Grey's Anatomy and Hunderby are back, while it's goodnight and good luck to Doctor Who, I'm a Celebrity . . . and loads more, as telly gears up for Christmas.
John Byrne’s TV choices for the week ahead (Dates covered: Saturday Nov 05-Friday Nov 11)
Pick of the week
Grey's Anatomy, Wednesday, Sky Living
The original ShondaLand smash hit returns for season 12, moving ever closer to ER's record 15 years on the box. But how will the long-running medical drama cope with the loss of Patrick Dempsey?
Picking up three months after last season’s shocking events, fans of the show will see Ellen Pompeo's Meredith as she struggles to deal with life without Derek.
Meanwhile, Bailey faces fierce competition as she fights to become chief of surgery and, as April returns to Seattle, she finds out whether Jackson intends to make good on the threat he made before she left.
Star of the week
Neven Maguire
Neven's Christmas Special, Monday, RTÉ One
Christmas is the most traditional time of the year, and Neven Maguire is preparing a thoroughly conventional Christmas dinner, but adding a twist by offering imaginative ways of cooking ham, turkey and lamb.
He also shares his Aunt Maureen's recipe for Christmas pudding, which has been served in his restaurant, and given to thousands of people as a present over the years.
Starting this week
That's So Last Century, Tuesday, Channel 4
This new show invites celebrities to re-acquaint themselves with the gadgets, games and gizmos of their childhood and gifts from Christmas past, and see how well they've stood the test of time. Those taking part include Vic Reeves, Dom Joly and Will Mellor.
Young, Dumb and Dangerous, Sunday, RTÉ2
On the first episode of this three-part documentary looking at young people and the crimes they commit, we look at one-punch assaults, making headlines for the last decade and proving deadly for some.
Tested on Humans, Monday, RTÉ2
This two-parter sees radio host Keith Walsh and model/daredevil Claire Tracey testing their minds, bodies and nerves in a wide range of situations.
Tripped, Tuesday, E4
This four-part sci-fi comedy-drama looks interesting. It stars Blake Harrison (Neil from The Inbetweeners, who's also in the Dad's Army film) and George Webster as two mates who find themselves in a fantasy quest involving umpteen parallel universes.
Crackanory, Monday, Dave
Season three of the armchair story-reading opens with Paul Whitehouse and the awesome Carrie Fisher. Later on in the week, Catherine Tate and Tamsin Greig will pop up.
Ending this Week
Simply Nigella, Monday, BBC Two
Nigella Lawson delivers her final serving of feel-good food, sharing the origins of some of her latest recipe ideas and revealing just how and why they came into being.
Here's a yummy chocolate cake recipe from a few weeks ago:
Doctor Who, Saturday, BBC One
It's the season finale of what's been a traumatic run for the Doctor, who's had both his hearts broken in recent times. Returning to Gallifrey, he faces the Time Lords in a struggle that will take him to the end of time itself. Still, he'll be back at Christmas.
I'm a Celebrity . . . , Sunday, UTV Ireland
Ant and Dec host as the winner of this year's contest is named queen or king of the jungle. Yawn.
The Leftovers, Monday, Sky Atlantic
The outstanding, head-wrecking second season of the affecting drama from the co-creator of Lost concludes. How it'll end up is anyone's guess - which is part of the fun.
Stetsons and Stilettos, Sunday, RTÉ One
This episode follows three middle-aged enthusiasts as they plot new journeys on the country music roads of Ireland.
London Spy, Monday, BBC Two
Danny finally discovers the shocking truth of what happened to his lover, and what really took place that night in the attic where he died.
Capital, Tuesday, BBC One
As the police investigation into the 'We Want What You Have' campaign leads them in an unexpected direction, DI Mill hopes to secure a confession - but has he got the right person?
The Shelbourne, Thursday, RTÉ One
Christmas comes to Dublin's poshest hotel as staff decorate every room with trees and teddy bears. Down in the kitchen, they're busy creating a gingerbread village.
Bring the Noise, Thursday, Sky 1
David Walliams and Melanie C join the fun as the debut series of the lively music and comedy show concludes.
Piers Morgan's Life Stories, Friday, UTV Ireland
Former EastEnders' star Timothy West is the focus, and he talks candidly about his 53-year marriage to Prunella Scales, best known for her role as hen-pecking Sybil in Fawlty Towers.
Hardy Bucks Ride Again, Monday, RTÉ2
With Frenchtoast still on the dry, the lads decide to take drastic action and plan an intervention to get him back on the sauce.
10 Things to Know About . . . Pain, Monday, RTÉ One
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin and Jonathan McCrea participate in a pain-off as they look at how controversial new technology could improve everything from memories to thinking skills, and possibly increasing pain thresholds.
Rachel's Coastal Cooking, Wednesday, RTÉ One
Rachel Allen comes to the end of her journey around the south and west coast of Ireland, reaching the Fanad Peninsula where she samples some prized beef.
Vogue's Wildgirls, Tuesday, RTÉ2
Vogue meets sexually voracious women who view men as prey and sex as a commodity - or just another disposable pleasure.
Drama of the week
Nurse Jackie, Wednesday, Sky Atlantic
The seventh and final season of this fine series comes to an end with this double episode. First up, Edie Falco's eponymous junkie nurse is back at work and concerned about Prince's erratic behaviour. In the meantime, Eddie could be jeopardising her job at All Saints.
In the last-ever episode, Jackie is offered a new job, while there is an unexpected guest at Fiona's confirmation rehearsal.
Comedy of the week
Hunderby, Thursday, Sky Atlantic
BAFTA winner Julia Davis returns with two hour-long episodes of her quite unique, award-winning period comedy.
Co-writer and star Davis reprises her role as the malevolent housekeeper Dorothy, who is still trying to scheme her way into the life of master of the house, pastor Edmund, played by Alex Macqueen.
With Edmund’s young wife Helene (Alexandra Roach) leaving him for Dr Foggarty (Rufus Jones), he will need to find a replacement, but he’s deaf to Dorothy’s advances, while still eager for his bubbly milk.
Documentary of the week
Blood and Gold: The Making of Spain, Tuesday, BBC Four
Following on from his previous studies of Rome and Istanbul, Simon Sebag Montefiore embarks on what promises to be a fascinating journey to unlock 2,000 years of Spain's history.
In the first episode he explores the early years of the country, when Iberia was a minor province of Carthage - then the most coveted of Rome’s colonies - through to the glories of Spain's Moslem age and the Córdoba Caliphate.
On Demand
A Very Murray Christmas, Netflix
The legendary Bill Murray hosts an all-star musically-driven festive special.
Directed by Sofia Coppola (who helmed Murray in Lost in Translation), Murray co-wrote the special with Coppola and another long-time friend and frequent collaborator, Mitch Glazer (Scrooged, Rock the Kasbah).
The assortment of top-notch performers and guest stars includes George Clooney, Chris Rock, Amy Poehler, Jason Schwartzman, Paul Shaffer, Michael Cera, Rashida Jones, Maya Rudolph, Jenny Lewis, Julie White and Miley Cyrus.
Film of the Week
Frozen (sing-along version), Sunday, Sky Movies Disney
It's only two years since Disney first released Frozen, and already it's established as an essential part of Christmas.
Taking inspiration from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, The Snow Queen, this is the story of a fearless princess who sets off on an epic journey accompanied by a rugged iceman, his pet reindeer, and a snowman to find her estranged sister, whose icy powers inadvertently trapped the kingdom in an endless winter.
John Byrne
