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

Tonight’s top telly includes David Puttnam: The Long Way Home, new Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen show Outragerous Homes, a documentary about The Stormtrooper Scandal, and Federer: Twelve Final Days . . .

Pick of the Day

David Puttnam: The Long Way Home, 10.15pm, RTÉ One

Streaming on RTÉ Player

An intimate portrait of Oscar-winning film producer David Puttnam as he reflects on his life and the influences which shaped his journey to becoming an Irish citizen and making Skibbereen, West Cork his home.

In the film, he explores the significance of growing up in the aftermath of the Blitz, the influence of his father, and the recurring theme of male friendship in his films.

He also shares the impact of these life experiences on his present projects and how, now in his eighties, he and his wife Patsy have found their forever home.

New or Returning Shows

Outrageous Homes, 10.00pm, Channel 4

Interior design expert Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen (below) celebrates great British visionaries, cherished eccentrics and proud-to-be-different homeowners.

He begins by meeting Dawn, whose home was once owned by millionaire publisher Felix Dennis. Felix built the impressive barn on a party theme, with swashbuckling pirates and real palm trees.

The house itself is set around a gigantic indoor swimming pool.

Laurence also meets Billy, who has converted his cottage garden into a Wild West ranch with its very own saloon moonshine and catches up with 1970s-fanatic Estelle, who treats him to the furnishing delights of her beloved decade.

The Stormtrooper Scandal, 9.00pm, BBC Two

Based on the Star Wars universe, Art Wars was a collection of over 1,100 Stormtrooper helmets.

They had customised designs by some of the world’s biggest artists, ranging from Jake and Dinos Chapman to Anish Kapoor and Damien Hirst (above).

But the helmets were only available online as NFTs, or non-fungible tokens.

This is the story of London art curator Ben Moore and the sale of those controversial helmets.

Talking Doctor Who, 9.15pm, BBC Four

As part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of Doctor Who, David Tennant (below) looks back through the BBC archives to tell the story of the Doctor’s classic era.

Featuring a selection of rarely seen interviews and clips covering William Hartnell’s first incarnation right through to the seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy.

Plus, the former Time Lord compares his experiences with the actors who came before him.

Earlier at 8pm there’s Tales of the Tardis, 8.00pm.

Far away in time, on board an old Remembered TARDIS, the Doctor and Ruby pause in battle to reflect on their recent adventures.

Eileen Atkins Remembers Mrs Dalloway, 10.15pm, BBC Four

Eileen Atkins looks back on her 1997 film version of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway, while describing her lifelong fascination with Woolf.

Plus, she recalls how she took on the challenge of adapting one of the 20th-century’s great novels for the big screen and ended up winning the praise of the critics of the day.

That’s followed at 10.30pm by a screening of Mrs Dalloway, starring Vanessa Redgrave (above), Rupert Graves, Natascha McElhone and Michael Kitchen.

A society hostess faces the ghosts of her past, stirred by the unexpected reappearance of a handsome suitor she rebuffed 30 years earlier during the heady days of her youth.

Elsewhere, a veteran of the First World War is tormented by traumatic memories of the conflict.

Don’t Miss

Glastonbury: 50 Years and Counting, 12.05am, BBC Four

This is an updated version of Francis Whately’s social and musical history of the festival, told through the testimonies of its principal curators Michael and Emily Eavis, as well as artists who have appeared there.

Contributors include Aswad, Chris Martin, Dua Lipa, Ed O’Brien, Fatboy Slim (above), Florence Welch, Johnny Marr, Linda Lewis, Orbital, Noel Gallagher, the Levellers, Thom Yorke and Stormzy.

Featuring performances from 2022’s edition, including Wet Leg on the Park Stage, Greta Thunberg’s speech on the Pyramid Stage and interviews with performers Arlo Parks and Billie Eilish.

The Supervet: Noel Fitzpatrick, 8.00pm, Channel 4

Tonight’s episode is a ‘puppy special’ recalling the amazing stories of some of the youngest, fluffiest animals for whom Noel has provided life-saving treatment since The Supervet began.

They include three-month-old springer spaniel Poppy, who was treated in 2016 when she presented with some of the worst front leg deformities Noel had ever seen.

In 2018, nine-month-old Jack Russell Bella was admitted as an emergency after being injured in a freak accident, falling from a carrier on a bike and badly fracturing her pelvis.

New to Stream

America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Netflix

This series follows the 2023-24 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad from start to finish – beginning at auditions and training camp and continuing all the way through the NFL season.

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From Emmy Award-winning director Greg Whiteley and the team behind Cheer and Last Chance U, the seven-episode series offers unfiltered access into this iconic team and franchise.

Led by longtime director Kelli Finglass, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders open their doors to document the personal stories behind the uniforms – revealing the drive, hustle, and drama among the cheerleaders and coaches.

For many, it’s a dream to make the team. But that’s only just the beginning.

Federer: Twelve Final Days, Prime Video

This documentary was directed by Asif Kapadia and Joe Sabia and follows tennis star Roger Federer in the last twelve days of his professional career, which ended at the 2022 Laver Cup.

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The documentary footage was never intended for public viewing, with Federer stating: “I was convinced early on that I should have some footage of the inner circle just for my life, just for the kids [to see] when they grow up, that they remember . . . how it was, especially that very particular moment of my life.”

But he later decided to release the film for public consumption. And here we are . . .

Sport

Live UEFA Euro 2024, 1.30pm, RTÉ2

Streaming on RTÉ Player

First up today from Germany is Slovenia v Serbia (KO 2pm).Jacqui Hurley is joined by James McClean, Richie Sadlier and Shay Given for coverage of the Group C match from Munich Football Arena.

Jacqui’s also host for Denmark v England (KO 5pm) in the Group C match from Frankfurt Arena, as the two sides meet for the first time since their semi-final battle at Euro 2020.

Finally, there’s a clash of two football giants as Spain meet holders Italy (KO 8pm). Joanne Cantwell is joined by Karen Duggan and Kevin Doyle for coverage of the Group B match from Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen.

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