RTÉ Choice Music Prize
Sunday, RTÉ2, 11pm
The annual music industry award took place in Dublin's Vicar St on March 3rd, when For Those I Love, the musical project of David Balfe, scooped the Album of the Year prize. For Those I Love is an emotional tribute to Balfe's late friend, spoken word artist Paul Curran. This highlights programme is presented by Bláthnaid Treacy and will feature performances from such shortlisted acts as Soda Blonde, Mick Flannery & Susan O'Neill and Orla Gartland. The €10,000 grand prize was provided by the Irish Rights Music Organisation (Imro) and the Irish Recorded Music Association (Irma).
Steps of Freedom: The Story of Irish Dance
Sunday, BBC Four, 8pm
This documentary, which RTÉ screened in December, answers the question: how did little ol’ Irish dancing end up conquering this great big world? This cinematic documentary traces the footsteps of Irish dancing from local hallas in the heart of the country to becoming a global entertainment phenomenon, and though the blurb doesn’t explicitly mention the R word, the programme sets out to show that there’s more to Irish dancing than Riverdance. We learn that Irish dancing evolved over 2,000 years, bringing in elements from other cultures along the way, and that it is taught in more than 60 countries. We also get a sense of the sheer speed, grace and athleticism of Irish dancing via specially choreographed performances by a line-up of dancers that includes Jean Butler, Donnie Golden, Edwina Guckian, Jonathan Kelleher, Stephanie Keane, Morgan Bullock and Siobhan Manson. The programme also features music from Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Cormac Begley, Steve Cooney and Rhiannon Giddens.
1 and 6 Zeros
Sunday, Channel 4, 6pm
Get the Sunday dinner plates into the dishwasher and settle down for a new quiz show hosted by Dara Ó Briain – you might guess from the title that there's cool million up for grabs. But you won't be phoning a friend or asking the audience, and you won't be working your way up to the grand prize. In this upending of quiz show protocol, each team starts with £1 million in the pot, and then must answer seven general knowledge questions correctly to protect their stash. If they get a question wrong, a zero is knocked off. Players will have to their wits about them if they don't want ot end up going home with just a tenner in their pocket. "It should be funny and tense and you, at home, will definitely think you could have done better than the contestants," says Ó Briain. "Plus, I get to keep any of the money they don't win. I think that's the deal – I didn't read the small print."
The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan
Sunday, BBC Two, 9pm
Travel is possible again and the comedian is back for a new series, ready to visit destinations that were rarely top of many tourists' must-see lists, even before Covid. He begins in Sierra Leone, a place Romesh admits he has always associated with its dark history that takes in civil war, child soldiers, blood diamonds and Ebola. Local musician Gwyn Jay Allen wants to show him a different side of the country, one that takes in spectacular national parks, extraordinary wildlife and incredible beaches. While Romesh feels safe during his visit, he also sees the reminders of Sierra Leone's brutal past and its continuing legacy, including a slave fort, a diamond mine and the athletes that make up the Flying Stars amputee football club.
Jeremy Kyle Show: Death on Daytime
Sunday/Monday, Channel 4, 9pm
In 2019, Steve Dymond took his own life just days after failing a lie detector test while filming an episode of The Jeremy Kyle Show. The tragedy would lead to the show being taken off the air after more than a decade of ruling the daytime schedules. This two-part documentary takes a closer look at the scandal-hit series, hearing from other people whose lives were turned upside down by The Jeremy Kyle Show. The programme also draws on contributions from production-team whistleblowers as well as behind-the-scenes footage.
Holding
Monday, UTV, 9pm
Welcome to the fictional village of Duneen, west Cork, the setting for Graham Norton's bestselling novel centring around a reluctant policeman who is knocked out of his comfort zone when he is forced to investigate a murder. Gentle giant Sgt PJ Collins (Conleth Hill) just wants an easy, plodding life, but when the body of a long-missing local legend turns up, PJ must do the unthinkable: actually engage with the people of the village and do some real police work for a change. Siobhán McSweeney and Charlene McKenna play Brid and Evelyn, two former lovers of the deceased, and Brenda Fricker, Helen Behan, Amy Conroy, Clinton Liberty and Pauline McLynn also feature. Duneen may not quite be Craggy Island, but this four-part drama promises to be a funny and heartfelt nod to Norton's rural roots.
