Monday’s TV Tips

Our pick of what’s best on the box tonight.

SITCOM: Sullivan and Son (RTÉ Two, 7.30pm)

This first episode of this US series from ‘Cheers’ creator Rob Long sees Steve Sullivan return home to Pittsburgh to celebrate his Irish-American father Jack's birthday. He quickly learns that Jack is retiring and selling the family bar Sullivan & Son.

Steve contemplates leaving his New York corporate life behind to buy the bar from his parents.

Starring comedian Steve Byrne Byrne, the ensemble cast includes Dan Lauria (‘The Wonder Years’), Christine Ebersole (‘Royal Pains’) and Brian Doyle-Murray (‘The Middle’).

Sullivan & Son is executive produced by Vince Vaughn (‘The Break-Up’) and Peter Billingsley (‘Iron Man’).

REALITY: DIY SOS: The Big Build (BBC One, 9pm)

Nick Knowles and the team are back to (hopefully) change the life of somebody less fortunate than themselves.

Each edition sees Nick meet somebody whose life hasn’t exactly gone to plan. Usually they’ve faced a terrible difficulty, perhaps death or illness, and that’s meant they’ve struggled to – literally - get their house in order.

This time, they’re going to help June Findlay, who has been left unable to walk or talk by a brain infection and is totally dependent on her devoted husband John.

Expect tears all round.

DOCUMENTARY: Copacabana Palace (BBC2, 9pm)

“Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl, with yellow feathers in her hair and her dress cut down to there...”

Did you know that the tune was inspired by a conversation Barry Manilow had with writer Bruce Sussman during a stay at the Copacabana Hotel in Rio de Janeiro?

Once back in the US, the name was worked into song lyrics, and the rest is history.

This documentary charts three months in the hotel’s life, following its staff and guests, which have included such famous names as Madonna, Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, Orson Welles, Elton John, Pavarotti and Justin Bieber.

FILM: The 40-Year-Old Virgin (ITV2, 9.30pm)

At age 40, Andy Stitzer has got a cushy job stamping invoices at an electronics superstore, a nice apartment with a fine collection of action figures and comic books, and some good friends.

But there’s just one little thing he hasn’t quite got around to doing yet - losing his virginity.

There’s something about this comedy that transcends what could have been a rather tawdry premise.

A super-sharp script, written by co-producers Judd Apatow and Steve Carell, utilises the superb comic talents of the latter, who’s hugely appealing in his breakthrough film role as the hapless innocent.

Look out for the hilarious scene where Andy gets his chest waxed – Carrell insisted on doing the scene for real to add comic value.

Starring: Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd, Romany Malco, Seth Rogen

RottenTomatoes.com Rating: 85%

COMEDY: The Savage Eye (RTÉ Two, 10pm)

This critically acclaimed series takes a satirical look at subjects close to the hearts of the Irish people.

The show deals with issues that are provocative and divisive, and lifts a mirror to parts of Irish society that we may not like to admit exist, but at all times in a savagely funny manner.

Episode two sees David McSavage and crew focus their attention on Love.

The series welcomes back familiar characters including publican Mick ‘The Bull’ Daly, Ireland’s President for Life and her Housebound ‘It’ and the Garda trainees.

DOCUMENTARY: Man Vs Weird (Channel 4, 10pm)

Simon Farnaby is a stand-up comedian who tells jokes, often about the weird but wonderful aspects of life.

But in this new three-part series, it could be said that he’s living what he’s usually poking fun at.

In each edition, Simon will be going off around the globe in search of people who appear to have superhuman abilities - what could loosely be termed a ’gift’.

First into the spotlight is Ivan, a nine-year-old from Croatia who has become an internet sensation thanks to a video clip that seems to prove he’s magnetic.

FILM: The Running Man (Film4, 10.50pm)

Stephen King’s effective short story (written as Richard Bachman) is turned into a colourful comic-book adventure starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

He plays a convict-turned-game show contestant, taking part in a bizarre life-or-death challenge against a series of flamboyant killers.

It’s one of those ‘you have to at least watch it once’ films. Richard Dawson plays the sleazy game show host, to whom Arnie utters his trademark phrase “I’ll be back” when he is sent to defend himself against, amongst other things, a biker with a chainsaw and a flying man with a flame-thrower.

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Yaphet Kotto, Maria Conchita Alonso, Richard Dawson.

RottenTomatoes.com Rating: 61%