Weekend TV highlights: Spike Lee's new film and Artemis Fowl lead the charge on the streaming services
FRIDAY
Issues around race are never far away in discussions of American society, but the timing of the release of Spike Lee's latest film seems particularly pertinent given recent events in the States.
It tells of four African American war veterans who return to Vietnam to find the remains of their squad leader, and dig up a trunk of gold they'd buried in the jungle.
Along the way we get a glimpse of what life was like for the black soldiers, as well as references to the dodgy actions of Nixon as president, and the Kent State shootings, when National Guard soldiers killed 13 protestors at a college.
Spain v Northern Ireland from the World Cup in 1982 was an incredible game in which Billy Bingham's side shocked the tournament hosts with a 1-0 win, thanks to a goal from Gerry Armstrong. They may have been regarded as minnows, but had an impressive squad featuring the likes of Pat Jennings, Norman Whiteside, and Martin O'Neill.
Ever wondered what your neighbours across the Irish Sea have been up to over the past few weeks? Anna Richardson talks to various British people about their sex lives during lockdown, including the couple who've been separated but have made a replica of his penis.
The big-budget take on the novels by Irish writer Eoin Colfer may have missed out on a big-screen release, but that's good news for subscribers to Disney's streaming service. The two leads are played by Irish actors, and the adaptation was largely filmed in the North.
SATURDAY
Bradley Walsh, Alan Carr and Gino D’Acampo all chip in for various sections of the light entertainment show.
Jake Gyllenhaal stars in the true story of Jeff Bauman, who lost both his legs in the bombing of the Boston marathon in 2013.
The arrival of Bloomsday on Tuesday obviously trumps the belief that this is a winter film, and anyway, there's no need for an excuse to again show this fine adaptation of the James Joyce story. Donal McCann and Anjelica Huston star in John Huston's adaptation from 1987.
Rugbaí Gold (TG4, 7.15pm) features the classic Heineken Cup game from 2011 when Ronan O'Gara's heroics claimed a memorable win for Munster over Northampton. Live soccer on BT Sport features Dusseldorf v Borussia Dortmund (ko 2.30pm) and Bayern Munich v Borussia Mönchengladbach (ko 5.30pm). Retro action includes Netherlands v England (BBC One, 3pm) from Euro 96, with the likes of Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham and Dennis Bergkamp; and Euro '88 (RTÉ2, 9.30pm) which includes highlights of Ireland's game against England.
SUNDAY
Drama series over three consecutive nights telling of the poisonings in southern England that originally targeted former Russian security agent Sergei Skripal. Both he and his wife became extremely ill from a substance presumably left by Russian agents. The case took another twist a few weeks later when a couple nearby came into contact with the same substance.
Engaging documentary about two South Africans who set out to find what happened to the long-forgotten Rodriguez, their musical hero from the 1970s.
By mid-week, the Bundesliga will again be overshadowed by the Premier League, but in the meantime Schalke v Bayer Leverkusen (ko 5pm) features among the live games. Action from Euro 2016 features England v Wales (BBC One, 2.35pm) and a super-sub performance from Daniel Sturridge.
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