Best of the Week's TV (Oct 26-Nov 1)
UTV, 10pm
Three of the X Factor judges — Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh — are on the tonight’s show, as well as Naomi Campbell, Stephen Merchant and Laura Mvula.
Sky Atlantic, 9pm
Series four picks up the action in 1924, eight months after the end of season three, with Nucky still laying low after his troubles of last year.
A promising day of soccer action includes Crystal Palace v Arsenal (BT Sport 1, ko 12.45pm), Man Utd v Stoke (Setanta 1, ko 3pm), Barcelona v Real Madrid (Sky Sports 2, ko 5pm) and Southampton v Fulham (Sky Sports 1, ko 5.30pm). The second test of the International Rules Series features Ireland v Australia (TG4, 6.50pm) from Croke Park, as the tourists seek revenge for their opening defeat.
RTÉ One, 9.30pm Nidge’s dummy run of getting the dentist to bring in a shipment of mixing agent is being closely watched by the cops, and after being frustrated in his violent intentions last week, Fran gets ready to unleash his vicious side.
The clash of Sunderland v Newcastle United (Sky Sports 1, ko 1.30pm) is usually one of the most hard-fought derbies of the season, and both the troubled clubs would love to put one over on their local rivals. Meanwhile, today’s other games include Partick Thistle v Celtic (Sky Sports 4, ko 12.45pm) and Chelsea v Man City (Sky Sports 1, ko 4pm).
RTÉ One, 10.35pm
Kildare-born soprano Celine Byrne is a Catholic mother of three and a member of the Pioneer Association who also champions mental health issues. She talks to Byrne about her beliefs and her attempts to maintain a balance between family and an expanding opera career.
BBC One, 9pm
Series two of the crime drama set in East London in the years after Jack the Ripper. In the first episode Matthew Macfadyen’s character has to deal with a triad war in the newly-emerging Chinatown district. And if the setting seems uncannily familiar to you, perhaps it’s because this series was filmed in Dublin.
RTÉ Two, 9.30pm
Dermot Whelan has left the show, so new host Kevin McGahern (Sim Card in Hardy Bucks) joins Jennifer Maguire and Bernard O’Shea for the latest series. The format remains the same, however, with the usual mix of satire, and sketches featuring the likes of the Rubberbandits and Darby the Leprechaun.
RTÉ Two, 11pm
This new comedy from Dave Coffey (Dan & Becs) is set in the cars of three commuting couples making the daily drive to and from Dublin. As well as revealing the state of their relationships, we also hear about the couples’ troubles with negative equity, rising debt, etc.
RTÉ One, 8.30pm
Blathnaid Ní Chofaigh presents another series of the excellent show, filmed on location with the emergency services. As well as the usual coast guard, Cork fire brigade and mountain rescue scenes, this year will also include footage captured by the Rapid Response Doctors. In the opening episode, this team of emergency medics will be fighting to save a six-week-old baby’s life.
BBC Two, 11.20pm
The National provided one of the gigs of the year when they visited Ireland during the summer, and the Brooklyn outfit are among the acts appearing on tonight’s show.
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RTÉ Two, 10pm
Irish actor Stuart Townsend stars alongside Hannah Ware in this new American drama about two people who find themselves drawn to each other, despite the fact that they’re both married. The fact that they end up on different sides in a murder trial adds to the complications. From the same network that gave us Revenge, a show it doesn’t look unlike.
TG4, 9.30pm
Trade-unionist and historian Des Geraghty narrates this docudrama about the 1913 Lockout in Dublin, the dramatic event that pitched impoverished workers against employers intent on not improving conditions.
RTÉ One, 9.35pm
With Adam and Paul and Garage, Lenny Abrahamson established himself as one of the country’s most talented filmmakers. For this 2012 offering, the director moved beyond his usual, marginalised characters to focus on Richard Karlsen, a privileged south-Dubliner whose life changes when he becomes involved in a vicious assault.
Channel 4, 10pm
Lauren Laverne and Nick Grimshaw present the announcement of this year’s winner of the prestigious music award. David Bowie and Arctic Monkeys are among the favourites, with Villagers flying the flag for Ireland.
Sky Living, 9pm
Irish actors Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Victoria Smurfit are among the stars of this new 10-part series from US network, NBC. The Cork-born actor plays the infamous vampire in a version set in 19th century London. Posing as a businessman with an interest in the emerging technology of electricity, he’s really on a revenge mission against those who betrayed him centuries earlier.
BBC Two, 9pm
Anita Rani visits a hospital in the Philippines, where up to 100 babies are born a day, and women in labour can lie four or five to a bed.
TG4, 9.30pm
The enjoyable series on the impact of Irish emigrants on pop music finishes its run with a look at a band whose Irish connections are more understated than the likes of Oasis or the Smiths. John Lennon had Irish grandparents who brought a strong musical tradition to Liverpool with them, while Paul McCartney’s mother also instilled in him a sense of pride in his Monaghan roots
BBC Two, 8pm
The hard work is nearly at an end for gardeners, but Monty Don shows how to store tender plants for winter, and has ideas for planting pots to provide some colour for the dark and dreary days ahead.
BBC Two, 8.30pm
The final episode of a show that’s been running all week, Michaela Strachan and co complete their annual look at the seasonal change in this part of the world. Migrant birds, hibernating mammals, and all sorts of other aspects of nature’s major upheaval will feature.
BBC Four, 9pm
Documentary on the creation of the British band’s classic 1975 album, which combined the themes of their rise to fame since Dark Side of the Moon and the loss of group founder Syd Barrett. It’s followed by A Delicate Sound of Thunder (10pm), a live concert filmed in 1988 featuring many classic tracks.
