As we leave October behind and go boldly forward into November, there are some great shows to herald the start of winter scheduling.

In the coming week, the new series of The Family gets underway and we’ll get to look at the lives of another family in this fascinating show.

We’ll also get to see another slice of life with Yvette and Karl and chew over the contents of what goes into our food… strong stomachs at the ready for both shows! I jest; I love watching the shows about Yvette and Karl…

Monday

Britain’s Really Disgusting Food: Meat, 9:00pm, BBC3

Alex Riley investigates in hideous detail what goes into the meat we find in our fast food and on our supermarket shelves.

And he’s up to his old favourite trick of making “barely legal” burgers and in one fun scene, he pays a visit to Gordon Ramsay, and it’s quickly evident, he’s about as welcome as a rat in Gordon’s kitchen.

Into the Storm, 8:30pm, BBC2

Drama sequel to the Emmy award-winning The Gathering Storm, charting Winston Churchill’s rise to power, his determination to lead the country to victory in World War II, and his devastating loss of power in the 1945 general election.

The film also explores Winston’s changing relationships, including how the intimacy between a man and his wife is sacrificed for the sake of a greater goal.

Tuesday

Nature Shock: Death Fog, 8:00pm, Five

On 21 August 1986, disaster struck a remote corner of north-west Cameroon. Nearly 2,000 people dropped dead by Lake Nyos without any obvious signs of injury or struggle. The following day, news of the staggering scale of the tragedy reached the outside world.

Father Anthony Bangsi, a missionary in the village of Subum, recalls the awful event. He was a witness to the aftermath of the terrifying incident that virtually wiped out an entire village. Neither Anthony nor any of the locals could explain what happened at Lake Nyos.

American lake expert George Kling was one of the first outsiders on the scene. There was some evidence to suggest that a volcanic eruption under the lake was to blame for the incident. Bodies were burnt and people recalled smelling volcanic gases like sulphur in the air. However, Kling could find no proof of lava flows, fire fountains or any traces of volcanic gases. Moreover, the temperature of the lake was actually cooler than normal. Kling concluded that a volcano could not be responsible for the tragedy. What, then, was the cause? This film attempts to find the answer.

Horizon: Who’s Afraid of a Big Black Hole? 9:00pm, BBC2

Black holes are considered to be among some of the most destructive forces in the universe, capable of swallowing stars and tearing planets apart. However, they are also invisible by definition, and difficult to study.

This documentary examines the work of astronomers and theoretical physicists who are trying to map a black hole, in the hope of discovering whether they are the key to solving the mystery of what existed before the big bang.

Wednesday

The Family, 9:00pm, Channel 4

It’s back! Yippee! This new eight-part observational series documents family life once again as a British Indian family, the Grewals, open their door to us viewers.

Eldest son Sunny and Shay’s Indian wedding is fast approaching. Their experience is very different to that of parents Arvinder and Sarbjit, who had an arranged marriage 35 years ago and met for the first time on their wedding day.

Times have changed but their son’s joyous occasion is overshadowed by Shay’s difficult relationship with her own family. They don’t approve of her marriage to Sunny and her attempts to patch things up have so far not gone as planned. As Shay reaches out to her family to be by her side on the biggest day of her life, will her dreams of a reconciliation come true?

Yvette and Karl: Down on One Knee, 9:00pm, Living

This new episode of life as it affects Yvette and Karl sees the couple busy with their schedules and personal lives.

For those who live on Mars and don’t know, Yvette Fielding and Karl Beattie are not only partners on TV, they’re also married. In this slice of their lives, Yvette travels to America to scatter her father’s ashes while Karl gets domestic back home.

When the couple are reunited, Karl makes a dramatic romantic gesture.

Thursday

The Schoolboy Who Sailed the World, 9:00pm, Channel 4

In 2006, Michael Perham, a 14-year-old schoolboy from Potters Bar, set a world record as the youngest person to sail solo across the Atlantic.

Cutting Edge follows his next record attempt as, aged just 16, he takes on the biggest challenge in sailing: a solo non-stop circumnavigation. More people have been into space than have sailed non-stop around the world alone.

In November 2008, Michael set off alone, filming his bid to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world.

This documentary follows his dramatic, and at times almost unbearable, struggle with wild seas, failing equipment and loneliness, while his parents, friends and girlfriend Beckie anxiously await his return.

Michael originally planned for four months at sea, but it soon becomes apparent that he will have to battle with the elements for far, far longer than anyone anticipated, and encounter difficulties he could never have predicted.

