What to watch on TV this week
102 Dalmatians
RTÉ One, 5.05pm
Glenn Close and Gérard Depardieu star in the tale of Cruella DeVil’s renewed quest to make a furcoat from dalmation puppies.
Crufts 2015 Channel 4, 7pm
The terriers and hounds get judged tonight, and there’s also an appearance from Irish ‘supervet’ Noel Fitzpatrick.
The Following
Sky Atlantic, 9pm
Series three returns with Kevin Bacon’s character believing that the case is closed and the serial killer’s impending execution ensuring there can be no revival of his twisted cult. How wrong he is.
Cumann na mBan
TG4, 7.15pm
New documentary narrated by Mary McAleese about female nationalist organisation Cumann na mBan and its place in the formation of the state. We hear how the promise of equal rights for women, as mentioned in the 1916 Proclamation, was not fulfilled, partly because the Civil War split weakened Cumann na mBan’s influence.
Crufts 2015: Best in Show
Channel 4, 9pm
The best of the various breeds are brought together for the ultimate doggie prize.
Poldark
BBC One, 9pm
A big hit in the 1970s, it’s surprising that we’ve had to wait this long for a revival. This new series features Irish actor Aidan Turner (Kili the dwarf in The Hobbit) in the title role as the man who returns to his native Cornwall after three years away fighting in the American war of independence.
Room To Improve
RTE One, 9.30pm
Dr Pat Harrold and his physiotherapist wife Marita have moved home 17 times. Now they’re back in Pat’s home town of Nenagh, Co Tipperrary, with their four children, and they want to renovate the three-bed bungalow he grew up in. Pat’s 93-year-old mother Mary is also living there, and as ever, there are issues with budgets and agreeing a design as Bannon tries to accomodate three generations, and also take on board advice from a feng shui expert.
Meteor Music Awards
RTÉ2, 10.50pm
Highlights from the Vicar Street event held on Thursday, where the winner of the prestigious music prize was selected. Delorentos and Riptide Movement are among the performers, while there will also be interviews with Hozier and Sinead O’Connor.
The Billion Pound Hotel
Channel 4, 9pm
A look behind the scenes at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, where prices range from £910 to £10,000 per night. As you’d imagine, it attracts some quite demanding visitors, and this documentary shows how staff deal with all sorts of requests.
Ray
TG4, 9.30pm
Jamie Foxx stars in the 2004 biopic about the late Ray Charles.
Laochra Gael
TG4, 8pm
Fan and Philly Larkin of James Stephens’ club in Kilkenny come under the spotlight for being part of a family that has won All-Ireland medals across three generations.
Ear To The Ground
RTÉ One, 8.30pm
It’s lambing season at the moment, and one of the big worries for farmers is how stray dogs can decimate a flock. Sometimes even trusted family pets can revert to their wild ways and wreak havoc. Darragh McCullough hears the IFA say that there are more than 300 of such attacks each year. There’s also a feature on a Co Cork vegetable farmer who has diversified into making crisps.
Sex, Lies And Love Bites: The Agony Aunt Story
BBC Four, 9pm
Philippa Perry looks at the history of agony aunts, from 17th century advice columns to Cathy & Claire in Jackie magazine and the great Claire Rayner.
The Consumer Show
RTÉ One, 8.30pm
A puppy isn’t just for Christmas, apparently, and some even grow up to be dogs. In this evening’s show, there are tips on what to look out for when buying a young animal.
This World
BBC Two, 9pm
Despite the arrest of leader Joaquin Guzman, the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico is still one of the most powerful exporter of narcotics in the world. This documentary looks at allegations that the state has turned a blind eye to some of its activities in return for information on the other cartels.
Banished
BBC Two, 9pm
Episode two of Jimmy McGovern’s convict drama in Australia has the shortage of women for the soldiers causing a number of issues. There’s also another attempt to mete out justice to camp bully Marston. It all feels a mite overcooked on McGovern’s part, but may provide viewing for anybody interested in that fascinating era of Australia’s history.
The Toughest Trade
TV3, 10pm
This documentary follows two GAA players trading places with two sportsmen from other codes. Former major league baseball star Brian Schneider joins James Stephens in Kilkenny, and retired soccer player David Bentley tries out life with Crossmaglen Rangers. Heading in the other direction is Jackie Tyrrell, off to Florida to join a baseball team; and Aaron Kernan teaming up with Premier League side Sunderland.
Gardeners’ World
BBC Two, 8.30pm
Hellebores are top of Monty Don’s list for advice, while Carol Klein begins a project to help an inexperienced couple get the garden of their dreams up and running.
The Irish Rock Story: A Tale of Two Cities
BBC Four, 9pm
A long-overdue look at popular music in this country looks at the evolution of the scenes in Belfast and Dublin since the 1950s. That will be followed by Irish Rock at the BBC (10pm), a greatest hits of Irish performers on the Beeb, that features everyone from Thin Lizzy and the Undertones to Hozier and the Divine Comedy.
