TV not to miss

SATURDAY

Boardwalk Empire

Sky Atlantic, 9pm

The first series of the big-budget prohibition drama arrived last year with an incredible amount of hype, not all of it justified. A lowering of expectations for this second season may help win it more fans. A riproaring first episode has Steve Buscemi’s character Nucky facing an insurrection in his inner circle, while the Ku Klux Klan also make their presence felt in Atlantic City. The series was created by Terence Winter, formerly of The Sopranos, and he also takes writing duties for this opener.

The Jonathan Ross Show

UTV, 10pm

You’d imagine they’ll have to pump extra oxygen into the studio to deal with the combined presence of a guest list featuring Lady Gaga, Lee Evans and Jamie Oliver.

SUNDAY

Milk

RTE Two, 9pm

Sean Penn gives a fine performance in Gus Van Sant’s fairly linear account of the life of former San Francisco mayor Harvey Milk. The New York-born politician was one of the first openly gay public figures in the US, but he was shot dead in 1978 by a deranged city councillor.

Fry’s Planet Word

BBC Two, 9pm

The third episode of Stephen Fry’s four-part series on language looks at the way it is used and abused, including how swearing plays an important part in the human condition. Along the way he meets a woman with Tourette’s syndrome and a stroke patient who keeps cursing, as well as talking to teenagers and rappers about the use of slang.

MONDAY

Abhainn

RTÉ One, 7.30pm

The Irish river series returns for another three episodes, opening with a look at the Suir, as it flows from the distinctive Devil’s Bit Mountains in Tipperary all the way along the 183km to Waterford harbour. At Clonmel, we see the grave of a famous horse who survived the charge of the Light Brigade, while in Waterford we hear about the blaa style of breads.

The Apprentice

TV3, 9pm

Usually by week two, the contestants realise it doesn’t always pay to be so nice to each other and a few ambitious personalities come to the fore. After last week’s sandwich debacle, you’d imagine the teams would be a bit more tuned in for their challenge to create a compilation CD of emerging Irish artists. Again, however, common sense seems to go out the window for the highly motivated self-starters. Bossman Bill not happy.

TUESDAY

Craft Master

RTÉ One, 7pm

Five apprentices have made it to the final of the crafts show, and those competing for the prize of a stand at the Showcase expo in Dublin will be representing the disciplines of textiles, metal, glass, ceramics and wood turning. In ways, it’s like trying to choose a best in show from several different dog breeds, but top designers Louise Kennedy and Paul Costelloe are helping the judges to select the pick of the bunch.

True Stories: Kissinger

More4, 10pm

When the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Henry Kissinger in 1973, American activist Tom Lehrer said the award made political satire obsolete. This dual attitude has long shadowed the controversial diplomat: he was hands-on for the approval of policies that resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent people, but still carries a weighty reputation in some political circles as a pragmatic genius of international relations. This film by Niall Ferguson features a series of interviews with Kissinger over two years, in which the infamous figure attempts to shore up the positive sides of his reputation.

Mayday at the Fastnet Rock

RTÉ One, 10.15pm

On August 15, American yacht Rambler 100 was passing near the Fastnet Rock off the coast of Co Cork when it suddenly capsized with 21 crew aboard. Some were sleeping below deck and had to scramble out of the cabins, while five people were separated from the boat. Not even having had the time to send out a mayday call before the boat went over, it was lucky for all concerned that an electronic device sent out an automatic emergency signal as soon as it hit the water. Amazingly, nobody was lost. This documentary revisits that incredible night and the rescue of all onboard.

WEDNESDAY

Who Do You Think You Are?

BBC One, 9pm

Tracey Emin has been one of the more interesting figures on the thriving British art scene of recent years, and her family’s roots are also quite fascinating. She’s anxious in case she discovers an ordinary suburban past, so is delighted to discover a gypsy past and ancestors who sold witches’ broomsticks.

THURSDAY

Life With …

RTÉ One, 8.30pm

New health documentary series taking us inside the lives of people with various conditions. First up is the blood cancer, leukaemia, a terrifying affliction which, nonetheless, can be treatable. We meet Robyn White from Armagh who was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 21, while 15-year-old Caoimhe Phelan from Cork explains how she came through severe treatments and she now dreams of becoming a paediatric oncologist. Future episodes will focus on such ailments as epilepsy, arthritis, autism, Crohn’s and asthma.

MasterChef Ireland

RTE Two, 9.30pm

MasterChef Ireland reaches boiling point this week as the final two shows feature the remaining three contestants in a cook-off for the inaugural Irish title. The final has a distinctly Munster flavour, with (pictured from left above) Waterford woman Mary Carney, Mike Curran from Limerick and Brídín Carey from Tipperary. In Tuesday’s show, they’ll first cook an evening service at Michelin one-star restaurants in Dublin: Bon Apetit, L’Ecrivain and Chapter One, followed by a challenge at the Michelin two-star Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud. Quel pressure! And in Thursday’s grand finale, they’ll each cook a three-course meal for judges Nick Munier and Dylan McGrath who’ll then crown the winner.

Joanna Lumley’s Greek Odyssey

UTV, 9pm

In ways we should be thankful for the existence of Greece as it ensures Ireland has a rival for the reputation as the basket case of Europe. As well as disastrous economic practices, however, our Hellenic cousins have managed some other achievements through the years. The wonderful Joanna Lumley is keen to focus on these, and begins her new series in Athens at the Parthenon and also meets up with the living legend that is Nana Mouskouri.

FRIDAY

Dogma

More4, 9pm

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon star as fallen angels in this American indie outing from 1999. When it was released, the film was accused by some religious groups in the US of being anti-Catholic.

Hector san Oz

TG4, 11.30pm

An economic boom in Australia means a trip Down Under is back on the agenda for many Irish people, so this timely repeat of Hector Ó hEochagáin’s travel series is most welcome. This week he’s in Melbourne where he bumps into Bob Geldof and also hangs out with the notorious ex-criminal Mark Brandon Read, the inspiration for the film Chopper. After surviving those encounters, he travels to Tasmania for a look at an island steeped in Irish history.

* Get daily TV news, previews, and reviews via Twitter with @examinertv