Nationwide
Monday, RTÉ One, 7pm
Donal Byrne is in Scandinavia celebrating the links between Ireland and Sweden. He learns of a project to replace Ireland's national sail training ship, the Asgard, which sank off the coast of France in 2008. Asgard provided not just sail training for thousands of young people, it also created an experience of adventure, travel and even romance. Now there's a plan to acquire a new ship and sail it under an all-Ireland flag – it's hoped the Lady Ellen of Sweden will become the Grace O'Malley of Ireland. Byrne also discovers the real story of Ireland's links with Nordic countries during the Viking Age and discovers how Irish people – whether they went north as slaves or free people – became part of the world of the Vikings. (Wednesday's programme will be presented from Iceland, where Byrne finds out why Icelandic women have such a high prevalence of Celtic DNA and meets Irish people who have made the land of ice and fire their home.).
Tom Daley's Hell of a Homecoming
Monday, BBC One, 9pm
As if the Olympic gold medal-winning diver (and knitting superstar) wasn't enough of a hero, this documentary follows him as he takes on the sporting challenge of a lifetime, all to raise money for this year's Comic Relief campaign. Over the course of four backbreaking days, Daley undertakes a six-mile row, 1,600-metre, open-water swim, bikes a total of 253 miles and a tops it all off with a 30-mile ultramarathon, bringing his challenge to an end at Smeaton's Tower in Plymouth Hoe. Comedian and marathon runner Eddie Izzard and Tom's mum are on hand to cheer him along in the last, tough-as-nails stages.
What If Putin Goes Nuclear?
Tuesday, Channel 4, 8pm
Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine shocked the world, and when President Vladimir Putin put his nuclear strategic forces on high alert, cold war nightmares about nuclear annihilation, long since faded into the background, were suddenly once again at the front of everyone's minds. Here, veteran journalist Jon Snow attempts to unpick why Putin is threatening nuclear escalation, what it could possibly mean for the conflict in Ukraine, and the implications for the world.
RTÉ Investigates: Ireland's Illegal Adoptions – Still Searching
Wednesday, RTÉ One, 9.35pm
This follow-up to last year’s explosive documentary, which detailed the thousands of children put up for adoption who had their birth details altered to register the adoptive parents as the biological parents. The documentary exposed this shameful practice and the high-powered people who facilitated it. It also highlighted the heartbreaking struggle many of these children – now adults – went through to learn their true identities, which were cruelly stripped away from them. Over the past year, the RTÉ Investigates team has kept in touch with some of the adoptees. The team hears how they have fared in their search for the truth about their origins, and whether the recently published Birth Information and Tracing Bill will help in the search for answers.
The Queen v Patrick O'Donnell
Wednesday, TG4, 9.30pm
This dramatic documentary is the true story behind one of the most compelling murder plots in Irish history, a thrilling tale of violence, courtroom drama, romance and political intrigue. Containing evidence from British Home Office files kept secret for 100 years, it reveals shocking new information about the fate of the quiet-spoken Donegal man who killed the infamous informer James Carey on board a ship off the coast of South Africa in 1883. Directed by Tomás Seoighe.
Kate & Koji
Wednesday, ITV, 9pm
On paper, a sitcom about a middle-aged female cafe owner who discovers that a loyal customer is an asylum seeker as well as a doctor, and uses his skills to become the local unofficial GP doesn't scream a ratings winner. But this delightful series is written by none other than comedy legends Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin, and the sparkling cast is headed by Brenda Blethyn. The first series saw Jimmy Akingbola play Koji; for this second run, Okorie Chukwu takes over. In this opener, dubbed Lockdown Legends, Kate is as fiery as ever, exchanging views with Koji. However, it seems she's the recipient of a star prize, but what exactly is the mysterious award?
