Travel shows seem to be getting an upgrade, with the latest offering a cinematic, Hollywood affair…
Glossy, cinematic and hosted by a movie star, the latest travel show has been given the Hollywood treatment, as Tucci In Italy airs right now on Disney+. It’s no longer enough to just be a travel show – this one is a ‘cinematic journey through food, culture and history’. Pretentious much?
Fortunately, award-winning actor Stanley Tucci, who seems to have morphed into a foodie type recently, is completely captivating in this stylish series. The 64-year-old American, born to parents of Italian descent, embarks on this culinary voyage across five regions of Italy, exploring the essence, traditions and flavours of each. He even manages to speak a bit of Italian.
Tucci meets with locals, chefs, fellow foodies, fishermen, artisans and even cowboys to unearth hidden gems and untold stories, resulting in a filmic journey across the full series. With National Geographic’s signature immersive storytelling, the series offers a fresh perspective on both well-loved and undiscovered corners of Italy, guided by Stanley’s signature wit and charm.
He says: “I believe that the best way to understand what makes a country and a people unique is through their food. And this is true nowhere more than Italy where even the shape of your pasta and the sauce you serve it with, speaks directly to identity. Italy is a feast for the senses, and this is an invitation to the table. It’s about more than just the food; it’s about the people, the history, and the passion that makes Italy so special. I hope you’ll join me on this new adventure. I believe that eating well is inspiring, and I hope to inspire viewers to embrace the beauty and richness of Italian culture.”
From a lavish Sienese feast in Tuscany to a futuristic farm-to-table experience in Lombardy, from pine needle pesto to wild seafood, Stanley experiences Italy through his stomach. And with his storytelling and stunning camerawork, it’s all a joy to watch.
*Tucci In Italy is airing now on Disney+
There’s plenty more on TV tonight – here’s the best of the rest..
INSIDE OUR DYSLEXIC MINDS, BBC2, 9pm
Chris Packham explores a subject that’s very close to his heart in this emotional instalment, since his stepdaughter Megan is dyslexic. Megan says to Chris: “I have a vivid memory of you walking into my room, and I must have only been six or seven, with a pile of books in your arms. It was a big intimidating pile, a big reminder of something I couldn’t do. To this day, if anyone hands me a book, it still stresses me out.”
Chris adds: “I would read to you up until the last two paragraphs of a cliffhanger and leave the page open to see if you were so enraptured in the story that you would finish it, but you never did.” The naturalist, who has Asperger’s syndrome, has been making documentaries about neurodivergent minds, looking at autism, ADHD and now dyslexia, which affects around one in ten people in the UK.
Determined to help those who are “misunderstood”, he gives people the chance to make a powerful short film, bringing their experiences to life. He says: “While a difficulty reading and spelling is at the core of any dyslexia diagnosis, most dyslexic people will tell you that they also experience problems in a wide range of things – from memory to organisation.” Chris meets construction site manager Lee, 53, who was only diagnosed recently and says his dyslexia gives him “tremendous anxiety”. He’s only ever read one book. Chris also meets psychotherapist Suiki, 35, who struggles to order her thoughts and recall information, especially under pressure.
MEAL DEALS: BEHIND THE BARGAIN, CHANNEL 4, 9pm
It’s a Great British lunch-time obsession – something we all like to discuss endlessly. Which sandwich did you get? Which flavour crisps? Did that include a Mars Bar? Was it under a fiver? Joe Swash is excitedly yelling his head off in this interesting little documentary that analyses the Meal Deal, dubbed by one expert here as ‘British tapas’ – bit of a stretch.
Joe says: “A meal deal represents two things that I love most, eating and getting a bargain. “You may think that me and my missus live a life of glitz and glamour but really me and Stacey love nothing more than sitting on the sofa and debating the big subjects like ‘What are we here for?’, ‘What is the meaning of life?’ and ‘Which snack is going to get me the most savings on my meal deal?’ Bringing us the shocking stat that Brits eat five million meal deals every day, Joe investigates everything there is to know about this consumer phenomenon.
EMMERDALE, ITV1, 7.30pm
Harry is on a drip in the hospital and Mackenzie is a pariah. Moira awaits the bill for the slurry spill clean-up, pessimistic about the farm’s prospects. After 16 years of farming the land through tragedy and trauma, the refusal of the insurers to cover for Mackenzie’s recklessness has Moira convinced that this is the death knell for her tenure of the farm. Sarah’s keeping her appointment at the fertility clinic a secret. Nicola catastrophises about the village water supply.
EASTENDERS, BBC1, 7.30pm
Lauren is having a difficult time as she struggles with Jimmy. Peter is trying to support her, but is worried about her past issues with addiction. With Jean and Mo away, Lily and Freddie are trying to run the Slater house alone as Stacey refuses to leave her bedroom. Zack gets word from Whitney that she’s found a safe place for her and the girls to live, somewhere Nicola won’t find them. Nigel feels sad on the day of Clare’s 40th.
CORONATION STREET, ITV1, 8pm
Bernie catches Brody shoplifting. Kit goes after him and lets slip to Mick that Lou isn’t as loyal as he likes to think. Craig arrives for work to shadow Kit as part of his CID placement, while making plans for an internet date that evening. After being largely ignored by Kit all day, Craig tells Lisa that Kit doesn’t rate his work. Lisa urges him to prove Kit wrong. When Craig is called to investigate a disturbance, he sees his chance.
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