John Byrne’s TV choices for the week ahead (Dates covered: Saturday May 09-Friday May 15)
Highly-rated US drama The Affair arrives, Pat Kenny's back on the box, as is Big Brother and Episodes. Meanwhile, it's goodbye to Nurse Jackie, Home of the Year and The Unemployables . . .
Pick of the week
The Affair, Wednesday, Sky Atlantic
Crowned best TV drama at this year’s Golden Globe Awards, this promises to be a compelling relationship drama and the latest of Sky Atlantic's tasty US imports. Exploring the emotional and psychological effects of an extramarital affair, the series stars Ruth Wilson (Luther) in a Golden Globe-winning role, The Wire’s Dominic West, Maura Tierney (ER) and Joshua Jackson (Fringe). Great cast, eh?
When Noah (West) and Helen (Tierney) Solloway and their four kids escape the city for a break out on Long Island, a chance encounter with local waitress Alison (Wilson) leads to events none of them could foresee. With Alison and husband Cole (Jackson) struggling to move past a recent tragedy, she’s unable to ignore the connection she shares with Noah and, in this small beach town, it’s impossible to avoid someone you yearn to see. Told from the differing male and female perspectives, it makes for a provocative piece that misdirects and intrigues.
Looks like compulsive viewing.
Trailer Time:
Star of the week
Pat Kenny
Pat Kenny in the Round, Monday, UTV Ireland
Back on telly for the time on a regular basis since his departure from RTÉ two years ago, veteran broadcaster Pat Kenny hosts this current affairs series, broadcast directly opposite the Nine O'Clock news on RTÉ One. "It is not The Frontline and it is not a mini Late Late Show," he told the RTÉ Guide. Initially, the show will feature hour-long interviews with guests, recorded in Dublin's Mansion House. Opening guests include astronaut Chris Hadfield and singer Lulu.
Here's Pat doing the Ice Bucket Challenge at Newstalk:
Starting this week
Big Brother, Tuesday, 3e/Five
Now 15 years old in the UK, Big Brother has undergone a bit of a makeover and airs here in Ireland on 3e for the first time. In a deal inked with Endemol Shine, 3e will air over 200 hours of the fly-on-the-wall reality series including spin-off show Big Brother's Bit on the Side. Hosted by Emma Willis, this year's Big Brother ‘Timebomb’ theme will see a Mad Men-influenced, 1960s' style decor for the new house.
Here's a collection of Big Brother opening titles from 2000-2014:
The Speech, Sunday, RTÉ One
This new series is aimed at helping individuals to overcome a fear of public speaking. First up is 24-year-old professional golfer Brian Casey from Navan in Meath. His fear of public speaking goes back to the school classroom, where he spent his childhood years battling with a severe stammer. Despite overcoming his stammer, he's still desperately afraid of talking in public and struggles to even get the words out. Help is at hand from well-known solicitor (calling someone a 'celebrity solicitor' will not be tolerated here) Gerald Kean.
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A League of Their Own, Friday, Sky 1
James Corden returns for a ninth run of the BAFTA-winning sports panel series. He's reunited with Jamie Redknapp, Freddie Flintoff and Jack Whitehall. Celebrity guests will include Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter, Sky Sports presenter Olivia Wayne and comedian Josh Widdicombe.
Expedition New Guinea, Sunday, RTÉ Two
An international team of scientists, cavers and wildlife filmmakers explores one of the last great unspoilt jungle wildernesses on Earth.
The Great Chelsea Garden Challenge, Monday, BBC Two
Joe Swift of Gardeners’ World presents as six amateurs compete to design and build a garden on Main Avenue at the Chelsea Flower show.
Martin Clunes: Martin Clunes: the Lemurs of Madagascar, Friday, UTV Ireland
The British actor heads to the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar to witness what is feared to be the last stand of the lemur.
Ending this Week
Nurse Jackie, Thursday, RTÉ2
Season six of this very watchable comedy-drama comes to a conclusion with Edie Falco's Jackie crashing into an ambulance while under the influence, with her car stocked with half a pharmacy's worth of pills. She's faced with the stark choice of getting clean or losing her kids. In a stroke of synchronicity, the same season six begins on Sky Atlantic on Wednesday. So if you've missed it on RTÉ2, you know the drill.
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Home of the Year, Thursday, RTÉ One
Over the last seven weeks, three expert judges - interior design legend Hugh Wallace, award-winning architect Declan O’Donnell and textiles and homeware designer Helen James - chose their favourites from 21 houses. Now the judges must decide which of the seven qualifying houses will ultimately win the title of Home of the Year.
Arrow, Thursday, Sky 1
Season three of the DC Comics adaptation comes to a conclusion with Oliver on the verge of revealing Ra’s al Ghul's identity, and even his own big secret.
The Unemployables, Thursday, RTÉ2
Darren and Jennifer take 19-year-old Andy living in Cavan and 23-year old Dubliner Kristyna, who consider themselves unemployable, under their wings.
Drama of the week
Wayward Pines, Thursday, FOX UK
Matt Dillon stars as a Secret Service agent who goes to Wayward Pines, Idaho, in search of two federal agents who have gone missing in the seemingly idyllic and pastoral town that is something of a prison. He soon learns that he may never get out of Wayward Pines alive. Executive produced by M Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense), Wayward Pines is an adaptation of the hit Blake Crouch novels. This looks like being a cross between Lost, Twin Peaks and The Prisoner, so it will either be great or dreadful, but absolutely nailed-down bonkers.
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Comedy of the week
Episodes, Monday, BBC Two
Back for a fourth season, Matt LeBlanc, Tamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan star in this transatlantic comedy about LeBlanc (playing a fictitious version of himself) and a British writing couple, Sean and Beverly Lincoln, working on a US version of the Lincoln's hit British sitcom. Despite everything, Sean and Beverly return to the US to film six additional episodes of Pucks. Meanwhile, Matt discovers that the man who he kept his money with has been scamming him for years, and Carol is not happy when she hears her new boss's identity.
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On Demand
Entourage, from Thursday, Sky Atlantic
The Entourage boys might be hitting the big screen in June, but you can see where it started with all eight seasons of the hit HBO comedy drama. Set in Los Angeles, the action follows the antics of movie star Vincent Chase (Adrian Grenier) and his colourful, working-class friends from Queens in New York. Jeremy Piven is outstanding as agent Ari Gold, but it's a fine ensemble piece. And while the series petered out near the end, the early seasons are hilarious.
Trailer Time (WARNING: contains adult content):
Documentary of the week
Je t’aime: The Story of French Song with Petula Clark, Friday, BBC 4
Pretty niche, this, but so BBC 4, and if you like a good tune it's a must-see. The now 82-year-old English singer Petula Clark first made a name for herself during the 1950s in France. So, who better – given that the great Serge Gainsbourg isn't around – to host this look at the story of the lyric-driven chanson, and its inspirational artists, such as Charles Aznavour, Juliette Greco and Jane Birkin. Trés bien!
Here's Juliet Greco performing Sous le ciel de Paris:
Film of the Week
Vertigo, Saturday, BBC Two
Another Hollywood classic, one of Hitchcock's finest, and currently the Sight & Sound choice as the greatest film in cinema history. It's also yet another tale that shows how all males are at least slightly autistic. Jimmy Stewart stars as a retired cop who becomes obsessed with a woman (played by Kim Novak) he's trailing for her husband.
Here's a superbly old skool trailer:
