What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Thursday

December 12, 2024
What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Thursday

There's the final of MasterChef: The Professionals, Downfall: The Trial of Conor McGregor, Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano star in No Good Deed, and Celebrity Escape to the Country returns with Linford Christie . . .

Pick of the Day

MasterChef: The Professionals, 9.00pm, BBC One

This season comes to an end, under the cloud of controversy surrounding Gregg Wallace.

The three remaining chefs battle it out in the final and have just three hours to prepare a starter, a main and a dessert of their own creation to impress judges Monica Galetti, Marcus Wareing and the aforementioned Wallace.

They've to demonstrate all the culinary ability, technique and knowledge they have accrued so far and impressing on whole new level.

This is quite simply the biggest moment of their culinary careers. One wrong move, and the MasterChef: The Professionals 2024 trophy might just slip through their fingers.

New or Returning Shows

Downfall: The Trial of Conor McGregor, 9.00pm, Virgin Media One

As Nikita Hand wins her civil rape case against Conor McGregor (below), here’s a look back on one of Ireland's most high-profile civil trials.

If that’s not enough legal activity for you, it’s followed at 9.30pm by Vardy v Rooney: A Courtroom Drama, a dramatic recreation of the sensational Wagatha Christie trial, with Rebekah Vardy trying to sue Coleen Rooney for defamation.

Celebrity Escape to the Country, 8.00pm, BBC One

Season two opens with Linford Christie (below), Britain's most decorated sprinter, who goes in search of a slower way of life, with the help of his daughter Briannah and presenter Alistair Appleton.

Together they tour a range of homes in the rolling hills of the Chilterns, take a trip along the Thames at one of the world's most elegant country homes and cook up a storm with an exclusive outdoor dining experience.

In short, fully immersing themselves in the Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire countryside.

Don’t Miss

Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones, 8.00pm, Channel 4

The second of two programmes in which Matt and Emma Willis (below) tackle the impact of smartphones on children's behaviour with a pioneering social experiment that sees a group of Year 8 pupils at the Stanway School in Colchester - and themselves - give up their smartphones for 21 days.

This experiment, conducted in conjunction with the University of York, sees the pupils undergo a series of tests with experts, monitoring their behavioural changes over the duration.

They’ll be repeating the tests at the end of the three weeks to assess what effects giving up a phone has on the brain - including sleep and attention.

This week, Ella visits Ciara Flavin, a talented butcher and farmer from Limerick, to gain insight into the demands and rewards of her multifaceted life.

In Kerry, Darragh meets with a dedicated group of dairy farmers collaborating to enhance water quality in their region.

Meanwhile, Stephen heads to Munster to check in on the majestic white-tailed sea eagles and their conservation progress.

Mrs Brown, 8.00pm, BBC Four

Director John Madden's period drama, starring Judi Dench, Billy Connolly, Geoffrey Palmer, Antony Sher and Gerard Butler.

It’s well worth a look to see Dench and Connolly bounce off each other.

She plays Queen Victoria, who is helped by a no-nonsense Scottish manservant (Connolly) to overcome her long period of mourning for the death of her husband.

But it’s not long before their subsequent friendship is frowned upon by members of the court.

In the second half of the two-part special chef Rory cooks a starter of carta di musica with 'good things', for his main its roast haunch of venison with cranberry and port sauce.

To complete his menu Rory prepares queen of puddings served with iced raspberry cream.

New to Stream

No Good Deed, Netflix

When Lydia (Lisa Kudrow) and Paul (Ray Romano) decide to move on from their empty nest to forge a new life, they list their 1920s' Spanish-style villa located in one the most desirable neighborhoods in Los Angeles - and the real estate frenzy begins.

Multiple families all race to buy what they believe to be their dream house, convinced it will fix all of their very different problems.

But as Lydia and Paul know all too well, sometimes the home of your dreams can be a true nightmare.

As they struggle to hide the dark and dangerous secrets that linger inside their longtime home, Paul and Lydia begin to realize that the only way they'll escape the past is to finally face it.

Ending Today

The Day of the Jackal, 9.00pm, Sky Atlantic

Streaming on NOW

The stlish, Eddie Redmayne-starring series completes its first season.

A wanted man, the Jackal is on the run, desperate to get back to Nuria - but Bianca is given one last shot to bring the Jackal to justice.

Sport

Live UECL, 7.40pm, Premier Sport 1

It's off to Tallaght Stadium in Dublin as Shamrock Rovers host Borac (KO 8pm) in the penultimate round of games in the group phase of the UEFA Conference League.

Stephen Bradley's Hoops remain unbeaten in this phase and are virtually guaranteed a place in the knockout, which is a remarkable achievement. No Irish club has ever gone that far in Europe.

Last time out they gave their most impressive performance of the campaign so far, getting a deserved 1-1 draw away to Rapid Vienna, who had a 100% record before that game.

Unlike Rovers - who have been out of season since wrapping up domestically on November 1 - Bosnian side Borac are roughly in mid-season. This will be tricky.

The game is also on TNT Sport 2 but bizarrely join the game 15 minutes into the first half.

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