TV HIGHLIGHTS
MONDAY
Supergirl, Sky1, 8pm DC has been on top of its game when it comes to bringing its comic book characters to the small screen, with tonight’s episode kicking off a mammoth four-part epic that sees Kara team up with Oliver Queen’s Green Arrow, Barry Allen’s Flash and the Legends to take on the intergalactic threat of the Dominators. The story continues all this week in The Flash tomorrow, Arrow on Wednesday and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow tying things up on Thursday. 10 Things to Know About... RTE1, 8.30pm The trio of Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain, Jonathan McCrea and Kathriona Devereux tackle the topic of sports performance. The use of scientific development to advance performance is a hot topic at the moment, but when used in a positive way, the results can be spectacular. The team shines a light on research at UL which seeks to improve a golfer’s game, then meets RCSI’s Dara Meldrum, an expert at the forefront of inner-ear imbalance rehabilitation, and a team at Kitman Labs who are looking into the effects concussion has on the rest of the body. BBC Music Awards, BBC1, 8.30pm Claudia Winkleman, Fearne Cotton and Gemma Cairney take to the stage at London’s ExCel to reflect on the sensational year it has been for popular music. Featuring performances from stars including Robbie Williams, Kaiser Chiefs, The 1975, Craig David and Emeli Sande, the hosts also hand out awards including BBC Music British Artist of the Year, BBC Music Song of the Year and BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge Performance of the Year.
TUESDAY
The Royal Variety Performance, TV3, 7.30pm David Walliams calls the shots as host of the annual extravaganza, as a wave of performers including singers, dancers, comedians and variety acts to entertain and excite the audience inside London’s Hammersmith Apollo, in the presence of the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. Among the ensemble of artists are singers Sting, Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow and Emeli Sande, comics Alan Davies and Rob Beckett, and this year’s Britain’s Got Talent winner, magician Richard Jones. The Taste of Success, RTE1, 8.30pm After weeks of tension in the kitchen, the final two competitors face off, with only one of them set to have their hand raised in victory and their product receiving a place on the shelves of 140 Lidl stores across Ireland, a business break worth 100,000 euro. Things heat up between the mentors as well, as Eunice Power, Roz Purcell, JP McMahon and Domini Kemp each want the bragging rights to call their contestant the champion. Michael Buble’s Christmas in New York, TV3, 10pm Canada’s king of swing returns to our screens as the host of this musical spectacular, bringing the festive cheer to an audience at the iconic Radio City Music Hall in New York City. During a set that sees him belt out seasonal classics such as It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, All I Want for Christmas Is You and Cold December Night, he also welcomes famous faces including Barbra Streisand, Ariana Grande, Miss Piggy and The Rockettes to take part in duets.
WEDNESDAY
Ireland with Ardal O’Hanlon, More4, 9pm Although his days as Dougal in Father Ted are behind him, Irish comedian and actor Ardal O’Hanlon is the perfect choice to host this new series, which sees the star travel the island, discovering the truth behind its myths and legends. Using a series of Victorian guidebooks written by Mr and Mrs SC Hall, he learns more about fairies, leprechauns and ghosts, discovers more about the infamous stone at Blarney Castle and meets a matchmaker who claims to be in possession of a magical book. Miss Nigeria Ireland and Me: Reality Bites, RTE2, 9.30pm This edition of the eye-opening documentary series takes TV host and former Mister World Kamal Ibrahim from the annual beauty pageant to Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, and where he lived until he was aged eight, on a journey of self-discovery that sees him diving into the connections between his home nation and Ireland. With the number of Nigerians now living here nearing 50,000, the host and Miss Nigeria Ireland learn more about their roots. Mock the Week, BBC2, 11.15pm The 15th series of the longrunning, headline-busting comedy quiz concludes tonight in fittingly festive fashion, as Dara O Briain and regular team captain Hugh Dennis welcome a host of famous funny folk for the show’s traditional Christmas special. There is also a look back at the best outtakes that didn’t make it to TV from the series.
