TV HIGHLIGHTS
SUNDAY
The X Factor, TV3, 7.30pm The juggernaut that is the talent contest leaves its boot camp stages behind and launches this year’s edition of the six chair challenge. Over three episodes the remaining acts perform individually in front of the audience, and it’s up to their judge to decide then and there if they want that performer to fill one of their six chairs and move on to the judges’ houses, or if their journey to fame and a likely Christmas number one ends here.
Blind Date, TV3, 9pm Cilla Black’s popular dating show is remade for an Irish audience with comedian Al Porter taking over as host. Al’s on hand to welcome singletons from across Ireland and help them navigate their way to their very own blind date. Kicking things off, the presenter helps a diva take her pick of three likely lads, and a muscular man choose one of a trio of lovely ladies.
Snowfall, BBC2, 11.35pm This ensemble drama based in southern California peers into the murky world of Los Angeles in 1983. What the title eludes to is the boom of the cocaine industry and this 10-part series follows a cast of characters who find themselves caught up in the distribution, sale and usage of the illicit drug. Damson Idris stars.
MONDAY
The Human Body: Secrets of Your Life Revealed, BBC2, 9pm There’s an existential crisis to be had about a programme revealing the secrets of human life coming to an end, but for the most part this informative series, presented by twin doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken, has done an excellent job delving around the biology and physiology of the human animal. In the final episode, the hosts look into how memories are formed and how environmental factors continue to affect our bodies throughout our lives.
Bette Midler: One Night Only, TV3, 9pm Joanna Lumley presents this spectacular television special celebrating the life of the showbiz icon who has graced screens for more than half a century. Featuring musical performances, chat with the Grammy Award-winning singer and surprises along the way, this is the ultimate insight into the life of the divine Ms Midler.
Have I Got a Bit More News for You, BBC1, 11.10pm The extended edition of the topical news series sees guest host, Pointless presenter Alexander Armstrong, oversee proceedings as team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton are joined by two high-profile panellists from the worlds of comedy, journalism and current affairs to make fun of the latest happenings in the world.
TUESDAY
Budget 2018, RTE1, 12.40pm Bryan Dobson and Keelin Shanley are on hand for the announcement of the state of the country’s finances for 2018, which includes studio analysis and reaction of the facts and figures affecting the public.
Our Girl, BBC1, 9pm Michelle Keegan returns to her role as Lance Corporal Georgie Lane for the third series of this military drama, as she and 2-section are sent on a humanitarian relief mission to Nepal. To make matters interesting, a reckless soldier from Georgie’s past is assigned to her unit, and she is tasked with mentoring the new recruit.
Russia 1917: Countdown to Revolution, BBC2, 9pm One-off docudrama looking at the Russian Revolution of 1917 – one of the most influential events of the 20th century. Emerging from obscurity, Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin forged a new political system and turned the largest country on Earth into a Communist state. It is often debated whether or not this was a victory of people power, or a ruthless coup d’etat, and in an attempt to understand, this programme dramatises 245 days prior to the revolution and looks at how these three revolutionaries claimed power.
Vogue, RTE2, 10.05pm The model, presenter and broadcaster’s life has been splattered across web pages and tabloids, and her battles with anxiety are well known, but how well have we heard her side of the story? In the second episode the host looks at whether or not there is a ‘cure’ for anxiety, and meets people who cope with the condition on a daily basis. She also investigates the role social media plays in causing anxiety among the younger generation.
WEDNESDAY
Peaky Blinders, RTE2, 9pm In the history of television drama, there has rarely been a wedding which went smoothly and without disturbance, and this period piece starring Cillian Murphy is no different. Thomas Shelby is getting married, but no sooner than his guests started to enjoy the occasion, he disappears to conduct some important business. In the second episode of tonight’s double bill, Thomas travels to London to meet a volatile man at the request of his new business partners.
Brendan O’Connor’s Cutting Edge, RTE1, 9.35pm The multi-talented host returns for another instalment of his topical panel show, welcoming an array of opinionated commentators and personalities to peruse the latest in news and entertainment and provide a darkly comic post-mortem on the decisions and dilemmas of Ireland and the rest of the world.
THURSDAY
Find Me a Home, RTE1, 8.30pm The concluding episode of the rehoming roadshow sees cameras arrive at The Old Boley Stud Farm. Owners Wendy and Harry are looking to branch out from their equestrian paradise and searching for a home in the south of England. However, Henry is quite reluctant to leave, so the pair attempt to reach a compromise in Wexford. Also featured is Mark Smyth, who spotted foundations for a building site on a favourite dogwalking area, and discovered plans for a new housing estate.
Trauma, RTE2, 9.30pm The ins and outs of hospitals have made TV staples for many decades now, with dramas and documentaries showing the work of medical staff who literally work to save people’s lives. This latest offering tries something new, focusing on trauma patients and staff in high-pressure situations. In the opening episode, a driver involved in a road traffic accident is treated for a triple A ruptured aneurism, broadcaster Ronan Collins is taken to Beaumont Hospital, and a violent attack results in a man holding the missing part of his ear.
Ministry of Hope, RTE1, 10.15pm The concluding part of this series, which focuses on those bringing solace to people in less-than-ideal situations, features the happier side of a chaplain’s job, as the DCU Gospel Choir prepares to sing in front of former President Mary McAleese. Meanwhile, there’s some words of advice for an inmate at Shelton Abbey Open Prison who’s about to become a father, and at the Mater Hospital, a chaplain helps support a mother of two young children who is clinging to her Christian faith.
FRIDAY
Donal Lunny – Linte Ceoil Cheiltigh, RTE1, 7.30pm Autumn evenings in front of the television are made for this type of musical travelogue, and this one delivers in spades. Irish folk musician icon and producer Donal Lunny goes in search of Celtic music, travelling to places with Celtic heritage to see if traditional music that has been passed down though the generations shows tangible evidence of common Celtic origins.
The Crystal Maze, Channel 4, 8pm Richard Ayoade draws the rebooted labyrinth navigation series to a close as he oversees the action with one more team of intrepid adventurers venturing into the Maze. The latest bunch to try their luck are Welsh hopefuls The Pizza Hut team. Unsurprisingly, this group met while working in a restaurant, but will they come out victorious when they try to grab a slice of the action?
Mammon, RTE2, 10pm This Norwegian drama reaches its gripping season two finale with a double bill of episodes. Ellen and Peter go in search of the evidence that resulted in Hammern’s death, but find themselves with no one trustworthy to back them up. In a precarious position, and separated from Peter, Ellen attempts to find her partner before it’s too late.
SATURDAY
Lucy Worsley’s Night at the Opera, BBC2, 9pm Historian Lucy Worsley explores how history and opera are the perfect marriage. Over the course of the series, she visits the European cities where some of the most famous operas were written and tells of the fascinating characters who composed them. In the first episode, Lucy visits Venice, where Claudio Monteverdi invented modern opera with The Coronation of Poppea. Elsewhere, Antonio Pappano, Music Director of London’s Royal Opera, helps viewers understand opera’s greatest ever moments.
Miracle Landing on the Hudson, RTE2, 8.40pm This is an incredible story of human resilience. In 2009, just two minutes into the US Airways flight 1549, a flock of birds flew into both engines causing a catastrophic power loss. However, the captain miraculously steered the aircraft into the Hudson River.