Heart-warming series The Piano returns for a third season, Cold Summer is the latest Italian gangster drama, there's an acclaimed performance of George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, and there’s a triple-header on The Sunday Game . . .
Pick of the Day
The Piano, 9.00pm, Channel 4
Season 3 of this often uplifting show opens with new judge Jon Batiste joining Claudia Winkleman and Mika on the latest search for the UK's best amateur pianists.
The journey begins at London's Liverpool Street Station, where they discover a talented dinner lady, get blown away by a girl with star power, and are surprised by a tarot card reader.
Five-time Grammy award winner Batiste, who is a globally celebrated singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader and composer, replaces virtuoso classical pianist Lang Lang, as judge and mentor.
Bringing a multitude of talent, knowledge and experience to The Piano, Batiste has recorded and performed with the world’s biggest superstars including Stevie Wonder, Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Ed Sheeran and Lana Del Rey.
As well as having five Grammy wins under his belt, he has also won an Oscar for his work on Pixar’s 2020 film Soul and was nominated for an Oscar for the song It Never Went Away.
Most recently, Batiste made history and music with Beyoncé as he joined forces with her as one of the collaborators on her hit country album, Cowboy Carter.
Jon Batiste said: "I am so happy to be a mentor on The Piano and to witness the pianists for the new series express themselves on the instrument I've dedicated my life to.
"This show will bring together my unique history of performing in both train stations and concert halls.
"No matter where, I always have believed that music at its best creates community and brings folks together in divided times. It will be a massive joy to do just that all around the UK train stations with the piano and new talent.
"In collaboration with Mika, an incredible songwriter and musician and Claudia with her own inimitable style, I can't wait for all the thrilling musical experiences ahead."
New or Returning Shows
George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, 8.50pm, BBC Four
Here’s a chance to see a major television production of George Gershwin's 1935 opera, starring Willard White and Cynthia Haymon.
It is based on Trevor Nunn's acclaimed 1986 Glyndebourne staging, which transferred to Covent Garden in 1992 and was then moved to the Shepperton Studios stage for filming.
Featuring the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Simon Rattle, it was first broadcast 26 December 1993.
Preceded at 8.35pm by Willard White Remembers - Porgy and Bess, where opera singer Willard White recalls his experiences on the production.
He recalls the unusual challenges that arose during the project, including lip-syncing and performing on in a TV studio instead of a stage.
Cold Summer, 12.35am, Channel 4,
Streaming on All4
Here's one for the red button on your remote – unless you’re up for a late one on a Sunday.
It’s an Italian crime drama about the murder of a Mafia boss's son in 1992 in the aftermath of a devastating arson attack.
Two detectives dig deeper into the case and begin to suspect that the murderers may be fellow police officers. Starring Alessio Boni, who’s enjoyed an extensive career in Italian cinema and TV.
In Italian – of course! - with English subtitles.
New to Stream
Touch, Sky Cinema Premiere & NOW
From Iceland, this is a romantic and thrilling story that spans several decades and continents as it follows one widower's emotional journey to find his first love - who disappeared 50 years ago - before his time runs out.
Touch was chosen as the Icelandic entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, and made the top 15 shortlist, but was ultimately not nominated.
Don’t Miss
Raised by the Village, 6.30pm, RTÉ One
Streaming on RTÉ Player
Fifteen-year-old Bobby from Waterford City has been refusing to get up for school after staying up all night on his phone.
He's sent to the Bunbury Family Farm in Rathvilly, county Carlow, for a tech-free life of early mornings and hard graft.
Also on this week’s episode: TikTok addict Clayton from Drimnagh in Dublin goes to Willowbrook Glamping Site near Lisacul, county Roscommon, to live under the rules of his new village mentors.
The Americas, 6.15pm, BBC One
This week's episode of the Tom Hanks-narrated series focuses on The Andes.
The wildlife of the Andes, including southern Peru's marbled four-eyed frog, which is capable of freezing solid and reviving daily, captured on film for the first time.
In Ecuador, a mother bear and her cubs navigate a dangerous rock face, while high in the mountains, flamingos perform mating dances on crimson lakes.
The rare spatuletail hummingbirds, with only 500 males left, engage in intense competition.
Tribe with Bruce Parry, 9.00pm, BBC Two
Bruce Parry continues his travels to places that somehow manage to get on with life without a McDonald's or Starbucks.
The explorer travels to Sumba in Indonesia, a paradise island where people worship the ancient religion of Marapu.
Bruce is invited to stay in a hilltop village where houses stand next to megalithic stone tombs containing dead relatives, and homes are built with dedicated space for the ancestors to live.
But he soon discovers that the villagers' devotion to living alongside the dead comes with great sacrifice.
Sunday Cinema
Bridget Jones's Diary, 9.30pm, RTÉ One
The original from 2001 and still the best of the films inspired by Helen Fielding's character, delightfully brought to life by Renee Zellweger.
A single woman – Bridget Jones, of course - begins a new year with resolutions to find love, quit her bad habits and take a step up the career ladder.
Her plans crumble as she tries to deal with her mother's infidelity, get over a passionate fling with her boss and come to terms with her feelings for an uptight lawyer.
The hugely enjoyable romantic comedy also stars Hugh Grant and Colin Firth as the two boyos battling for Bridget’s heart.
Easter Parade, 12.55pm, BBC Two
MGM! Judy Garland! Bing Crosby! Technicolour! What more could you want from a musical?
Well, Ann Miller was always splendid in a supporting role, and this was her first in an MGM musical. So there's her, too.
The film also contains some of Astaire's and Garland's best-known songs, including Easter Parade, Steppin' Out with My Baby and We're a Couple of Swells, all composed by the great Irving Berlin.
Storywise - not that stories really matter in musicals other than Singin' in the Rain - Astaire plays a dancer abandoned by his usual partner, who then trains a chorus girl (Garland, of course) as a replacement.
The new pairing is a great success but, although he strives to keep their relationship strictly professional, he begins to fall head over heels in love with her.
Easter Parade, a sofa and a drink of choice combine to make a splendid way to lose a couple of hours and put a smile on your face for the rest of the day.
I've loved this since I first saw it on TV as an eight-year-old with my dear oul' Da and I ain't done with it yet.
Sport
The Sunday Game Live, 12.00pm, RTÉ2
Streaming on RTÉ Player
A triple-header of GAA action begins with Offaly v Derry (Throw-in 12.15pm).
Damian Lawlor presents all the action from the National Camogie League Division 2A Final at Semple Stadium in Thurles. With analysis from Anna Geary (below) and Anne Marie Hayes.
Then at 2pm the attention switches to Cork v Galway (Throw-in 2.15pm) in the National Camogie League Division 1A Final at Semple Stadium in Thurles.
Galway are looking to go one better than last year, when they were narrowly defeated by Tipperary in the showpiece match, while Cork were Division 2B champions last season.
From 3.45pm the focus switches to football as Tyrone host Cavan (Throw-in 4.15pm).
Joanne Cantwell presents all the action from the Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final at O'Neills Healy Park.
These teams also met at this stage last year, with Tyrone progressing after extra time, but losing out to eventual champions Donegal in the semi-finals.
With analysis from Paul Flynn and Sean Cavanagh.