Wonderland, 9:45pm, BBC2

This observational documentary series continues, seeking out the people and places that offer a glimpse of today’s Britain that is usually hidden from view.

“People don’t like intelligent people. They like successful people, but they don’t like intelligent people.” These are the words of Thor Halland, who was on the winning team of University Challenge in 2003.

This documentary tracks down 10 previous winners and finds out how life plays out for those endowed with the nation’s biggest brains. Is having the kind of mind capable of winning University Challenge a blessing or a curse?

Luke Pitcher, part of the winning team in 2002 and now an Oxford academic, is in no doubt. “I’m very happy being clever. In fact, one of the abiding pleasures of my life is the things my mind can do.”

But it’s not so easy for everyone. Pamela Maddison, part of the 1968 winning team, has struggled to be accepted into society as an intelligent woman. “The problem with a lot of my life,” she says, “is that I’ve had to dumb myself down.”

First broadcast in 1962, University Challenge remains hugely popular with the British public. Audiences love to gawp at this display of nerdish erudition, but does Britain really accept and celebrate these people and their brains?

From the champion who was drunk when his team won to the brilliant polymath who now works as a postman, the film unravels the lives and careers of some of Britain’s brainiest people.

Friday

Michael Jackson: The Search for his Spirit, 9:00pm, Sky1

In the lead up to a live séance conducted by medium Derek Acorah – which will be shown right after this programme – this documentary celebrates the life of the troubled, but awesomely talented, star.

It also looks beyond the headlines, gaining access to some of the singer’s closest confidants, including his Thriller video co-star Ola Ray; Ian Halperin, the author of biography Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson; and the legend’s spiritual healer, Reverend June Gatlin.

Insight is also given into how Acorah will conduct the séance. Laurie Jacobson, an expert on paranormal happenings in LA, and Voxx, a respected American psychic, quench curiosity, providing an education into the workings of the spiritual world.

The Witches of Eastwick, 10:35pm, ITV1

Alex, Jane, and Suki are three bored New England women left to live without their husbands, and together, they ‘innocently’ conjure up a mystery man who could satisfy all their desires.

A new man moves into town and he fits the bill perfectly; Daryl Van Horne is filthy rich and wild eyed, and within days, the three women have all discovered his almighty power, but will good triumph over evil, or will Daryl continue to have his evil way with his witches?

Starring Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer, it’s a good old bawdy romp! Here’s the film’s trailer…

Saturday

Piers Morgan’s Life Stories: Ronnie Corbett, 9:35pm, ITV1

This week, comedy legend Ronnie Corbett tells the tale of his incredible 50 years in show business to Piers Morgan.

From the tragic death of his comedy partner Ronnie Barker to the reason why he hasn’t been able to tell his wife he loves her, this is a fascinating and revealing interview with one of Britain’s best loved entertainers.

Past Lives: Stories of Reincarnation, 10:00pm, Discovery Science

This is a fascinating documentary which explores the concept of reincarnation.

Reincarnation is a fundamental belief of many religions, but in the main, it’s been rejected by the western world through lack of scientific evidence.

In this film, we’ll get to see both sides of the argument and hear from people who believe they have vivid memories of their previous existences.

Sunday

The Children Who Fought Hitler, 9:00pm, BBC4

This often incredibly moving documentary tells the story of the heroic battle that was fought by the children of the British Memorial School to help liberate Europe from the Nazis.

The school served a community of ex-First World War soldiers and their families living in Ypres in Belgium who lovingly tended the war graves. Steeped in ideals of patriotic service and sacrifice, many pupils and ex-pupils refused to surrender to the invading Nazis. Three ex-pupils tell their stories of resistance, illustrated with rare archive film.

Garrow’s Law: Tales from the Old Bailey, 9:00pm, BBC1

This new period drama follows the story of William Garrow, who’s now a celebrated Old Bailey barrister as he’s encouraged by Southouse to defend Renwick Williams.

He’s accused of being the infamous ‘Monster’ who’s carried out a series of stabbings on young ladies across London.

As a result, Garrow’s popularity diminishes with the public and the press, and even he describes Williams as a ‘lecherous libertine’ making his defence a difficult task. And Garrow’s growing friendship with Lady Sarah doesn’t go unnoticed by her husband, Sir Arthur.

And that’s it for this week’s Primetime Picks but we’ll be back next Sunday with more! See you then.