TV not to miss
Latin Music USA
BBC Four, 8pm
Last of the repeats of the superb documentary series looks at how Latin pop was created in Miami by Cuban immigrants and has spread to have a massive impact on the cultural life of the US. Gloria Estefan’s producer husband Emilio was a major player in all of this and we hear how he had a hand in the career of the likes of Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez. There’s also some classic footage of Shakira before she was glammed-up.
Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow
BBC One, 10.50pm
Whether he annoys or amuses you, the host usually has some decent comedians on his show. This first episode of the new series comes from the Theatre Royal in Glasgow.
Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood
TV3, 11pm
Irish actress Fionnula Flanagan joins Sandra Bullock in this chick-flick outing about a group of old friends in Louisiana who help one of their group to come to terms with her complicated mother.
Saw
RTÉ Two, 11.50pm
Gross horror from 2004 that split opinion among critics and the public. It did make Empire magazine’s list of the 500 greatest films, but it ranked a lowly 499th, one above Ocean’s Eleven.
Creedon’s Retro Roadtrip
RTÉ One, 6.30pm
New series has the RTÉ presenter following the path of a holiday his family took in 1969. In this opening episode he sets off from Cork with his caravan in tow, stopping off in Mallow, Cashel and Carlow, before hitting Dublin. See p11.
Faoi Lán Cheoil
TG4, 8.45pm
As Giovanni Trapattoni will testify, Andy Reid is fond of a song or two. This repeat of the Irish midfielder’s encounter with Gerry O’Connor has him fulfilling his ambition of playing with one of his favourite groups, Four Men & A Dog. Recorded in 2007 when Reid was at Charlton, both men hit it off as they get a glimpse into each other’s worlds.
Ar Stáitse
TG4, 10pm
The first of a second series of the excellent show which trawls the RTÉ archives for footage of great concert performances. First up is a gig by Jim Croce, recorded at RTÉ in 1973, the year the American singer-songwriter died. Includes such songs as Big Bad Leroy Brown, Operator and You Don’t Mess Around With Jim.
Geordie Shore
MTV, 11pm
This show (above) has caused outrage in Newcastle as locals resent the image of them portrayed as being interested in nothing but shagging and boozing. It’s totally untrue, of course — they also like soccer. If you haven’t seen it already, this is like a cross between Big Brother, Ibiza Uncovered and a trip to a zoo — a much better version than the US original Jersey Shore. Hugely enjoyable.
Baby Hospital
UTV, 9pm
New three-part documentary filmed at the Neonatal Unit of Liverpool Women’s Hospital. In this first episode, cameras follow three families whose babies were starved of oxygen during the birth process, leaving the infants at risk of long-term brain damage. Unlike some other similar shows, this looks at cases right across the spectrum from the relief and joy of babies doing well to the tragic cases who don’t pull through.
Angry Boys
BBC Three, 10.30pm
On the evidence of the first two episodes, Chris Lilley’s latest mockumentary isn’t a patch on Summer Heights High. Given the Australian comedian’s pedigree, however, we’re willing to keep an open mind for a mite longer on this HBO co-production.
Fringe
Sky 1, 10pm
Series three of the US sci-fi show bows out in typically dramatic fashion as one of the major characters faces his/her demise.
The Book Show
Sky Arts 1, 7pm
Mariella Frostrup is at Dublin Writers Festival where she’s joined by some heavyweight authors. Rebecca Miller — wife of Daniel Day-Lewis — talks about how she turned her book, The Secret Lives of Pippa Lee, into a film, while local boy Colm Tóibín talks about his collection of stories, The Empty Family. “Just
reading the books by the authors I’m talking to reminded me of how much I love Irish literature,” says Mariella. “They just have such a way with words. It’s a terrible cliché but they really do.”
BBC Cardiff Singer Of The World
BBC Four, 7.30pm
Irish singer Máire Flavin is among the last five competitors doing their bit at St David’s Hall in an attempt to win a place in Sunday’s grand final. Competition patron Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Canadian bass-baritone Gerald Finley are among the judging panel.
The Sex Researchers
Channel 4, 10pm
While the subject of their studies is one of the most prominent presences on TV, this new three-part series puts the spotlight on the people whose careers are based on the science of sex. The first episode includes a Canadian researcher who has conducted experiments to show the different ways in which men and women are turned on. We also hear about 1950s gynaecologist Bill Masters who produced a bestseller with his secretary Virginia Johnson when they recorded 10,000 orgasms in their laboratory.
The Kennedys
BBC Two, 9pm
If you haven’t caught The Kennedys on RTE or the History Channel, the Beeb are giving you a third bite at the cherry for this flawed but watchable eight-parter. The opening double bill has JFK and Jackie getting ready for the election that will bring their ill-fated term in the White House, while rich daddy Joe pulls the strings in the background.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
TG4, 9.30pm
Possibly the greatest western of all time, Sergio Leone’s 1966 classic has Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach in the title roles and an unforgettable soundtrack from Ennio Morricone. Largely filmed in Spain, the American star struck gold when he negotiated a deal for 10% of the US profits.
Alan Carr: Chatty Man
Channel 4, 10pm
The camp comedian has some impressive guests for the opening episode of his sixth series, not least Jennifer Lopez and Jonathan Ross.
The Graham Norton Show
10.35pm, BBC One
If you’re looking for something to fill the chat show gap left vacant by The Late Late Show, however, you won’t do better than this offering with the west Cork-born presenter. Tom Hanks can be a brilliant guest when he’s on form, and alongside him on the couch will be British comic actor Simon Pegg and ex-Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, right.
Dexter
FX, 10pm
The fifth season begins. Even the most dedicated fans of the benevolent serial killer should approach this one with some trepidation. Last time out, it finished with what was probably the most shocking scene in the history of the show, and those who may have waned since that superb first series, were drawn back into the fold. Reviews have been mixed for this new season, however, so lower your expectations.
Curse of the Golden Flower
TG4, 1.15am
Another sumptuous epic from Zhang Yimou, its budget of $45 million ensured this was the most expensive Chinese film ever made when it was released in 2006. Presumably, much of that wedge was spent on the colourful sets and thousands of extras who populate the battle scenes.
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