Best on TV
Splash!
UTV, 7pm
Linda Barker, Eddie the Eagle and Jake Canuso take part in the final of the celebrity diving competition.
Bernadette
TG4, 8.15pm
Another chance to see Lelia Doolan’s superb documentary on Bernadette McAliskey, tracing her journey from mini-skirted young firebrand to mature activist and grandmother.
Borgen
BBC Four, 9pm
The final two episodes of the current series of the cult Danish political thriller. After the prime minister’s daughter is admitted to a private hospital, a furore erupts in the press. Can she still implement her major reform package?
Howard Goodall’s Story Of Music — The Age Of Invention
BBC Two, 9.30pm
The excellent six-part series continues with a look at the highly influential period of 1650 to 1750. This was the age of Corelli, Vivaldi, Bach, and Handel, and the paying public also began to exert an influence for the first time.
The Jonathan Ross Show
UTV, 9.45pm
Eddie Izzard talks about his life in comedy and his charity efforts which have seen him run 43 marathons in 51 days. Also on the show are actor Dolph Lundgren; Russell Brand, a man whose amusing banter is perfectly suited to Ross’s show; and David Attenborough, the 86-year-old presenter whose reflective chat usually isn’t.
At Your Service
RTE One, 8.30pm
The United Arts Club in Dublin is a private members’ organisation that has been in existence for more than 100 years. They feel the need for a revamp, however, and get the Brennan brothers in to advise on the best way to do it.
Sé Mo Laoch
TG4, 10pm
Tomás Ó Cannain is featured on tonight’s show. A legend in traditional music circles, the Glanmire-based Irish speaker once held two posts in UCC: professor of engineering and lecturer in traditional music.
The Meaning Of Life With Gay Byrne
RTE One, 10.35pm
Maria Doyle Kennedy, married to Cork musician Kieran Kennedy, is a familiar face from various TV series and the music business. She’s also the mother of four sons. The former Downton Abbey actress talks about the various strands of her life, and also her personal beliefs about some of the bigger questions.
Panorama
BBC One, 8:30pm
As this country gets to grips with another difficult debate on abortion, Victoria Derbyshire looks at the issue in Britain and Northern Ireland.
Intermission
TG4, 9.30pm
Colin Farrell, Colm Meaney and Cillian Murphy star in an enjoyable 2004 romp directed by John Crowley from Douglas Road in Cork.
The Mentalist
RTE One, 10.35pm
Season five begins. Given that much of this show’s audience is probably watching the likes of Revenge and Nurse Jackie over on RTÉ Two, it looks like a strange scheduling decision from the national broadcaster. But I suppose that’s why digital recorders were invented. All charges from the end of last season have been dropped as Jane and the team are back to work, as the FBI attempts to cover up his unsuccessful take down of Red John, and Wainwright’s death.
Nurse Jackie
RTE Two, 10.45pm
Jackie is having all sorts of trouble trying to adapt to single life.
Africa
BBC One, 9pm
The final episode of the series has David Attenborough talking about the future for wild animals in Africa. For example, the demand from China for rhino horn is placing huge pressures on conservation efforts for that animal, while elephants face the problem of increasing human encroachment into their territories. On the positive side, we see how Maasai warriors have become lion guardians in Kenya.
Comhrá
TG4, 7.30pm
Gerry Motherway from Cork is tonight’s guest. He talks about his early family life in the city, including how he’d only see his father twice a year as he was away working in England. His mother passed away when he was young and three of his younger siblings were sent to live with different uncles. The former teacher at Douglas Community School also talks about his alcoholism and the difficult task of giving up drink.
Ear To The Ground
RTÉ One, 8.30pm
Spring will bring some dark days for farmers with the spread of the deadly Schmallenberg virus that affects lambs and calves. Carrier midges have made it across the Irish Sea and reports suggest we are on the verge of an epidemic. Darragh McCullough visits farmers whose flocks have been ravaged.
The Good Wife
More4, 9pm
Dominic Chianese, aka Junior Soprano, pops up in a guest role as Judge Marx. A highly topical plotline also has Alicia and Will representing an internet start-up company in a case against a search engine that is accused of manipulating its search results in favour of businesses that pay for advertising.
Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe
BBC Two, 10pm
Brooker is joined by comedian Bob Mortimer, American stand-up Doug Stanhope and poet Tim Key for a cynics’ view of recent news events. Funny and informative.
Nashville
More4, 10pm
The pilot episode of the series that’s been causing quite a stir in the States. Created by Callie Khouri of Thelma & Louise fame, it stars Hayden Panettiere (Heroes) as an ambitious country music star vying for attention with industry veteran Rayna Jaymes (Connie Britton).
Imeall
TG4, 10.30pm
Celebrity photographer Terry O’Neill has been getting huge attention in Ireland for his return to his father’s home town of Cork and his exhibition there. Tristan Rosenstock interviews the man who produced so many iconic photographs of the likes of Brigitte Bardot and Frank Sinatra.
Hero
Film 4, 11.25pm
Zhang Yimou’s epic tale of warring factions in medieval China. A visual treat starring Jet Li and Maggie Cheung.
Monty Don’s French Gardens
BBC Two, 9pm
The second of Monty Don’s three-part adventures in France has the popular gardener visiting a number of ‘potagers’, in which vegetables and flowers are planted together in elaborate displays.
When Albums Ruled The World
BBC Four, 9pm
This look at the golden era of the long-playing record looks at the era from the 1960s to the 1980s and acts as an introduction to a night of rock documentaries that also includes Pink Floyd: Wish You Were Here (10pm) and The Doors: The Story of LA Woman (11.30pm).
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