Today's top TV and streaming choices: Billy Joel Night, Poltergeist and Tyler Perry's Straw
Women Under Hitler's Flag RTÉ2, 8.15pm
First in a two-part documentary examining the part played by women in Nazi Germany, revealing that some were just as brutal, if not more so, than their better-known male counterparts.
Billy Joel Night BBC Two, from 8.40pm
An evening dedicated to the singer-songwriter begins with archive clips in Billy Joel at the BBC. It's followed by concert footage in The 100th Live at Madison Square Garden, before the night ends with a chance to see Joel in action in the Old Grey Whistle Test, recorded in 1978.
The long-running sci-fi series' future is reportedly in doubt, but that isn't going to stop showrunner Russell T Davies celebrating the 20th anniversary of its return to our screens. He discusses the programme alongside cast and crew past and present, including David Tennant and Billie Piper.
The Guard RTÉ One, 9.25pm
John Michael McDonagh's wonderful comedy-thriller stars Brendan Gleeson (above) as a Garda whose laidback lifestyle is disturbed by the arrival on his patch of an uptight FBI agent (Don Cheadle) who needs his help to bring down an international drugs ring.
Poltergeist RTÉ2, 11.25pm
Smash-hit evergreen horror focusing on a family whose move to their dream home turns into a nightmare when their young daughter is kidnapped by the property's resident ghosts. JoBeth Williams, Craig T Nelson and Heather O'Rourke head the cast.
The Survivors Netflix, streaming now
We're mostly used to two types of Australian viewing: soaps and super-dry (to the point of cringe) comedy. This is different. The drama follows Kieran Elliott's life after two people drown in his hometown of Evelyn Bay, Australia. To top it off, a young girl also went missing. Returning with his family 15 years later, the simmering guilt resurfaces, especially when the body of a young woman is found on the beach…
K.O. Netflix, streaming now
No one does visceral city grit like the French. Bastien has lived as a recluse since accidentally killing his opponent Enzo in an MMA fight three years ago. Now, Enzo's widow tracks him down as, essentially, he owes her one. Her request? Find her missing teenage son.
Tyler Perry's Straw Netflix, streaming now
Between this and last month's release of She the People, Mr Tyler Perry is getting himself around. This offering, however, is far more stark than May's fare. Here, one mum's day unfurls as it goes from tricky to catastrophic. Pushed to the precipice by a world that seems indifferent to her plight (until they can livestream it), she soon gets attention when she unwittingly holds up a bank.
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RTÉ News
11 hours ago
- RTÉ News
School's Out for summer with new short animations from RTÉ Kids
Launching on Monday, 9 June 2025 across RTÉjr, RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player, Sparks – School's Out is a magnificent collection of seven short original Irish animations, each offering a unique take on the end of the school term. From robot classrooms and shifting seasons to the quiet loneliness of a school caretaker after the final bell, these bite sized stories capture the joy, curiosity, and unexpected emotions that come with the start of summer. There's so much colour, emotion and memories made as kids head off for the summer we decided School's Out would be the perfect theme for the first series of short animations in our new Sparks scheme. The original Irish animations from new directors can be seen across RTÉjr, RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player from Monday. Read all about them below... Molly's Myths from Boulder Media - Directed by Gillian Comerford School's adventure is in! We follow Molly and her four-legged-bestie Penny's journey to a magical realm bursting with colour and enchantment. There, they reunite with some familiar friends from Irish folklore - the heroic Cú Chulainn, duelling giants, mischievous mini muiseogs and a haunting banshee - for an unforgettable adventure of friendship, freedom and mythical magic! Released as Boulder celebrates its 25th anniversary, the film is a joyful tribute to storytelling and a fitting milestone for the studio with a score by Eímear Noone and Craig Stuart Garfinkle. Monday at 6.35pm on RTÉjr Droid Academy from Pioneertown - Directed by Will Sliney Renowned Marvel comic book artist Will Sliney makes his directorial debut with Droid Academy, a striking 3D CGI animated short created in Blender for RTÉ as part of the Sparks short film initiative. The film premiered at the Animation Dingle Festival, drawing praise for its powerful message and visual innovation for the Pioneertown Productions' short. A playful robot struggles to fit into her rigid school environment. Unable to connect with her classmates, our hero is forced to break with routine and start to explore outside the rules of her school. By finally going outdoors for the first time she discovers the beauty of nature. She then brings those new connections back into the school hoping to make it a brighter place for all. Monday at 7.20am on RTÉjr/ 2.24pm on RTÉ2 Little One from Little Moon Animations - Directed by Avery Angle In this heartwarming short, we follow the daily walks home from school through a forest between a fox father and his