What to watch on TV this week
Dr Seuss’ The Lorax
RTE One, 5.20pm
Zac Efron and Taylor Swift provide the main voices on this animated adaptation from 2012 of the classic children’s book.
Gladiator
RTÉ2, 9pm
Ridley Scott’s hugely successful film from 2000 stars Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix.
The Jonathan Ross Show
UTV Ireland, 9.45pm
Former soccer and handball player Thierry Henry is among the guests tonight on a star-studded show, with actress Sigourney Weaver and musician Kanye West also making an appearance.
Reginald D Hunter’s Songs of the South
BBC Two, 9.15pm
The second episode of the comedian’s enjoyable series on music of the American south has him dealing with the interplay of white and black music. He also visits the legendary music city of Muscle Shoals; as well as B52s and REM birthplace, Athens; and talkes to the likes of Ludacris, Arrested Development and Sharon Jones.
Busker Abú
TG4, 8.30pm
New 13-part series that aims to anoint Ireland’s best busker. Each act will get 90 seconds to impress a judging panel that includes Síle Seoige and Fiachna Ó Braonáin.
Room to Improve
RTÉ One, 9.30pm
With easy access to a lovely beach, Portmarnock ticks plenty boxes as a desirable area to live in Dublin. For Paul and Sabina Horgan, however, they have quite a few issues to deal with before their dream home becomes a reality. The rundown 1940s cottage they’ve bought needs a total overhaul, with subsidence, a poor roof and asbestos in the walls among the problems they’ll have to overcome under the guidance of Dermot Bannon.
Finbarr Dwyer
TG4, 10pm
Beara-born accordion player Finbarr Dwyer passed away a year ago, and this tribute programme looks back on the life and music of one of the most accomplished players of his generation. His brothers John and Richie are among the contributors to the show.
Gliondar — Power To Lift
RTÉ One, 7.30pm
Mention the word ‘weightlifters’ and the stereotype for many people is of bulky steroid-munching men. This show looks at a whole different side of the coin, as women such as PR executive Emma Scott and beautician Sharon Conroy explain why they enjoy powerlifting so much.
Whistleblowers: Can We Handle The Truth?
TV3, 10pm
Some of the bravest people in our society are those who put their careers and reputations on the line to expose an injustice. This show chats to the likes of Olivia Greene, a former Irish Nationwide employee who spoke up about several issues in the building society, including the special arrangements for loans to several people with Fianna Fáil connections. We also hear from Chalkie White, a swimmer who helped expose the widespread abuse in the Irish Amateur Swimming Association; and former army captain Tom Clonan, who spoke out against the harassment of female members of the defence forces.
The Notorious
RTÉ2, 10pm
Conor McGregor may split opinion somewhat, but he does make for good TV. In episode five of this documentary series, he fights German opponent Denis Siver, a bout that ensures much of his Christmas is spent in the gym.
Natural World
BBC Two, 8pm
Paul McGann narrates a documentary on the amazing abilities of owls to hunt in the dark.
Drugs Live: Cannabis on Trial
Channel 4, 10pm
“I’ve worked in war zone but I’ve never been as overwhelmingly frightened as I was right then.” As part of this show, veteran news presenter Jon Snow smoked some of the potent ‘skunk’ form of cannabis so the effects could be studied in an MRI scanner. As we’ll see, it wasn’t a pleasant experience for Snow and the substance he smoked seemed to have a much stronger effect on the brain compared to the other form, hashish, consumed for the experiment.
This World
BBC Two, 9pm
A show entitled ‘Surviving Sandy Hook’ follows the work of Gilles Rousseau, who lost a daughter in the Connecticut school shooting of 26 people in 2012, as he faces resistance to his campaign for gun law reform in the US.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
RTÉ Two, 10pm
The American adaptation from 2011 of Stieg Larsson’s novel has Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara in the main roles.
Banished
BBC Two, 9pm
Major new series from Jimmy McGovern (Cracker, The Street, etc) that’s set in a penal colony in New South Wales in 1788. As you might expect from the talented Liverpool screenwriter, it doesn’t exactly make for cheery viewing. Life was positively grimn Down Under in the pre-backpacker era. Familiar faces include Irish actress Orla Brady; and Rory McCann , who plays a character as odious as his Hound from Game of Thrones.
Don’t Tell The Bride
RTE Two, 9pm
Dean Monahan sets an ambitious target for himself as he tries to recreate a mini New York at his local hotel in Tullamore as part of a Big Apple themed wedding for his bride-to-be Jenny Hughes.
Ross Kemp Extreme World
Sky 1, 9pm
We’re used to Kemp heading off to explore the grim reality of life in far-flung locations, but tonight’s episode has him exposing the crime and deprivation a bit closer to home as he visits some of Britain’s seaside towns.
Crufts 2015
Channel 4, 7.30pm
The first show of the weekend’s coverage from the dog show being held at the NEC in Birmingham.
Gardeners’ World
BBC Two, 8.30pm
A sure sign that spring is around the corner is the return of Monty Don and co. Pruning, borders and tasks for the weeks ahead all feature in this first episode.
The Works
RTÉ One, 8.30pm
American band The Decemberists chat to John Kelly and also play music off their popular new album. Also, Iarla Ó Lionáird and Joe Duffy discuss two of the works on the ‘Poem For Ireland’ shortlist.
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