Going Clear: Scientology and The Prison of Belief
Monday, Sky Atlantic, 9pm
Going Clear: Scientology and The Prison of Belief has taken its time to get to our screens. The church's legal objections to Oscar-winner Alex Gibney's acclaimed documentary have kept it off our screens for many months. It first aired on HBO in the US in March, and finally arrives tonight fresh from its recent Creative Arts Emmys win. The heart of the film is a series of damning claims (all of which are denied by the Church) by former insiders, including high-ranking and public figures. And, of course, those under scrutiny in the film inevitably become part of the action.
In Ireland's Great Wealth Divide
Monday, RTÉ One, 9.35pm
So if the recession really is over, why aren't we all awash with cash once again? David McWilliams has spotted the culprits: the ultra-rich minority who prospered during the recession and now own most of the wealth. While we remain at a standstill – wages frozen, bills skyrocketing, property in negative equity – the one per cent are getting wealthier by the minute. And true to form, McWilliams has radical solution to address this politically and economically deadly imbalance.
Downton Abbey
Tuesday, TV3, 10pm
Remember the old days, when families would gather round the goggle box to watch the latest episode of Downton Abbey? Remember how we used to actually care what happened to the Earl and Countess of Grantham, their extended family, staff and servants? Well, perhaps we can muster up one last burst of enthusiasm for the sixth and final series of Downton. What fate awaits the Crawleys and their friends, servants and staff? Will Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes finally jump the broomstick? Can the butlers and wait staff keep their jobs in the face of cost-cutting? And will Mrs Patmore get her head around those new-fangled hairdrying things? D'you know, we're starting to care all over again.
The Works Presents
Thursday, RTÉ One, 11.15pm
If it moves – and paints, writes plays, composes music or directs films – then you can be sure John Kelly will do an insightful, in-depth interview with it. And in the first of a new 10-part series, Kelly starts strong, as he travels to London to meet Tony award-winning Irish playwright Enda Walsh, who talks about growing up in Dublin in the 1970s and 1980s, his former teacher Roddy Doyle, and his first success with Disco Pigs, and lately with Once: The Musical and his new opera, The Last Hotel, which he's is writing with David Bowie.
Imeall
Thursday, TG4, 8pm
TG4's arts strand returns for its autumn season. In the first programme, presenter Tristan Rosenstock watches as theatre company Moonfish rehearse for its stage adaptation of Joseph O'Connor's acclaimed novel Star of the Sea; Belinda McKeon discusses her new novel; and Gemma Hayes performs new music.
The Graham Norton Show
Friday, BBC One, 10.35pm
From Father Ted to the daddy of all chat-show hosts, Graham Norton has effortless replaced Terry Wogan as Britain's favourite Irishman. He's back this for the 18th series, and his first guestlist is out of this world. Matt Damon and Jessica Chastain, stars of Ridley Scott's space epic The Martian, talk about life on Mars, and comedian Bill Bailey (fresh from his brilliant Irish Times interview talks about his new show, Limboland, which comes to Dublin on Thursday. Marion Cotillard talks about being Lady Macbeth, Music is from the Weeknd, who perform their summer hit Can't Feel My Face.
