Channel hopping

As I heaved (yes…that’s right heaved) myself from the kitchen table to the sitting room on Christmas Day, I was struck by just how little there is on this holiday season.
Apart from Once which, frankly, I would need to be paid a lot more to watch, there was nothing truly notable on. Into the West with that wonderful line, “Don’t leave me Tayto”, is always worth a look and the fact that it was on TG4 was no surprise but, by and large, Crimbo was a bit of a disappointment movie-wise.
There was, however, one programme that was very interesting – the fact that it was original programming was even better. Now I should state that I know nothing, zilch, zippo, nada about horse racing, horses, the horse racing industry or, indeed, any major figures. Therefore, the fact that I found Vincent O’Brien: The Master, a documentary about the most influential man in Irish racing, so interesting is most likely of no consequence to anyone with a true or indeed specialised knowledge. However, it was a very well-made documentary that tracked the rise of the trainer and his ups and downs in the horse industry.
The most remarkable thing about the documentary was the wonderful footage from the forties, fifties and sixties coupled with some frank interviews.
People were very open in what they said of the man, his methods and his capabilities and, for someone like me with no real interest in the sport, I found it thoroughly engrossing – both educational and entertaining.
The vast quantities of money being earned, risked and speculated with were amazing to see, as well as the talent of the trainer. It was wonderful to learn of the victories and the scandals that surrounded this man and to learn a little about the way in which the politics of horse racing work.
I have no doubt it will be repeated and is well worth a look on RTÉPlayer if possible.
And so it is time to turn our attention to the week ahead. New Year’s Eve looms and for those that will not be braving the cold to go out to parties, it is most often a night in front of the telly.
There are a wide range of things to watch on the box should you choose to stay in.
It wouldn’t be my choice, but I know a lot of people still look forward to The All Ireland Talent Show New Year’s Eve Special on RTÉ One at 11.30pm. This instalment of the show will give us the first act of the show that will go forward to contest the semi-final and perhaps win the coveted €50,000 prize. It promises to be a show filled with delights (although “delights” might be stretching it slightly).
Now I am not knocking the show’s contestants, some of whom are genuinely talented, but basically, instead of actually hiring in some “real” talent, the good folks at RTÉ got into the spirit of the recession and asked some of the judges and last year’s finalists to take to the stage and give us some entertainment.
Personally I think it’s all a bit cheap. I would much rather watch last year’s finalists than see any of the judges showcasing their party-piece.
The countdown to midnight will feature all six of last year’s finalists and should be worth a look. The Mulkerrin Brothers alone are worth a look as they are truly wonderful musicians but I believe the best thing to do is tune in for the start, avoid the middle and then tune in for the end again.
For pure musical entertainment, Sharon Shannon is in concert on TG4 with her Big Band from 11.30pm.
My own choice for New Year’s Eve is Alan Carr: Chatty Man New Year’s Special. This show is always funny and, with David Tennant and Catherine Tate joining the camp comedian on the couch, it promises to be a barrel of laughs.
Music will also be provided by the wonderfully cheesy and indestructible Spandau Ballet. Now that sounds like a party! It kicks off at 11.45pm on Channel 4. Gold!
Lest anyone forget the main televisual delicacy will be served on New Year’s Day when Doctor Who meets his maker at 6.40pm. Part one of David Tennant’s final arc as the Time Lord was suitably crazy and, with the love of my childhood life and still ranking quite highly, Timothy “James Bond” Dalton, making an appearance, one only knows it’s going to be brilliant.
So, tune in to see the best of the Doctors make way in the TARDIS for fop-haired young fella Matt Smith to take over as the 11th incarnation of the Time Lord.
However, if classic BBC sci-fi is not your particular cup o’tea, there is a new Agatha Christie’s Marple on UTV at 9pm.
The venerable crime fighter returns in the form of Julia McKenzie, who did a very good job a few months ago, in the intriguingly entitled case, They Do It With Mirrors.
Now, unless Miss Marple has taken a turn for the sordid in her late(r) years, the mirrors in question most likely have something to do with murder. Anyway, Marple is always worth a look and this run out features a rather star-studded cast including the wonderfully glamorous Joan Collins.
All that is left for me to say is happy New Year to all, may 2010 be filled with great telly watching and couch sitting.