Monty Python: Almost the Truth – The BBC Lawyer’s Cut (BBC2, 9pm)
HARD to believe it’s 50 years since a bunch of university types got together and made a series that would have an indelible effect on popular culture. Michael Palin, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle and Terrys Gilliam and Jones were late-1960s mavericks whose mix of sketches, the odd musical number and even more odd animations struck a chord with millions around the world. Monty Python’s Flying Circus helped spawn a series of films, and inspired countless other funny folk to follow in their footsteps. This documentary tells the story of the troupe, from their humble beginnings; first meetings; their influences and how their transition into movies, with offerings such as Monty Python and the Holy Grail (an Elvis Presley favourite), changed the face of comedy. It’s followed by Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails.
Strictly Come Dancing Launch Show 2019 (BBC1, 7.10pm)
IT’S back for a new run, and there are plenty of familiar faces taking part. Anneka Rice, Corrie veteran Catherine Tyldesley and EastEnders’ Emma Barton will be competing respectively against footballers Alex Scott and David James, comedian Chris Ramsey, DJ Dev Griffin; model Emma Weymouth, Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell, reality star Jamie Laing, CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual, singer Michelle Visage, sports correspondent Mike Bushell, Paralympic table tennis player Will Bayley and online video star Saffron Barker. Returning to the judging desk are Shirley Ballas, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood, while Motsi Mabuse takes the place of Darcey Bussell.
Cycling: Tour of Britain Live (ITV4, 10.15am)
MANY sports fans will be in their element as ITV4 cover most of the opening stage of the race. Participants have to cover the 201.5km route between Glasgow and Kirkcudbright, and you can bet that if there’s a chance of racers passing by your house during the five-plus hours of coverage, the ad breaks might get in the way of your few seconds of fame. Obviously it remains to be seen what coverage is slotted in between the breaks, but we can tell you that Matt Barbet and Yanto Barker will be guiding us through proceedings, while expert commentary is provided by Marty McDonald and Rob Hayles.
Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions (STV, 7.30pm)
ANT and Dec host the spin-off from the talent show in which winners and memorable acts from past series return to the fray, competing against each other and performers from Got Talent shows from around the world. The second installment features the return of Lost Voice Guy, the first comedian to ever win the show, the group Mersey Girls from series 11, and series 5’s winner Jai McDowall. Joining the British entries is an unusual act from Germany – Alexa Lauenburger and her eight performing dogs.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here