Friday's TV highlights

7.30PM, TV3
AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL
The Tyra Banks empire knows no bounds. Not only is this show into its seventh series - we're getting series six here - but it's screened around the world and more than a dozen countries make their own version of the show, including China. And that's without considering her daytime chat show. Banks, who co-created and hosts this show, has hit on a winning formula as model wannabes compete in various challenges for a package that includes a modelling contract and cosmetics deals. It's like a beauty pageant but without the saccharine sentiments of "I'd like to see peace in all the world". Instead we get lines such as "If you're a bitch, don't show it". Tonight's first episode is a bit of fluff about how the show has changed the lives of previous winners Nicole Linkletter (season five), Eva Pigford (season three) and Yohanna House (season two).

8.40PM, PRIME
WIFE SWAP UK
You've seen Wife Swap USA, now it's the Brits turn. This episode an ex-party girl, whose marriage is at an all-time low, swaps places with a sheep farming wife who loves her rural life.

9.30PM, TV ONE
RAMSAY'S KITCHEN NIGHTMARES
British chef Gordon Ramsay comes to the aid of hapless restaurant owners. But since it's Ramsay, you can be sure he won't show much compassion. Tonight he visits La Lanterna in Hertfordshire owned by 28-year-old Alex, who's also the head chef. It does modern Italian cuisine but it's nothing more than glorified spag bol. With no customers, useless staff, and a dodgy kitchen, he's about to lose it all. It's Ramsay to the rescue.

9.30PM, TV ONE
THE JOAN RIVERS POSITION
Tonight the woman who makes Pamela Anderson look classy is on the new agony aunt show hosted by outrageous comedienne Joan Rivers. Yes, step on up buxom girl about town Jordan, who appears here with her hubby, and former buff pop star, Peter Andre.

9.40PM, PRIME
THE DIVISION
In the first of this new series C.D. returns from holiday without boyfriend in tow, the recently promoted Inspector Raina struggles to track down a missing child and Magda rushes against the clock to help her son.

MOVIES
[rated out of 5]

11.30PM, TV3
SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS
Herald rating: * * * *
Stand by Me meets To Kill a Mockingbird in a taut thriller starring Ethan Hawke as Ishmael, a news reporter in a small Washington town during the early 1950s, who meets an old friend during a murder trial. A fisherman has been found dead, drowned in his own nets. The local Japanese community provides a murder suspect - another fisherman who still holds a grudge. (2000)

8.30PM, MGM SKY DIGITAL
INVASION OF THE BEE GIRLS
Herald rating: * *
To be filed under so bad its good. The ridiculous plot involves a secret laboratory where women are transformed into seductive drones after being bathed in honey and smothered in bees. (1973)

8.30PM, RIALTO SKY DIGITAL
NOISES OFF
Herald rating: * * *
Funny comedy from director Peter Bogdanovich set behind the scenes of a dysfunctional theatre troupe, who fight and argue and barely keep the play going. The strong cast includes Michael Caine and Carol Burnett. (1992)


SPORT

1AM, SKY SPORT 1 LIVE
GOLF: AMERICAN EXPRESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Only the top 50 ranked players in the world plus leaders on other tours around the globe are eligible for this event, which has no halfway cut. This year The Grove, just outside London, hosts the tournament, with Tiger Woods the defending champion.