TV For The Weekend: Call The Midwife, Birdsong, The Muppets On Jonathan Ross

TV For The Weekend: Familiar Face In Midwife

Here are our picks of what's on the box for the weekend:

Friday

Room 101 - 8.30pm, BBC1

This series has been given a breath of fresh air with its new format of three guests instead of the previous solo spot. This week, Gregg Wallace, Sarah Millican and Gabby Roslin strive to convince host Frank Skinner to consign their personal betes noires to the bin.

Law & Order: UK - 9pm, ITV1

The murder of a caretaker appears baffling, particularly as there is no piece of evidence for the police to even investigate – apart from details of the crime in a manual purchased three weeks before. Toby Stephens guest stars in this typically convoluted plot that ultimately satisfies like one of those Japanese wooden puzzles.

How The Brits Rocked America: Go West - 9pm, BBC4

Continuing BBC4's Friday night music-fest is this three-parter, kicking off tonight, about how us quietly-mannered Brits, on this small island, picked up our guitars and took the States. The British invasion began in the 1960s, where the first wave included Herman's Hermits, The Animals and the sinae quae non, a small Liverpudlian quartet who landed in New York in 1964 and, quite literally, caused a riot. This is all good nostalgic fun supported by memories and contributions of many of the main players, including the ever-philosophical Macca.

BBC4’s themed night continues with a documentary charting the Beatles’ first US visit – try listening to the music over the screams - and a film about Vox amplifiers.

Saturday

The Talent Show Story - 9pm, ITV1

X Factor veterans Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Dermot O'Leary contribute to this continuing exploration of how the talent show has influenced the entertainment landscape.

Joe Pasquale tells the happy story of his big break on New Faces, back in the late 80s, but other people have to tell the tragic one of child star Lena Zavaroni who won Opportunity Knocks in the 70s.

Borgen - 9pm, BBC4

I’ve already said enough about Borgen. It's brilliant, engrossing, high-quality, politically-charged, suspenseful, Danish soap opera, starring effortlessly stylish people. What's not to like?

The Jonathan Ross Show - 9.30pm, ITV1

Miss Piggy and her green companion effortlessly steal the show tonight on Jonathan's sofa, talking about their new film, and generally holding court.

Hugh Bonneville, fresh from more Downton triumph at the National Television Awards, and comedian Jack Whitehall will have to be happy with walk-on parts. The show belongs to the piggy princess.

Sunday

Timeshift - The Last Days of the Liners 7pm, BBC4

In an uncanny bit of scheduling in the wake of the Concordia tragedy, this documentary merits this repeat broadcast, charting the golden age of ocean-going liners, the aquatic domain of the rich in the aftermath of World War II. It's a great peek inside some of the most glorious ships - including our very own Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary - as well as asking the important question, just what is so special about a cruise holiday?

Call the Midwife - 8pm, BBC1

The BBC are so delighted with the high viewing figures, they've rewarded this period soap with a second series commission already. Sure enough, we're only three episodes in, and it already feels like very staple viewing for Sunday night, which must be a testament to its good fit and confident production.

Tonight, Roy Hudd is on fine form as a charming but needy customer well overdue for a home visit. And there's the potential for a ripe old scandal when a smart couple appear at the clinic delighted to be welcoming their new baby - well, at least, one of them is.

Birdsong - 9pm, BBC1

Last week's first part devoted half of its 90-minute slot to the bleakness of war, and all anybody talked about all week was the sexy stuff we saw in flashback. In this concluding part, we see Stephen Wraysford recover from his injuries and eschew a desk job to head back to the front. After all, as we continue to see through his memories, these are not the first wounds he's had to weather. Eddie Redmayne stars.