Gladiators
Saturday, 5:50 p.m., BBC One
Competitor, ready? Gladiator, ready? OK, here we go with this supercharged reboot of the ’90s competitive challenge show, which is just as fun as the original. There are some major changes: Nitro, Diamond and Fire are part of the new generation fighting against plucky contenders, while Bradley Walsh and his son Barney are in charge of the hosts. But the classic games that many of us grew up with are here to stay, including Duel (fighting with pugil sticks on a podium), Collision (crossing a bridge while gladiators swing like wrecking balls) and, of course, the Eliminator (the final faceoff). Drama! Disqualifications! Boo! That’s what Saturday night television is for. Hollie Richardson
The Masked Singer
7 p.m., ITV1
So far we’ve had soul legend, Grammy winner Dionne Warwick raising a storm dressed as Weather and classically trained singer Alexander Armstrong in a Roman Empire rooster costume as Chicken Caesar . Dippy Egg, Maypole and Rat could very well become music kings this week too, as the judges continue to unmask the celebrities. HOUR
The Big Show by Michael McIntyre
6:50 p.m., BBC One
This is a new series of Michael McIntyre’s high-energy entertainment show. The Send to All phone from the opening show belongs to comedian and consumer champion Joe Lycett, who undoubtedly has some interesting contacts. Plus, Bradley Walsh is playing The Midnight Gameshow and there’s music from R&B star Beverley Knight. Ellen E Jones
The weakest link
7:50 p.m., BBC One
Romesh Ranganathan’s acerbic quiz turns its attention to some famous pairings for a couples special. The Lovable Steps duo, H and Claire, may not look like the most threatening adversaries, but can they outsmart David Seaman and his ice-skater wife Frankie, a pair of Goggleboxers and two of McFlys? The pressure is strong. Hannah Verdier
Useless celebrities
8:35 p.m., BBC One
Famous faces sift their brains for obscure knowledge in a bid to impress Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman. Notable duos hoping to raise money for charity this week include David and Frankie Seaman (their second appearance of the evening) and Winter Olympians Chemmy Alcott and Sarah Lindsay. Virtue of Grame
Big Zuu’s 12 dishes in 12 hours
10 p.m., ITV1
The fiery television chef and comedian Eddie Kadi stops in Nicosia, Cyprus, divided since 1974 between the Turkish Cypriot north and the Greek Cypriot south. They wrap their chops around 12 dishes, from Armenian delights to Cameroonian cuisine. HOUR
Choice of films
Killers of the Flower Moon, available now, Apple TV+
Like The Irishman before it, Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon comes with a daunting runtime. Now available at home, the public is free to watch it as they wish; either in one big session of 206 minutes, or divided into pieces like a mini-series. What’s important, though, is that you watch it. The subject matter – exploring the real-life murders committed in the Osage community following the discovery of oil on tribal lands – is complex and vital. Lily Gladstone arguably delivers the performance of the year. The soundtrack (Robbie Robertson’s latest) is haunting and evocative. And, without spoiling it, the climax is as audacious as anything Scorsese has ever attempted. Stuart Heritage
Role-playing game, available now, Prime Video
The Flight Attendant served as a near-perfect career reintroduction for Kaley Cuoco, propelling a generic sitcom star into a thought-provoking Hitchcockian thriller. So roleplaying is Cuoco’s attempt to keep that momentum going. An action comedy starring David Oyelowo, it’s the story of a stagnant married couple who decide to spice things up, only for the husband to discover he’s been married to an international assassin all along. It comes with shades of Mr & Mrs Smith (about to be remade by Amazon), as well as Bill Nighy using his good-natured charm for evil. SH
Decision to Leave, 9pm, BBC Four
Park Chan-wook is almost single-handedly responsible for the revitalization of South Korean cinema, first with the blockbuster Joint Security Area and then with the all-time classic Oldboy. But this might just be his biggest deal yet. A thrilling dark romance about an insomniac cop and a potential murder suspect, the film is supercharged by dazzling central performances from Tang Wei and Park Hae-il and an ending that will devastate you for months. Later this year, Park will direct Robert Downey Jr in HBO’s The Sympathiser. It’s just what you need to whet your appetite. SH
Hope and Glory, 10.30pm, BBC Two
John Boorman’s story of growing up in London during World War II won accolades when it was released in 1987 (five Oscar nominations, 13 Bafta nominations and a Golden Globe), thanks in large part to his ability to juggle with two apparently contrasting tones. One of them is an unflinching look at the horrors of war. The other is a warm, comical version of the blitz seen through the eyes of a 10-year-old boy, who sees the bombs as fireworks and applauds Hitler for bombing a school. Many have tried to find that same balance, but none have nailed it as clearly as Boorman. SH
In the Earth, 11:20 p.m., Film4
In the fall of 2020, as the world began to fear the return of Covid, the ever-gnome Ben Wheatley announced that he had just returned from shooting an entire film in the suburbs of Bristol in a fortnight. The result is on Earth, and it’s terribly confusing. Differentiating England’s Kill List from A Field, it plunges Joel Fry and Ellora Torchia into a psychedelic folk horror meltdown, full of spirits, witchcraft, amputations and mushrooms. SH
Live sports
Tennis: ATP Tour, 6 a.m., Main Event Sky Sports The men’s final, followed by the WTA women’s final at 7:30 a.m.
Ski jumping, 6:50 a.m., Eurosport 2 First day of the World Cup meeting with the women’s HS134 event.
World Tour Golf, 9:30 a.m., Sky Sports main event Third day of the Dubai Invitational.
Rugby Champions Cup: Exeter Chiefs v Glasgow Warriors, 12:30 p.m., ITV1 The Pool 3 match in the third round.
Snooker: The Masters, 1:15 p.m., BBC One The opening semi-final. The final takes place on Sunday at 1 p.m. on BBC Two.
Cycling: European Track Championships, 5 p.m., Eurosport 2 Fourth day of the annual event in the Netherlands.
Premier League football: Newcastle v Man City, 4:30 p.m., TNT Sports 1 At St James Park.
Tennis: Australian Open, midnight, Eurosport 1 First day of the season’s opening Grand Slam event, featuring first-round matches.
