It's Rose of Tralee time – now with added Kathryn Thomas, Dara O Briain’s So Where Were We? Is on the Beeb, Lucy Worsley looks at the Russian Revolution and Tommy Jessop Goes to Hollywood . . .
Pick of the Day
The Rose of Tralee International Festival 2023, 8.00pm, RTÉ One
Streaming on RTÉ Player
Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas present live coverage of the first night of the 63rd staging of the competition open to women of Irish descent from home and abroad.
Despite complaints that the show is anachronistic, it remains hugely popular. Otherwise, why would it get two nights live coverage?
The big, pre-contest issue was the arrival of Kathryn THomas. She’s the first co-presenter (well, along with the bould Dáithí) and the first female host. Or should that be hostess?
Anyway. The dynamic duo begin the task of interviewing the 32 finalists, who represent the diaspora worldwide from centres in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and beyond.
The show continues after the news at 9.35pm and concludes tomorrow.
Don’t Miss
Royal History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, 10.00pm, Channel 4
This week, the wonderful Lucy Worsley checks out the Russian Revolution.
In October 1917, the Bolsheviks rose up, swept the Russian tsar from power and a form of communism took over.
But the exact facts of the Russian Revolution are disputed. Here, the historian finds it was really a group of women workers who kick-started the event nine months earlier.
At the time, the Bolsheviks tried to stop it, and Lenin - radical leader of the Bolsheviks - wasn't even in the country.
Lucy also discovers that the tsar was forced to abdicate long before the Bolsheviks took control and that England’s King George V betrayed his cousin by opposing the British government's offer of asylum to the tsar.
Rooney, 9.00pm, RTÉ2
Documentary examining the life and career of footballer Wayne Rooney (below), from his professional debut at the age of 16 with Everton to his goal-scoring exploits with Manchester United and England.
New or Returning Shows
Dara O Briain: So Where Were We? 9.00pm, BBC Two
A 2022 stand-up performance by the Bray comedian at Dublin's Vicar Street venue, in which he talks about dealing with missing body parts, a TV show he'll never do and an astonishing family revelation.
Tommy Jessop Goes to Hollywood, 9.00pm, BBC One
Line of Duty actor Tommy Jessop has starred in high-profile TV programmes and short films, and now wants to be a leading man.
However, the right roles are not being offered to him. Tommy wants to show that people like him with Down syndrome can play heroes and so, inspired by the advice of his agent, takes matters into his own hands.
Enlisting the help of his brother, film-maker Will Jessop, Tommy sets off on an epic creative journey to develop and star in his own superhero movie, which he intends to pitch to Hollywood.
The Price of Truth, 10.00pm, Channel 4
Documentary following Dmitry Muratov (below), the editor of Russia's only independent newspaper.
He struggles to maintain freedom of the press in the face of violent reprisals, including the murder of journalists and an acid attack that left his eyesight permanently damaged.
The programme focuses on the period following the invasion of Ukraine, when Muratov remained determined to continue reporting on events in his homeland, despite the personal cost.
Oceans Apart: Art and the Pacific with James Fox, 9.00pm, BBC Four
The art historian traces the effects of the West's contact with the peoples and cultures of the Pacific, beginning with the impact on the Aborigines of Captain Cook's arrival in Australia in 1770.
He reveals how the indigenous people were – surprise, surprise - almost destroyed by European colonisation, but held on to their art to survive, flourish and ultimately share their extraordinary culture with the world.
Top Guns: Inside the RAF, 9.00pm, Channel 4
Documentary going behind the scenes - and in the cockpit - with the personnel at RAF Lossiemouth, as global tensions, including with Russia, impact on missions both at home and abroad.
In the first episode, RAF pilot Jake Desmond is sent to NATO's frontline to face off against three Russian jets, and rookie pilot Harry Brooks tries to earn his wings and qualify for live operations.
New to Stream
100% Wolf: The Book of Hath, Sky Kids & NOW
Werewolves joining normal human society has not worked out well for Freddy and his ex-Howlington buddies.
The Night Patrol has been relegated to desk jobs and the Way of the Wolf has all but been forgotten.
But when strange creatures start appearing in Milford and a powerful sorceress from the distant past threatens his very existence, this fluffy pink were-poodle leads his friends through another series of hilarious action adventures and proves he is 100% Wolf,
Ending Today
Code Blue: The Killing of June Fox-Roberts, 10.15pm, Virgin Media One
In the concluding episode of this true-crime series, detectives have arrested 25-year-old art student Luke Deeley, who was previously reported missing, but is now refusing to talk.
Officers still need to find the evidence to prove that he's the killer of beloved grandmother, June Fox-Roberts.
