Tonight in HD: May 20

SoHo Highlight: Magic City (Sky 10, 8.30, 5.1) Ike faces the disappearance of Mike Strauss, while DA Klein attacks organised crime through Ike’s law-student son. “Throughout the history of television, there has been a long, depressing tradition of a series’ second episode being little more than a retread of its first episode,” said the AV Club. “The producers of Magic City may well say that Feeding Frenzy is less a retread than an opportunity to further strengthen concepts introduced in the pilot, and that would certainly be their right, but it really isn’t necessary.”  ✮✮✮✮

Network Movie Premiere: The Blind Side (TV2, 8.30, 5.1) Did Oscar voters have a blind side when they awarded Sandra Bullock the best actress trophy over Precious’ Gabourey Sidibe? She’s great as the sassy, swanky Memphis businesswoman whose unlikely fostering of an abused black youngster from the wrong side of town helps him to become a gird iron hero. But her performance doesn’t even begin to compare to the intensity and complexity of Sidibe’s, largely because The Blind Side, despite treading similar territory, is only half the movie. (2009) ✮✮✮

Pretty Little Liars (TV2, 5.30, 5.1) Realising that ‘A’ is not acting alone and her ‘helper’ may be closer than they think, the girls decide to enlist Caleb’s hacking skills. ✮✮

The War at Home (TV2, 6.30, R) When Mike asks for a Bar Mitzvah, Dave believes his son is only interested in the party and gifts, and Larry gains the confidence to ask out an attractive girl at school. ✮✮✮

The Food Truck (TV One, 7.00) Chef Michael Van de Elzen attempts to reinvigorate the takeaway roast to serve up at the Wings and Wheels Ardmore Showdown at Ardmore Airport. ✮✮✮✮

The Big Bang Theory (TV2, 7.00, 5.1, R) When Penny learns that Leonard doesn’t celebrate birthdays, she attempts to throw him a surprise party. ✮✮✮✮

Modern Family (TV3, 7.00, 5.1, R) Back to the beginning, season one, episode one: Jay adjusts to his preteen stepson’s views on romance, while his adult son, Mitchell, searches for a way to tell his relatives about his adopted baby from Vietnam with his partner, Cameron. ✮✮✮✮

Mike & Molly (TV2, 7.30, 5.1) When Mike realises he forgot to make dinner reservations for Valentine’s Day with Molly, he piggybacks onto Carl’s elaborate holiday plans with his girlfriend, Christina. ✮✮

The Big Bang Theory (TV2, 8.00, 5.1, R) When Penny breaks up with her boyfriend, Leonard finally gets up the courage to ask her out on a real date. When she says yes, each seeks the ‘wisdom’ of a reluctant advisor – Sheldon. ✮✮✮✮

Movie: Walk the Line (TV3, 8.30, 5.1, R) Johnny Cash’s favourite movie was Frankenstein because it’s about a man made up of bad parts who still tried to be decent. The Man in Black, it seems, was driven by even darker forces and was virtually past the point of redemption when wife-to-be June Carter pulled him back from the brink. Walk the Line might tread the same rise-and-fall path as other showbiz bios but is distinguished by an ambitious narrative and authentic performers who are musicians and singers in their own right: Joaquin Phoenix captures Cash’s every nuance and was as deserving of an Oscar as Reese Witherspoon. (2005) ✮✮✮✮

Call the Midwife (TV One, 9.30) Jenny finds herself not involved for once in the beginning of life, but at its end. ✮✮✮

Enlightened (TV One, 10.35, 5.1) Levi gives a photo album to Amy containing pictures that cause strong emotions. ✮✮✮

The Almighty Johnsons (TV3, 11.10, R) Axl and Gaia’s escape from the real world takes a turn for the surreal, while Mike discovers his world is not his alone, as Dawn’s world comes to an unexpected end of the line. ✮✮✮

Sky Movies Premiere: Arthur (Sky 20, 8.30, 5.1) To quote a line from this romantic-comedy dud: How can you squander your considerable intelligence on idiocy like this? Dudley Moore’s sozzled playboy billionaire is resurrected with a nanny instead of a butler, who helps him to learn the value of life when he contemplates marrying for money. At least the original had a catchy theme song. Modern Family vet Jason Winer directs Russell Brand, Helen Mirren and Jennifer Garner. (2011) ✮