Cutting Edge

Episodes - Cutting Edge

• 57 Screaming Kids Road movie-style documentary following biographer Maral Nigolian as she embarks on an odyssey across America in an attempt to fulfil R'n'B legend Screamin' Jay Hawkins' dying wish : to track down his horde of illegitimate children. Will Maral's special website prove the key to finding the 57 offspring of a man reputed to sleep with up to seven women a night?
• The 9/11 Faker No synopsis available
• Anti-Social Old B****** Documentary telling the personal stories of pensioners who have fallen foul of the law for their perceived anti-social behaviour, asking why some of them lose their senses during their twilight years and examining the treatment of the elderly in modern Britain
• Battle for a Baby (2003) Documentary charting the story of Natalie Evans, a woman battling to keep her unborn baby against the father's will. After a string of unfortunate circumstances, Natalie's last hope of conceiving was to have her few remaining eggs fertilised by her fiance Howard, though when he left her he insisted the embryos be destroyed. The law is against Natalie, but the moral debate continues : should she be allowed to make Howard a parent if he does not want to become one, or does he have the right to pre…
• Beauty Queens and Bloodshed (2003) Insight into the chaos surrounding the 2002 Miss World pageant held in Nigeria, an event heavily criticised for being held in a poverty-stricken, largely Muslim country during the holy time of Ramadan. Journalist Isioma Daniel speaks for the first time since the publication of her article which sparked riots in the country, and behind the scenes footage shot by the contestants reveals the extent of their terror
• The Big Speech A wry look at the often terrifying ordeal of making a speech. Best man John McHugh struggles with the all-too familiar dry mouth, blank mind and uncontrollable shaking as he faces the trauma of speaking before 200 wedding guests, while a football manager dreads telling two eager hopefuls they haven't made the grade, and three girls relish the challenge of chatting up a prospective date in just 20 fleeting minutes
• The Black Widow The story of how Sussex police uncovered a 20-year trail of fraud, theft and bigamy as they delved into the life of Dena Thompson when she was convicted of murdering her husband in December 2003. Through the harrowing accounts of those involved, the documentary reveals how one woman wrecked the lives of numerous men
• Boys Alone (2002) A group of 11-year-old Hertfordshire schoolboys are given the chance to live in a specially prepared house for a week without any adults around : a situation many children dream of being in. How will they react to the sudden freedom and lack of structure to their lives?
• Brian's Story The poignant story of Cambridge-educated journalist Brian Davis, who became editor of a leading trade magazine by the age of 39 after spending time freelancing for most of the major national papers. Sadly, Brian's successful career was cut cruelly short by the onset of alcoholism and manic depression, and, in dire financial straits, he found himself living rough on the streets
• Bus Pass Bandits New series of documentaries, beginning with a report on senior citizens who have turned to crime. Usually thought of as a time of well-earned relaxation, retirement can also bring a host of problems including a reduced income and monotonous everyday life, which can lead to a strong temptation to indulge in illegal activities
• Child Sex Trade (2003) Liviu Tiparita returns to his roots in Romania to investigate recent reports of a sudden rise in the child sex trade. Along the way he meets children who are to be trafficked abroad to wealthy paedophiles, and some who are even sold by their own flesh and blood
• Classroom Cops (2002) Documentary following a group of Hull teachers who are at the frontline of the educational battle to control unruly and disruptive children. Armed only with walkie-talkies, they take on pupils who smash windows, hurl bottles at dinner ladies and throw chairs around the classroom. Truancy officer PC Jean McKee helps in their struggle to instruct unwilling youngsters such as Alex, who has been expelled three times, and Donna, who has already assaulted a member of staff
• Crazy for Love (2002) Documentary examining how love can transform lives for good and bad, speaking to people who single-mindedly pursued the objects of their desires regardless of what they had to give up in the process. Joanne gave up her job and moved to the other end of the country to be with the man of her dreams, Jon fell in love at first sight and Wendy is convinced her partner is the one for her : despite damning evidence to the contrary. They continue to believe in their beloved against all odds : is the emo…
• Dana: The 8 Year Old Anorexic No synopsis available
• The Dead Body Squad Documentary following specialist cleaning companies who deal with the aftermath of death. Once corpses have been removed by coroners, it is their unenviable task to clear up the mess left behind, often after the bodies have lain undiscovered for days and even weeks. They also gain insights into the deceased's lives through encounters with friends, family and neighbours
• Did Barry George Kill Jill Dando? After Barry George's appeal against his conviction for Jill Dando's murder was quashed last month, this documentary reassesses all the case evidence and asks whether he was wrongfully convicted, leaving her real killer still on the loose
• Did Barry George Murder Jill Dando? (2002) The court ruled last month that Barry George was responsible for the murder of Jill Dando, but with unanswered questions and too many coincidences could it be that the mystery behind the TV presenter's murder has still to be solved?
