Bill Bailey's Laser Harp Dazzles in New Standup Special on Channel 4
Comedian Bill Bailey returns to the stage with his latest standup special, Thoughtifier, airing tonight at 10pm on Channel 4. Recorded at the Edinburgh Playhouse in 2025, the show is set to captivate audiences with its unique blend of music and musings, pushing the boundaries of comedy performance.
A Virtuosic Laser Harp Performance
Known for incorporating musical elements into his routines, Bailey outdoes himself this time with a laser harp performance that is both hilarious and technically impressive. The act showcases his virtuosity, adding a futuristic twist to his comedic arsenal. Alongside this, Bailey delves into quirky topics, including AI-generated sea shanties, the struggles of the teaspoon industry, polar bear raves, and, with some regret, reflections on Elon Musk.
Other TV Highlights for Tonight
Beyond Bailey's special, the evening offers a diverse lineup of entertainment options. Here's a rundown of what to watch:
- Inside Britain's National Parks (7.05pm, BBC Two): This episode takes viewers to Pembrokeshire, featuring water buffalo, adorable seal pups, and environmental heroes like Lloyd, who fights plastic pollution in Fishguard, and Lynne, a protector of nesting choughs.
- Celebrity Sabotage (8pm, ITV1): A new round of deception unfolds as a fake cookery show, The Great Kitchen Cook Off, is created with the help of chef Monica Galetti. Former Lioness Jill Scott joins as the guest saboteur to trick an unsuspecting member of the public.
- Hidden Assets (9.35pm, BBC Four): The drama continues as Claire and her team head to Bilbao in search of answers after Adama's death, while in Dublin, Norah and Liam investigate the financial roots of a Ponzi scheme amid growing public scrutiny.
- The Jonathan Ross Show (10pm, ITV1): Ross hosts guests including Kristin Scott Thomas from Slow Horses and comedian Katherine Ryan, with musical performances by Sienna Spiro.
- Saturday Night Live UK (10pm, Sky One): Guest host Riz Ahmed, star of the satire Bait, joins the regular cast for a night of topical sketches, offering fresh talent and a solid hit rate despite some patchiness typical of sketch shows.
Film Choices and Live Sport
For film enthusiasts, several options are available throughout the day and night. Flavia, based on Alan Bradley's children's novels, airs multiple times on Sky Cinema Premiere, featuring Molly Belle Wright as a young sleuth in a 1950s mystery. At 9pm on Comedy Central, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery delivers laughs with Mike Myers' iconic spy spoof. Later, at 10.50pm on BBC One, The Outfit stars Mark Rylance in a clever 1956 Chicago crime drama, and at 11.30pm on Great! Action, Master Gardener features Joel Edgerton in a tale of hidden violence and unraveling lives.
Sports fans can catch live action starting with the Men's FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City and Liverpool at 11.30am on TNT Sports 1, followed by Chelsea vs. Port Vale at 5pm on BBC One and Southampton vs. Arsenal at 7.30pm. Rugby Union's Champions Cup sees Bath take on Saracens at 2pm on Premier Sports 2, while boxing enthusiasts can watch Lauren Price defend her welterweight titles against Stephanie Piñeiro at 8pm on BBC Two from Cardiff.
Tonight's TV lineup promises a mix of comedy, drama, and live sports, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy.
