John Robinson, Ben Arnold, Hannah Verdier, Ali Catterall and Phelim O'Neill 

TV highlights 22/06/2012

Isle Of Wight Festival | Simon Schama's Shakespeare | David Bowie And The Story Of Ziggy Stardust | Museum Secrets | Episodes
  
  

David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust
Starman … David Bowie And The Story Of Ziggy Stardust. Photograph: Michael Putland/Getty Images Photograph: Michael Putland/Getty Images

Isle Of Wight Festival
6pm, Sky Arts 1

Much as in its original incarnation, this year's Isle Of Wight festival is dominated by American superstars. A good job, then, that Sky Arts is offering extensive coverage of the sets by Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam, via the six hours of "live streaming" it promises from the site over the festival's three days. Elsewhere, there's stuff from Noel Gallagher, Primal Scream and Tinie Tempah, while the obligatory uncomfortable backstage interviews with the stars will be conducted by Jo Whiley and – in a bit of late-1990s nostalgia – Zoe Ball. John Robinson

Simon Schama's Shakespeare
9pm, BBC2

What came first, Englishness, or Shakespeare's idea of it? Simon Schama produces a persuasive argument towards the latter. We scarcely knew ourselves before the bard solidified us on stage, and here Schama revels in explaining how Shakespeare had an unrivalled hand in crafting our national personality. Interspersed with some choice moments played out by some choice Shakespeareans (Roger Allam is belting as Falstaff), he was variously the first poet of class war, the quintessential everyman and the choreographer of the rhythm of our language. Ben Arnold

David Bowie And The Story Of Ziggy Stardust
9pm, BBC4

It's 40 years since Bowie released The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars. For some, that's a fact that's scarier than the Starman in that skintight frightsuit. Avid fan Jarvis Cocker narrates this documentary that looks at how Bowie experimented with different musical styles (The Laughing Gnome, anyone?) before lopping off his long ladyhair, slipping on his high-heeled boots and becoming Ziggy. Hearing the songs again is a reminder of the greatness behind the gimmick, and Elton John, Holly Johnson and Marc Almond are among the fans who talk fondly about his influence. Hannah Verdier

Museum Secrets
9pm, Yesterday

Winston Churchill had so little concept of personal danger that during air raids he'd clamber on to the roof of the War Rooms to get a better view. Hidden right in the centre of the capital, the War Rooms bring to mind the old saying about where the best place to hide a tree is, and now as part of the Imperial War Museum, subject of tonight's profile. We learn a few things, but you have to withstand a cheesy voiceover: "What does it take to fly into battle and survive? That's a Museum Secret!" Ali Catterall

Episodes
10pm, BBC2

Another meeting where Bev and Sean think their show is going to be axed turns out to be about something else entirely. The problem they are faced with is one of the more realistic Episodes has dealt with, as Matt LeBlanc's decreased screen time on Pucks! has given him the chance to stuff his face and pile on the pounds. In the more soapy part of the show, Bev goes on a date with Morning's brother Rob (James Purefoy), an apparently normal LA resident, something the show has in very short supply. Phelim O'Neill

 

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