Loads of new and returning shows today, including a Brian Friel documentary, Hillsborough drama Anne, First Dates Ireland, Dragons' Den - and every single episode of US drama This is Us . . .
Pick of the Day
Brian Friel - Shy Man, Showman, 10.15pm, RTÉ One
This documentary takes a look at how the legendary and much-loved playwright Brian Friel redefined Irish theatre in the second half of the 20th century.
No mean feat, that.
It includes contributions from a variety of sources, ranging from his family and friends, to actors and directors who brought his work to life on stage.
His widow Anne shares stories of her husband, while Stephen Rea, Siobhán McSweeney, Indira Varma and Niamh Cusack read extracts from his plays, directed by Caitríona McLaughlin of the Abbey Theatre.
Don’t Miss
Anne, 9.00pm, Virgin Media One
Maxine Peake stars as the eponymous Anne, and by all accounts she’s fantastic in the role.
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The story begins on April 15, 1989 as Anne Williams says goodbye to her teenage son as he heads to Hillsborough in Sheffield to watch Liverpool take on Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-final.
She doesn’t know it, but she will never see him alive again.
This is a fact-based drama about the woman who dedicated her life to campaigning for justice following her 15-year-old son Kevin's death in the Hillsborough disaster.
First Dates Ireland, 9.30pm, RTÉ2
In the first episode of a new season of the dating show, Órán from Dublin, who happens to be the 600th participant on the show, and 20-year-old Luke from Mayo come together for their first ever blind date.
Elsewhere, free-spirited Geniele from Rush embarks on a flight of fancy with airline pilot Shane from Kildare, while 26-year-old Emma from Cork is set up with Scott, who is 28 and also from Cork.
If this isn’t enough dating and dining for you, Channel 4’s First Dates returns at 10.00pm, where veteran actress Carol Cleveland, a former Monty Python star, meets interior designer Keith.
New or Returning Shows
Screw, 9.00pm, Channel 4
This is a new dramedy following the staff and inmates at a men's prison, starring Nina Sosanya, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, Laura Checkley, Stephen Wight, Ron Donachie and Faraz Ayub.
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Leigh Henry is a career prison officer who lives for her job, but has lost faith in the system - so she circumvents the rules, doing whatever's necessary to help the prisoners in her care.
But Leigh's position at Long Marsh is under threat - which doesn't bear thinking about, especially as she appears to be secretly living on the wing.
Dragons’ Den, 8.00pm, BBC One
Social media businessman Steven Bartlett joins the panel in this latest run – the 19th season - of the business ideas contest.
At 29, he is the youngest Dragon to date, and joins long-time investors Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Sara Davies.
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Among the opening’s shows pitches are a Scottish entrepreneur with a pint-sized gadget that he hopes will be big business, and a couple of cheesemongers who reveal they have sunk an astronomical sum of money into their new app.
The Apprentice, 9.00pm, BBC One
Alan Sugar is back and readier than ever to invest – or, more importantly to viewers, berate those who he feels aren’t up to the task.
Before he can decide on who will be his next business partner, the candidates - highly confident, not so bright - will have to prove their worth in a number of ambitious challenges.
Under the watchful eyes of Karren Brady and winner of season one, Tim Campbell, the candidates are - almost literally - thrown in at the deep end as they set sail from Portsmouth on board a luxury cruise ship.
Their first task is to come up with a marketing campaign for a new cruise liner, including creating a brand and a television advert.
Here's an introduction to the new candidates:
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Andy Warhol’s America, 9.00pm, BBC Two
Here’s an eye-catching documentary series, looking at the history of 20th-century America through the life and career of pop art icon Andy Warhol.
Episode one examines the artist and arch self-publicist's childhood in Pittsburgh and his rise from poverty to wealth and fame in New York City in the 1950s.
Warhol establishes his name by making everyday foodstuff the subject of his work, and in turn creates a sensation which propels him to the A-list of American society.
How to Be Good with Money, 8.30pm, RTÉ One
Eoin McGee returns for a new run of shows to help households and individuals to get their finances in order, helping to manage day-to-day issues and plan for unforeseen events.
On top of that’s he’s also looking to build future financial resilience for those involved.
In the first programme, he meets Deirdre O'Keefe of Kildare, a businesswoman juggling family and work who is looking for a healthier work-life balance.
New to Stream
This is Us, Disney+
Here’s an absolute treat.
After years of bouncing around channels and streaming services, this superbly heartstring-pulling US drama comes to Disney+ in complete form, with all five seasons available.
This Is Us chronicles the Pearson family across the decades: from Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca (Mandy Moore) as young parents in the 1980s to their kids (the big three), Kevin (Justin Hartley), Kate (Chrissy Metz) and Randall (Sterling K Brown).
This life-affirming dramedy reveals how the tiniest events in our lives impact who we become, and how the connections we share with each other can transcend time, distance and even death.
Also, today sees the beginning of the show’s sixth and final season. The first episode is available now, with subsequent episodes following every Thursday, both on Disney and Amazon.
Here's a preview to season 6:
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Enjoy!
Deadly Cuts, Netflix
This recently released Dublin-set comedy, written and directed by Rachel Carey, moves to streaming on the back of its cinema run.
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Starring Angeline Ball, Ericka Roe, Lauren Larkin, Shauna Higgins, Victoria Smurfit and Pauline McGlynn, it follows the stylists of a Dublin hair salon who become accidental vigilantes as they take on a local gang threatening their community.
