring…

Snow White And The Huntsman, 9PM, E4

This epic action flick sees Kristen Stewart as Snow White, with Charlize Theron as the evil Queen out to destroy her. What the Queen doesn’t bank on is the huntsman dispatched to kill the fairest one of all is a bit peeved with his mistress about something, and so sneakily teaches Snow White how to not end up dead. There’s also a prince involved (but of course).

Sunday 10th July

**Les Miserables, 8PM, Channel 4 **

What to watch

It’s 19th century France and Jean Valjean – who for donkeys’ years has been hunted down by a nuisance copper Javert after breaking parole – agrees to care for a factory worker’s daughter. This decision changes their lives forever, and whaddaya know? It won three Oscars!

The BEST of what's to come next week (11-15 July)

Love Island: The Live Final, Monday, 9PM ITV2

What to watch

Who knew we would be so completely gripped to the antics of a bunch of 20-somethings trying to find lurrve on the isle of Majorca?

Zara / Miss GB’s bedroom shenanigans and subsequent exit from the show, Kady “c-word” McDermott’s bunny boiler antics plus screaming showdowns, Terry forgetting Malin in an instant, and all that sitting around drinking tea. Oh, and Caroline Flack of course – who surely has the easiest job on the telly; turning up every now and then to tell us it’s a “long, hot summer”. Tonight – our winners are chosen…

The final will be similar to last year – when the public voted for their fave couple from the final three, and the winners have to chose between love or money. If they both chose love, they get the £50,000 prize, but if one choses money that person will take all the dosh themselves…

**Child Genius (NEW SERIES), Tuesday, 8PM Channel 4 **

“I’m expecting Christopher to absolutely nail it,” says one parent, adding: “Every minute counts!”.

No pressure then, as 16 new brainboxes try to impress Mensa-types in a bid to get their hands on that gleaming Child Genius cup. Pointless star Richard Osman (we heart) is the new host, and we get to meet enthusiastic fellows like Mog, 12, from Rugby – who entered himself into the contest and has a thing for sheep. “I’m there to win,” he says.

**Long Lost Family (NEW SERIES) Wednesday, 9PM ITV **

What to watch

“I’ve imagined this moment my whole life,” says one young girl about to be reunited with her mother. “I’ve thought about you since I was 18,” says a mum hugging the son she’s been separated from.

Grab the tissues for another emoshe series – where Davina McCall (looking lovely) and Nicky Campbell set out to do the seemingly impossible; trace a missing relative. Series six kicks off with the astonishing tale of two people who came to LLF for help – only to discover they’d been searching for the same birth mother and are actually half brother and sister, OMG!

The Investigator: A British Crime Story, Thursday, 9PM ITV

X Factor big cheese Simon Cowell has moved away from his usual talent shows to make this – a hard-hitting new crime investigation series. His company Syco have teamed up with one-time detective Mark Williams-Thomas (he who exposed Jimmy Savile) to re-examine the “closed’ case of Carol Packman, who vanished from her Bournemouth home in 1985 never to be seen again.

**Are you going to be tuning? Let us know what you've cancelled drinks in the pub for over on Facebook and Twitter (@CloserOnline). **

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