• Episode 1 No synopsis available
• The F****** Fulfords (2004) Profile of the Fulfords, one of the country's oldest and most eccentric families, whose way of life is under threat. Beneath the genteel facade, their Devonshire stately home is crumbling and their 800-year-old estate, comprising 3,000 acres of parkland, requires a massive cash injection. They desperately need to find a way to make money fast - or this could be the end of the line for the blue-bloods
• The Fall of the House of Usher (2002) A profile of Stuart Usher who, as a member of one of the wealthiest families in Scotland, grew up in a fairy-tale world of mansions and spectacular estates. However, his life took a turn for the worse and he is now reduced to selling hot dogs and burgers from a van : and dedicating himself to fighting the lawyers he claims ruined his family
• Fat Farm (2001) An insight into the workings of one of Britain's most exclusive health farms
• Forgive Me (2002) An investigation into how and why people forgive those who have committed shocking acts against them, asking if it is possible to pardon a gang of rapists, a fiance who secretly marries someone else or a partner who runs up massive gambling debts
• Gigolo (2002) The programme follows four northern men as they attempt to find their niche in the lucrative male escort market : do they really have what it takes to become successful gigolos? Andy sets out alone and bravely goes on his first date, Wayne and Pete market themselves as a pair and the more experienced Owen branches out into the Internet business
• Girls on Tour (2002) A behind-the-scenes look at the WTA women's tennis tour, where the players are treated like princesses and the top stars are millionaires. Anna Kournikova, Jennifer Capriati, Martina Hingis and the Williams sisters have all achieved fame and fortune on the tennis courts, but at what price?
• Gridlock and Road Rage Cutting Edge follows long-suffering commuters battling to keep calm amid mounting traffic jams. The programme explores the measures taken to combat the problem, including a driver from Wigan who moved house to avoid the rigours of a daily commute. There's also a glimpse behind the scenes of the Highways Agency, who have the thankless task of keeping vehicles moving to avoid gridlock
• Health Farm A peek behind the scenes at the exclusive Henlow Grange health farm, profiling people willing to part with their hard-earned cash in a bid to stay young and beautiful. Guests include a 23-stone veteran of several failed get-fit regimens and a sharp-suited career girl hoping to recuperate from the rat race
• The House Clearers Documentary following a couple who bought a derelict junk shop and started a house-clearing business after winning the Irish sweepstake. Taking advantage of the lucrative opportunities available following other people's misfortunes - the death of a parent or a marriage break-up - they search for treasures among their clients' possessions, hoping to find the priceless articles that might cement their fortune
• I Confess! Film examining the unseen consequences of making a false confession, focusing on the case of a woman whose new husband shocked her by claiming to be a serial killer, even though no evidence was found to support his claims. Determined to get to the truth, she decided to secretly record his confessions, leading to a night of tragedy as events spiralled out of control
• It'll Never Last (2004) The stories of three British women who turned their backs on their homeland and went looking for love in Uzbekistan, Tanzania and Rimini. Countess Alexandra Tolstoy moved into a dingy one-bedroom flat with a Russian-speaking Muslim horse guide, Gemma received a shock when her Masai warrior husband talked about acquiring another wife and Patricia was criticised for her cooking after swapping London for Italy following a whirlwind romance
• The Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart Documentary investigating the story of Elizabeth Smart, a 14-year-old who was kidnapped at knifepoint from her Salt Lake City home, and appeared to have vanished into thin air, but was found nine months later in the hands of a man who claimed to be the Messiah. Featuring interviews with Elizabeth's father Edward and the police officers who were responsible for cracking the case
• The Last White Kids Documentary exploring the choices faced by the children of a white family who attend Bradford schools where most of the pupils are Asian. Filmed over the course of a summer, Ashlene, Amie and Jake Gallagher enthusiastically discuss their new multicultural life and reveal how they have become fascinated with Islam : but do they really have the best of both worlds when they are in the minority?
