Wogan: A Legacy
Monday, RTÉ One, 9.35pm
At least he wasn’t there to see Ireland crash out of Eurovision yet again. Terry Wogan died last January, aged 77, and the Limerick-born broadcaster, who for many years was the voice of Eurovision on the BBC, is the subject of the final programme in the Legacy series. Wogan: A Legacy looks back on the life of Ireland’s most successful broadcaster, who almost ended up working in a bank before landing a job as an announcer on Radio Éireann.
He went on to host a long-running breakfast show on BBC Radio (I remember his daily “Fight the Flab” segment, where he talked listeners through an exercise routine) before becoming the new Parky as host of his own TV chat show. No shortage of stars line up to chat fondly about Tel, including Mike Murphy, Henry Kelly, Dara Ó Briain, Gloria Hunniford, Dermot O’Leary and Gaby Roslin.
Bádóirí
Monday, RTÉ One, 7.30pm
Once upon a time, the waters of Galway Bay were teeming with Galway hookers, sailing back and forth to the Aran Islands and to the many remote coastal villages. They were a vital lifeline for the people of the area, transporting supplies, fuel and livestock and fishing the waters of the bay. As the modern era encroached, however, these old boats became redundant, and by the 1960s most of them had been abandoned and left to rot. In the 1980s, a movement sprung up to revive these historic boats and preserve the skills of building them, and photographer Joe St Leger was on hand to capture the hookers’ last hurrah. Bádóirí – Photographing The Last of The Galway Hooker Men tells the story of the Galway hookers through the lens and recollection of St Leger.
Wallander
Sunday, BBC One, 9pm
Kenneth Branagh returns as the most depressive detective in crime fiction, for one final series of Wallander. The Swedish sleuth is, as usual, wracked with self-doubt, and feeling that his 40 years as a cop has made no difference to anyone’s lives. His latest case brings him to the wide vistas of Africa, as he is called to investigate a Swedish national who has gone missing in Cape Town. We already know Branagh is brilliant in the role of Kurt Wallander, so we’ll be happy to watch the master at work one last time.
What’s the hottest topic of conversation, whether it’s in the lift, at the bus stop or at the supermarket checkout? No, not Beyonce’s new album – it is, of course, the weather, followed closely by whatever dress RTÉ weather girl Jean Byrne is wearing. But when did weather forecasting begin?
Storm Troupers: The Fight to Forecast the Weather
Monday, BBC Four, 9pm
This charts the history of modern meteorology, from the use of forecasting in the 19th century to save lives at sea to its crucial role in wartime and its pivotal place in today’s culture and economy – and as an ice-breaker at parties.
Rovers
Tuesday, Sky 1, 10pm
Craig Cash and Sue Johnson are well-known as stars of The Royle Family, and they're starring in a new comedy series, Rovers about a small-beer football team and their motley band of diehard fans. Redbridge Rovers are so far down in the lower leagues, even the underdogs are looking down at them. But that doesn't dampen the enthusiasm of Pete Mott (Cash), who remains doggedly devoted to his team, sticking with them through thin and thinner.
Neil Gaiman’s Likely Stories
Thursday, Sky Arts, 9pm
Novelist Neil Gaiman is a master of the strange and unexpected, and he has come up with some dark and downright weird stories for a new mini-series, Neil Gaiman’s Likely Stories. Try this for starters: a magical old lady who relies on a diet of raw meat, or two men stuck in their daily routines who undergo a metamorphosis of a different kind. With a cast of stars that include Tom Hughes, Johnny Vegas and Rita Tushingham, this one could be a bit of a mindbender.
The Catch
Thursday, Sky Living, 10pm
Alice Vaughan is an LA private detective known for cracking cases. But there's one villain she can't nail – the mysterious master criminal Mr X. What she doesn't realise is that the elusive Mr X is actually her fiancé Christopher. When he disappears with all her money and client details, Alice has to use all her wits and resources to outwit this con man in The Catch. Created by Shonda Rhimes, who brought us Grey's Anatomy, this is described as a "slick, stylish and sexy caper".
Ireland’s Craziest TV Moments
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, TV3, 9pm
Eamon Dunphy throwing down his pen in disgust; Boyzone making their toe-curling debut on The Late Late Show; Teresa Mannion reporting from the depths of Storm Desmond: Irish television is filled with weird, wacky and wonderfully bonkers moments, so the makers of Ireland's Craziest TV Moments should have no problem uncovering some gems of godawfulness from the archives.
