Hannah J Davies, Mike Bradley, Hannah Verdier, Ali Catterall and Paul Howlett 

Wednesday’s best TV – White Famous; The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco

The sitcom inspired by Jamie Foxx’s life falls back on tired cliches, while a murder kicks off the codebreaking spin-off series
  
  

Jay Pharoah as Floyd and Lonnie Chavis as Trevor in White Famous
Jay Pharoah as Floyd and Lonnie Chavis as Trevor in White Famous. Photograph: Michael Desmond/Showtime

White Famous

11.05pm, Sky Atlantic
This new US comedy is based loosely on the life of the actor Jamie Foxx, who serves as an executive producer. It follows a standup, Floyd (Jay Pharoah), as he attempts to become “white famous”, ie to transcend race and become a household name. There are hints of Entourage and Californication to proceedings, but the plot revolves around cliched gags about Eddie Murphy, PC culture and fatigued stereotypes of dysfunctional black parents. It is enough to make you think that perhaps the past 10 years simply did not happen. Hannah J Davies

Picnic at Hanging Rock

9pm, BBC Two
Nine days into the search for the missing girls, Rothschild heiress Irma Leopold is found dazed, unharmed and minus her corset. She professes to remember nothing of events on Mount Diogenes, but, having announced her imminent departure, she is cautioned by Mrs Appleyard: “Leave your secrets here, where they belong.” Mike Bradley

The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco

9pm, ITV
Spin-off series of the period drama, with glamorous Millie and schoolmarmish Jean embarking on a new codebreaking adventure. We begin in 1942, with a murder at Bletchley Park. Fourteen years later, Millie spies a copycat killing in the pages of the San Francisco Chronicle and the fun begins. MB

This Is Us

9pm, More4
Your weekly dose of angst arrives, sailing in on a wave of tears from its loyal viewers, who will be feeling Randall and Beth’s pain as they struggle to get their foster child Deja to wash her hair. Back in the 90s, the kids have come down with chickenpox, which prompts an unhelpful visit from Rebecca’s dreaded mother. Hannah Verdier

Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing

10pm, BBC Two
The final riverbank rumination in a series ornamented by Bob Mortimer’s buffoonery, not to mention his ineptitude with a fishing rod. Paul Whitehouse remains infinitely patient as the pair go after pike on the Test in Hampshire for their final outing – and fear they may have to settle for perch. MB

Stath Lets Flats

10pm, Channel 4
Sweetly stupid siblings Stath and Sophie (brother and sister Jamie and Natasia Demetriou) face more challenges in the estate agent comedy. While Stath’s night of passion with Carole peters out, Sophie’s college results are not what she had hoped for. Still, there is always a kebab to console them. Ali Catterall

Film choice

Blue Is the Warmest Colour (Abdellatif Kechiche, 2013), 11.35pm, Film4
This Palme d’Or-winning film from director Abdellatif Kechiche is an intense portrait of quivering youthful passion, boosted by luminous performances from his two young stars. Adèle Exarchopoulos is thoughtful high-school pupil Adèle, who becomes fascinated with art student Emma (Léa Seydoux). Paul Howlett

Live sport

Cycling: Tour de France 2pm, ITV4. Another mountainous route as the tour reaches stage 17.
World Matchplay darts 7pm, Sky Sports Main Event. Final matches from the second round of the tournament.
Football friendly: Manchester City v Liverpool Midnight, Liverpool TV. The Premier League rivals face off in New Jersey.

 

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