• Looking for Ricky The story of Londoner Ricky D'Cotta who disappeared on Tenerife six months after travelling there in 1987 to start a new life. Cutting Edge retraces Ricky's last known movements and uncovers a less savoury side to the island than the idyllic image depicted in the holiday brochures. Last in series
• A Mother's Love (2003) Last year, Terri Milbrandt deceived her community into thinking her seven-year-old daughter Hannah had cancer. She shaved the little girl's head and gave her sleeping tablets : telling her when she awoke that she had had chemotherapy. When the residents of Urbana in Ohio heard, they donated more than £6,000 to help Terri pay her non-existent medical bills. But the fraud was discovered after nine months, and now the hoodwinked victims want to see justice done to those they had trusted, including…
• Mum, Heroin and Me No synopsis available
• Ninety Naps a Day No synopsis available
• Playing for England (2001) The story of England's first official World Cup brass band, nine Sheffield Wednesday fans who became overnight stars during the 1998 campaign : only to be brought back down to Earth with as big a bump as the rest of the country by David Batty's missed penalty against Argentina
• The Prince Charles Generation No synopsis available
• Rich Kid, Poor Kid No synopsis available
• Saving Amy New series. Report on the life of a 19-year-old drug addict who, for the past two years, has been working as a prostitute on the notorious streets of King's Cross to fund her habit. The programme examines what drove her to such extremes, while her mother discusses her daughter's transformation and how the family have worked to help her conquer her dependency
• Seconds to Impact Fans of Base jumping discuss their risky hobby to give viewers an insight into the minds of thrill-seeking individuals, from bankers to builders
• Sleeping with the Au Pair (2004) An insight into what drives a man to risk losing his wife, children and home to pursue a sexual relationship with an au pair, often half his age and with limited English. Three men who did just that reflect on the situations that led them to sleep with their foreign child carers, and the consequences that played havoc with their emotions and lives
• Snatched (2003) A woman whose children were taken away by their father six years ago tells of her desperate attempts to track them down, and reveals why she's finally turned to renowned 'child-snatcher' Donya al-Nahi, a British housewife who's established a reputation for being able to trace and recover youngsters from overseas. The pair journey to Bosnia, where obstructive relatives prove determined to prevent their quest going any further : will the family ever be reunited?
• A Tale of Two Alis Documentary charting the stories of two boys named Ali, both severely injured in the Allied attacks on Baghdad, through their medical treatments and subsequent outcomes. While 13-year-old Ali Abbas, who lost both his arms in the raids, was flown to Britain and received widespread media attention, young Ali Hussein was not so fortunate
• Tales of Two Alis (2003) No synopsis available
• TV Wannabes (2002) Hoaxers Stuart Smith and Victoria Greetham reveal why they tricked Channel 4 bosses into believing they were father and daughter in order to appear in a TV documentary. The couple are shown to be natural performers, though the programme's commissioning editor admits to being less than impressed when he first discovered their deception. What drove the pair to go to such lengths just to get on TV?
• The Virgin Daughters No synopsis available