TV tonight: another high rise is The Count of Monte Cristo | TV & radio

The tree of Monte Cristo

9pm, BBC Four

Hot on the heels of last year’s wonderful Jeremy Irons and Sam Claflin adaptation of the classic Alexandre Dumas novel comes four French-language episodes. It takes the smash hit that was the 2024 movie adaptation, then adapted it to TV by splitting it into four parts. At the end of the first episode, our hero Edmond is trying to escape from prison. Alex Duggins

Blankety Blanke

6.25pm, BBC One

Bradley Walsh doesn’t even manage a much smaller version of the classic word matching quiz. When they’re not swinging furiously from the ring, the contestants enlist the help of Joe Marler, Sue Perkins, Trevor Nelson, Josh Pugh, Tasha Ghouri and Sara Barron, who barely use it. Jack Seale

Africa’s secret: In the jungle

7pm, Channel 4

“I really am where things are wild now!” Lucy Shepherd had never seen a hippo before – how many will she see on the last leg of her journey through Tanzania? That’s not all: he and the group (Hadza and Akie people) travel to a sacred mountain, passing dangerous lions on the way. HR

The World’s Most Secret Hotels

8pm, Channel 4

The mysterious hideout comes up once again in this over-the-top but mysterious series. Meanwhile, caves in South Africa, a lighthouse in Sweden and, most notably, the old prison of Bodmin in Cornwall, which has been renovated and now boasts more than the dreams of its former occupants. Phil Harrison

Injured

8.45pm, BBC One

False alarm: after last week’s panic, it seems that there is no new epidemic. In fact, it’s a drug problem – but the Holby team are still trying to figure out what’s causing it. Elsewhere in the hospital, a horrific scene that could be compared to The Pitt, where doctors drill a hole in a patient’s skull to drain blood. HR

Saturday Night Live UK

10pm, Sky One

The British version of the popular US weekly show has fared much better than expected, with its fun mix of timeless comedy and quirky comedy not to be missed. White Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood is the headliner this time, with music from Meek. JS

Film selection

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, 8am, 4.10pm, 10.25pm, Sky Cinema Premiere

Fifteen years after the band broke up, filmmaker Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner) returns to document the preparations for their reunion concert in New Orleans. It’s a great journey for Christopher Guest, the trio of Michael McKean and Harry Shearer – very impressive, a little clever, unknowingly funny – as they try and clash between stars from Paul McCartney and Elton John. There are fun callbacks to the big laughs of the first film – the cursed drummers, Stonehenge – including a great rock scene. Simon Wardell

From Here to Forever, 4.35pm, Talking Pictures TV

Fred Zinnemann’s Oscar-laden drama, based on James Jones’ semi-autobiographical novel, is set on a military base in Hawaii in 1941. But it’s not about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor; which is relegated to a postscript to the story of two powerful lovers outside of honor. Newcomer Montgomery Clift is abused after refusing to punch at his company, but finds relief with club hostess Donna Reed. Meanwhile, Burt Lancaster’s sergeant begins an affair with the captain’s wife (Deborah Kerr). SW

Black Box, midnight, BBC Two

This 2021 French film is a great treat for fans of 70s American classics, especially Coppola’s The Conversation. Pierre Niney plays plane crash investigator Mathieu, whose specialty is analyzing the cockpit voice recorder, AKA the black box. When a plane crashes in the Alps, killing all on board, Mathieu is asked to explain. But can he believe what he hears in the music? And why has his boss suddenly disappeared? Mathieu falls down a conspiracy rabbit hole where the truth may or may not be on tape. SW

Live sports

Snooker: World Championship, 10am, BBC Two The second semi-final continues.

Women’s Champions League: Lyon v Arsenal, 1.30pm, BBC Two Leah Williamson and her team take a 2-1 lead over France in the second leg of the final.

Horse racing: Newmarket, 1.15pm, ITV 1 Including 2,000 Guineas.

Premier League Football: Arsenal v Fulham, 5pm, Sky Sports Main Event Man United v Liverpool is on Sun at 2pm; Aston Villa v Tottenham is on Sun at 6pm on TNT Sports 1.