Eragail’s Melodies
On Sunday night, TG4 will feature a special programme at 9.30 pm in honour of late Jimmy and Vincent Campbell. Remembered as cherished fiddlers of Co Donegal, these brothers were part of a reputed musical family residing near Glenties. The event brings together relatives and companions for a joyful celebration of these iconic Donegal fiddle maestros. Participants include renowned figures such as Dermot McLaughlin, Martin McGinley, Denise Boyle, and Tara and Ann Connaghan, with Peter Campbell, Jimmy’s son, marking his presence as a fiddle player. Viewers can expect fond memories associated with this musically rich family, whose residence was a favourite meeting spot for musicians both near and far.
We’re Standing Strong
Airtime on Sky Max and Now on Sunday is at 10pm. The States have often been unsympathetic terrain for the LGBTQ+ populace. Yet, drag queens such as Sasha Velour, Priyanka, Jaida Essence Hall, and Latrice Royal relentlessly continue their mission of love across America’s smaller cities. As they brave bias and disapproval with resilience, the fourth series begins with their visit to Murfreesboro, Tennessee. There, newly imposed stringent anti-drag laws will be examined. The queens engage with local community members, including Maleeka, musician Bradford and drag artist Norm, to learn about how those laws negatively impact their lives.
Eid al-Adha – A Tale of Fortitude
Monday evening on RTÉ1 at 5.20 pm reveals the harrowing tale of Irish citizens Ibrahim Alagha, Hamida, his spouse, and their children Sami, Eileen and Omar. Amid the Muslim Festival of Sacrifice, Eid al-Adha, they found themselves amidst the Gaza warfare while visiting kinfolk. Fleeing to his father’s farmhouse in Khan Yunis with his family, Ibrahim sheltered nearly 90 individuals who sought refuge from the Israeli attacks. Despite persisting peril, Ibrahim’s faith and hope remained unscathed. He and his family eventually reached safety through the Rafah crossing. Now settled back in Ireland, their wishes are with the people they left behind.
Realm of the Serpent
House of the Dragon will be available on Sky Atlantic and Now at 9 pm on Monday evening.
George RR Martin’s Fire and Blood fantasy series has astounded fans, with its first season nearly rivalling the popularity of Game of Thrones. There is palpable excitement for the second season of House of the Dragon, which narrates the turbulent and brutal ascent of House Targaryen, taking place two centuries prior to the events of GoT. Familiar faces include Matt Smith reprising his role as Daemon, Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra, Olivia Cooke as Alicent, and Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower. A thrilling blend of warfare and intrigue is guaranteed as Westeros get further embroiled in conflicts, and the race for the Iron Throne continues.
In another vein, Channel 4’s “Super Surgeons: A Chance at Life”, airing at 9pm this Tuesday, shines a light on the invaluable efforts of surgeons at the UK’s Royal Marsden Hospital. Through innovative methods, these medical practitioners combat cancer, thereby giving patients the opportunity to enjoy lasting moments of life. Its initial season was massively successful, owing to the remarkable feats achieved by these medics in guiding patients through transformative episodes of their lives.
Among these individuals is Prof. Andy Hayes who will attempt to eradicate a rare sarcoma tumour enveloping the arm of 18-year-old midwife trainee Anthea, without resorting to amputation. On the other hand, Prof. David Nicol is treating 43-year-old former rugby professional Cameron, who is battling an aggressive strain of testicular cancer.
Lastly, the election special episode of “The Rest Is Politics” will be broadcasted on Channel 4 this Tuesday at 11.05pm.
Rishi Sunak, the current Prime Minister of the UK, has called for an election. The Tories are predicted to face a tough battle against the Labour Party in the impending vote. Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart will be extending their celebrated podcast to Channel 4 as a part of a special six-part series that takes the viewers right into the heart of the electoral campaign. These two engaging and knowledgeable presenters, Campbell, an ex-spin doctor for Labour, and Stewart, an ex-Tory MP, will provide in-depth coverage of key issues that will dominate the minds of British voters at the ballot box.