St Patrick's Day Parade
St Patrick's Day, RTÉ One, 12.45pm
Admit it, you've missed the aul' Paddy's Day parade these past couple of years, even if you spent the previous 20 giving out about it. Well, the parade is back with a bang this year, and once again Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh and Des Cahill put on their sprig of shamrock and take their place at the presenter's mic for coverage of all the shenanigans in Dublin city on our big national wig-out. They'll be joined by Emer O'Neill and Mícheál Ó Scannáil for what promises to be the most ambitious street spectacle yet. This year's theme is "Naisc" or "Connections", and the pageants have been designed to reflect our need to stay connected with each other following two years of keeping our distance. Leading the parade will be little Adam King, handing out virtual hugs from his own space shuttle. Among the spectacles on show will be sea serpents, rainbows, big birds and a wishing tree, with a floating garden on the Liffey and marching bands keeping everything rolling along. And if you're still a bit nervous around crowds, I'm sure lots of people will be selling green face masks for the occasion.
Ceiliúradh na Féile Pádraig 2022
St Patrick's Day, TG4, 9.30pm
TG4 celebrates the day with music and song from Clann Mhic Ruairí, Liam Ó Maonlaí & Fiachna Ó Braonáin, Clare Sands, Cathal McConnell, Brian Kennedy, the Keane family and many more. Presented by John Toal and Caoimhe Ní Chathail. Followed at 10.40 by a repeat of Dubliners: The Parting Glass, the group's 2012 concert at Dublin's Christ Church Cathedral.
Perfect House, Secret Location
St Patrick's Day, Channel 4, 8pm
Kirstie & Phil may tell us that location, location, location is the key to everything when it comes to buying a property, but this new series begs to differ. Here the focus is on what each home looks like, with its setting kept a secret from potential buyers. Across four episodes, host Steve Jones meets people who are keen to find their dream house, but can't decide on where it should be. After questioning them on what kind of features it needs to include, he then takes them on an unpredictable tour of places that tick all the right boxes. Thanks to fluctuating prices, some participants are surprised by how far their budget will stretch in some areas, and disappointed by the results in others. Nevertheless, after exploring their mysterious locales, it's up to them to decide the next move.
Joanna Lumley's Great Cities of the World
St Patrick's Day, ITV, 9pm
The veteran actress packs her passport for another colourful jolly. Here Lumley visits Paris, Berlin and Rome, where she gets up close and personal with bits of the cities your average tourist never sees. Expect a few naughty stories as she goes behind the scenes at the Moulin Rouge in the City of Love, which marks the end of her French adventure. Before that she gets an unusual view of the place via a majestic hot air balloon ride. She also takes a close look at the damage caused by fire at Notre Dame, meets up with fashion designer Daphne Guinness, goes shopping for a vintage Chanel suit, and chats to Ibrahim, a refugee-turned-beekeeper.
Strangeways Riot: 25 Days of Mayhem
Thursday, Channel 5, 9pm
In April 1990, inmates seized control of Strangeways prison in Manchester in what was the UK's worst prison riot. This documentary tells the events that led up to the siege, which lasted 25 days. Crucially, the programme notes that, although Britain hasn't seen a riot like it since, over the past its prison population has risen by 74 per cent. Sobering stuff.
Grayson's Art Club
Friday, Channel 4, 8pm
What do you get if you bring together one of the country’s best-loved contemporary artists, his wife, a bunch of celebrity guests and the great public? This brilliant, feel-good art show is the answer, back for a third outing. The opener’s theme is Love; Grayson and his wife, Philippa, will urge the public to get creative (and romantic) and send in their artworks. Grayson will choose his favourites and chats with some of the talented amateurs whose pieces will eventually feature in a major national exhibition. So, no pressure then. Plus, comedian Bill Bailey drops in for a natter, as does Chinese contemporary artist and activist Ai Weiwei.
Ireland's Great Small Music Festival: Other Voices
Friday, BBC Four, 10pm
St Patrick's Day was yesterday, and while some celebrators may be still be recovering, others might have put off plans until the weekend. Either way, BBC Four seems like the place to be tonight, with classic Irish pop performances at 9pm and then this, as Annie Mac celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Other Voices Festival in the west of Ireland. Featuring interviews with and performances by Sam Fender, Sigrid, John Grant, Villagers, Dermot Kennedy and Kay Young, as well as archive sets from Arlo Parks and Fontaines DC.
