Best of the Week's TV (July 27- Aug 2)
RTÉ One, 9.45pm
Guests include the ‘world’s sexiest chef’ Jean Christophe Novelli, comedian Ardal O’Hanlon and Kerry dresser of stars Don O’Neill.
RTÉ One, 10.55pm
The Welsh singer is joined for a night of music by the likes of Il Divo, the Overtones and Andre Rieu.
The All-Ireland football qualifiers feature Meath v Tyrone (RTÉ Two, throw-in 7pm). In soccer, the pre-season friendly clash of Leicester City v AS Monaco (Sky Sports 1, 4pm) sees the English side coming up against a new financial giant in the European game. Bought by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev in 2011, they have already acquired the likes of Radamel Falcao and Ricardo Carvalho, and hope to challenge for the French title under Claudio Ranieri.
Channel 4, 8pm
Take a slice of 19th century England, add some grim northern folk and a dollop of class references and you have the familiar outline of this new four-part drama series. What’s particularly interesting about this show, however, is that it contains plenty of accurate history, not least the nine-year-old children working 12-hour shifts. During this time, many children were sold to mills by workhouses as ‘apprentices’ and had no rights to leave until they became adults. We see their fight to win some semblance of rights, led by the real-life figure Esther Price.
RTÉ One, 6.30pm
The final episode of the series has Daithí Ó Sé following the journey of two Irish rebels. First up is Red Hugh O’Donnell and his escape from Dublin Castle in 1692; followed by 1798 fighter Michael Dwyer, whose escape prompted the British to build the Military Road to capture him.
The All-Ireland quarter-final double bill from Semple Stadium features another mouth-watering two games in a championship that has already provided some great entertainment. First up is Cork v Kilkenny (RTÉ Two, throw-in 2pm) followed by Galway v Clare (throw-in 4pm).
National Geographic, 9pm
Drama-documentary on the true tale of Shaun Attwood from England, who quit his well-paid stockbroker’s job to get into the even better-paid ecstasy business. He used his profits from his dealings in the Arizona rave scene to fund a hedonistic lifestyle, but it all turned sour when he fell foul of both the local mafia and the police before ending up in the infamous Maricopa County Jail.
Channel 4, 8.30pm
Leaving aside the recent fears about Omega 3, tonight’s final episode checks out sardines, a fish rich in the now-controversial oils. Kate Quilton is in Portugal to follow the journey of the popular little fish from a trawler’s net through the processing into the tinned variety. Jimmy Doherty also looks at how the ducks we eat are farmed.
Film 4, 9pm
This 2009 prequel from JJ Abrams stars Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto. The tale of Kirk’s rise from young tearaway to ship’s captain, befriending Spock along the way, makes for highly enjoyable viewing.
RTÉ Two, 9.50pm Despite the attractiveness of Woodbury, the wise Michonne remainsdeeply suspicious of the Governor. Meanwhile, back at the prison Rick is having difficulty coming to terms with his loss.
RTÉ One, 9.35pm
Episode two of the series revisits the case of Emer O’Loughlin, found dead in a burnt-out caravan near Tubber, Co Clare, in 2005. A cause of death was not declared at the time, but an exhumation of her body in 2010 and subsequent post mortem found the 23-year-old had been killed violently before the fire. At the time, gardaí were hoping to interview an acquaintance who seemed to have faked his own death.
RTÉ One, 10.35pm
While series nine is currently running on BBC, this revisit to season six features Davina McCall and the surprising discoveries she makes when she delves into her family’s past.
BBC One, 8pm
New series of the British version of the show. The 16 famous faces include Shane Lynch of Boyzone, boxer Joe Calzaghe and comedian Ade Edmondson.
RTÉ One, 7.30pm
More clips from the cooking segment on the Today Show over the past few months, with a collection of spicy dishes. Paul Flynn makes bacon and butterbean chowder; Catherine Fulvio creates a Thai green curry; and Trish Deseine cooks up lamb tagine.
RTÉ One, 9.35pm
This first instalment of the adaptations of Robert Ludlum’s series of thrillers was released in 2002, a year after the death of the author who created Jason Bourne. We can only guess he would have been happy with Matt Damon’s fine portrayal of an agent who awakes with amnesia.
BBC Two, 8pm
We see the re-creation of a beating human heart that has been grown in a lab, while Dara O’Briain and co also explore the concept of time and how it can be manipulated.
Channel 4, 8pm
First of a three-part documentary series looking behind the scenes at a used car dealership in Essex. Do they really deserve the Arthur Daley comparisons?
RTÉ One, 8.30pm
Sean Dunne and Tommy Murphy are in Rathsallagh Country House in Co Wicklow to offer financial advice to owner Joe Flynn. Back in the Celtic Tiger era, one of the issues he had to deal with was finding enough space so visitors to his hotel could park their helicopters. Since the bubble burst, however, it’s been quite a task just to keep the business afloat.
Netflix, on demand
The online streaming service is hopeful that this 13-episode prison series can repeat the success of House of Cards, recently nominated for an incredible nine Emmy awards. Based on the memoirs of Piper Kerman, the lighthearted tale follows the lead character’s escapades after she is sent to jail for laundering drug money. Hugely enjoyable.
BBC Two, 9pm
The reasons for the decline in bee populations around the world are often a source of debate, with parasites and insecticides often being cited as the chief causes of a phenomenon that could have catastrophic consequences for food production. This Horizon documentary looks at experiments to find the cause of the decline, including one where bees have been fitted with tiny radar transponders so they can be tracked.
RTÉ One, 9.35pm
This week it’s the turn of Brian Kennedy and Ryan O’Shaughnessy to try and find a hit tune in the work of six fledgling songwriters.
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