John Byrne’s TV choices for the week ahead (Dates covered: Sat Aug 16 – Friday August 22)
Hello to Dáithí O Sé, Gordon Ramsay and spooky drama Resurrection, while it's goodbye to The Shelbourne, Maggie Gyllenhaal and The Singer Takes it All.
Pick of the week
The Rose of Tralee, Monday and Tuesday, RTÉ One
Love it, hate it, ignore it or allow yourself to get wound up by it, there's simply no denying that The Rose of Tralee remains a hugely popular event both here in Ireland and anywhere across the globe that's enjoyed an influx of folk from the Emerald Isle. Besides, it's the one event of the summer that reminds parents that it's time to cover the kids' schoolbooks. September's just around the corner.
Over the course of two nights, host Dáithí O Sé rules the roost at a packed Tralee Dome as he gets the best out of the 32 Roses from various parts of the world who are endeavouring to become the 56th winner of the Rose of Tralee, and succeed last year's winner, Haley O’Sullivan, from Texas.
Here's last year's winner introducing herself:
Star of the week
Maggie Gyllenhaal
The Honourable Woman, Thursday, BBC Two
This eight-part drama about personal intrigue with the dangerous backdrop of the Middle East comes to a conclusion, and it's fair to say that The Honourable Woman has been one of the TV standouts of the year so far. A great cast, including Andrew Buchan, Janet McTeer, Eve Best, and a superbly understated Stephen Rea, has been overshadowed by an outstanding performance from Maggie Gyllenhaal in the lead role of Nessa Stein, an Anglo-Israeli businesswoman who turned her family business from selling arms to more philanthropic purposes. In this final episode Hayden-Hoyle realises that Nessa has been manipulated into becoming a martyr - both by Monica Chatwin on behalf of the Americans, and by Jalal El-Amin.
Here's Gyllenhaal talking about her character:
Starttng this week
Ramsay's Hotel Hell, Tuesday, Channel 4
The perma-grumpy Gordon Ramsay returns to his travels across the USA to fix struggling hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts. He starts this second season at Meson de Mesilla, a Tuscan-style hotel in New Mexico. Owner and former child-star Cali Szczawinski bought the hotel so that she could perform Cher songs every night to a captive audience. Gordon investigates whether Cali may be falling flat when it comes to the needs of her guests because she's too busy trying to hit the high notes on stage. This could be hilarious.
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Also starting this week:
New Tricks, Monday, BBC One
The fictional Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad return. Gerry Standing’s youngest daughter, Caitlin is getting married to Robin, a solicitor and gets upset when Gerry interrogates Robin about his credentials.
Endeavour, Friday, RTÉ One
An Irish screening of the prequel drama about the early days of the hugely popular Inspector Morse, with Shaun Evans portraying a young Endeavour Morse as he begins his police career.
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Ending this week
The Shelbourne, Thursday, RTÉ One
It's the final episode in this fascinating documentary and the hotel is starting a major refurbishment of the bedrooms. The builders have five days to gut and refit eight bedrooms ready for a Friday afternoon inspection by hotel managers Alan Mahoney and Agnes Keogh. Approval's not easy and everyone is feeling the pressure. It's also staff appreciation week so JD Flynn and the crew are on a team-building day-trip to a tree-top obstacle course. Well worth a dip if you haven't seen it yet.
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Also ending this week:
The Singer Takes it All, Friday, Channel 4
Alan Carr hosts the final episode of the live singing game show that has been little better than a complete disaster, and I can't see it getting a second season.
Drama of the week
Resurrection, Monday, Watch
This spooky drama is based on the book The Returned by Jason Mott. And while it's similar in concept to the superb French TV drama Les Revenants (broadcast last year on Channel 4 as The Returned), which was based on the 2004 French film of the same name, the makers are keen to point out that Resurrection has no connection to the French television series. Here, the setting is Arcadia, Missouri, where loved ones return from the grave, without having aged since their deaths. If it's even a patch on Les Revenants, this will be well worth a look.
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Comedy of the week
Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy 2: Tales from Painted Hawaii, Thursday, E4
It's only the fourth episode but, already, this is the penultimate episode of the second season of Noel Fielding's solo show. This week, Noel realises he is the only person in the show who isn't cool. He has until the end of the episode to become cool, otherwise he will be destroyed by a race of alien cucumbers who all worship the 18th Century English poet, John Gay.
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On Demand
BoJack Horseman, from Friday, Netflix
This adult animated comedy revolves around the eponymous BoJack Horseman, a washed-up TV star horse (voiced by Will Arnett, who also exec-produces the show) flushing away the last of his sitcom money on booze and an increasingly disinterested girlfriend who is a cat. It's a Seth MacFarlane-like show that also has the voices of Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie and Aaron Paul, who is also an exec-producer.
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WARNING! Contains adult content
Documentary of the week
MOTD@50, Friday, BBC Two
As the new English football season kicks off, Match of the Day celebrates 50 years since it was first aired. This definitive documentary charts the history of this programme and highlights its long-ingrained place at the heart of Saturday night television. The show looks at how MOTD has evolved, while remaining the main place for viewers to watch highlights. There's a look at the elements of the show that are synonymous with the show, as well as anecdotes and great moments. I look forward to watching this after actually being at a game on Friday, as Shamrock Rovers face Longford Town in the FAI Cup at Tallaght Stadium. Now that's a full night of football fun, and so soon after the World Cup. Life is truly wonderful.
Here's how they celebrated the 25th anniversary in 1989:
Film of the Week
Chris & Don: A Love Story, Wednesday, Sky Arts 1
I'm a sucker for documentaries and this one from 2007 is quite superb. It chronicles the lifelong relationship between author Christopher Isherwood and his much younger lover, artist Don Bachardy. The film combines present-day interviews, archival footage, excerpts from Isherwood's diaries, and playful animations to recount their romance.
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