David Farnor | On 28, Feb 2016

What’s available on-demand on Freeview? Keep up-to-date with our weekly catch-up TV column, including reviews of shows on ITV Hub, new releases on All 4 and a guide to My5.
 

(For BBC TV reviews and round-ups, see our weekly Best of BBC iPlayer column. Or for reviews of the shows on All 4’s Walter Presents, click here.)

First Contact: Lost Tribe of the Amazon (All 4)

You may recall some video footage that went viral in 2014 of an isolated community in South America that had remained untouched by the rest of the world. This documentary takes us face-to-face with that tribe in rare detail, from their language and customs to their decision to move from their original forest and connect with other people. There are unexpected moments of humour – the tribe insult our filmmakers’ singing, after they attempt to reply to a chant – and constant moments of astonishment – we witness the tribe’s growing shame in being naked, after interacting with humans in clothes – but throughout, there is also an undercurrent of danger, as it’s not always clear how hostile the group’s intentions might be. This is absorbing, unique and compelling viewing.

Photo: Ronachan Film

The Great British Sex Survey (All 4)

What are the UK’s top fetishes and kinks? Channel 4’s titillatingly titled show is less an insightful exploration of such intimate matters and more a 90-minute piece of fluff spun out from a single YouGov survey commissioned by the broadcaster. Belgian sexologist Goedele Liekens, who guides us through the list, is an engaging TV presence, but without any real human interest, the novelty wears off – and the repeated insistence that foot fetishes and other such turn-ons are more widespread than we might realise starts to chaff like… well, indeed. (The revelation that men are more interested in golden showers than women, meanwhile, is perhaps of little surprise.)

Photo: Adam Lawrence

The X-Files: Episode 3 (My5)

I forgot how much fun these cases could be,” observes Scully, as she and Mulder find themselves investigating a string of murders that may or may not have been committed by a werewolf. Darin Morgan’s script dismantles the myth with trademark wit, while Rhys Darby ranks among the show’s best (and funniest) guest stars. The result is the best instalment in the 2016 X-Files so far. There are episodes of this reboot that feel dated and episodes that feel like knowing throwbacks. Mulder & Scully Meet the Were-Monster feels like a modern classic.

Available until: 23rd March

Main photo: © 2016 Fox and its related entities. All rights reserved

The Brit Awards 2016 (ITV Hub)

The Brit Awards are available to watch in full on ITV Hub, but it’s worth tuning in just for Gary Oldman’s tribute to David Bowie, as he collected the Icon award on behalf of his late friend. (You can also see it on YouTube above.)

Available until: 2nd March

It’s Not Rocket Science (ITV Hub)

Top Gear meets Tomorrow’s World, ITV’s new science series sees Ben Miller, Romesh Ranganathan and Rachel Riley present a range of daft experiments and nifty gadgets. The secret to the show’s chemistry is its diversity, from its trio of hosts, each of whom has their own sense of humour, to its range of stupid stunts (Miller in a real-life wrecking ball) to heartwarming inventions (a disabled man using a robotic frame to stand up and walk his daughter down the aisle for her wedding).

Available until: 23rd March

Photo: ITV

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