The Olympics Opening Ceremony takes place, Parminder Nagra returns for a new run of DI Ray, Olivia Colman stars in Joyride, while there's a Louis Armstrong double on the Beeb and a Jimmy Carr double on Channel 4 . . .
Pick of the Day
Paris Olympics 2024: Opening Ceremony, 6.00pm, RTÉ2
Streaming on RTÉ Player
Just weeks after the Euros ended in Germany, next door neighbours France host the Olympics. Such a busy summer for sport.
Peter Collins presents coverage of the Opening Ceremony from along the River Seine in Paris.
Approximately 10,500 athletes, who will compete across 329 events in 32 sports over the course of 16 days, are introduced nation-by-nation and cross through the centre of the French capital on boats.
It’s the first time in the history of the Summer Games that the ceremony will not take place in a stadium, with the 6km route taking in many of the venues that will be used in the festival of sport.
They include Parc Urbain La Concorde, the Esplanade des Invalides and the Grand Palais, before concluding at the Trocadero against the majestic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower.
With many of the viewing points free to spectators, a vocal reception from French residents and visitors from all around the world is anticipated, as the event is officially opened.
New or Returning Shows
DI Ray, 9.00pm, Virgin Media One
It’s season two of the crime drama, starring Parminder Nagra.
Created and written by Maya Sondhi and produced by Jed Mercurio. DI Ray stars Parminder Nagra in the title role as a Detective Inspector in a fictitious Birmingham-based police force.
After the fatal drive-by shooting of a young nurse and the head of a notorious crime syndicate threatens to erupt into a full-blown turf war, DI Rachita Ray must uncover the truth before tensions spill onto Birmingham streets.
Don’t Miss
Joyride, 9.35pm, RTÉ One
This Irish-set comedy drama features Olivia Colman at the head of a fine cast. The plot's a bit daft, so just enjoy the ride.
Colman headstrong solicitor plans to offload her new born baby to her sister, but her ploy is derailed when she accidentally ends up on the run in a taxi with a vulnerable but opinionated young boy.
Lady Bird, 10.00pm, RTÉ2
Golden Globe-winning comic drama, written and directed by Greta Gerwig, and Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf and Tracy Letts.
Ronan plays artistic California teenager Lady Bird, who expects much from life.
But the strained relationship she has with her mother (Metcalf, below, right, with Saoirse Ronan) and failing family finances keep clipping her wings, while early romance leads to heartache.
Lake District Rescue, 8.00pm, Channel 4
The volunteers involved here really are inspirational.
This week, members of the Coniston Mountain Team are summoned to help a paraglider who has crash-landed at the top of Great How Crag with potentially paralysing neck injuries.
Meanwhile, a man has gone missing around the flooded tunnels of a disused quarry at Hodge Close.
Louis Armstrong in Concert, 10.00pm, BBC Four
It's time to celebrate Satchmo!
A double bill of shows featuring the legendary Louis Armstrong begins with this concert by him and his All Stars from their 1968 British tour. Songs include Blueberry Hill, Mack the Knife and Wonderful World.
The programme was first shown in August 2001 to mark the centenary of the groundbreaking jazz trumpeter and vocalist's birth.
Followed at 10.55pm by Show of the Week: Louis Armstrong.
Humphrey Lyttelton introduces the legendary jazz trumpeter and singer as he performs alongside the All-Stars during their British visit of 1968.
Songs here include Blueberry Hill, Mack the Knife, Wonderful World, Hello Dolly and Bare Necessities.
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, 9.00pm, Channel 4
Jimmy Carr is back on the double with another two of the three TV shows he’s currently hosting. Does this guy ever go home?
First up, Sarah Millican and Tom Allen take on Joe Wilkinson and Rosie Jones.
As ever, mathematician Rachel Riley looks after the letters and numbers, while Mr Swallow joins lexicographer Susie Dent in Dictionary Corner.
Followed at 10pm by Jimmy Carr's I Literally Just Told You, where contestants Dean, Yasmin, Rob and Fanny are given every answer with the questions written, literally, as the show is happening.
Verdi’s Requiem at the Proms, 8.00pm, BBC Four
Here’s a musical treat. If you think you don't know Verdi, have a listen to this and
Katie Derham (below) presents from the Royal Albert Hall, featuring a performance by the BBC National Chorus of Wales, Crouch End Festival Chorus and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales under conductor Ryan Bancroft.
First performed 150 years ago and given its British premiere at the same venue the following year, Verdi's Requiem is one of music's most vivid masterpieces, composed in memory of the Italian poet and novelist Alessandro Manzoni.
The soloists are Latonia Moore (soprano), Karen Cargill (mezzo), SeokJong Baek (tenor) and Soloman Howard (bass).
New to Stream
Elite, Netflix
Season 8 of this Spanish drama sees the arrival of siblings Emilia and Héctor Krawietz, leaders of Las Encinas alumni association, shake the school foundations.
Influential, powerful, corrupt and corrupters, the Krawietz will scatter chaos wherever they go and will destroy the lives of those who fall prey to them.
Only Omar will be able to face them and will be willing to do anything to see them fall, because in the end, they represent everything that has always been wrong in Las Encinas.
Cirque du Soleil: Without A Net, Prime Video
The series follows when Cirque du Soleil moved to reboot its flagship production, O, more than a year after an abrupt global shutdown.
Both performers and crew members face uncertainty as they work to return to their world-class standards in time for the (re)opening night curtain in Las Vegas.
