What’s on telly tonight? Our pick of the best shows on Thursday 8th March

(Image credit: BBC/Avalon/Mark Johnson)

TV Times top picks for today

What’s on telly tonight? Here the TV Times team of expert reviewers highlight the best shows on Thursday 8^th March

Not Going Out, 9.00pm, BBC1

Domestic bliss reigns once more in Lee and Lucy’s house as this sitcom returns for a ninth series. Well, when we say domestic bliss what we actually mean is a disaster of biblical proportions as Lee once again gets himself into a right old mess and then makes it a thousand times worse by trying to put it right! When Lucy’s parents Wendy and Geoffrey go away for the weekend, Lee and Lucy offer to tidy up after the completion of their very expensive kitchen extension. Geoffrey is understandably concerned, but Lucy assures him she will only give Lee the easy, non-breakable jobs. What could possibly go wrong!? Rating: ***

Still Game, times vary, BBC1

Jack and Victor, the Glaswegian pensioners, return for another series and a case of homelessness is on the cards. The council is turfing the lads’ pal Winston out of his flat while asbestos is removed, and The Clansman regulars are no longer welcome to nurse a pint over a game of dominoes. While Winston appeals to his friends to take him in, Boabby has turned the pub into a smart gastro – out go meat pies and draught ale to be replaced by bottled beer and frittatas. Meanwhile, Isa is spying on her friends as she tries to find out if they’re organising a surprise party for her 72nd birthday. Will the Craiglang locals find a new hangout that will solve all their problems? Rating: ****

Civilisations, 9.00pm, BBC2

Fresh from re-examining the life of Julius Caesar, Mary Beard takes up the reins in this epic art-history series to explore Roman as well as Ancient Greek, Egyptian and Chinese civilisations through their art, specifically how they depicted the human body. Mary’s enthusiasm is infectious, and as well as tales of pharaohs and emperors, there are stories a little easier to relate to, such as a Greek health warning on wine coolers, which suggested too much alcohol could turn a man into a beast. Rating: ****

More previews tomorrow

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.

Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough.

David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.

Other than watching and writing about telly, David loves playing cricket, going to the cinema, trying to improve his tennis and chasing about after his kids!