Not the World Cup
Our writers suggest small-screen alternatives for those of us who are not glued to the World Cup fixtures
Civilisation: this, not the World Cup, is why we need the BBC
Stuart Jeffries: Kenneth Clark's masterful TV series Civilisation is an unashamedly intellectual counterpoint to the barbarism of the World Cup
Edge of Darkness – a 1985 miniseries more intriguing than the football
Graeme Virtue: This mix of political thriller and crime drama is being repeated by the BBC for those who don't care about Fifa and Luis Suárez
Love/Hate – a gangster drama that's more addictive than the World Cup
Sarah Hughes: This powerful show, a huge hit in Ireland, has a strong sense of place and some killer characters
Celebrity MasterChef – a surprisingly tasty respite from the football
Stuart Heritage: Gregg and John have cooked up a new challenge for this year's contestants – recreating favourite dishes they've never made for themselves. It's a recipe for B-list entertainment
Black Sails – real men don't play football, they shoot cannons
Luke Holland: This bloodthirsty pirate epic starring Toby Stephens is far more macho and exciting than watching pampered footballers pretending to be manly
Samurai Jack – thrilling, international TV that doesn't involve a football
Richard Vine: Looking for something else to watch during the World Cup? Try an American cartoon, created by a Russian animator, about a time-travelling Japanese samurai
Sharpe is an action-packed alternative to the World Cup
Still holding out for an English hero to cheer this summer? Why not root for Sean Bean's Sharpe – he's a lover and a fighter
Sit down with the Goodmans for a new series of Friday Night Dinner
Channel 4's real-time family sitcom is timed to perfection: an enjoyably silly break from the football overload
Veep: the Washington political comedy that's as delightfully vicious as The Thick of It
Stuart Jeffries: If life has not been the same since Malcolm Tucker's final F-bomb, the team behind The Thick of It and In the Loop have just the thing for you. Meet US vice president Selina Meyer
Hannibal – a deliciously disgusting alternative to gorging on the World Cup
Jazz Twemlow: If football doesn't provide the kind of terror you enjoy, try bingeing on this sumptuous reimagining of the Dr Lecter books and films
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia: the perfect antidote to the World Cup
Stuart Heritage: If the idea of a naked Danny DeVito being birthed from a pleather sofa makes you laugh, invest 37 hours in this sitcom. If it doesn't, we can't be friends any more
BBC4's Wallander is perfect non-World Cup viewing
Vicky Frost:: Looking for a break from the football? BBC4's latest series of Wallander is the ideal treat. The weary, dishevelled detective is a pleasure to watch and the Swedish setting is glorious
