Programme Information

Rugby Union – Ireland v South Africa

Saturday 28 November

2.10-4.30pm BBC ONE (Schedule correction 13 November)

• www.bbc.co.uk/rugbyunion

Gabby Logan is in Dublin for live coverage of the rugby union match between Ireland and South Africa.

The Croke Park clash pits the southern hemisphere's best side against the northern hemisphere's current top dog. As the 2009 Grand Slam holders, Ireland should provide stiff opposition for the Springboks, who are reigning Tri-Nations and World Cup winners. The Boks actually lost on their last visit to Dublin in 2006, but fielded a weakened line-up for that match at Lansdowne Road. Peter de Villiers's side will be a far tougher proposition this time round.

Keith Wood and Andy Nicol will be offering their expert opinions in the studio while match commentary comes from Eddie Butler and Philip Matthews.

SB4

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Dignitaries from rival kingdoms descend on Camelot for peace talks, but what King Alined really wants is war, as the magical family drama continues. He'll do everything in his power to stir up hostilities, even if it means using magic.

Alined's jester, Trickler, puts a spell on Arthur to make him fall madly in love with rival King Olaf's beloved daughter, Vivian. Chaos reigns in the palace and Camelot is once more poised on the brink of war. Can Merlin free Arthur's heart before the prince loses his head in battle?

David Schofield is Alined; Kevin Eldon is Trickler; Mark Lewis Jones is King Olaf; Bradley James is Arthur; Georgia Moffett is Vivian; and Colin Morgan is Merlin.

LH2

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A bank robbery goes horribly wrong and an old face makes an unwelcome return to the Emergency Department (ED), as the medical drama continues.

The F2s are thrilled when the dean announces a Junior Academic Fellowship Award which will see one of them win a role in the ED with a lucrative salary. However, Adam warns them they must still work together as a team and not be tempted by individual success. May, in particular, is desperate to win the award. However, mentored by the impatient Ruth, things don't get off to a good start.

When a bank robbery goes horribly wrong, injured bank manager, Gal, is brought into casualty with a gun-shot wound. But Gal isn't quite the hero he first appears and his obsessive behaviour brings back some disturbing memories for Polly. When Gal starts waving a gun around the ED, Polly leaps into action, putting everyone at risk. It's time for the young paramedic to relive and confront exactly what happened with Alistair in order to get her life, and career, back in order.

Meanwhile, Jordan is keen to return to a more hands-on role in the ED. However, despite the department being at full stretch, Adam won't hear of it. Medical back-up soon arrives in the form of a rather unwelcome face from the past.

Trevor impresses Tess with his handling of Isabel, a lonely, elderly lady who has been injured during the bank robbery getaway. Tess bravely invites him out on a date but there's something he's failed to mention to her...

Adam is played by Tristan Gemmill, May by Laura Aikman, Ruth by Georgia Taylor, Polly by Sophia di Martino, Jordan by Michael French, Trevor by Don Warrington and Tess by Suzanne Packer. Gudrun Ure plays Isabel and Charlie Condou plays Gal.

JM3

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Debra Stephenson parodies Amy Winehouse in tonight's episode of the comedy sketch show

Master impressionists Jon Culshaw and Debra Stephenson continue to run riot through celebrity culture. Among this episode's parodies is: Amy Winehouse auditioning for Doctor Who; Michael McIntyre making his debut in Bad Jobs For Celebrities; and Tess Daly and Vernon Kay trying to continue their holiday with an unwanted third party.

Culshaw and Stephenson also turn their attentions to Davina McCall, Dominic Littlewood, Paris Hilton and Jonathan Ross. And DC Gene Hunt crashes an episode of Poirot. Meanwhile, with the impressionists' assistance, Simon Cowell reads an unlikely bedtime story.

SM4

Tennis – ATP World Tour Finals: Semi Finals

Saturday 28 November

2.00-5.00pm BBC TWO

• www.bbc.co.uk/tennis

Live coverage comes from the semi-finals of the Barclays ATP Tour World Finals, being held at London's O2 Arena for the first time.

