Best of the Week’s TV (April 12-18)
Downfall
BBC Four, 9pm
The film that launched a thousand YouTube spoofs. While the many skits on Adolf Hitler’s bothers in the bunker have given Oliver Hirschbiegel’s film an unexpectedly humorous side-life, the original remains a chilling depiction of the mad idiot’s last days. It gives a highly believable account of life in the Nazi leaders’ Berlin hideaway, showing how, right to the end, Hitler was still responsible for the deaths of innocents.
The Stone Roses: Made of Stone
Channel 4, 10.50pm
Network premiere of Shane Meadows’ documentary that followed the seminal Manchester band on their reunion tour in 2012. Live sets, backstage footage, interviews with the band and fans, etc.
Sport
It’s Connacht v Munster (RTÉ Two, ko 6.15pm) in the Rabodirect Pro12 while the U-21 football semi-finals feature Cork v Roscommon (TG4, throw-in 3pm) and Cavan v Dublin (TG4, throw-in 4.45pm). In soccer, it’s Tottenham v Fulham (BT Sport 1, ko 12.45pm), Newcastle v Swansea (Setanta, ko 3pm) and Hull v Arsenal (Sky Sports 1, ko 5.30pm).
Fargo
Channel 4, 9pm
Billy Bob Thornton and Martin Freeman are among the familiar faces in this new 10-part adaptation of the Coen brothers’ black-comedy film from 1996
School Of Love
RTÉ One, 10.35pm
A Would You Believe? special takes a look at some of the aspects of the lives of the Cistercian Sisters of Glencairn Abbey. It follows the nuns from the time they rise at 3.30am at their Abbey near Lismore, Co Waterford, through their day of prayer, reflection and interaction. Many of them had careers before they entered the order.
Sport
The three live games on Sky Sports 1 are Norwich City v Liverpool (ko noon), Chelsea v Sunderland (ko 2.05pm) and Everton v Man Utd (ko 4.10pm). In hurling, the league semi-finals on TG4 feature Kilkenny v Galway (throw-in 2pm) and Clare v Tipperary (4pm).
Game Of Thrones
Sky Atlantic, 9pm
We’re up to episode three and the sex, violence and intrigue continue apace. Spoiler alert: if you thought we’d get a breather when the cheers eased after Joffrey’s death — think again. Things even go to new heights of depravity in a scene featuring gruesome twosome Cersei and Jamie Lannister.
Sport
A double-helping of bank holiday soccer features Leeds United v Nottingham Forest (Sky Sports 1, ko 5.15pm), two teams whose drive for promotion has faltered; and Man City v West Brom (Sky Sports 1, ko 8pm), one side still in the title race and the other trying to ensure survival.
A Terrible Beauty/Áille an Uafáis
TG4, 9.30pm
First of a new two-part documentary series on the Easter Rising. First up, it looks at the battle of Mount Street Bridge, a bloody engagement that was one of the most successful from an Irish point of view. We also hear how it set in train a sequence of events that would lead to the killing of 15 civilians by soldiers from the South Staffordshire regiment.
Living the Wildlife
RTÉ One, 7pm
The little creatures of Ireland have long gotten a bad press, and Colin Stafford Johnson’s final show in the current series should help redress that balance. He’s in a woods in Tipperary with Prof John Breen from UL, looking at the
fascinating ways of woodlice, spiders, ants and other creatures inhabiting the forest floor.
Atlético Madrid v Chelsea
TV3, ko 7.45pm
The first of this week’s Champions League semi-finals pits Jose Mourinho’s men against a Spanish side who have surprised everyone this year. Atletico’s most expensive player Filipe Luís cost £12m four years ago, and they’re still challenging for the Spanish title.
Minibeast Adventure With Jess
CBeebies, 10.30am
A new series presented by zoologist Jess French. Every day, she looks at different creatures living in her own treehouse. On Monday, it’s caterpillars; today, it’s ladybirds; while Friday has dragonflies.
My Extra Chromosome and Me
TV3, 9pm
The second episode of the Irish Lives series follows three people with Down syndrome as they negotiate such issues as education and employment. Laura, Maeve and Joe all have a support network of friends and family but are still striving for greater independence.
Real Madrid v Bayern Munich
RTÉ Two, ko 7.45pm
It would have made a worthy final, but this mouth-watering clash should provide plenty of excitement over the two legs of the semi-final. For the Spanish side to progress, you’d imagine they’d need Ronaldo to be fit. Second leg
next Tuesday.
Derek
Channel 4, 10pm
Ricky Gervais is back with the comedy-drama inspired by his own family’s experiences as care-workers.
Super Garden
RTÉ One, 8.30pm
A new series of the garden design show with the ultimate prize of a slot in the Bloom Festival. First up to spend their 5,000 budget is
Emma Jane, far right, a fashion designer by trade, who wants to put some colour in the lives of an engaged couple.
Des Bishop: Breaking China
RTÉ One, 10.15pm
The Irish-American comedian is settling in Beijing, and decides to set up a comedy club in the city. His brother Aidan performs on the first night. Des also has an interesting experience when he visits a marriage market, where parents and grandparents try and find matches for their offspring.
Jimmy Murakami Non Alien
RTÉ One, 10.45pm
Documentary on the incredible life of the late Japanese-American animator Jimmy T Murakami, who passed away in Dublin earlier this year. Interned as a child in a prison camp in the Californian desert, he went on to work on such films as When the Wind Blows and The Snowman, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. We see aspects of his life in Ireland — his adopted home for many years — but one of the most moving scenes in the film is when he returns to site of the camp where he was imprisoned with his family because of his Japanese heritage.
Guth na nGael
RTÉ One, 7.30pm
The final episode in the series looks at the tradition of keening in Irish music, and explores whether our original blues style has been carried on by the new generation of singers and songwriters. Pictured right, Máiréad Ní
Mhaonaigh and Susan McKeown.
Gardeners’ World
BBC Two, 8.30pm
There’s still time to plant a yew hedge, and you may pick up a few tips from Monty Don as he gets started on the popular evergreen tonight. Elsewhere, Carol Klein talks to an expert in dog’s tooth violets, and the show also visits the collection of alpine plants at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.
Later — with Jools Holland
BBC Two, 11.05pm
The longer version of Tuesday’s show includes several songs from Paolo Nutini, who will play in Cork and the Electric Picnic over the summer. Another upcoming visitor to Ireland on tonight’s show is Neil Finn of Crowded House, while Joan as Police Woman and Lucius also put in appearances.
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