TV hIGhLIGhTS
SUNDAY Great Lighthouses of Ireland, RTE1, 6.30pm The fourth and final episode of this series about the bastions of the Irish coastline sees former keeper Richard Foran take a trip back to the Skelligs lighthouse, his final posting before its automation. This last edition also takes a look at what the future holds for lighthouses in the era of electronic and GPS navigation. The Cry, BBC1, 9pm The final part of the drama starring Jenna Coleman and Ewen Leslie. Joanna and Alastair grow further apart as they attempt to rebuild their lives. However, an unexpected delivery triggers some long-forgotten memories for Joanna and throws everything into question for her. Philly McMahon: The Hardest Hit, RTE1, 9.30pm This powerful documentary sees the six-time All-Ireland winning Dublin Gaelic footballer on a mission to change attitudes towards drugs and drug addiction. Drawing on the experience of his older brother John — who died in 2012 after a long battle with heroin addiction — Philly makes the case for decriminalisation, and travels to Portugal to see how new laws have transformed the country’s relationship with illicit drugs. MONDAY Say Yes to the Dress, RTE2, 9pm Wedding dress expert Franc is about to close up shop for another series, but before he does there are three final brides-to-be that need his help in finding the perfect outfit for their big day. Elizabeth Jones is after the princess look, and Sinead Scully is certain she knows exactly what she wants. Meanwhile, Sharon Dineen is accompanied by quite the entourage, including her eldest daughter, who is calling in from Canada via Skype. Mr Mercedes, RTE2, 9.30pm Based on the Bill Hodges trilogy of novels by Stephen King, this drama starring Brendan Gleeson returns for a second series tonight. With Brady in hospital and his care falling to Dr Babineau, an ambitious neurosurgeon, Hodges and Holly open a private investigative agency named Finders Keepers. The Podge & Rodge Show, RTE2, 10.40pm It’s been some eight years since they were last seen, but Ballydung Manor is opening its doors once more, as Podge and Rodge are joined by new co-host Doireann Garrihy and a range of celebrities who should know just what sort of verbal abuse they’re letting themselves in for. Celebrity Call Centre for Stand Up to Cancer, Channel 4, 10pm The channel’s annual Stand Up to Cancer strand sees eight famous faces man the phones in a call centre where the British public are invited to phone in for advice on any dilemma they have, be it large or small. Facing up to calls on everything from break-ups to affairs and online dating will be Kimberley Walsh, Georgia Toffolo, Mo Gilligan, Joel Dommett, Kim Woodburn, Louie Spence, Rachel Riley and Tyger Drew-Honey. TUESDAY A Dangerous Dynasty: House of Assad, BBC2, 9pm This three-part documentary series comes to a conclusion tonight, with the final episode charting events as a glamorous profile of Asma appears in Vogue magazine, and the Arab Spring protests reach Syria. Bashar must decide whether to concede to their demands for greater freedom or follow in his father Hafez’s famously hardline steps. But as the world is shocked by the brutality of what follows and the civil war rages on, the socalled Islamic State emerges, and Bashar appears set to lose the Assad dynasty’s control of Syria. Prime Time — The Presidential Debate, RTE1, 9.35pm As the presidential campaign nears its conclusion, David McCullagh presents live coverage of the final televised debate, as each of the candidates have their say on the big issues. Later Live... with Jools Holland, BBC2, 10pm The evergreen Jools has another show packed with talent tonight, as New York rockers Interpol premiere songs from their new album Marauder. Plus, Manchester grime star Bugzy Malone is joined by Rag’n’Bone Man for a performance of their contemporary anthem Run. There are also performances by eccentric bluesman Fantastic Negrito, as well as London-based guitar band Another Sky. WEDNESDAY Without Limits: Australia, BBC1, 8pm The final part of this series sees the team of wounded veterans from Britain and Australia share stories of some of the difficulties they have faced due to their injuries, including one who reveals the true extent of their PTSD. The series ends as they are reunited two months later for the start of the Invictus Games. The Tonight Show: Presidential Election Special, Virgin Media One, 9pm Presenters Matt Cooper and Ivan Yates are joined by a panel of expert guests to debate all the biggest issues as the campaign reaches its conclusion. Finne, TG4, 9.30pm The final episode of the series sees Osgur Breatnach reveal how he was wrongly convicted of the Sallins mail train robbery in 1976, having signed a confession in Garda custody, only for suspicion to be cast on it as efforts began to clear his name. Brendan O’Connor’s Cutting Edge, RTE1, 10.05pm The host is back with another edition of his panel show, in which he is joined by three guests to debate the biggest stories which have been making headlines across the country, as well as some interesting nuggets which may have escaped the wider public’s attention. ThUrSDAY Ear to the Ground, RTE1, 8.30pm The show returns for a 26th series, as Ella McSweeney heads to Co Kilkenny to see what impact the summer’s heatwave and subsequent drought has had on the country. Plus, Helen Carroll heads to an alpaca farm in Co Offaly to get up close with the gentle animals. First Dates: Celebrity Special for Stand Up to Cancer, Channel 4, 9pm In a special episode of the show, famous singletons embark on blind dates with unsuspecting members of the public. Those involved include reality TV star Joey Essex, whose date Lydia has no idea who he is. Hector O Siberia go Saigon, TG4, 9.30pm Hector O hEochagain starts his new series in the Siberian town of Tomsk, where he spends time with ice swimmers and sleigh dogs in -30C cold. Plus, he meets a Russian Orthodox priest before heading to Novosibirsk along snow-covered roads. He then jumps aboard the Trans Siberian railway and heads for his next destination. EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Ceremony, RTE1, 11.25pm The 21st year of the event is hosted by Mark Little and Aoibhin Garrihy, as 24 finalists from three categories wait to find out the identity of the overall winner, as well as who will be given the prestigious Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to Irish Society. FrIDAY Stand Up to Cancer, Channel 4, 7pm Adam Hills, Alan Carr and Maya Jama host the main event of the channel’s fundraising strand, as they are joined by a raft of famous faces to raise cash for cancer research. The night’s entertainment includes Celebrity Gogglebox, Michael Buble and James Corden in Carpool Karaoke and much, much more. The MASH Report, BBC2, 10pm Comedian Nish Kumar reassembles his team of comedy correspondents for a second series of the show, as the satirical reports keep viewers up to date with everything which has — or maybe hasn’t — happened in the news over the last week. Bowie at Glastonbury 2000, BBC4, 10.55pm In June of 2000, David Bowie played an incredible two-hour set at the famous festival, though the star insisted that only half an hour of it should be broadcast on the BBC. Fortunately, the cameras kept rolling and now this show brings an hour of highlights from the night, when he launched himself back into the spotlight after his star had been on the wane during the 1990s and produced what some considered to be his greatest live performance since the 1970s. SATUrDAY Presidential Election 2018, RTE1, 3pm David McCullagh, Miriam O’Callaghan and Bryan Dobson present coverage of the results from the Presidential Election, with live count updates from across the country, studio analysis, reaction and comment. Black Hollywood: They’ve Gotta Have Us, BBC2, 9pm This final edition of the documentary series looks at how the likes of David Oyelowo and John Boyega are at the forefront of a new generation of black British actors conquering Hollywood. The show also looks at how the success of movies such as Black Panther marks a change in how black filmmakers are seen by the film industry. The Graham Norton Show, Virgin Media One, 10.35pm The host has a star-studded selection of celebrity guests lined up for this edition of his awardwinning chat show. Graham talks to actors Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Melissa McCarthy and Emma Stone about their latest projects, and 80s icon Rick Astley performs live.