TV not to miss
The Jonathan Ross Show
UTV, 9.15pm
Keira Knightley had been on the list for an appearance on an earlier show, but she does make it onto Wossy’s couch tonight. Also joining him will be actors Denzel Washington and Tom Hardy, while Dionne Warwick will be performing a song.
The Voice Of Ireland
RTE One, 6.30pm
The contestants have all been assigned to teams and over the next three weeks each team of 12 will be reduced to six artists who will then go on to the live shows. A number of industry experts will be joining the regular judges to decide who goes through.
The Orange British Academy Film Awards
BBC One, 9pm
The IFTAs aren’t the only big entertainment awards this weekend. Stephen Fry hosts the British equivalent from the Royal Opera House in London, and while The Artist is expected to glean several awards from its 12 nominations, there are Irish hopefuls in the shape of The Guard, Michael Fassbender and Chris O’Dowd.
The Wedding Proposal
Channel 4, 9pm
In times gone by wedding proposals usually involved either a fancy restaurant or a courting spot with a scenic view. In the 21st century, however, some people feel pressured to come up with something a bit more original or downright wacky. This show follows three men and one woman as they take unconventional routes to popping the question. Methods include flash mobs and mountain-top helicopters.
Tubaiste Manx Air i gCorcaigh
TG4, 9.30pm
Documentary on the flight from Belfast which crashed in Cork Airport almost exactly a year ago, killing six people. From the regular pilot of the plane who changed jobs just a few days before, to survivors and the families of those killed, it presents several perspectives on the tragedy.
Prime Suspect USA
TV3, 10pm
This American take on the popular British detective series sees Maria Bello (ER; A History of Violence) in the role of Detective Jane Timoney, a rare female in a male-dominated homicide squad. Other familiar faces in the cast include Cavan actor Brian O’Byrne and Irish-American actor Aidan Quinn.
The Meaning Of Life With Gay Byrne
RTE One, 10.30pm
Two giants of the Irish entertainment industry come face-to-face as Gay Byrne probes Mary Byrne with questions about her life and faith. The X Factor singer is an unashamed fan of Gaybo and opens up to him about her journey from check-out worker to star. Mary talks of how her mother wasted her singing talent and how she became determined not to do the same. She also goes into deep religious beliefs and being from Ballyfermot she knew the area’s priests well. Unfortunately, two of those she was acquainted with — father of a child Michael Cleary, and serial abuser Tony Walsh — became poster boys for all that is wrong with the Church. Such events didn’t shake Mary’s faith, however, and she explains her feelings that Christ had a major hand in her success.
Feirm Factor
TG4, 9.30pm
A new series of the competitive farming show will see 12 new competitors being tested on such tasks as animal handling, machinery and business acumen. Maura Derrane presents, and the eventual winner will take home a Land Rover Discovery Commercial.
America’s Serial Killer
Channel 4, 10pm
Over the past two years, police have found 11 bodies on an isolated stretch of road in Long Island, New York. Four of the dead worked as prostitutes and this documentary places their killings in the context of a changing sex industry that has increasingly moved online. Members of the victims’ families as well as police and others close to the case talk about the dark deeds that may not yet have reached a conclusion.
Death Unexplained
BBC One, 9pm
More real-life action from behind the scenes in a Coroner’s Court in London. In this episode, Alison Thompson and her team investigate the death of a man who passed away in a suspicious fire, while there is also an unusual traffic accident to be decided on.
Friday Night Lights
Sky Atlantic, 8pm
Yes this NBC drama series is about American football, but it comes with a reputation and a slew of awards that suggest it’ll have a much wider appeal than the handful of gridiron fans in this country. Adapted by the highly regarded factual book by H.G. Bissinger., its tale of a high-school football team in a small Texan town is used as the perfect backdrop to explore the world of Middle America.
Big Fat Gypsy Wedding
Channel 4, 9pm
Channel 4’s controversial and hugely popular series on Travellers gets another run. While all those taking part are happy to do so, and the network claims it gives insight into Traveller culture, it’s hard to escape the feeling that part of this series’ appeal is down to an element of ‘Let’s have a laugh at those funny gypsies’. Either way, it does make for good voyeuristic viewing. This opening episode, Diamantes Are Forever, looks at particularly flamboyant wedding dresses designed by Liverpool-based Thelma Madine. The fact that pineapple and palm trees are the design theme will tell you all you need to know. We also meet four cousins going all-out for a memorable Holy Communion outfit.
Rásaí na Gaillimhe
TG4, 9.30pm
Skibbereen man Don Wycherly is at the forefront of this second episode of the drama series exploring life during Race Week in Galway. The Fianna Fáil tent may have been packed up, but the event is still the perfect backdrop to explore aspects of the Irish psyche.
Imeall
TG4, 9.30pm
Writer and radio columnist Joseph O’Connor has had more than enough success of his own to break free from the moniker of ‘Sinead’s brother’. In this interview he talks about his new book, due out later this year.
Baka — A Cry From The Rainforest
BBC Two, 9pm
Twenty-five years ago, Phil Agland received a BAFTA award for his documentary on a family of Baka Pygmies. This film has him returning to Cameroon to meet the surviving members of the clan. The children are grown up, and face an uncertain future in the modern world. Inspired by their first ever viewing of the original film, members of the family go on a journey into the forest to rediscover how their parents used to live.
Sonny Rollins
BBC Four, 9pm
A double bill of shows pays tribute to the great jazz saxophonist. Arena: Sonny Rollins — Beyond The Notes (9pm) uses his 80th birthday concert two years ago as a backdrop to explore his music and legacy, while Sonny Rollins 74 — Rescued! (10pm) uses recently discovered footage of a gig at Ronnie Scotts in London in 1974.
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