TV HIGHLIGHTS
MONDAY
First Dates, Channel 4, 10pm The unmissable reality show is back and there are more lovelorn singles lining up to take a seat in the now famous restaurant. Charlie, 25, is on the hunt for his perfect ‘unicorn’, but with his sights set impossibly high, is he likely to meet his dream girl? Keeping the spirit of the Olympics alive, Team GB bobsleigh athlete Jordan is looking for his perfect match, but can he rein in his wandering eye? Finally, brash businessman Colin is looking for the final perfect piece of his jigsaw.
The 68th Primetime Emmy Awards, RTE2, 7.50pm Enjoy all the sparkling highlights from the star-studded ceremony, hosted by American all-rounder, Jimmy Kimmel from the Microsoft Theatre in California. Catastrophe’s Sharon Horgan is among the nominees for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. She will join other famous faces hoping to be honoured by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Other notable nominees include Game
of Thrones and Sherlock.
Cold Feet, UTV Ireland, 9pm The beloved comedy continues tonight, and David (Robert Bathurst) gets a rude awakening by the police. He thinks that something is wrong with the kids, and is hugely relieved when it’s revealed that nothing bad has happened to them. However, he still ends up being grilled by the boys in blue. After a trip to the doctors, Adam (James Nesbitt) confirms his suspicions about Pete and tries to cheer him up with a bike ride. Plus, Jenny’s moment of madness comes back to haunt her.
TUESDAY
Alex Jones — Fertility & Me, BBC1, 11.45pm When popular The One Show presenter Alex Jones got married last year, she started trying for a baby with her husband Charlie. Alex was worried she was too old to start a family at 38, having read headlines claiming that starting a family later in life would cause problems for the mother and the baby. Deeply affected by this issue, she decided to investigate what pioneering science is doing about the issue and the cutting-edge techniques that could revolutionise fertility treatment in the future.
It Was Alright in the 1970s, Channel 4, 10pm Matt Lucas narrates a plethora of hilarious material. From punk to pot, free love and newly arrived immigrants, 1970s TV highlights how society saw danger in everything. Some of the famous shows covered include Man Alive,
Brass Tacks and The Goodies. The show also features first-hand accounts from the people who were making TV at the time, including Barry Cryer, Janet Street-Porter and Bill Oddie.
Parenthood, RTE2, 11.50pm The critically acclaimed drama chronicling the lives of the Braverman family continues and in this opener, Sarah (Lauren Graham), brings Zeek (Craig T Nelson) away on a no-expensesspared birthday trip to adult playground Las Vegas. What ensues will set the scene for the season. Plus, Amber (Mae Whitman) faces a life-changing event and also tries to navigate the rich tapestry of life as an adult. How will she fare as she takes her first tentative steps towards being a grown up?
WEDNESDAY
Conviction: Murder at the Station, BBC2, 9pm This fascinating two-part documentary follows a team of experts as they look for evidence that could vindicate a man who is serving a sentence for a murder he claims he did not commit. Each year, more than 500 people in the UK are convicted of murder and a guilty verdict can only be overturned if new evidence comes to light. Inside Justice, led by Louise Shorter, is a specialist charity that offers assistance to prisoners who are protesting their innocence. In the opening edition, Louise looks into the case of a Southampton man who is in prison for murdering his secret lover.
Airbnb: Dream or Nightmare? Channel 4, 10pm Airbnb is a fast-rising phenomenon that allows people to effectively ‘rent’ a room or house instead of checking into an expensive hotel. While the majority of users have positive experiences, others haven’t been so lucky. From houses being trashed to hosts behaving inappropriately, this programme will certainly prove to be an eye-opener...
Chicago PD, RTE2, 9pm The police procedural drama returns. In the series opener, the Sheldon Jin murder investigation is gathering pace and Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) is operating under the watchful glare of internal affairs. He is still in complete command of the intelligence unit, yet does he know enough to second-guess his detractors? Sophia Bush (One Tree Hill) and Jon Seda (Homicide: Life on the Street) also star.
THURSDAY
Ingenious Animals, BBC1, 8pm In the final instalment, the team explore anatomy secrets of some of the most intriguing animals on the planet. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is in the French Alps to get a better understanding of an eagle’s physical abilities, which could help save it from extinction. Giles Clark meets a tree-climbing kangaroo in Australia and Lucy Cooke is in Costa Rica to find out if the sloth’s laziness is the key to its success and asks scientists in the UK how the sea lion catches its prey in the dark.
The Doctor Who Gave Up Drugs, BBC1, 9pm In this social experiment to see if people can get by without popping pills, Dr Chris van Tulleken has been working as a GP in East London treating specially selected patients without drugs. In a bid to utilise what he’s learned, he opens up a Drug-Free Clinic and learns that patients prefer to have a quick fix. The doctor meets Crystal, a woman taking 30 pills a day for chronic back pain. Over the course of five months, he leads her on an extraordinary road to recovery by helping her withdraw from her addictive medication. Inside Trinity, RTE1, 10.15pm Located in the heart of Dublin for over 400 years, Trinity has been the cornerstone of Irish life. In this landmark four-part series, we learn more about the beautiful building and its storied walls. In the opening edition, the first of the new student intake is packed and ready to move, and Lynn Ruane sets up home on the campus as president of the Trinity Student Union.
FRIDAY
Strictly Come Dancing, BBC1, 9pm Brighten up the dark autumn evenings with more dazzle than you can shake a sparkly stick at. Tonight, six celebrities take to the floor to perform their very first routines with their Strictly professional partner. Who will show they’ve got the talent to get ahead and who will melt under the steely judges’ glare? As ever, expect gorgeous outfits, simmering chemistry and amazing routines by the professional prancers.
Jamie’s Superfoods, Channel 4, 8pm In this new eight-part series, Oliver wants to help people get super food ingredients into our family recipes. The chef is travelling the world to find out what the locals are eating. He visits Sardina and Jeju island in South Korea, where he explores the variety of fermented kimchi — the country’s national dish. Back home, he makes pineapple pancake mess with coconut, cashew and lime and for lunch, he shows how pasta can be the perfect base for vegetables. The Lie Detective, Channel 4, 10pm In this new series, human lie detector Dan Ribacoff brings together couples, exes and singles to find out more about relationships. Each couple confronts each other with 20 questions about their partnership and expert Dan ensures that the truth is laid in it barest form. In this opener, former footballer Mitch tries to persuade his ex, Katie to give him another chance and former engaged couple Kaisha and Damien try to salvage their relationship.
SATURDAY
Strictly Come Dancing, BBC1, 6.30pm Your essential Saturday night viewing continues as the remaining nine couples take to the dance floor in a bid to impress the steely-eyed judges. No-one will go home with their tail between their legs tonight though as the scores will carry over to the following weekend. The show will open with a spectacular group performance to a Burt Bacharach classic What the World Needs Now is Love.
Walking Through Time, Channel 4, 8pm This new series explores exciting subjects from Britain’s history, from a huge meteorite that landed in Scotland to the incredible story of the last mammoths to graze on British grasslands, some 14,000 years ago. In this edition, paleontologist Dr Tori Herridge joins Dr Mike Simms of Ulster Museum to search for evidence of the culprit behind the ancient asteroid catastrophe.
The Ray D’Arcy Show, RTE One, 9.40pm The broadcaster presents a hugely entertaining show, with something for one and all. Guests from every walk of life will join the affable host. There will also be celebrity chat and music from the top acts around as well as stars on the rise. There is of course, the odd surprise thrown in too. It’s perfect weekend telly.