TV HIGHLIGHTS
SUNDAY
Rivers with Jeremy Paxman, Channel 4, 8pm It’s not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Jeremy Paxman, but the abrasive broadcaster is actually a devoted fisherman. In this new series, he travels along four of the great rivers of Britain, meeting the people who make the rivers what they are. In the opener, he’s on the Tweed, the river that helps define the border between England and Scotland. He tries his hand at shearing Cheviot sheep and tagging osprey chicks. Special Forces – Ultimate Hell Week, BBC2, 9pm Just nine recruits remain to face Tana and Toto, former members of GIGN, an elite tactical unit of the French police force. Having spent eight days facing physical challenges living under four former Special Forces experts, the recruits now need to fine tune their minds as they are taken down a more psychological and tactical route. Who will be able to keep their cool and who will crack first? Se Mo Laoch, TG4, 9.30pm This new series looks at some of the heroes of the traditional music scene. Here, the life and career of fiddle player Sean Keane is under the microscope. He spent 50 years travelling the world with The Chieftains and has six Grammy awards to boot. The programme also looks at why he is known as the Heaney of the Irish fiddle tradition. Contributors include Liam O’Connor and Sean Og Potts.
MONDAY
The Nightly Show with David Walliams, 3e, 10pm New entertainment show, transmitting five nights a week for eight weeks, featuring a mix of topical monologue, games, celebrity guests, stand up and VT’s. Author and entertainer Walliams presents the first five episodes, which are recorded ‘as live’ each day. John Bishop helms the show next week. Mary Berry’s Everyday, BBC2, 8.30pm The beloved food writer and presenter travels to Scotland to enjoy the best of their everyday larder recipes inspired by her own Scottish heritage. On her trip, she discovers shellfish in Ullapool, discusses the delight that is venison cooked on a barbecue with chef Tom Kitchin and whips up her special whiskey cream on the banks of a loch. The 2,000,000 Calorie Buffet, Channel 4, 10pm Staying on the food theme, but on a much larger scale, this special looks at the growing phenomenon of all-you-can-eat restaurants taking over the high street. Narrated by comedian Jonny Vegas, this one-off documentary features hungry diners who can put away four days of calories in just one sitting and the restauranteur who know every trick in the book to get bums on seats.
TUESDAY
The Replacement, BBC1, 10.45pm New series about a successful businesswoman who falls pregnant and hires a woman to cover her role at work. Soon, however, she realises that she has made an awful mistake. Ellen is keen to get back to work quickly, but her ‘replacement’ Paula thinks she should be putting her baby first. The scheming Paula wastes no time in moving in on Ellen’s world and she soon feels totally isolated. Will she get a chance to win back the life she loved? Further Back in Time for Dinner, BBC2, 8pm In the final episode, the Robshaw family reflect on their experiences as they travelled back in time to the turn of the 20th century to discover how food helped shape the modern family. As well as their insights into the experience, presenter Giles Goren, social historian Polly Russell and housekeeper Debbie give their points of view on how it went, and discuss how so many of the tastes they sampled along the way live on in recipes today. The Secret Life of the Zoo, Channel 4, 8pm The fascinating series returns for its third run. Pedro the giant anteater falls ill, just as he is about to be reunited with his long-term partner, Bliss. The zoo’s rare bald ibises produce a new batch of chicks who will be released back into the wild in southern Spain. Plus, Natasha the orchid mantis has caused quite the crisis after eating all the male mantises, except for one. Is she saving the best for last?
