TV Highlights

'Harlots, Housewives And Heroines' (BBC 4, Tuesday, 9pm) - Dr Lucy Worsley immerses herself in the world of Restoration England, exploring the lives of the women of the period. The years after the Civil War and the Restoration of Charles II marked the end of the medieval era and the beginning of the modern age. These were exciting times for women, some of whom displayed remarkably modern attitudes and ambitions, achieving wealth, celebrity and power in ways that still look outstanding by 21st century standards. But these women also faced a world that was predominantly male, misogynistic and medieval in its outlook. In the first episode, Worsley investigates the lives of women at the top: the King's mistresses at the Royal Court. ___________________________________________________________ 'Felicity Kendal's Indian Shakespeare Quest' (BBC 1, Wednesday, 9pm) - Felicity Kendal discovers India's long love affair with Shakespeare - from the first days of Empire to Bollywood and beyond. The film takes viewers on a visually spectacular journey to some of India's most iconic cities as well as its rural heartland. Through a compelling blend of history, art and travelogue, the film brings to life a great untold story of India's enduring passion for the work of Britain's greatest writer. Felicity returns to the country she still thinks of as home, a place where she is quite happy chatting in Hindi and battling through India's crowded streets and rural markets. As her journey unfolds, she discovers how Shakespeare has been an influence on Indian life and culture for at least the past 250 years, ranging from cities to remote Indian villages, as she visits theatres and cafés, schools and prisons. ___________________________________________________________ 'The Pitch' (Sky Atlantic, Wednesday, 10pm) - From the makers of 'Mad Men', 'The Pitch' reveals how the modern-day reality that inspired the ad men in the hit drama is actually more cunning and controversial than you'd dare imagine. East week, two teams from America's top advertising agencies are given just seven days to prepare an original and specific campaign for multi-million-dollar companies. From Subway sandwiches to waste disposal firms, these groups must fulfil the needs of their clients to secure nationwide advertising campaigns. Going behind the scenes of the agencies' late-night brainstorming sessions, witness the power struggles and panicked rehearsals which culminate in the all-important pitch. With only one chance to impress and the stakes so very high, who can withstand the pressure? There are no prizes for second place. ___________________________________________________________ 'The Exclusives' (ITV 2, Thursday, 9pm) - Six creative, wannabe reporters compete for a highly-prized 12-month contract with one of Europe's largest magazine publishers. A nationwide search was mounted to find six phenomenal candidates who dreamt of becoming a hot-shot reporter and get a foot in the door in this tough industry, to experience the world of fame, fashion, movies and music. As the show goes on, each trainee will learn to hone their skills by working closely with the teams behind some of the UK's best-known magazines, including Heat, Empire, FHM, Closer, More! and Kerrang! They will be given backstage access to some of the most high-profile and glamorous events of the year, and will be coached and mentored in the crafts of interviewing, organising photoshoots and connecting with their reader. ___________________________________________________________ 'The Great Euro Crash' (BBC 2, Thursday, 9pm) - How exactly did Europe get itself into such financial difficulty? Talking to historians, economists and politicians, Robert Peston explores the history of the euro - from Churchill's vision of a United States of Europe to the bailouts of Greece, Portugal and Ireland. Was it wrong to believe that 17 different cultures and economies could be competitive with each other inside a single currency? And is the euro to blame for the widening gap between rich and poor countries within the eurozone? As governments are forced to cut public expenditure, the impact in indebted countries is particularly severe. Speaking to European workers, the film exposes the high cost being paid as they face cuts of at least 30 per cent on living standards. Peston also speaks with Benoit Coeure of the European Central Bank, who reveals how close Europe came to a complete banking meltdown in December 2011. The ECB was forced to put a trillion euro into the banking system to keep the European economy afloat. ____________________________________________________________ Film Of The Week: 'Shutter Island' (RTE 1, Wednesday, 9.35pm) -Leonardo Di Caprio and Mark Ruffalo are directed by Martin Scorsese in this chilling tale with numerous edge-of-the-seat jolts set in 1954 when two US Marshals set about investigating the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding nearby.