TV week: investigating the Christian Brothers
TV WEEK (Wednesday 23rd to Tuesday 29th)
TOP SPECIALS
Inside China: The Battle For Tibet (Virgin Media 1, Wednesday 3rd, 9pm)
For the first time in 20 years, documentary cameras go undercover inside Tibet to investigate China’s growing control over its population and the reality of life inside one of the most heavily-guarded and under-reported regions in the world.
Trump Revolution: 100 Days That Changed the World (CH4, Thursday 24th, 9pm)
The unprecedented political and economic decisions made since January that have caused stock markets to plummet and left governments around the world scrambling to respond to Trump’s list of reciprocal tariffs are dissected by leading voices, insiders and commentators across the globe.
Penelope (Sky Atlantic, Thursday 24th, 9pm)
A restless teenager who questions her place in the world embarks on a soul-searching journey into the remote wilderness of the Pacific Northwest. Coming of age drama from starring Megan Stott and Austin Abrams.
The Zoo (RTÉ 1, Friday 25th, 8.30pm)
Behind the scenes at Dublin Zoo, the real-life stories of the animals and the passionate people who care for them. Joy as Nyala the southern white rhinoceros gives birth to her second calf. Meanwhile, the team mourns the loss of one of their beloved resident – Sibu the 45-year-old Bornean orangutan.
Kerry: The Tides Of Time (RTÉ 1, Sunday 27th, 6.30pm)
Two-part series telling the multi-dimensional story of the Kerry landscape, from its origins up to the present day. The story is told by biologists, historians, ecologists and archaeologists – all connected to a landscape that includes some of Ireland’s most iconic landmarks: from the Skellig Islands to Carrauntoohil.
WATCH OF THHE WEEK
RTÉ Investigates: Christian Brothers The Assets, The Abusers (RTÉ 1, Wednesday 23rd, 9.35pm)
After last year’s Scoping Inquiry predicted a vast scale of historical child sexual abuse in Irish schools, and recommended redress for victims, the Christian Brothers stood out, with the largest number of schools and the highest number of allegations. Once powerful, the traditional educator of Catholic Irish boys, it is still one of the richest, holding an extensive property portfolio and a significant stake in Irish education.
BEST FILMS
One Life (Sky Cinema Drama, Wednesday 23rd, 8pm)
Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton was a young London broker who visited Prague in December 1938 and seeing what was coming under the Nazi rule, rescued hundreds of predominantly Jewish children before the Third Reich occupation closed the borders. But even 50 years later, Nicky is haunted by those he didn’t save. Anthony Hopkins stars.
Being The Ricardos (RTÉ 2, Friday 25th, 9.40pm)
Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman) and Desi Arnaz (Javier Bardem) were the toast of American television on the smash hit show, I Love Lucy. But behind the scenes their so-called perfect life was far from its homely appearance thanks to personal accusations, a political smear and cultural taboos. Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin of The West Wing fame.
The Mule (BBC 1, Friday 25th, 10.40pm)
Inspired by the true story of Earl Stone, an elderly horticulturist whose business is going bankrupt forcing him to take a job as a drug courier for a Mexican cartel. Easy money at first leads to attention by the FBI and the dilemma posed to a patriotic American when faced with a choice of financial survival. Clint Eastwood stars.
Trap (Sky Cinema Premiere, from Friday)
A father and his teen daughter attend a pop concert, where they realise they’re at the centre of a dark and sinister event that will threaten the lives of hundreds of people around them. Given that this is written and directed by M Night Shyamalan, expect some wicked twists in the tale. Starring Josh Hartnett and Ariel Donoghue.
CLASSIC MOVIE
Scarface (Film4, Friday 25th, 9pm)
‘Say hello to my little friend’. This classic movie line uttered by Cuban gangster Tony Montana stands as part of an action packed story of how a penniless refugee to Miami became one of America’s biggest drug lords. Directed with panache by Brian de Palma, it stars Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer in flying form. A cracker.
KIDS STUFF
Race Across The World (BBC 1, Wednesday 23rd, 9pm)
A bird’s eye view of 10 individuals racing around the globe for a £20,000 prize – but minus their smartphones, bank cards or the internet, travelling 15,000km in Asia, with just €1,500 to get them across nine countries. They are allowed earn extra cash through local jobs.
Meitheal Mara Chorca Dhuibhne (TG4, Thursday 24th, 5.30pm)
The fishing community of west Kerry have had a rough year of bad weather – but the sunshine has finally arrived. In this episode, we meet Alec Ó Cíobháin as he shares his experience of ‘Poacher’s Paradise’ and the illegal fishing of salmon.
ON DEMAND
The Eternaud (Netflix)
One summer’s night in Buenos Aires, a mysterious snowfall wipes out most of the population and leaves thousands stranded. Juan and his friends discover that the toxic snowstorm is only the first attack by a foreign army invading Earth – and the only way to stay alive is to join together and fight. No one will survive on their own.
Etoile (Amazon Prime)
The dancers and artistic staff of two world-renowned ballet companies embark on an ambitious gambit to save their storied institutions by swapping their most talented stars. Takes an inside view of the cut-throat world of dance as Paris and New York do a cross-Atlantic switch in hopes of attracting new audiences.
You (Netflix)
A dangerously charming but obsessive man goes to extreme measures to insert himself into the lives of unsuspecting women. In the epic fifth and final season, Joe Goldberg returns to New York to enjoy his happily ever after… until his perfect life is threatened by the ghosts of his past and his own dark desires.
SPORTS CENTRE
How to win the Champions League: Jose Mourinho (BBC 1, Wednesday 23rd, 10.40pm)
The often controversial but always watchable Jose Mourinho provides a first-hand insight from his time as one of the most iconic managers in football history, revealing how the combination of skilful man-management, tactical strength and ability to motivate his teams led to him twice securing the biggest prize in club football, with FC Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010.
Alcaraz My Way (Netflix)
Following Carlos Alcaraz, the youngest number one in tennis history, through the 2024 season, getting inside the mind of this young prodigy who is revolutionising the world of sports. What exactly does it take to become one of the best sportsmen in the world?