young daughter cub and explore the little rituals of play and kindness that follow. Set against the backdrop of four seasons in one short year, we see them play games with leaves, protect themselves with conkers, distract themselves through snow and finally acknowledge their growth in Spring. In each of these scenes, they make and collect trinkets to display at home, gathering memories of their time together from the day. Monday at 11am on RTÉjr The Caretaker from Whackala As the children leave for the summer holidays, the school caretaker enjoys the peace and quiet while doing his chores, but as the days pass, the emptiness and silence of the school building make him tired and lonely. Someone notices, 10-year old Eva. Suddenly, on a grey and rainy day, small gifts appear and bring a smile to the Caretaker's weary face. Who could be behind them? Monday at 4.30pm on RTÉjr No Worries! from D11 Stories - Directed by Chris Dicker Meet 10-year-old PJ Gallagher's anxieties aren't just in his head, they manifest into a 300-pound Silverback Gorilla, only he can see. When it's time to return to school after the Summer holidays, Gorilla Joe gives PJ a list of worries. What if his friends don't like him and what if he can't remember how to write or read? With the help of his mother, can PJ find a way to live with his anxiety, get rid of the stinky smell in his school bag and know that he's got this! Monday at 2.50pm on RTÉjr Pals from Taunt - Directed by Tom Getty Facing his last summer in the countryside before starting big school, Shane meets older kid Stevie. Their newfound friendship blossoms into a month of carefree adventures, chronicled in voice memos Shane sends to his dad abroad. But will Stevie still be his friend when the school year starts. Monday at 2.26pm on RTÉ2 Points of Shoe from Flickerpix - Directed by Jamie Mills Step into the holidays with a colourful cast of shoes as they explore what makes holiday time special. Told from the shoes' unique point of view, this short animation answers what teachers do when we are not around to what it's like to live the high life in a mansion. From beach trips to the playground, every pair has a story to tell! Brace yourself for a shoe-per time. Monday at 10.30am on RTÉ/ 1.30pm on RTÉjr
Irish Independent
16 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming choices: Billy Joel Night, Poltergeist and Tyler Perry's Straw
Women Under Hitler's Flag RTÉ2, 8.15pm First in a two-part documentary examining the part played by women in Nazi Germany, revealing that some were just as brutal, if not more so, than their better-known male counterparts. Billy Joel Night BBC Two, from 8.40pm An evening dedicated to the singer-songwriter begins with archive clips in Billy Joel at the BBC. It's followed by concert footage in The 100th Live at Madison Square Garden, before the night ends with a chance to see Joel in action in the Old Grey Whistle Test, recorded in 1978. The long-running sci-fi series' future is reportedly in doubt, but that isn't going to stop showrunner Russell T Davies celebrating the 20th anniversary of its return to our screens. He discusses the programme alongside cast and crew past and present, including David Tennant and Billie Piper. The Guard RTÉ One, 9.25pm John Michael McDonagh's wonderful comedy-thriller stars Brendan Gleeson (above) as a Garda whose laidback lifestyle is disturbed by the arrival on his patch of an uptight FBI agent (Don Cheadle) who needs his help to bring down an international drugs ring. Poltergeist RTÉ2, 11.25pm Smash-hit evergreen horror focusing on a family whose move to their dream home turns into a nightmare when their young daughter is kidnapped by the property's resident ghosts. JoBeth Williams, Craig T Nelson and Heather O'Rourke head the cast. The Survivors Netflix, streaming now We're mostly used to two types of Australian viewing: soaps and super-dry (to the point of cringe) comedy. This is different. The drama follows Kieran Elliott's life after two people drown in his hometown of Evelyn Bay, Australia. To top it off, a young girl also went missing. Returning with his family 15 years later, the simmering guilt resurfaces, especially when the body of a young woman is found on the beach… K.O. Netflix, streaming now No one does visceral city grit like the French. Bastien has lived as a recluse since accidentally killing his opponent Enzo in an MMA fight three years ago. Now, Enzo's widow tracks him down as, essentially, he owes her one. Her request? Find her missing teenage son. Tyler Perry's Straw Netflix, streaming now Between this and last month's release of She the People, Mr Tyler Perry is getting himself around. This offering, however, is far more stark than May's fare. Here, one mum's day unfurls as it goes from tricky to catastrophic. Pushed to the precipice by a world that seems indifferent to her plight (until they can livestream it), she soon gets attention when she unwittingly holds up a bank.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Only in UK could we be forced to pay for BBC then have to cough up for best TV on streaming services – it's got to stop
