The Best of this Weekend's Telly

Well this week went relatively fast didn't it? Ah it kind of did. Although January seems to be dragging its heels still. Some of you lot out there may be happily blowing your first pay cheque since Christmas this week, but many more might be rolling out the pot noodles at the back of the press to make it through. Don't despair though if things are tight, there's still plenty to watch on the box this weekend, and as usual we have picked out the best of it below...

FRIDAY

The Graham Norton Show
BBC1: 10:35pm*

Graham has quite the British national treasure on the show tonight, or maybe even a world national treasure really, as Sir David Attenborough joins the host to chat about... well, whatever the hell he wants really - we could listen to David Attenborough read the phone book. Joining him will be sports presenter and former footballer Gary Lineker,Oscar-nominated actress Jessica Chastain and supergroup McBusted, who will then join the rest of them for a chat. So basically there should be about twenty or so people on the couch by the end!

*Times may vary between BBC1 and BBC1NI.

Match of the Day Live: Cambridge United v Manchester United
BBC One: 7.30pm

The magic of the cup will be on full display for Cambridge United, the lowest ranked side left in the FA Cup at this stage (the fourth round) as they welcome Manchester United to their home ground. The opportunity to experiment and rest a few of his more established names may be welcomed by manager Louis van Gaal tomorrow evening, which might mean that Manchester United fans get a look at Victor Valdes for the first time, as well as seeing some players who have been on the sidelines recently including wunderkind Adnan Januzaj. He was key to United's best performances last season, but doesn't seem to be a favourite of the Dutchman yet and is more than likely gunning for a chance to prove himself. While resting the big names could backfire, given the tendency for there to be the odd shock result, United should still have too much for Cambridge on the night. However, with fans having queued in freezing temperatures just to get their hands on a ticket to see one of the biggest names in football come to town, there's bound to be a great atmosphere that will make this game one to watch. Kick off is at 7.55pm.

Film: The Last Kiss
TV3: 11.10pm

The perfect 'I'm-freaking-out-'cos-I'm-turning-thirty' movie. Why? Because it's essentially about Zach Braff freaking out about his life at thirty. Is he with the right girl? Is he where he wants to be? It's also not helping that a beautiful Rachel Bilson has come along and caught his eye. 'Aww', you think. But no, he already has a girlfriend who he loves, you see. At least things don't seem as bad for him as they do his mates, one of which is the always fantastic Casey Affleck, while his parents are played by the timeless Blythe Danner and Tom Wilkinson. Put it this way, if thirty has ever happened to you, or is going to happen to you, you'll enjoy this.

SATURDAY

The National Television Awards 2015
TV3: 9.00pm

One of the biggest events in television took place in London on Wednesday night as Dermot O'Leary returned to host this year's National Television Awards. Winners on the night were voted for by the public with the likes of Mrs Brown's Boys, EastEnders, Graham Norton and I'm A Celebrity all nominated. While Bill Roache also makes a very moving tribute to Corrie legend Anne Kirkbride too, who sadly passed away this week.

The Jonathan Ross Show
UTV Ireland: 9.20pm

New series of Wossy's chat show kicks off tonight with a whole host of great celebs in the green room. He'll be chatting to Oscar winner Colin Firth and up-and-coming actor Taron Egerton about their roles in new spy comedy Kingsman: The Secret Service. While Take That will be on discussing their new trio status, and there should be a few tummy chuckles provided by former Men Behaving Badly star Caroline Quentin, as well as comedienne Katherine Ryan. Perfect Saturday night entertainment if Brendan O'Connor isn't doing it for you.

Film: Once
UTV Ireland: 10.20pm

If you haven't seen this absolute beaut of a movie yet, get on it. Starring Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, it tells the story of two struggling musicians who meet by chance on Dublin's Grafton Street, and develop one of most loveliest relationships you'll ever see played out on screen. True Kindred spirits from the start, they set about making an album together with that song we all know so well ultimately earning the movie an Oscar.

SUNDAY

Top Gear
BBC2: 8.00pm

Brand spanking new series of Top Gear tonight as Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May return to drive some fast cars and have some banter. They love the banter, those lads. This episode sees them in Russia where they take part in a race across the urban landscape of St Petersburg. While back at the base, the man of the moment Ed Sheeran will take the test track in the Reasonably Priced Car. Only problem is, he can't drive. Be grand.

The Meaning of Life - with Gay Byrne
RTE1: 10.30pm

Gay Byrne returns to have some deep and meaningfuls with Irish celebs about God and whatnot. In tonight's first episode he will meet novelist Cecelia Ahern who will open up to him about life growing up as Bertie's daughter, how she coped with the family breakdown and the trauma she suffered from paralysing panic attacks.

Room To Improve
RTE1: 9.30pm

Dermot Bannon returns for another will they/won't they architecture series. It usually starts like most rom-coms, Bannon meets client, they really click! Make such great plans together, but the client usually has some baggage that gets in their way, you really think things are going to fall apart for them. However, in the final moments everything comes together beautifully, and the client lives happily ever after. This time round it's Avril and Andrew Wilson-Rankin he must woo, but it will be someone else next week. Such a player, that Dermo.