As the season for the annual Bloom festival at Phoenix Park draws nearer, a glimpse into the famed Chelsea Flower Show 2024 is finally here. A tradition since 1912, the cherished Chelsea Flower Show, organised by the Royal Horticultural Society, unfolds in the illustrious grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. This program, hosted by Sophie Raworth and Joe Swift, offers an exclusive peek into the stunning gardens set to take center stage at the blooming extravaganza. The duo will be supported by Adam Frost, Rachel de Thame, Arit Anderson, Toby Buckland, and JJ Chalmers for this botanical spectacle.
In another program, “The Resurgence”, set to air on RTÉ One, Derek Mooney continues his expedition across Europe, exploring various conservation efforts to mitigate environmental damage caused by years of negligence. In the next segment, Mooney travels to Sweden to examine initiatives to control the intruding raccoon dog population. His next destination is the Netherlands where efforts are underway to revive a badger colony impacted by extensive industrial activities. Mooney also pays a visit to Switzerland to explore the idea of a “sponge city”- a concept to prevent flood and overheating by making use of green areas.
Meanwhile, celebrated comedian PJ Gallagher invites viewers into his own life, beyond the laughter and jests. Gallagher, renowned for his humour, opens up about his own struggles with mental health in the documentary “A New Outlook – PJ Gallagher”. In this sincere feature, he introduces viewers to various treatment methodologies including mindfulness, talk therapy, and unconventional techniques involving psilocybin derived from magic mushrooms. While infused with Gallagher’s signature humour, the objective remains serious – to combat the stigma surrounding mental health and provide support to those battling similar issues.
“Revival: The Resurrection of A Man” is another documentary telecast this week.
Don’t just translate the text, but rephrase it using British English.
Original Text:
Monday night’s programming on Channel 4 at 9pm features an intriguing four-part documentary unravelling an odd story of deceit and imposture. It traces the case of a mystery patient found comatose in a Glasgow hospital during the Covid pandemic. On trying to identify him, authorities discovered he was an American, Nicholas Rossi, who was sought in Utah for sexual offences and under fraud scrutiny by the FBI. However, when he regained consciousness, he claimed to be Arthur Knight and argued he was wrongly identified. The tale got more convoluted when it was revealed Rossi (actually Nicholas Alahverdian) was allegedly dead due to a terminal disease. So, did Alahverdian fake his death or was there truth in Arthur Knight’s claims?
[Stardust review: a commendable documentary that accurately captures the sheer terror of the event]
“The Great British Sewing Bee”airs on Tuesday on BBC One at 9pm. Leave behind extreme sporting challenges, the real test of courage and determination is to master sewing at a breakneck speed. Now into its tenth season, this highly popular series showcases a fresh batch of budding contestants, prepared to demonstrate their sewing prowess under the watchful eyes of esteemed judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant. They will tackle a range of formidable sewing tasks that test their skills. In the initial episode, they’re tasked with creating a denim midi skirt, transforming a plain T-shirt into a fashionable garment and designing a captivating casual day dress. With Sara Pascoe on maternity leave, this edition welcomes actor-comedian Kiell Smith-Bynoe as the new host.
“Super Garden” on Tuesday on RTÉ One at 7pm. The day is approaching when the Bloom event opens for throngs of enthusiastic horticulture fans to appreciate the splendid gardens and beautiful floral displays. But who among the “Super Garden” participants will earn the opportunity to exhibit their personal garden project at Ireland’s most attended flower show? This week’s last contender is Breda Tennyson from Kilkenny, a retired bureaucrat who has embraced gardening and landscaping and remains a staunch supporter of sustainability and biodiversity. She designs a serene garden for a mother-daughter duo seeking a haven from the everyday hustle and bustle.
“Off Duty Chef: Bringing it Home”
As we approach this period of the year, one might consider swapping the traditional hearty Irish breakfast for something with a more Euro-flavored touch. Perfectly poached eggs placed on new sourdough bread, garnished with seasonal asparagus and a dash of chilli oil for an invigorating kick might just do the trick. However, what about suppers? Don’t worry, Moriarty has an easy-to-follow tomato sauce recipe for your pasta and a classic French tarte Tatin complemented by creamy caramel and soft-serve ice cream for dessert.
Next, let’s delve into the captivating world of television entertainment. Come Wednesday, you might catch “The Dry” on RTÉ One at 9.35 pm. In the third instalment of this witty comedy series, the main character, Shiv, played by Róisín Gallagher, grapples with maintaining her sobriety while still living at home. As she finds herself increasingly tempted, especially by her highbrow boyfriend Alex, her parents are surprised to find him cooking breakfast.
Everyone, including sister Caroline, is sceptical about Shane, who she has flirted with on dating apps. However, her interest in multiple dates could spell trouble. Meanwhile, Shiv uncovers her father Tom, played by Ciarán Hinds, hiding the fact that he has lost his job. Yet, she’s not prepared for what her investigation reveals.
Prepare for intrigue and suspense as you tune into “Murder, They Hope” on BBC Two, 9 pm Thursday.
In the concluding double episode of series two, Sian Gibson and Johnny Vegas return as Gemma and Terry, the duo who are not quite the crime-solving pair like Marple and Poirot. They have checked into their wedding reception venue two days earlier to make sure everything is in order when they discover a dead guest at the hotel. As the plot unfolds, Terry is compelled to reconnect with an old acquaintance in hot water, leaving Gemma alone to crack the case. Terry might regret it if Gemma proves to be a better detective solo.
Next, moving from streaming on Disney+ to terrestrial TV, ‘Fleishman is in Trouble’ is a series not to be missed. Based on Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s novel, it showcases a raw portrayal of a troubled marriage, parenting and career challenges. Jesse Eisenberg essays the role of Toby Fleishman, a Manhattan-based doctor whose marital discord with his ambitious spouse, Rachel (played by Claire Danes) leads them down the bitter path of divorce. When Rachel abruptly leaves their offspring at Toby’s place and vanishes, Toby is compelled to confront the real reasons for their failed relationship.
Finally, heading into a Friday night, tune into BBC One at 9.30pm for ‘The Young Offenders’.
Freed from jail after a misjudged trip to Colombia, Conor (played by Alex Murphy) finds himself sharing a roof with his mother Mairead (Hilary Rose) and her live-in partner, Sgt Tony Healy (Dominic MacHale). His mate Jock (Chris Walley) remains incarcerated, leaving Conor increasingly irritable, spending hours engrossed in video games. Mairead, together with Tony, devise a plan to engage Conor: a fishing excursion with Tony’s father, Tony snr (Pat Shortt). Perhaps, this is the chance for Conor to learn some life skills or even develop an interest in fishing.
The Nevermets, broadcasted on Channel 4 every Friday at 10 p.m., offers insights into the complexities of online dating. It depicts real-life instances of individuals in long-distance relationships, who despite having a deep connection with their partners online, have yet to meet in person. The six-part series follows these couples as they plan their initial face-to-face interaction, poised on the brink of unchartered territory. As these individuals meet in person, the series explores whether reality will shatter their virtual world or deepen their connection.