TURN on your TV today and you'll find schedules filled with true crime thrillers and celebrity reality shows or, at the other extreme, indulgent tripe pandering to Gen Z snowflakes. But unless the Big Five channels stop making so much b****ks and grow some balls, they're going to kill British TV as we know it. 5 Blind Date, a much-loved TV format that was once on ITV but has now been snapped up by Disney+ Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 Subscription services are now making the most electrifying programmes on the planet, pictured hit White Lotus Credit: AP 5 Netflix's gritty drama Adolescence could easily have been done by Channel 4 Credit: Netflix Because BBC One and BBC Two, ITV , Channel 4 and 5 — whose listings increasingly read like a suicide note — are entering the final stages of a fight for their survival. They're up against Netflix, Sky , Prime Video and countless other corporations with deep pockets and big ambitions. Proof came this week in the unlikely form of Blind Date, a much-loved TV format that was once on ITV but has now been Only in Britain could we be forced by law to shell out for a home-grown broadcasting service, only to find the best TV shows are increasingly made by largely foreign-owned streamers Rod Yeah, that's right, Disney+. Paying through nose Years ago, the subscription services started out providing an alternative to traditional telly, then they began copying the traditional providers and, recently, they've started stealing their big-name talent — Jeremy Clarkson, Emma Willis, Amanda Holden, Holly Willoughby. Now the Blind Date deal shows that the super streamers are literally out to thrash the Big Five at their own game. The gloves have come off . . . but the increased competition won't stop us paying through the nose. Only in Britain could we be forced by law to shell out for a home-grown broadcasting service, only to find the best TV shows are increasingly made by largely foreign-owned streamers. Then — in the ultimate rip-off — we have to cough up even more money to watch them. That's the enraging situation we find ourselves in in the year 2025. Although there are some notable exceptions on the BBC , ITV and Channel 4, the consensus is that subscription services are now making the most electrifying programmes on the planet. Brassic Bids Farewell: Michelle Keegan's Final Series Think about it. Dramas including Adolescence, Baby Reindeer, Rivals, The White Lotus, Slow Horses. And consider the shows that have given us the biggest laughs over the past few years — hits like Last One Laughing, None of the above was delivered by the traditional Big Five terrestrials. So, why can't the channels we already pay for make more of the TV that gets us excited? The obvious response from the top UK channels would be that they are still giving us blockbusters — Strictly, I'm A Celebrity , Bake Off, The Traitors, Love Island and dramas like Happy Valley or Mr Bates Vs The Post Office . 5 Last One Laughing, on Amazon Prime Video, has been giving us more laughs than anything on the traditional Big Five terrestrials Credit: Supplied 5 Why can't the channels we already pay for make more of the TV that gets us excited like Brassic? Credit: Sky UK Limited. They are all, to be fair, brilliant. But so much of it is old now. It's predictable. And the new hits are few and far between. Though the streamers obviously have pots of cash to spend, it's not just a money problem either. Look no further than the recent co-production between Disney+ and the BBC on Doctor Who. It's easy to understand why other shows that are laden with CGI and big Hollywood stars end up on the streamers, but why is it that comedies like Ted Lasso never seem to pop up on ITV? Rod It was, by most people's standards, an unmitigated disaster. The studio giant pumped millions into cutting-edge special effects, sets that dazzled rather than wobbled and genuinely monstrous monsters. And what did the BBC do? They squandered it by turning a sci-fi classic into a series of woke lectures that had viewers turning off in droves. Now the Disney+ deal is hanging in the balance and they're having to bring back David Tennant. It's easy to understand why other shows that are laden with CGI and big Hollywood stars end up on the streamers, but why is it that comedies like Ted Lasso never seem to pop up on ITV? ITV, by the way, recently spent millions launching The Genius Game, with And the one thing I thought while watching the brilliant, gritty drama Adolescence was, this could easily have been done by Channel 4. Neither Adolescence nor Ted Lasso would have cost that much to produce, surely? It's not Star Wars or Bridgerton. Pure extortion Part of the problem, it seems, is that a lot of creatives and execs now don't just chase the money — they also chase trends and credibility. At last month's TV Baftas, around a third of the nominations went to streamers — a figure that's been growing rapidly over the past decade. That, too, could reach a tipping point in a couple of years. The solution is glaringly obvious, but not easy. If Disney+ steal Blind Date, come up with the next Blind Date. If they lose Clarkson to Prime Video, find the next Jeremy. If Netflix do Bridgerton, come up with another twist on the period drama. They need to stop the rot in terrestrial telly, because one day a cluster of these streamers will start offering a one-price-buys-all subscription deal that will make the licence fee look like pure extortion. Then public service broadcasting's days really will be numbered.
