TV not to miss
Great Migrations
Channel 4, 8pm
While summer can be a dull time for TV shows, one area which seems even stronger than ever at the moment is natural history. The BBC leads the way in the genre, but this new four-parter from Channel 4 promises to be an impressive affair. Filmed over three years, it tracks some of the amazing journeys animals take as part of their life cycles. The creatures featured include sperm whales who can travel a million miles in their lifetime and monarch butterflies that take four generations to cross a continent.
The Borgias
Sky Atlantic, 9pm
Episode three of the impressive tale of corrupt clerics has Pope Alexander VI (Jeremy Irons) continuing to resist the attempts to depose him. Unfortunately for him, the bribery needed to get the Spanish nobleman to the office of pontiff has left the family broke. Another duplicitous scheme unfolds involving an Ottoman sultan.
Charity ICA Bootcamp
RTE One, 9.35pm
Charity ICA Bootcamp has been a mixed bag over the past two weeks, providing some very entertaining moments in between the bits of banality. The final four contestants have been battling out all week, with just two making it into tonight’s final show.
Top Gear
BBC Two, 7pm
It’s motorhome central on the show tonight as each of the three main presenters attempts to build a cool machine to spend the bank holiday weekend in. Jeremy Clarkson is at the test track to compare two cars that’ll get the boys salivating: the new Audi R8 V10 Spyder and the latest version of Porsche’s 911 Turbo cabriolet.
O’Gorman
RTÉ One, 8.30pm
Paddy O’Gorman is at the greyhound tracks in Clonmel and Tralee, hanging out with the punters and dog-owners, and enquiring about their passion for the racing scene.
Ocean Giants
BBC One, 9pm
More superb natural history fare from the BBC. Even for those who see a lot of these shows, last week’s opening episode had jaw-dropping footage of bowheads in the Arctic, the prehensile penis of right whales and blue whales feeding by scooping up huge amounts of water. In tonight’s show, the focus is on how intelligent marine mammals are. Among the contributors is Bahamas-based professor Denise Herzing who claims she will be able to hold a conversation with wild dolphins in their own language within five years.
The Man Who Crossed Hitler
BBC Two, 9pm
This factual account of a little-known episode in Adolf Hitler’s life stars Ian Hart as the young Nazi leader and Ed Stoppard as Hans Litten, the courageous German lawyer who represented opponents of the fascists at various trials. Set in 1931, it recalls how Litten subpoenaed emerging political star Hitler to give evidence at a trial of four stomtroopers who were accused of stabbing two people to death. While in the dock, Hitler was grilled by the 27-year-old prosecutor and made account for the savagery he was beginning to unleash in Germany. The judge eventually stopped the questioning, but not before the future was made feel deeply uncomfortable. He never forgot the experience, and Litten died in Dachau in 1938.
The Rose Of Tralee
RTÉ One, 8pm
Dáithí Ó Sé brings us the first of two programmes from the Festival Dome in Tralee. Last year he was a bit skittish for some folk, but if he gets his act together, the Kerry native would be the perfect host for the occasion. Results tomorrow night.
The Pet Detectives
Channel 4, 8pm
No, it’s got nothing to do with Ace Ventura. Instead, this documentary looks at the expanding trade in stolen pets and the efforts to get them back to their owners. Among the towns visited is Stourbridge, which has a street nicknamed the Purr-muda Triangle because so many cats have gone missing from there. Among those helping to get them back are Colin Butcher, a highly experienced private investigator who has teamed up with ex-RSPCA officer Samantha Stringer to run The Pet Detectives Ltd.
Jamie Cooks Summer
Channel 4, 9pm
There haven’t been many opportunities for cooking outdoors this summer, but just in case we get a late heatwave, this one-hour special from Jamie Oliver will provide some tempting treats and interesting ideas. He takes a back-to-basics approach to spit-roast meat over a fire and smoke fish in an old bucket, while getting a bit exotic with Moroccan-style lamb burgers and Indian dosas.
Seven Dwarves
Channel 4, 9pm
Episode two of the observational documentary focuses on Josh and his coming-of-age party as he turns 20. The young dwarf has made his short stature into a career and we see how, when he’s not doing panto, he doesn’t mind doing the stag and birthday party circuit. Poignant and entertaining.
Udinese v Arsenal
RTÉ Two, ko 7.45pm
After last week’s close call in London, Arsene Wenger’s team know they’ll face a tough task to hold on to their one-goal lead.
Who Do You Think You Are?
BBC One, 9pm
There’s always been the air of a Tory toff about Sebastian Coe and in tonight’s show the former athlete delves back into his clan history to see if his nan’s tales of a grand past were true.
Uefa Champions League Group Draw
5pm, Setanta Ireland
The draw for the group stages of this year’s competition will be broadcast on a number of channels and is also available on RTE.ie. Barcelona are again hot favourites, but the seeding system should ensure that the British clubs at least make it to the knockout rounds.
Gualainn le Gualainn TG4, 11pm
As well as Munster’s well-worn victory over the All-Blacks in 1978, episode three of the rugby history has amazing footage from Lansdowne Road in 1973 when a visiting England team defied IRA threats and came to play in Dublin. An extended standing ovation delayed the kick-off after an appreciative crowd expressed their thanks to a visiting side when both Scotland and Wales had refused to travel the previous season.
Gardeners’ World
BBC Two, 8.30pm
Anyone who finds their garden is sodden for much of the year should check out Monty Don’s plans for a wet meadow. He starts by planting herbaceous perennials that will thrive in heavy soils. Don (above) also explains the benefits of planting green manures for a veg patch, as he attempts to boost the fertility of his plot after harvesting his potatoes.
Dexter
FX, 10pm
There are just two episodes left in the current series and as usual Dexter is sailing very close to the wind in terms of being able to keep his killings secret. Tonight there’s somebody new on his tail, but at least it’s not Quinn. He’s been rather busy at another homicide scene.
* Get TV previews, reviews and gossip via Twitter with @examinertv
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