ThUrSDAY
The Local Eye, RTE1, 7pm In this insightful edition behindthe-scenes of some of Ireland’s newspapers. Nenagh Guardian photographer Bridget Delaney searches for the perfect shot of Tipperary’s All-Ireland homecoming, but new stadium regulations could work against her. Meanwhile, Donegal Post editor Micheal McHugh contemplates what Brexit could mean for the country’s big Orange Order March, and the sales team at the Northside People try to perfect the painful art of cold calling. Don’t Tell the Bride, RTE2, 9.30pm Paddy from Cashel is given the budget and total control of his big day, as he looks to recreate the setting of his Australian romance with bride-to-be Breda. He thinks it will be a walk in the park, but holding the service in a bog, filling the reception full of snakes, and using a turf cutter as the wedding car could see her wishing to boomerang back up the aisle. Who Owns O’Donovan Rossa? RTE1, 11.15pm This documentary tells the story of Irish hero Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa — through the eyes of his two Irish-American great-grandsons Williams and Rossa Cole. The music of James Fearnley plays at various stages throughout the piece which opens in New York where O’Donovan Rossa was exiled. It travels through Dublin, Cork and Belfast looking at his life, his massive 1916 funeral that set the stage for the 1916 rising. Commemorative reenactments of his funeral also feature.
FrIDAY
Tastes Like Home with Catherine Fulvio, RTE1, 7.30pm The host’s travels around the country take her to Dublin, where she meets Jacinta Baille, who shows her how to create the ultimate traditional Irish breakfast. The chef subsequently visits Jacinta’s sister in Portland, Oregon, where she makes one from scratch for her family. Pat Shortt’s Entertainment from D’Telly, RTE1, 8.30pm This week’s trawl through the vault reveals a number of radio shows with famous faces popping in, such as Paddy Crosbie and Larry Gogan. There are also stand-up routines from Noel V Ginnity and Jimmy Carr. Vicious, UTV Ireland, 9pm Derek Jacobi and Ian McKellen return as cranky couple Freddie and Stuart, who prove that growing old disgracefully can get you a few laughs. This special catches up with the most recent year of their lives, beginning in spring, when Violet’s financial bother could wreck Stuart and Freddie’s inheritance. Summer sees Freddie celebrate his birthday, but surprises aren’t far behind, before Ash returns in autumn with big news. Finally, they see the year out with festive fun, while getting to experience Freddie’s latest acting job. The Graham Norton Show, BBC1, 11.05pm The host has another sofa full of famous faces popping in for a chat. This edition sees him talk to Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel about their new film, Lion; Felicity Jones discussing her new sci-fi adventure Rogue One: A Star Wars Story; Dawn French talks about her latest series, Delicious, and Michael Parkinson chats about new book, Muhammad Ali: A Memoir. All this happensbefore Bruno Mars performs his single, 24K Magic.
SATUrDAY
Strictly Come Dancing: The Final, BBC1, 6.40pm After weeks of thrills and spills on the dance floor, the remaining celebrities and their partners take their positions for the final time, as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman welcome us to the flamboyant finale of the ballroom extravaganza. The series has seen more nail-biting moments and heart-warming performances than ever before, and although their skills have got them this far, the finalists will have to reach down deep and pull out something special if they should hope to be victorious. As ever, judges Len Goodman, Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood look on, but it will be the public’s votes that decide who waltzes away with the coveted Glitterball Trophy. Mr Robot, TG4, 8.50pm The first series of the cyberdrama concludes, as Elliott makes another huge discovery regarding his family and society, whose hack has caused mayhem across the city. Elsewhere, Tyrell faces a world that is crumbling around him and Angela is met with a surprise guest. Gogglebox Ireland, TV3, 11.35pm The popular show that has viewers watching TV and discussing the week’s television highlights made a successful jump to these shores, and this special highlights its best bits, funniest moments and most heartwarming reactions.