TV HIGHLIGHTS
SUNDAY
Sherlock, BBC1, 9pm Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson (Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman) have faced enough fiendish challenges, unusual cases and vile villains to last them a lifetime. However, the greatest challenge lies ahead. The Baker Street boys must soldier on, despite their recent run of adventures. It wouldn’t be a great detective story without a few dark secrets coming to light, and as Sherlock and John dive deeper, it is finally time to have some long-hidden truths revealed to them. Call the Midwife: The Casebook, BBC1, 5.05pm Actor Stephen McGann, who plays Dr Patrick Turner in hit drama Call the Midwife, travels across Britain to discover remarkable stories from the 1950s and 1960s that laid the foundation for the series. Using archive footage, interviews with experts and conversations with some of the midwives, nuns and doctors who played a vital part in childbirth during that time, he paints a heartwarming picture of the hardships that medical staff faced. A worthwhile watch. MONDAY Food Unwrapped, Channel 4, 8.30pm In this edition, Jimmy Doherty meets a man who works for one of the largest tea producers and whose tastes buds are insured. Kate Quilton heads to Slovenia and Northern Ireland to discover why rosemary is listed as an ingredient in many foods but its taste is completely disguised. Finally, Matt Tebbutt is in Cornwall to taste edible seaweed and does a blind taste test of seaweed spaghetti to see if it matches up with pasta. The Undateables, Channel 4, 9pm Dating is a minefield for many but it becomes even more so when there are obstacles in your path. James, 22, from Somerset is baffled when it comes to love. He has Asperger syndrome and struggles to compute anything that isn’t logical. A fan of military history and strategy, he applies his knowledge to the world of courtship. Plus, Luke, 26, from Hampshire, is autistic and struggles to speak to girls but he is hoping to impress with his knowledge of languages. Celebrity MasterChef Ireland, TV3, 10pm Viewers are in for a treat tonight as five well-known faces don white aprons to cook up a storm for judges Daniel Clifford and Robin Gill. The first five to feel the heat in the kitchen are weather forecaster Evelyn Cusack, model Holly Carpenter, Eurovision winner and singer Niamh Kavanagh, executive director of Amnesty Ireland Colm O’Gorman and retired GAA footballer Oisin McConville.
TUESDAY
Stacey on the Frontline: Girls, Guns and ISIS, BBC1, 11.10pm In this eye-opening one-off documentary, Stacey Dooley meets three extraordinary women from the all-female Yazidi battalion seeking to avenge their sisters on the frontline in Northern Iraq. In 2014, 50,000 Yazidis fled their ancestral lands to Mount Sinjar as Isil made their advance. Many women starved, were captured or were massacred. Stacey spends two weeks with the brave fighters who are determined to save the women still under Isil control. Meet the Trumps: From Immigrant to President, Channel 4, 10pm On Friday January 20, Donald Trump will become the 45th President of the United States and commander-in-chief of America’s armed forces. This documentary looks at his background and reveals an extraordinary immigration story. In the 1880’s, Trump’s penniless grandfather arrived in America and ended up running bars and brothels in the gold rush. His Scottish mother travelled from the Outer Hebrides to New York, where she met and married the tycoon who laid the solid foundation for the ever-growing Trump empire. WEDNESDAY Neven’s Irish Food Trails, RTE1, 7.30pm Neven is back and travelling through Ireland in this new seven-part series. His home throughout is the Shannon Princess, a hotel barge. In the opener, he sails from Lough Ree to Athlone and on to Clonmacnoise, cooking up pork rogan josh with rice and cucumber raita along the way. Neven also heads to County Limerick and the 1826 Adare restaurant where chef Wade Murphy shares his recipe for rump of lamb with sheep cheese polenta chips, cavalo nero and salsa verde. Yummy. Operation Transformation, RTE1, 8.30pm The five leaders take their first steps towards their final challenge in their fitness journey — the hallowed 5K run in Phoenix Park, Dublin. Plus, another celebrity takes on Karl’s ad break challenge. It’s one to watch to get you in the mood to try to shift a few pounds. Tina and Bobby, TV3, 10pm Based on the memoirs of Tina Moore, this is the epic love story of an ordinary girl who falls for an ordinary boy, only for the boy’s life to take an extraordinary turn. Although she struggles as a housewife, Bobby’s star ascends as he becomes England captain, and when Tina falls pregnant their future looks bright, until Bobby is diagnosed with testicular cancer. Sworn to secrecy, Tina shoulders the burden of his illness alone and proves herself his rock, and the birth of baby Roberta consolidates their bond.