WEDNESDAY
Eire Fhiain — An Costa Thiar, TG4, 9.30pm Eoin Warner presents this new two-part special about Ireland’s most beautiful and striking wild environment. In this opener, Eoin is on the Skellig Islands off the Kerry coast surrounded by puffins and shearwaters. Heading north, he encounters humpback whales off the Blasket Islands and a family of barn owls who have made the ruins of an ancient castle their new, rather regal, home. Under Lock and Key, Channel 4, 10pm This BAFTA awarding-winning special tells the heartwrenching stories of families whose loved ones with severe learning disabilities have been locked away in institutions. The programme looks at why thousands of vulnerable young people continue to be sent away to big institutions and also shows what good care looks like and the dramatic improvement it can have on people’s lives. Challenging God with Vincent Browne, TV3, 12am The veteran broadcaster asks the profound question, did God make humans or did humans make God? Panellists from both sides of the fence argue as to why they believe in the presence, or lack of the invisible deity. Humanists put forth the view that there is no evidence of God while theologians argue that the fact that we exist is proof of God. If you’re in the mood to have your brain exercised, this is for you.
ThUrSDAY
Britain on the Fiddle, BBC1, 9pm New series of the consumer show which looks at the work of fraud investigators. In this episode, a cigarette smuggler thinks he should be knighted for his services to the country but instead, he’s being pursued for dodging duty on tobacco. In Croydon, investigators try to establish the identity of a woman in police custody who they found in possession of three passports, three insurance numbers and more than £20,000 in cash. Prime Suspect 1973, TV3, 10pm New drama series exploring the back story of Jane Tennison, starring Stefanie Martini, Sam Reid and Blake Harrison. Probationary officer Jane starts out as a WPC in a traditionally chauvinistic world. The body of a teenage girl is found in the underground carpark of a Hackney housing estate, thrusting her into her first murder investigation. Elsewhere, a crime matriarch is attacked. Deafening, RTE1, 10.15pm This one-off special looks at the world through the eyes of four deaf people. Presenter Sarah Jane Moloney O’Regan is about to become a mum of twins but she worries what her babies will go through if they are born deaf, as she is. Deaf siblings Jade and Matthew Visser, aged four and five, who both have cochlear implants, share their concerns about making friends. Plus, Sean Herlihy, who teaches at a deaf school in Dublin, discusses the changes his family made.
FrIDAY
Fleadh Cheoil, RTE1, 7.30pm Presenters John Creedon and Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain team up to mix with thousands of revellers and musicians at the Fleadh Cheoil in Ennis, recorded last year. In this week’s episode, Cavan Bucks and Clare concertina player Chris Droney feature, and there’s also a foottapping session with Edel Fox, Neil Byrne and Sean O Fearghaill. The Team, More 4, 9pm Journalist Jean-Louis is unwilling to cooperate with police, despite having interviewed the murdered prostitutes. Meanwhile, Alicia’s superior makes a suicide attempt and the only remaining lead, a pimp, has gone missing. Stan Lee’s Lucky Man, Sky1, 9pm In the second episode of the drama, an unconfirmed sighting of Golding puts Harry on edge. With his nemesis seemingly drawing near, Harry is forced to take drastic measures to protect his family. Threatening to lead him astray is the attractive and enigmatic Isabella... will he be able to resist her lucky charms?
SATUrDAY
Let’s Sing & Dance for Comic Relief, BBC1, 6.45pm Brand new series in which a galaxy of stars sing and dance to iconic music tracks, all in aid of worthy cause Comic Relief. Hosted by dynamic duo Mel and Sue, the entertainment show features a brilliant lineup of rib tickling comedy panellists, top musical acts and very special guests. Tonight, DJ Matt Edmondson, stargazer Russell Grant, comedian Sara Pascoe, DJ’s Rickie and Melvin, and Absolutely Fabulous actresses Helen Lederer and Harriet Thorpe compete. The Voice, TV3, 8.30pm It’s the knockout stages of the singing competition and Jennifer Hudson’s six remaining acts battle it out until six become three. The public vote for the best two acts, who go though to the quarter final, leaving the soul diva to save one other lucky act from going home. Follow the Money, BBC4, 9pm The Danish crime drama returns for a second series. In this opener, Mads and Alf are still hoping to tie up loose ends and arrest the corrupt CEO of Energreen, but he is nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, Claudia is released from prison having served 18 months for her involvement in the scandal. Plus, Nicky pays a high price.