The talented singer famous for filling the shoes of the Queen lead singer, Adam Lambert, gets candid about how the music industry has been illuminated by LGBTQ+ artists, and how pop music has evolved from a dull fare to an extravagant fiesta of style and show. Lambert, in conversation with his Queen colleagues Brian May and Roger Taylor, sheds light on the legacy of Freddie Mercury, his predecessor. He also engages with icons like Andy Bell of the 1980s pop duo Erasure and Skin of the 1990s rock band Skunk Anansie, delving into the struggles that LGBTQ+ artists have faced to secure their place in the world of pop. The show is set to air on UTV on Wednesday at 9pm and is titled “Adam Lambert: Out, Loud and Proud”.
Jane Seymour acts as a retired professor turned amateur detective in the Ireland-based detective series “Harry Wild”, collaborating with well-known Irish actors like Stuart Graham, Amy Huberman, Ciara O’Callaghan and Paul Tylak. After her retirement, the main character, Harriet “Harry” Wild, stays with her son Charlie, a Garda detective in Dublin. She gets involved in Fergus’s investigations and often ends up solving the crimes herself. Audiences are awaiting the release of the third series as the second one opens with a mystery relating to the murder of Harry’s ex and Charlie’s mentor, Ray Tiernan. The murder occurs during an investigation, and Harry, along with her grandson Fergus – who is also Charlie’s son, are tasked with finding the murderer. The series airs on RTÉ1 on Wednesday at 9.35pm.
Lastly, “The Stormtrooper Scandal” will be aired on Thursday on BBC2 at 9pm.
“What does Star Wars have in relation with one of the most notable art controversies in recent history? Was it a con or simply an overstretched ambition to strike it rich in the art industry? This captivating documentary unravels the tale of an audacious plan conceived by a youthful curator named Ben Moore. In 2021, he announced an exclusive sale of artworks known as NFTs, which solely exist in the digital world. The art for sale was modelled after the famous stormtrooper helmets from Star Wars, with multiple accomplished artists adding their own unique twists to the famous headgear. The pieces sold like hotcakes, and with that, Moore and his associates were virtually overnight millionaires. However, much like the destruction of the Death Star, it all quickly crumbled, leaving the buyers high and dry.
David Puttnam: The Long Road Home – An intimate story
On Thursday, RTÉ1 at 10.15 PM, we explore the life trajectory of an Oscar-winning director from being a school dropout in North London to an Irish citizen in a heartwarming documentary. This film is directed by Edel O’Mahony and produced by Clíona Ní Bhuachalla, who states she was “instantly smitten” by Puttnam, who is currently in his octogenarian years. Puttnam clinched an Oscar for Chariots of Fire in 1982. However, he gradually shifted to becoming an educationist, environmentalist and a political activist. The film offers an insight into his life in London during World War II, his camaraderie with co-director Alan Parker, his tenure as CEO of Columbia Pictures, and the circumstances that led him and his dear wife, Patsy, of six decades to obtain Irish citizenship and establish their life in the west Cork.
And in 2024, Isle of Wight Festival to be broadcast on Friday on Sky Arts & Now at 7pm.”
The renowned Isle of Wight festival is ready yet again to welcome its ardent attendees for another round of sensational music. The festival, which kicked off for the first time in 1968 with performances from Jefferson Airplane, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, and Tyrannosaurus Rex (later known as T Rex), has a compelling line-up this year, including The Prodigy, The Streets, The Darkness, and Crowded House. Moreover, all these performances can be enjoyed right at your home, thanks to Sky’s extensive coverage. Notable sets from The Pretenders and Johnny Marr will also star on the Big Top stage.
Switching over to BBC4 at 10pm on Friday, one can get an interesting insight on the musical revolution of the late 70s. It was not punk music that stirred the society, but the groovy rhythms of disco music. This genre not only made society dance to its tunes but also ignited a wave of black power in the music charts and triggered a sexual revolution, both on and off the dance floor. In this three-episode series, you can discover how the vigor of disco music swept across the globe. The second episode highlights the liberation element of this genre, illustrated by classic anthems such as Donna Summer’s Love to Love You Baby and Sylvester’s You Make Me Feel Mighty Real.