THURSDAY
Jack Dee’s Inauguration Helpdesk, BBC2, 11.15pm In this special, the comedian — known for his deadpan humour — offers viewers a comedic take on the US presidential inauguration. Dee aims to help sort the fact from the fiction while discussing issues related to the momentous occasion. He is accompanied by a panel of four guests including Romesh Ranganathan and Gabby Logan, who have no idea of the questions they will be asked. Generation F’d, RTE2, 10.30pm Powerful series revealing what life is really like for Ireland’s 25-35 year-olds, who are struggling to get a secure foothold in their adult lives. The post-2008 Irish economic turndown has had far-reaching ramifications, meaning this generation looks to do worse than the previous. Told over the course of a few months, the lives of three young people are explored, to be intercut across the series, accompanied by commentary from experts including economist Stephen Kinsella.
FRIDAY
Uncle, BBC1, 11.25pm Comedy series about the relationship between a failed musician and his nerdy nephew. In this episode, Andy embarks on a drug-fuelled whirlwind romance with singer Jasmine, and soon finds himself engaged. Meanwhile, Errol tries to make himself look cool to attract a girl, and Sam has to find a way of telling the family some lifechanging news. Plus, Bruce’s mother and father are coming to visit, putting strain on those who are harbouring secrets. Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast, Channel 4, 8pm This week, stunning singer and dancer Alesha Dixon is in the famous cafe on the pier. Inspired by a recent trip to India, the Britain’s Got Talent judge and presenter cooks up a delectable double marinated spicy prawn dish. TV chef Jamie gives classic 70s dish salmon en croute a delicious modern twist and the boys team up to call for free range milk to go into mainstream supermarkets. Plus, Jimmy goes in search of black gold — truffles. The Graham Norton Show, BBC1, 10.35pm It’s perfect Friday night fodder and tonight, you’re in for a real treat as Oscar-winning hunk Matthew McConaughey joins the host to chat about his new crime adventure, Gold, and no doubt being cajoled by the charismatic host into revealing a few juicy truths about himself. Plus, singing star Ed Sheeran chats about his successful music career and performs.
SATURDAY
Secret Eaters, RTE2, 4.20pm Good friends Daryl and Kate from Essex are put in the spotlight. Both are desperate to lose weight but don’t consider themselves unhealthy eaters. However, Daryl’s large breakfasts and Kate’s snacking suggest otherwise. Once the pair are made aware of just how much they are putting away, will they be able to curb their munching? Daryl certainly hopes so as he want to get trimmer ahead of becoming a dad for the first time. Let it Shine, BBC1, 7pm Another batch of auditions takes place in Manchester as the search for a boyband that will sing the music of Take That in a new musical continues. Boyband alumni Gary Barlow, is joined by Dannii Minogue, Martin Kemp and star of West End musical Dreamgirls, Amber Riley. The boys audition solo, and they’re all looking for 15 stars from the judges to make it through to the next stage of the competition. Taboo, BBC1, 9.15pm James Delaney finds himself alone with the mysterious Dr Dumbarton and discovers an unlikely new ally. However, he has many enemies who want to bring him down. James decides that if he is to survive and rise through the ranks once more, he must take radical action. As he works to prevent further attempts on his life, James realises that if he is clever, his enemies may choose to destroy others in his place. Just what treachery will he get up to? Prepare to get addicted.