Not quite sure of what the best picks of the box are for this week? Or will you regret having not recorded something during the week when everyone is suddenly talking about it?
Fear not, Tom Dunne has you covered.
Sue Murphy joined Tom to pick out the best of the box this week and there really is a lot of great TV picks.
Life Stories, Monday, TV3, 9pm (Available on 3player)
This new documentary series on TV3 features various Irish stories, beginning with a look at the rate of crime throughout the country, as presenter Jim McCabe looks at the most ambitious heists to occur in Ireland's history.
He focuses on one of the biggest thefts when paintings were stolen from the Beit art collection that was stored at Russborough House.
Moone Boy, Monday, Sky 1, 9pm
The return of the new series of Chris O'Dowd's award-winning sitcom about the misadventures of a youngster who gets through life with the help of his imaginary friend. Liam and Debra abandon the kids for a romantic break to celebrate their 20th anniversary - but it all threatens to fall apart after a chance encounter with Liam's old flame (guest star Sharon Horgan). Meanwhile, Martin and Padraic are in Dublin, where they soon discover new talents.
Drugs Live: Cannabis on Trial, Tuesday, Channel 4, 10pm (Available on 4od)
Last year cannabis was smoked by 2 million people in the UK, making it the most commonly used illicit drug. Around a third of 16-24 year olds have tried it at least once.
But cannabis has changed a lot in recent years. ‘Skunk’ is a potent form of cannabis that now dominates 80% of the British market. Some believe it is far more addictive than other forms of cannabis, such as ‘hash’ and can provoke paranoid episodes, psychotic symptoms and memory loss.
In Drugs Live: Cannabis on Trial volunteers – including Jon Snow, Matthew Parris and Jennie Bond – will be seen taking part in a ground-breaking scientific trial looking at the effects on the brain of two different forms of cannabis – ‘skunk’ and ‘hash’. Another volunteer will be going through the trial live in the studio.
Jon Snow said: “I’ve worked in war zones, but I’ve never been as overwhelmingly frightened as I was when I was in the MRI scanner after taking skunk. I would never do it again. I can fully believe this week’s figures that tell us that 25 per cent of all psychosis treated in Britain is associated with smoking skunk. I had no idea it could be so powerful and terrifyingly mind altering. And I am someone who worked for three years in a drug dependents day centre. If many who smoke this stuff had ever seen the physical effects on the brain as displayed through the MRI scanner, they would make a more informed judgement as to what they were doing.”
Being Bipolar, Wednesday, Channel4, 10pm
No one does documentaries quite like Channel 4. They are raw, edgy and tackle subjects most of us would like to avoid.
With 20 years' experience working in mental health, psychotherapist Philippa Perry has witnessed the dramatic rise in the number of people being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In this one-off documentary, she explores the condition from the perspective of those living with it, to see the impact the illness has on them, their friends and family.
Supervet, Thursday, Channel 4, 8pm
Return of the documentary following the work of a pioneering veterinary practice. Kevin and Natalie discover their beloved six-year-old German shepherd has a tumour. In desperation, they turn to Noel Fitzpatrick in the hope he can find a way to prolong Otto's life until their wedding day.
Film of the week - Good Vibrations, Saturday, BBC2. 10.30pm
A chronicle of Terri Hooley's life, a record-store owner instrumental in developing Belfast's punk-rock scene and arguably one of the finest films to come out of the UK and Ireland over the last few years. Love music? Then you'll love this.
