Midsomer Murders
Don’t miss out on the breathtaking drama in the pretend county of England renowned for its excessively large number of murders. DCI John Barnaby (portrayed by Neil Dudgeon) and DS Jamie Winter (played by Nick Hendrix) delve into the mysterious death of local prepper Warren Kaine in the season’s opening episode. Warren Kaine, a resident of Blacktrees-on-Marsh, was an avid believer of a potential nuclear threat to the town. His fears led him to build a nuke-proof shelter in his residence. After he received a deceptive phone call indicating that missiles were launched, he made his way straight to his safety bunker where, sadly, his patient wife found him lifeless the following morning.
Big Zuu Goes to Mecca
Let’s join rapper, chef, and TV host Big Zuu on his individual quest to the holiest city in Islam, Mecca where he seeks spiritual nourishment and a deeper bond with his faith. Born into an Islamic family in London, Zuu has always struggled to observe strict cultural norms while constantly remaining true to his faith. He is performing the Umrah, a non-compulsory pilgrimage that can be done at any time of the year, for the first time. At the conclusion of this journey, Zuu hopes to have gained a profound understanding of Islam and his role in the universe.
Man Up?
Everyone has a different perception of what it means to “man up”. Does it necessitate amplifying toxic masculinity or is it about being comfortable displaying your softer side? In this sport-infused opportunistic undertaking, Jordan Conroy, a rugby sevens athlete, guides and supports 10 young lads from varied backgrounds to grasp the true definition of masculinity in an era of gender role confusion and rampant misinformation. The boys will receive nuggets of wisdom from diverse sporting celebrities including Colin Judge, a Paralympian ping-pong sensation, and Karen Byrne, a professional dancer from Dancing with the Stars.
Pompeii: The New Dig
Make sure to tune into this BBC2 programme on Monday at 9pm.
For a while, it seemed that the ancient city of Pompeii had revealed all of its past, however, recent archaeological excavations have uncovered new aspects of life in the historical Italian city. The Archaeologists, through a three-part series, document their exploration of an entire city block, presenting fascinating finds such as the exquisite homes of affluent Pompeii citizens, artfully adorned atriums, marble tabletops, terracotta roofing, an enormous bread oven made of brick, and possibly an early pizza parlour sign. They also exposed gruesome remnants of the tragedy that fell upon the city during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, including the skeletons of those killed by a collapsing roof during the ashfall.
On another note, Alan Yentob profiles the Pet Shop Boys – Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe – in BBC1’s ‘Imagine… Pet Shop Boys: Then and Now’, set to air on Tuesday at 10.40pm. Recognised as the most successful Britsh duo to date, the Pet Shop Boys have seen incredible career success spanning four decades, including more than 50 million albums sold. The show gives a glimpse of their upcoming album and their ongoing global Dreamworld Tour, along with commentary on the evolution of their unique synth-pop sound. Several notable figures from the music industry, including Brandon Flowers from The Killers and Marc Almond from Soft Cell, will also be present to honor the duo’s significant contributions.
On Tuesday, Channel 4 puts actor Danny Dyer in the spotlight with the TV show ‘Danny Dyer: How to Be a Man’, airing at 10 pm. The two-part documentary follows Dyer as he delves into the complex issue of modern masculinity, journeying through the UK to unearth diverse perspectives and standpoints on manhood. His in-depth exploration includes discussions on prejudice with the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus and the exploration of experiences of male domestic abuse victims.
Finally, tune into BBC2 at 10 pm on Wednesday to catch ‘Mammoth’.
In this fresh comedy series, Mike Bubbins plays the lead role. The series tells the amusing tale of Tony Mammoth, a PE teacher from the 1970s, who miraculously comes back to life after being encased in ice for 42 years due to an avalanche during a school ski trip. Mammoth returns to his prior profession, only to be faced with a drastically changed world where his old heroes and hobbies are now obsolete. Undeterred, he clings to his 70s lifestyle and his Ford Capri. This leads us to the question: Can Mammoth learn to survive in this modern, woke society? And can society accept Mammoth as he is?
Harry Hill’s Lonely Island, aired on Wednesday on BBC2 at 10.25pm, is an intriguing series of short silent films taking place on an uninhabited island. Harry Hill sets aside his large collar while retaining his glasses in impressive portrayals of different characters including a caveman, a monkey, a queen, and Napoleon. These imaginative scripts prompt the audiences to wonder how the characters would survive in isolation, stripped of their familiar environments.
Thursday on RTÉ1 at 7pm, The Complaints Bureau is dedicated to assisting individuals who have been continuously frustrated due to poor customer service. This week, it features Tara, a sick teacher from Cavan campaigning against hospital parking fees for cancer patients. It also presents the story of Mike, an entrepreneur knocked off an online payment platform, and Jennifer, a mother of two from Naas, who is struggling with heating problems in her house, despite getting a new boiler and pump.
The week rounds off with “Home Rescue: The Big Fix” on Thursday on RTÉ1 at 9.35pm.
Do you have what Shónagh, a primary school teacher and mother of four, calls a “Doom Room” in your house? It’s a place to conveniently stash away all your random mess instead of properly organising it. The acronym stands for “Didn’t Organise, Only Moved”. Shónagh, who resides in an old railway cottage with her children, is eager to turn her property into a comfortable family home. However, she needs to overcome a large pile of clutter first. Therefore, her brother Ciarán has engaged the Home Rescue team – Dee Coleman and Peter Finn, to assist in generating space for an enjoyable familial living environment.
Tracks and Trails, airing on Friday, on RTÉ1 at 7:30pm, invites historian Diarmaid Ferriter as the guest this week. The show explores the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Irish countryside. Ferriter’s journey consists of two treks, one on each side of the Irish divide. He begins at the Sperrin mountains in County Tyrone, onto Patrick Kavanagh territory for a hike in County Monaghan. This journey includes a 12km loop in Gortin Glen, with natural features like a forest, a waterfall and a surprising encounter with a giant. He then ventures an 18km stretch along the Monaghan Way, passing alongside tranquil avenues, a decommissioned railway line and trails adjacent to the river, culminating at picturesque Loch Muckno.
The Twelve, the Australian legal drama, airs on UTV at 9pm on Friday, with famous actor Sam Neill playing the role of Brett Colby QC. The series centres on the diverse group of jurors deliberating the intricacies of a murder trial. Kate Lawson, portrayed by Kate Mulvany, stands accused of killing her adolescent niece, Claire. The entire case against her is far from being straightforward, with neither a corpse nor a motive found, and doubt cast on whether a homicide took place at all. In the sixth episode, the plot gets thicker when the jury visits Kate’s residence, and there’s evidence tampering in her art studio. Kate’s brother Robbie is called to testify, yet an unexpected man from Kate’s history makes an appearance, causing upheaval in the courtroom.