Geek shows and movies on UK TV in the coming week

Where do MI5's secret agents hide out when they're not defending the Isles? Why, among comedians, that's where.

We start our weekend off in the style that only Mr Stephen Fry can deliver with a ninth series of QI. The first of sixteen episodes welcomes Phill Jupitus, Jack Dee, Ross Noble and, of course, Alan Davies to the letter 'H' and the topic of Hodge Podge tonight, Friday, September 17th at 8:30pm on BBC1.

A little later in the evening, Jimmy Carr-hosted 8 Out Of 10 Cats returns to trump QI with one series better (numerically, that is) in the first of five episodes at 10:00pm on Channel 4. Guests joining regulars Jason Manford and Sean Lock are Dr Christian Jessen, Jamelia, and the Jacks, Whitehall and Dee. (That Jack's getting around, isn't he?)

If that isn't enough funny to fill your humour needs, you can top up with Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow on Saturday, September 18th at 9:15pm by visiting BBC1. The second series' first of six stops visits Glasgow and roadshow jokesters are Kevin Bridges, Daniel Sloss, Milton Jones and Craig Campbell.

That should have you nicely chuckled out before the seriouness of the return of Spooks. Entering its ninth series with the first of eight episodes on Monday, September 20th at 9:00pm on BBC1, it's a sombre start before terrorist tracking in Tangier for Harry's team at Section D. While you enjoy the drama, it might offer relief from tension to spot the next agent to be deep sixed in what may or may not be the series' final run. Certainly, that makes for even less job - and life - security and let's hope all team members' and leaders' policies are fully paid up.

Remember Reaper? The 2007-2009 comedy about likeable slacker Sam, who's doomed to do the Devil's bidding aided by felllow underachievers Ben and Sock? If you loved Ray Wise's polar performances of friendly and ferocious turns, you can catch up with the first of the second season's 13 episodes starting Thursday, September 23rd at 11:15pm on Channel 4. If you're still wondering if the show's for you, how about this episode title: ... A New Hope?

Now, on to the films showing through the weekend and a bit beyond. There's old, new, and curious horror and sci-fi titles to be found. As always, if we missed anything interesting, have a shout in the comments, with our thanks.

Please also note: the ordinal numbers for dates will help you scan through this simple list with your browser's search function. Enter '18th' in your browser's Find box or window to highlight and/or tab through all movies shown on Saturday. Enjoy!

28 Days Later
On: more4
Date: Friday 17th September
Time: 10:30pm

A View To A Kill
On: ITV1
Date: Sunday 19th September
Time: 3:50pm

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls
On: BBC 3
Date: Sunday 19th September
Time: 7:35pm (and 9:00pm 22nd Sept)

Alien 3
On: Channel 4
Date: Friday 17th September
Time: 11:25pm (and 00:25am 18th Sept 4+1)

Basic Instinct
On: ITV2
Date: Saturday 18th September
Time: 00:20am (and 1:20am ITV2+1, 00:50/1:50am 21st Sept)

Blade: Trinity
On: Channel 4
Date: Saturday 18th September
Time: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm 4+1)

Blue Velvet
On: TCM
Date: Sunday 19th September
Time: 9:00pm (and 1:30am 20th Sept)

Conan The Destroyer
On: ITV4
Date: Friday 17th September
Time: 11:30pm (amd 00:30am 18th Sept ITV4+1, 9/10:00pm 19th Sept)

Constantine
On: Watch
Date: Saturday 18th September
Time: 10:00pm (and 11:00pm Watch+1, 9/10:00pm 19th Sept)

Dog Soldiers
On: Film4
Date: Saturday 18th September
Time: 10:55pm (and 11:55pm Film4+1, 11:15pm/00:15 am 23rd/24th Sept)

Enter The Dragon
On: Five
Date: Monday 20th September
Time: 10:00pm

Groundhog Day
On: Five
Date: Sunday 19th September
Time: 5:15pm

I, Robot
On: Film4
Date: Monday 20th September
Time: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Film4+1)

Independence Day
On: Film4
Date: Monday 20th September
Time: 6:15pm (and 7:15pm Film4+1)

Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1979)
On: LIVING
Date: Sunday 19th September
Time: 01:00am (and 2:00am Living+1)

Lethal Weapon 2
On: Sky1
Date: Saturday 18th September
Time: 9:00pm (and 9:00pm 19th Sept Sky2, 11:00pm 22nd Sept Sky1)

Men In Black II
On: Five
Date: Sunday 19th September
Time: 7:20pm

Moon
On: Sky Movies Indie
Date: Saturday 18th September
Time: 1:55pm (and 10:00pm)

Octopussy
On: ITV1
Date: Saturday 18th September
Time: 12:45pm

Pandorum
On: SyFy
Date: Sunday 19th September
Time: 10:00pm (and 11:00pm Syfy+1)

RoboCop
On: Sky Movies Modern Greats
Date: Friday 17th September
Time: 10:00pm

Rope!
On: Film4
Date: Sunday 19th September
Time: 4:50pm (and 5:50pm Film4+1)

Teen Wolf
On: SyFy
Date: Saturday 18th September
Time: 6:20pm (and 7:20pm Syfy+1, 1:50/2:50pm 19th Sept)

The Basketball Diaries
On: TCM
Date: Friday 17th September
Time: 9:00pm (and midnight)

The Breakfast Club
On: BBC 1
Date: Monday 20th September
Time: 11:35pm

The Cooler
On: Film4
Date: Tuesday 21st September
Time: 00:50am (and 1:50am Film4+1)

The Day Of The Jackal
On: ITV4
Date: Saturday 18th September
Time: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm ITV4+1)

The Fly (1958)
On: Film4
Date: Saturday 18th September
Time: 5:15pm (and 6:15pm Film4+1)

The Illusionist
On: ITV2
Date: Friday 17th September
Time: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm ITV2+1)

The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane
On: TCM
Date: Sunday 19th September
Time: 11:20pm (and 1:20am 20th Sept)

The Magnificent Seven
On: Film4
Date: Sunday 19th September
Time: 6:30pm (and 7:30pm Film4+1, 6:30/7:30pm 24th Sept)

The Man In The Iron Mask (1976)
On: Film4
Date: Friday 17th Septembe
Time: 4:50pm (and (5:50pm Film4+1)

The Man Who Wasn't There
On: Film4
Date: Saturday 18th September
Time: 01:15am (and 2:15am Film4+1)

The Outrage
On: Channel 4
Date: Tuesday 21st September
Time: 12:35pm (and 1:35pm 4+1)

The Thing (1982)
On: ITV4
Date: Saturday 18th September
Time: 11:55pm (and 00:55am 19th Sept)

The Transporter
On: E4
Date: Friday 17th September
Time: 11:00pm (and midnight E4+1)

The Untouchables
On: Film4
Date: Friday 17th September
Time: 9:00pm (and 10:00pm Film4+1, 9/10:00pm 22nd Sept)

The Year Of Living Dangerously
On: BBC 1
Date: Sunday 19th September
Time: 11:10pm

Vacancy
On: FIVER
Date: Sunday 19th September
Time: 10:00pm (and 11:00pm Fuver+1, 9/10:00pm 20th Sept)