TV Highlights
by John Daly Updated: Wednesday, 14th December, 2011 4:53pm
Keith Farnan looks at how the recession has impacted on the Irish psyche, through humour in 'Money. Money, Money' (RTE 2, Thursday).
'Money. Money, Money' (RTE 2, Thursday, 10pm) - Another documentary exploring in a fresh way the catastrophic impact of the financial crisis in Ireland; what happened, how and why did it happen, the impact on the Irish psyche and what the future holds - in other words, could this happen again?
The documentary aims to be a highly original take on Ireland's difficulties, written and presented by former solicitor, Keith Farnan, who left law to broach controversial and political topics through stand-up.
Describing his brand of comedy as 'seriously funny', Farnan uses comedy to question major social issues in a fresh innovative way that is accessible to a wider audience. In short, he makes people think about serious issues through humour.
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'Going Postal' (RTE 1, Wednesday, 12.40am) - This disturbing film looks at the dramatic rise of mass shootings in the United States.
It's now 10 years since the Columbine High School massacre, an event that was not isolated. Schools, campuses, offices, factories and post offices across the USA have seen a shocking number of mass shootings over the past 20 years.
With extraordinary access to those involved, including one teenage murderer himself, this documentary tells the story of five American school and workplace shootings.
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'Small World' (RTE 1, Friday, 8.30pm) - A new travel documentary series that tells international stories with an Irish twist. The films, created by some of Ireland's most acclaimed directors, unearths fascinating people and places that have unlikely and unmistakable links to Ireland.
In tonight's programme, presenter Liam Nolan travels to Fogo Island in Newfoundland to discover the strong Irish heritage of this remote island, and getting to know families like the McGraths, O'Dwyers and Foleys who have fished off its coasts for centuries in the most Irish place in the world, outside of Ireland itself.
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'Strictly Come Dancing: The Final' (BBC 1, Saturday, 7pm) - The wait is finally over and the glitterball trophy is clearly in sight, as Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly bring the ultimate dance showdown - the Strictly Come Dancing Grand Final - live from Blackpool's Tower Ballroom.
After sashaying their way past the competition over the past 11 weeks, the final dancing duos take to the floor, performing a number of show-stopping routines, full of lifts, tricks and surprises.
As the tension builds in this final show, the legendary venue plays host to a ballroom and Latin extravaganza, as the remaining couples battle to be crowned the ultimate dancing champion of 2011.
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'Young James Herriot' (BBC 1, Sunday, 9pm) - The adventures of James Herriot in his early years as a student vet at Glasgow Veterinary College during the 1930s are the basis for this three-part series inspired by the character and early works of the famous writer.
Herriot, an idealistic young man, arrives to study at the city's Vet College, but his beginnings in the profession were not auspicious. This is the story of the making of the man, a story of a young man with hope in his heart, not much money in his pocket and the desire to do good.
His first day in Glasgow is miserable. He falls foul of his professors, he antagonises local tradesmen, and he is left homeless after his would-be landlady does a runner with his rent. His luckless introduction to veterinary medicine provides some amusement for two older students.
Whirly Tyson is one of only two women at the Vet College, while Rob McAloon is a playboy and perennial student. They see something in Herriot that others don't and take him under their wing. He moves in with them and Whirly's glamorous aunt, whose intentions towards young James may not be as honourable as he would like.
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'Ho, Ho, Ho' (RTE 1, Monday, 7.30pm) - Bláthnaid Ni Chofaigh asks guests what they love and hate about Christmas and gets the lowdown on all things turkey, Willy Wonka and Fairytale of New York, among others.
She's joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna who decided to marry during Christmas so she didn't have to spend Christmas with her family!
Mary Kennedy finds Christmas a sad time as her mum died on Christmas Eve and talks about how she and her family have combined her mother's anniversary Mass with Christmas Eve every year.
GAA Hurler of the Year Liam Rushe loves Christmas as it gives him a break from training and a chance to party. Evanne Ní Chuilinn, who is expecting her first baby in the New Year, talks about how different her Christmas will be next year.
Blathnaid also meets the shift worker who was adopted and hears about how she splits herself between her natural parents and her adoptive parents at Christmas.
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Movie Of The Week: 'Dave' (RTE 1, Saturday, 12.25am) - Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver are directed by Ivan Reitman in this delightful, feelgood film that's perfect for getting in the holiday mood. To avoid a potentially explosive scandal when the US President goes into a coma, an affable temp agency owner with an uncanny resemblance is put in his place. Very soon, however, this humble man starts to put his own stamp on the White House.
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