Best of the Week's TV (Jan 4-11)
UTV, 8.50pm
Paddy McGuinness and a new batch of 30 eligible ladies make a welcome return for a new series of the hugely popular dating show. This week’s lads hoping to keep her lit include IT consultant Adam, daredevil dad Jason and music student Sam.
The third round of the FA Cup means there are no Premier League games this weekend, but interesting cup clashes include Blackburn Rovers v Man City (BT Sport 1, ko 12.45pm) and Arsenal v Tottenham (UTV, ko 5.15pm). In rugby, the RaboDirect PRO12 features Connacht v Leinster (TG4, ko 7.15pm).
BBC Four, 9pm
Saga Norén and co return for a second series of the show that proved the Nordic noir genre is still burning brightly. Over the next 10 episodes (one per week until Jan 18, then two every Saturday) we’ll follow the Danish-Swedish co-production as detectives work on the aftermath of a mysterious incident in which a ship steers towards the Øresund Bridge that divides the two nations.
RTÉ One, 6.30pm
With a new judge and a few little tweaks to the format, the third series of the talent show kicks off with the first round of blind auditions. Dolores O’Riordan of the Cranberries has
replaced Sharon Corr on the judging panel, and she’ll be joined by returnees Jamelia, Kian Egan and Bressie.
FA Cup action features Nottingham Forest v West Ham (UTV, ko noon), a game that could feature Irish players Andy Reid and Joey O’Brien; Derby County v Chelsea (BT Sport 1, ko 2.15pm); and Man Utd v Swansea (BT Sport 1, ko 4.30pm). In Scotland, it’s St Mirren v Celtic (Sky Sports 1, ko 12.45pm).
RTÉ One, 8.30pm
The new series begins with Breathnach’s in Coachford, Co Cork, as Francis and John Brennan come to the aid of owner Mary Brennan. She’s also running a supermarket, pub and café, but is taken aback at the whole new business model the Brennan brothers come up with.
BBC One, 8.30pm
The second of the three 90-minute episodes from the current run of the top detective series with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. Our hero faces what could be his toughest task yet — delivering a best man’s speech at his assistant’s wedding day. Along the way, of course, he also has to combat a killer at the reception.
RTÉ One, 7.30pm
New series following three groups of Irish teenagers as they leave their schools to experience two weeks of classroom life in a European country. In the first episode, the Meath students arrive in Finland, the Limerick group go to Spain and the Leitrim crew have to dig their minibus out of the snow in rural Poland.
RTÉ Two, 9pm
Pilot episode of a new comedy cop show set in New York. It mostly revolves around Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), a talented detective who will split opinion between those who find his zany antics hilarious and those who’ll regard him as the most irritating character on TV.
RTÉ One, 9.35pm
Documentary on the 2008 disaster on K2, the second-highest mountain in the world that straddles the border between Pakistan and China. Among the 11 climbers killed when an avalanche removed essential ropes was Ger McDonnell from Kilcornan, Co Limerick. We see how his achievement in becoming the first Irishman to reach the summit were to turn to tragedy on the ill-fated descent. A blame-game and bitter accusations followed the disaster and this documentary attempts to pin down exactly what happened on that fateful day.
RTÉ One, 8.30pm
It’s that time of year. Anybody engaging in new exercise regimes and diet plans can look to the six participants for inspiration. Among those taking part are Jennifer Bonus, right, a recently widowed 37-year-old from Douglas in Cork; Deirdre O’Donovan, 29, from Carraig na bhFear, who works in the Mercy Hospital in Cork; and 61-year-old Paudie O’Mahoney, from Killarney, Co Kerry, the oldest ever participant in the show. Tonight’s episode will introduce the first three ’leaders’, with tomorrow’s programme unveiling the final trio. As all six undergo full health assessments that include scans of heart and lung function, we’ll also hear about the dangers of obesity.
Sky Sports 1, ko 7.45pm
The first of this week’s two-legged League Cup (Capital One Cup) semi-finals. David Moyes will be aware that it could be his only chance to bring a trophy to Old Trafford this year.
Channel 4, 9pm
British-based chefs Ludo Lefebvre and Anthony Bourdain are among the judging panel for this new food talent series, but all eyes will be on Nigella Lawson, with her mere presence guaranteeing a hefty audience for the show. Considering her awful ordeal in the courts and media recently, perhaps she deserves the silver lining of a big box office.
RTÉ Two, 9pm
Perhaps revenge really is a dish best eaten cold, but the endless twists and turns of this popular melodrama might just keep Emily Thorne’s quest simmering for a third season. A double bill of episodes.
Breaking Bad
TG4, 9.30pm
The final eight episodes of the top American drama probably won’t get the audience they deserve, as both Netflix and internet downloads have proved too enticing for many fans. Those who have saved themselves will be rewarded with a fitting end to one of the best series of recent years. This opening episode, in particular, is a tension-laden masterpiece, featuring Walt and Hank sizing each other up.
Sky Sports 1, ko 7.45pm
The second of the League Cup (now called the Capital One Cup) semi-finals, with most pundits predicting both Manchester teams to prevail over the two legs.
Sky Living, 10pm
Season 10 begins. We pick up the action in the immediate aftermath of the devastating storm from last year’s finale.
BBC One, 8pm
Concluding part of the excellent series that has given us a whole new insight into dolphin’s lives, through the use of camera-wielding mock turtles and other ingenious devices.
RTÉ One, 8.30pm
Darragh McCullough meets farmer Paddy Kennedy who lost his ear and his left leg in an accident with a loader last April. We also meet suppliers of the micro vegetables that have become so popular with some of the big-name chefs, and a Tipperary teenager who has turned his chicken-keeping hobby into a book and a phone app.
RTÉ Two, 9.30pm
During last year’s final of The Voice of Ireland, all eyes were on the baby bump of Kelly Mongan, the heavily pregnant 18-year-old Traveller from Fermoy, Co Cork. Thankfully, she didn’t go into labour during the show, but soon after gave birth to baby Bernie. This documentary follows Mongan as she gets on with the next phase of her life, trying to make it as a singer while also enjoying her role as mother.
BBC Four, 9pm
First of a three-part series on American rock music from the late 1960s to the early 1990s. First up we hear about the British invasion led by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and the countless American bands it inspired, such as the Doors and Jefferson Airplane. The show is followed by Jimi Hendrix: The Road To Woodstock (10pm), a documentary on the late guitarist’s appearance at the 1969 festival.
TG4, 9.05pm
Michael Nyqvist and Noomi Rapace star in the 2009 Swedish adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s best-selling novel.
BBC One, 10.35pm
Graham Norton continues his impressive roster of guests this series with heavyweight duo Robert De Niro, right, and Sylvester Stallone appearing to talk about their new boxing film, Grudge Match. Joining them will be Jonah Hill chatting about his role in Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and Carey Mulligan, one of the stars of the new Coen brothers’ film, Inside Llewyn Davis.
