TV not to miss

SATURDAY

Shrek

RTÉ One, 6.35pm

It’s hard to believe that this film is 10 years old. Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy provide the voices for the original ogre movie that is a perennial fave with children and adults alike.

The Graham Norton Show

TV3, 11.30pm

A repeat of last night’s BBC broadcast, the Irish presenter’s guests include American heartthrob actor Bradley Cooper, the ubiquitous James Corden and British comedian Sarah Millican.

Waltz With Bashir

Channel 4, 12.30am

This superb animated film is part of Channel 4’s new season of world cinema. It’s based on the true recollections of an Israeli soldier who took part in the invasion of Lebanon in 1982 (above).

SUNDAY

Tracks And Trails

RTÉ One, 7pm

We haven’t seen much of former sports commentator Jim Sherwin since his official retirement from RTÉ in 2000, but he is involved in the production of this series. For this episode, he’s back in front of the camera again as he travels through some of Mayo’s spectacular countryside. First up he does the 6km Burrishoole loop walk along the Mulranny coast, and then cycles some of the ‘Greenway’ from Mulranny with two of his grandsons.

Black Mirror

Channel 4, 9pm

We haven’t seen a preview of Charlie Brooker’s two stand-alone dramas in this series, but the brilliant columnist did impress with his horror debut, Dead Set, a few years ago. This first episode, The National Anthem, is described as a “twisted parable” based around the tale of a prime minister’s dilemma when one of the royal family is kidnapped, featuring Rory Kinnear and Anna Wilson-Jones, (above).

Mark Zuckerberg: Inside Facebook

BBC Two, 9pm

If you don’t know how big the Facebook social networking site has become, take note of these two statistics: 800 million users and an estimated worth of $100 billion. Among the contributors to this documentary is CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who addresses such issues as the site’s policies on the privacy of its users’ personal data. Emily Maitlis also looks at the company’s advertising system which allows precise demographic targeting.

MONDAY

The Apprentice

TV3, 9pm

And then there were six. It’s all getting rather ruthless now as the contestants can see the finish line. The task for this week is to make a TV advert for an online takeaway website.

TUESDAY

After Life

BBC Four, 9pm

The first rule for any science programme is to get a presenter who’s enthusiasm will be infectious no matter what they are talking about. Step forward Dr George McGavin, above, and his love of decaying matter: “We are often repulsed by decay. After Life shows it can be strangely beautiful and absolutely vital in nature.” It uses time lapse photography over two months to show how items in the kitchen and garden rot down and support new life. Ah yes, the seductive wonders of a raw chicken inflating to nearly twice its size as bacteria attack, and a suckling pig being stripped bare by an army of maggots.

Enlightened

Sky Atlantic, 10pm

A promising new comedy from the HBO stable, starring Laura Dern as a self-destructive corporate buyer trying to put her life back together after a period in rehab. It’s all the creation of Mike White (School Of Rock, Nacho Libre), an interesting character himself considering he’s the son of Mel White, a former speechwriter for elements of the loony religious right in the US, who then came out as gay himself.

Hung

Sky Atlantic, 10.35pm

Start of the third season of the lighthearted show about the former high school coach who becomes a male escort completes a decent night of American comedy on Atlantic. It opens in recession-ravaged Detroit, and Ray has even had to fall back on his old teaching job to make ends meet. Things begin to look up, however, when his application for money from the bank is dealt with by a curious female loan officer.

Greenpeace the Story

TG4, 10.25pm

Documentary on the environmental campaign group that traces its founding in 1971 up to its status as one of the most high-profile NGOs today.

21 Grams

Film 4, 11.45pm

Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu’s first English language film is a superbly harrowing thriller that jumps back and forth through the characters’ lives. A magnificent cast includes Sean Penn as a maths professor with a weak heart, and Benicio Del Toro as an ex-con trying to stay on the righteous path until he becomes involved in a tragedy.

WEDNESDAY

Who Do You Think You Are? US

BBC One, 11.15pm

The American version of the excellent genealogy show has an Irish twist this week as comedienne Rosie O’Donnell delves into her Irish roots. O’Donnell grew up on Long Island, but her childhood was marred by the death of her mother when she was just 10. As she works backwards with the various archivists, she traces a route to the US via Canada that leads back to the Murtagh family in Co Kildare who emigrated during the Great Famine.

Friday the 13th

TG4, 12.05am

This original horror classic from 1980 helped establish many of the ‘rules’ for teen slasher films. Made on a budget of about $550,000, it follows a group of youngsters who are attacked by a mysterious stranger when they stay at an abandoned lakeside summer camp.

THURSDAY

Rachel Allen: Easy Meals

RTÉ One, 8.30pm

With Christmas approaching, Rachel Allen has some timely recommendations for feeding a lot of people. Quick dips and lamb curry are on the menu, while she also visits a lamb producer.

Grainne Seoige’s Modern Life

RTÉ Two, 9.30pm

Grainne Seoige looks at the increasing popularity of tattoos and body piercing for young women, and travels to a body art convention in Co Cork.

Scéalta Átha Cliath

TG4, 10pm

This has thrown up some fascinating tales over the past few weeks, and tonight’s offering is another intriguing look at a little-known area of life in the Pale. The infamous Hunting Lodge overlooking Dublin was built in the 18th century by the Earl of Rosse, Richard Parsons. He dabbled in a bit of black magic, and the lodge soon became a centre for the decadent behaviour of the city’s upper classes, with orgies, devil worship and animal sacrifices. Rumours abound of a human sacrifice at the recently restored building, and Lucifer himself is also said to have made an appearance there.

FRIDAY

Public Enemy — Prophets of Rage

BBC Four, 9pm

Public Enemy were once the biggest rap group on the planet, and courted controversy with their angry lyrics. This documentary looks back to their heyday in the late 1980s, and also traces their origins and evolution. Contributors include group leader Chuck D, clown prince Flavor Flav and celebrity fan Method Man.

The Graham Norton Show

BBC One, 10.35pm

Guests include Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek and Jimmy Carr, while Coldplay perform their single Charlie Brown.

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