TV3 HAS LAUNCHED its autumn schedule for 2013, revealing the shows that will be keeping us company as the evenings close in.
The commercial broadcaster’s line-up includes a number of new arrivals, as well as some old, um, favourites. They’ve also axed The Morning Show.
We’ve picked out the worst and the best – a week after we did the same for RTÉ.
The Worst Offenders
1. The Jeremy Kyle Show
He might have his own style of resolving issues but Jeremy Kyle knows how to find answers and solutions. He’s not afraid to speak his mind or to have a go at an unresponsive, defensive guest.
Please leave our lives, Jeremy. Please.
2. Amazing Grace
In a one hour special, Brendan Grace speaks openly and frankly about his career which has spanned over 40 years. Joined by his wife, Eileen, Brendan reveals all about his remarkable and varied career
There are some comedians we would happily watch reminisce about their lives for an hour. Brendan Grace, alas, is not one of them.
3. Ireland’s Black Widows
Ireland’s Black Widows tells the tales of women across Ireland responsible for the murder of loved ones through greed, jealousy and hate.
Tragic cases, every one. But do we need a true-crime special to rehash the gruesome details?
4. Challenging God with Vincent Browne
Explores the unproven beliefs that are treated as factual by many religions and the extremes to which some followers have taken them
In which Vincent Browne – who, don’t get us wrong, we love – FINALLY gets the soapbox he’s been waiting for. Batten down the hatches.
5. Can’t Move? Improve!
Across the country homeowners find themselves trapped in the property slump There are home owners that have no choice but to remain with properties that were once ideal for them [...] have become difficult to live their everyday lives in.
We get it, the Celtic Tiger is gone. Could we not just say goodbye to tired property programmes? Could we not?
The Best Prospects
1. The Great Irish Bake Off
Ten passionate home bakers are set to take part in a ‘bake off’, which will test their skills to the limit, as they battle it out to be crowned the Great Irish Bake Off’s Best Amateur Baker.
The UK version of this was a runaway hit, proving once and for all that everyone loves cake.
2. Celebrity Apprentice
Caroline Downey will take charge of the intensive interview process, accompanied by her expert aides – former TD Liz O’Donnell and entrepreneur/broadcaster John McGuire [...] Who possesses the business acumen and skills to get hired? Those who don’t will be fired.
Amanda Brunker, Mikey from Boyzone AND Edele from B*witched in a series of potentially humiliating tasks? Sign us up immediately.
3. At Home With The Healy Raes
Midweek’s Ciara Doherty spends a couple of weeks living in South Kerry with the Healy Rae’s as they go about their daily lives politically and socially.
Yes, it may be cringeworthy. Yes, it may be embarrassing. But can anybody deny that this will make good television?
4. Prison Families
A documentary series filmed over a six-month period following the lives of four families as they cope with a family member’s imprisonment, which often has detrimental consequences for everybody involved.
This sounds very much like a timely examination of the ripple effects of crime and punishment.
5. Long Lost Family Ireland
Extraordinary stories of people desperate to find missing relatives. The show will trace and reunite families who have been apart for most of their lives.
If there is one thing that Irish people specialise in, it’s long-lost relatives. Could this be the first ever imported format to better its UK incarnation?