ON DEMAND
Our Land
From Tuesday, RTÉ Player
Irishness has many strands and is influenced by fresh views, outlooks and cultures. This three-part series takes a deep dive into what it means to identify as "Irish" today and how immigration shapes our understanding of identity and home. In the first episode, Immigration and Identity, Irishness is shown as a beautiful spectrum of colour that goes far beyond green, white and orange. The shifts in perceptions of Irish identity are explored through the eyes of artists, activists and cultural movers. Challenges and Conflict asks who listens when minorities are marginalised. From Traveller rights to Black Lives Matter and much of the discrimination in between, the episode delves into our collective understanding of conflicts that exist today in Ireland. The third episode, Empowering the Future: focuses on Ireland's bright future as told through the vibrant characters building a new culture of unity and understanding.
Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives
From Wednesday, Netflix
For a brief period, Sara Melingallis was regarded as one of the brightest and best chefs in New York. Her vegan raw food restaurant Pure Food and Wine was the first of its kind in the city, and was regularly acclaimed by critics. One Lucky Duck and Takeaway, her next venture, was also a success and she started to expand the business by opening other outlets. However, trouble began to brew when staff walked out after wages were withheld. This four-part documentary addresses the reasons for the money issues and Melingallis' subsequent downfall: she was giving the restaurant's funds to Shane Fox, a mystery man who convinced her he could make her beloved pitbull immortal, but only if she obeyed his every command.
WeCrashed
From Friday, Apple TV+
In 2010, The We Company, later rebranded as WeWork, was founded. The idea was to provide flexible shared workspaces for startups and other companies. Nine years later it gained unwanted publicity when it was announced its initial public offering had failed. The company’s value plummeted, resulting in a loss of more than $2 billion in the first quarter of 2021. This dramatic fall from grace was charted in the podcast WeCrashed: The Rise and Fall of WeWork, which inspired this eight-part drama. Oscar-winning duo Anne Hathaway and Jared Leto play founders Rebecca and Adam Neumann, with the plot focusing as much on their love affair as their business dealings.
Top Boy
From Friday, Netflix
This gritty crime drama set in the London sink estate of Summerhouse aired for two seasons on Channel 4 in the early teens before being unexpectedly axed even as storylines for a third series were being worked on. But you can't keep a good gangster down, and in 2017 Top Boy's fortunes were revived by an unlikely saviour: Canadian rapper Drake, who bought up the rights for Top Boy, reinstalled writer Ronan Bennett and his creative team and brought lead actors Ashley Walters and Kane Robinson back as Dushane and Sully. Season two of the new incarnation of the cult series sees Dushane sitting pretty, raking in the cash and enjoying the good life with his sweetheart Shelley (Simbi Ajikawo aka Lil Simz). I'm running out of space now, so I can't tell you anymore, but I'm sure absolutely nothing happens to violently overturn Dushane's idyllic new life.
Windfall
From Friday, Netflix
Jesse Plemons, Lily Collins, Jason Segal and Omar Leyva join forces for a tense psychological thriller directed by Collins’s real-life husband, Charlie McDowell. The director and Segal came up with the original storylinebut handed over writing duties to Andrew Kevin Walker and Justin Lader. The tale takes place in the holiday home of a tech billionaire. A mystery man breaks into it while its owner is away, but when he and his wife return for a last-minute getaway, matters soon get out of hand – not least because of the arrogant mogul’s attitude.
Fresh
From Friday, Disney+
Sebastian Stan must love Disney. Not only is he a member of its Marvel Cinematic Universe thanks to his role as the Winter Soldier, he’s also recently been appearing as Tommy Lee in the mini-series Pam & Tommy. Now he’s working with the media giant again, this time on a comedy-horror alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones of Normal People. She plays Noa, who is instantly smitten with Steve (Stan) after meeting him while out shopping. All seems to go well until they go away for a romantic weekend – during which Steve reveals he has rather unusual appetites. The movie was well received at the Sundance, but be warned: this isn’t one for the faint-hearted.
Contributing: PA