Over the last week, the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have battled it out for the prestigious title. British star Murray will be looking to end the year on a high note, having made it to world No. 2 during the season.

CH2

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Rugby Union – Wales v Australia

Saturday 28 November

5.00-7.30pm BBC TWO

• www.bbc.co.uk/rugbyunion

John Inverdale presents live coverage from the Millennium Stadium, where Wales play host to Australia.

The Wallabies travel to Cardiff looking for revenge for last year's 21-18 defeat, when the Welsh claimed a rare win against the southern-hemisphere giants in a thrilling game. Well-worked tries from Shane Williams and Lee Byrne put the home side ahead but a Digby Ioane score set up a tense finish, with the Welsh surviving a furious late onslaught.

Nick Mullins and Jonathan Davies provide the commentary.

SB4

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Matt Frei concludes his exploration of Berlin

Matt Frei concludes his exploration of the fascinating city of Berlin by examining US President John F Kennedy's claim: "Ich bin ein Berliner". JFK was referencing the fact that Berlin was at the centre of world history, and something that everyone had a stake in.

Three hundred years before, the persecuted from around Europe were invited to come and live in Berlin, to build up a population recently decimated by war and pestilence. Thousands of French Huguenots and Jews from Vienna and Eastern Europe became fully integrated into the city.

In the 19th century, Karl Marx, a student at Berlin University, developed a philosophy promoting the supremacy of the people over the state. The Communist Manifesto triggered a wave of revolution across Europe and eventually changed the world.

The rise of Nazism in the Thirties led to a night of terror for the Jewish population of Berlin. Many Jewish Berliners were driven into exile, among them physicist Albert Einstein and film-maker Billy Wilder.

The division of the city after the war forced everyone to choose the kind of freedom they wanted. Overnight, on 13 August, 1961, Berlin was forcibly divided by barbed wire as the Berlin Wall was built. During these frantic weeks, Berliners had to choose between a communist workers' state or a capitalist West Berlin.

Berlin is co-produced by the Open University. A free bi-lingual guide to the city is available to accompany the series. This can be obtained by calling 0845 366 8013 or visiting open2.net.

KM

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The Thick Of It Ep 6/8

Saturday 28 November

10.40-11.10pm BBC TWO

• www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/comedy
• Feature

With the Prime Minister away at a summit in Spain, Malcolm Tucker is left at home to mind the shop, as the award-winning political comedy starring Peter Capaldi, Rebecca Front, Chris Addison, Joanna Scanlan and James Smith continues.

But, just as Social Affairs And Citizenship Secretary Nicola Murray is about to launch her Fourth Sector Initiative, the media decide what they really want is for someone to launch another leadership contest.

Does Nicola have what it takes and, if she does, can Malcolm take it away from her before she does any damage?

The Thick Of It is simulcast on the BBC HD channel – the BBC's High Definition channel, available through Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media.

Digital viewers who press the Red Button after the programme can find exclusive additional content. There are also exclusive features with key members of the cast and crew on the BBC Comedy blog, at bbc.co.uk/blogs/comedy.

JD/PA

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An impending solar flare threatens the crew of the Antares with dangerous radiation, as the space drama continues. The strange force in Pod 4 finally sends out a siren call that proves utterly irresistible.

Although it is supposedly only a storage facility, Donner, Zoe and Paula are unable to enter the mysterious Pod 4.

Donner enlists Ajay's help in trying to find a way in, while Goss orders Ted to distract his crew from the off-limits area. The argument is interrupted when they receive word that the Antares is in the direct path of a solar flare, giving them only moments to get into protective cover.

Everyone heads for the bunker, except Jen and Zoe, with potentially disastrous consequences. Later, the crew emerges only to be drawn towards Pod 4, where the door to the unimaginable finally stands open.

Ron Livingston is Donner; Laura Harris is Zoe; Paula Garces is Paula, Malik Yoba is Ted; Christina Cox is Jen; Laura Harris is Zoe; and Andrew Airlie is Goss.

AF