Yes, it's STILL January, but we are officially at the halfway point, so not long until we are all allowed to be happy again. As the designated driver of all the months of the year, January is generally a quiet time, so you may be wanting to know what you can watch while your resting on your laurels this weekend.
Take a look at our TV picks below...
FRIDAY
Ascension
Sky 1: 9.00pm
This new sci-fi drama is kind of like Star Trek meets Interstellar, the premise alone is enough to want to tune in. In 1963, President Kennedy is convinced the Cold War is going to lead to the Earth's destruction, so he sends 600 men, women and children into space to find a new world to populate. We pick up with this lot 50 years into their voyage where they are still rocking some dodgy styles and living in some sort of outer space time warp. All's well though until a murder rocks the boat and the search for the killer causes them to question everything. Hey, maybe they'll bump into Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway somewhere along the time-space continuum and they'll help them out.....
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Channel 4: 11.05pm
Created by Lego Movie's Phil Lord & Chris Miller, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is police procedural-cum-sitcom. In other words, think a PG-13 version of Law & Order mixed with The Office or Parks and Recreation. In this, the first episode from the second season, Det. Perrolta (Andy Samberg) has returned from his six-month undercover stint with the FBI. But when one of the mobsters he's arresting escape, he and Det. Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio) is enlisted to help track him down.
The Late Late Show
RTE1: 9.35pm
It's the second Late Late Show of the New Year on Friday and by all accounts it will be a very Irish affair. First up, the lady of the moment will be on for a chat with Ryan, as Irish footballer Stephanie Roche joins the host following on from her nominee for the Puskas best goal of the year award. Stephanie may have lost out to James Rodriguez at Monday night's Fifa Ballon d'Or ceremony in Zurich, but her nomination alone was monumental. Joining herself will be another Irish sports star as Dublin footballer Bernard Brogan joins Ryan for a chat while Kerry politician Michael Healy Rae will also be on to talk about the recent death of his father. TV presenter Claire Byrne will be talking to Ryan about her new current affairs show starting on RTE on Monday called Claire Byrne Live. While Bay City Rollers Les McKeown will be the non-Irish participant chatting to Ryan about being the voice of the seventies super group. So there you have it! Sports, current affairs and an aging rock star will be your Friday night's entertainment, sure what more could you ask for. Ahem...
SATURDAY
Live Rugby: European Champions Cup
BT Sport 1: 12.30pm, Sky Sports 1: 5.15pm
If you're a rugby fan, then you'll need to book a place at the bar or a spot on the couch for several hours on Saturday as all three Irish provinces are in action. Munster travel to take on Saracens, and have a tough task to get out of their group ahead of them, as they will have to do so without the services of scrum half Conor Murray, who has been ruled out of their last two European Champions Cup games. They got the better of Saracens last time out, but thanks to two early losses in their campaign, they now have to leapfrog the English side if they are to progress. (BT Sports 1: 12.30pm. Kick off 1.00pm.)
Ulster sit bottom of their group with almost no chance of making it out of the group and face a very difficult trip to Touolon, which kicks off at 3.15pm, while as the day draws to a close, Leinster take on Castres at the RDS. Jimmy Goperth has been handed a start at outhalf by coach Matt O'Connor, with Madigan moving to inside center, while Marty Moore will also start at tighthead. (Sky Sports 1, 5.15 pm. Kick off 5.30pm).
The Voice UK
BBC1: 7.00pm
The new series of this show kicked off last week with some changes to the judging panel as Rita Ora replaces Kylie Minogue. The singer seems to be settling in nicely amongst her fellow judges Tom Jones, Will.i.am, and Ricky Wilson too, although they would still knock one another over for an act they wanted. Tonight the auditions continue as aspiring singers must perform to the backs of their chairs in hope that at least one judge will turn around. So far, Ricky has three singers out of his twelve while the other judges have one apiece. So it's still all to play for!
Greg Davies: The Back Of My Mum's Head
Channel 4: 11.15pm
Ah Mr Gilbert! Outside of the four lads obviously, he was definitely our favourite on The Inbetweeners. Actor and comedian Greg Davies was actually a teacher too in a past life, before he chose a completely different path that has worked out quite well for him all in all. These days Davies has his own sitcom and performs stand-up regularly, which is what this one-off special is about, recorded at the Lowry in Salford. Stung by his mother's suggestion that he is 'not normal', Greg puts everyone else under the microscope in a petty quest to discover if anyone actually is. The tour received rave reviews and was extended to 94 dates, including multiple sell-out nights at London's Hammersmith Apollo and Southbank Centre. So in summary, excellent Saturday night entertainment.
SUNDAY
Charlie
RTE1: 9.30pm
The third and final part of political drama Charlie airs tonight with all our favourite corrupt politicians looking a bit older, although not wiser. This last episode will focus on the last few years of Haughey's reign taking us up to his departure from politics in 1992. He still can't manage to secure the majority he has always craved and his thirst for power and a fitting legacy leave him exposed as enemies are around every corner. As we know, that phone tapping scandal will find a way of rearing its ugly head again too...
Call the Midwife
BBC1: 8.00pm
Fourth season of this period drama continues tonight, with some new faces added in. Nurse Barbara joins the nuns and midwives of Nonnatus House and is anxious to prove herself - only to get off on the wrong foot after a late-night drinks party. Come on now, Babs! Meanwhile, a family of severely neglected children are discovered, so Trixie does all she can to help them, leaving Tom proud as punch. N'aww.
Foyle's War
UTV Ireland: 8.00pm
Last episode of the series for Foyle's War tonight sees the detective preparing to be replaced at the police station and finally begin retirement. Easier said than done though as his attention is soon grabbed by a news story about a man sentenced to hang for high treason, and he decides to take on the case. Of course he does. Can't see this fella ever settling into retirement, can you?
Also...
If you can manage to stay up/get up for it, you can watch Irish UFC fighter Conor McGregor take on Dennis Siver in Boston on BT Sport 1.
The main card starts at 3.00am but as Conor's fight is the fourth one in, it will be a little while after that.
