On TV

Hand That Rocks The Cradle (ITV1)

RAY and Perry are the type of small-time crooks who steal a briefcase full of money only to find it's the ransom cash for a little boy being held hostage.

Elation at finding £2m in notes inside the case gives way to despair that their actions could be responsible for the death of an innocent child. As Big Dippers starred James Nesbitt, you could rest assured that nothing as nasty as that was going to happen. No, this is a criminals-as-lovable-rogues caper with one comic mishap leading to another as they attempt to return the case.

They're hampered by the local crime boss wanting a cut of the money and the fact that the man with the case wasn't delivering the ransom but collecting, which made him the kidnapper.

This filled 90 minutes amiably enough, although it could have been done easily in 60. The ending, with the pair clinging for dear life in the back of a rubbish truck unloading over a cliff, owed more than a little to The Italian Job. But if you're going to pay homage, then that's as good as anything at which to tip your cap.

Some clever clogs at ITV1 scheduled the film The Hand That Rocks The Cradle within a few hours of the similarly-titled documentary last night. Happily, the real life programme didn't feature the psycho nanny that the movie did, although it did tread the same ground as a recent C4 show.

The narrator pointed out that most parents don't have problems with the hired help. But that wasn't the point of this enterprise, as we heard story after story of nannies and au pairs for whom childcare was the last thing on their mind.

I worried that model Lisa Butcher employed a nanny who didn't speak English. Hardly the idea situation for communication. Speaking only Spanish wasn't a problem for the nanny in her other job - as a prostitute. If they don't sleep with strangers for money, your nanny might sleep with your husband, as mother-of-three Carol discovered. Little did she realise when confiding in 18-year-old nanny Katy that she suspected husband David was being unfaithful that he was sleeping with the hired help. David and Katy now live happily together in Spain.

An American couple living in this country employed an au pair from New Zealand who'd only looked after animals before. They figured "If she worked with animals, she could probably work with kids". This said a lot about the behaviour of their children and their bad judgement in choosing an au pair.

I couldn't help feeling they got what they deserved when the nanny stole money from both them, their children and their house guests. Never mind, I'm sure she took care of the animals.

The Rat Pack - Live from Las Vegas, Tyne Theatre, Newcastle

WELCOME to the coolest party in town... The Rat Pack are back as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jnr and Dean Martin swing their way through a sensational evening of song, music and lively banter.

Performing at their favourite Las Vegas venue - The Sands - three very talented singers relive the musical highlights from the three legends' careers.

Frank Sinatra gives a cool, laid back performance as Ol' Blue Eyes with hits including My Way, New York New York and The Lady is a Tramp.

Dean Martin fans won't be disappointed with an excellent rendition of his well-known love songs including That's Amore and Everybody Loves Somebody. And Sammy Davis Jnr shows inexhaustible energy and talented showmanship with hits such as What Kind of Fool Am I? and the delightful Mr Bojangles.

The talented cast are backed up with a 15-piece orchestra and the set is very Vegas with flashing lights, smoky atmosphere and plenty of bling - but the smart suited threesome give it that extra touch of style.

As the Jack Daniels flows so do the jokes and quips and the friendship between the pack is one of the most entertaining elements of the night.

Whether you're a Martin, Davis or Sinatra fan one thing's for sure - you'll get a kick outta this show.

l Runs until Saturday. Credit card bookings: 0870 145 1200

Michelle Hedger