True Detective, TED, Tommy Tiernan... 10 TV & streaming highlights for January
Some of Des O'Driscoll's telly picks for January
One of the great annual success stories of domestic television, the 2024 series seems to moving with the times in placing more emphasis on a variety of health indicators rather than just weight. Kathryn Thomas is on presentation duties as usual, and new dietitian Sophie Pratt joins regular experts Dr Sumi Dunne, Dr Eddie Murphy and Karl Henry.
Another huge Irish show, the opening episode has matched 70-something pair Garry and Mary, as well as auto dealer Colm (28) with car fan Sorcha (25).
The show where the presenter doesn’t know who the guests are returns for an eighth series. In fairness to Tiernan, he’s really breathed new life into the chatshow format.
Rebecca Tallon De Havilland was considered Ireland’s first publicly-out trans person, and presents this series about people who’ve had bad experiences and need guidance on how to grab a second chance at a happy life. They’ve been derailed by such experiences as addiction, prison, abusive relationships, etc, and De Havilland engages a mix of expert advice and tough love to get them back on track.
Dermot Bannon is back with four new renovation projects in an era when big inflation in building costs are sure to test any budget. First up are a couple trying to make the most of available grants and a €250,000 mortgage to renovate the old family farmhouse.
As Fr Dougal, actor Ardal O’Hanlon lived on one of the most famous fictional islands; for this new series, he travels to some of the real communities off our coasts. On Rathlin, he checks out the unique wildlife, while later episodes include visits to Cape Clear and the Blaskets.
The weed-smoking pervy teddy-bear provided plenty laughs over two films, and hopefully can recapture the magic for a seven-part TV series. Mark Wahlberg doesn’t’ seem to be involved but creator and main voice Seth MacFarlane is at the helm for a sort of a prequel set in the home of the young teddy-bear owner.
Graham Norton hosts a new series showing off Ireland’s rich pool of comedic talent. As well as his fellow UK-based star Aisling Bea, the show will also include old stagers such as Jason Byrne, and emerging names like Tony Cantwell and Emma Doran.
The fourth instalment of the anthology series is set in the icy darkness of an Alaskan town in winter. When a group of scientists disappear from a research base, a local cop played by Jodie Foster are among those trying to unravel the strange goings-on. Another familiar face in the cast is Cork actress Fiona Shaw.
Sofía Vergara of Modern Family flits between Miami and her native Colombia for the lead role in a mini-series about a real-life cocaine trafficker. Griselda Blanco. We see how the mother-of-four became one of the most feared cartel leaders through the 1980s.
