What"s on the box this week?

'Saturday Night With Miriam" (RTE 1, Saturday) - Miriam O"Callaghan returns for the fifth series of her summer chat show broadcast live every Saturday until 25th July. Viewers can expect to see Miriam interview top Irish and international guests; her usual warmth, curiosity and incisiveness bringing out the very best they can offer. The series will also feature a diverse range of strong human interest stories, topical discussion and musical performances. ____________________________________________________________ 'The Take" (Sky One, Wednesday) - Set in dangerous inner-city London where most tourist guides fear to tread, 'The Take" exudes an 1980s milieu littered with real ale rough houses, chain-smoking wide boys, souped-up Ford Capris, copious sex and an authentic East End dialogue that may prompt some viewers to reach for a cockney slang dictionary. Populated with edgy characters a good deal more menacing than Vinnie Jones or Tony Soprano, 'The Take" is adapted from crime writer Martina Cole"s family drama which unfolds in the city"s criminal underworld over 10 tumultuous years, from the height of Thatcherism to the birth of New Labour. Similar to the author"s previous 14 books, the story concerns East End criminals and their edgy codes of honour, whose adaptation follows a previous novel, The Jump, which was also re-imagined into a successful television drama. The four-part series stars Tom Hardy, Kierston Wareing, Shaun Evans and Brian Cox as Ozzy, the legendary criminal godfather who manipulates fates from behind the bars of his prison cell. ____________________________________________________________ 'Occupation" (BBC 2, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) - Basra, southern Iraq, 2003. Crammed inside a Warrior armed troop carrier, bullets and RPGs exploding around them, three British soldiers head into a hostile part of the city, and a world descending into chaos. When they emerge from their vehicle, their lives spiral out of control. Their fates - and the destiny of Iraq itself - become inextricably linked. United in war, the three men - and their friendships - are torn apart during the peace that follows. 'Occupation" is a powerful drama starring James Nesbitt, Stephen Graham and Warren Brown, spanning the five years following the invasion of Iraq in 2003. It follows the lives of three soldiers and friends, first during the battle for Basra, and then as they struggle to adapt to life back home and, finally, as very different forces draw them back to Iraq. ____________________________________________________________ 'Tears, Tiaras And Transsexuals" (Channel 4, Wednesday) - A behind-the-scenes look at the first-ever 'World"s Most Beautiful Transsexual Pageant" in Las Vegas and the six women who will finally realise their diva dreams. With the dramatic competition to win the crown and a starring role in a sensational new Vegas Revue as a high-stakes backdrop, the film explores the personal and moving stories of its contestants through provocative hometown profiles as well as interviews that document the often humorous journeys of the contestants. ____________________________________________________________ 'The Enforcers" (RTE 1, Thursday) - A new six-part observational documentary series following the day-to-day activities of the men and women charged with the often thankless task of protecting our health and environment - the people that Joe Public seldom meets, but if they do, it could mean a hefty fine, a court appearance, or even a jail sentence. Filmed over a year, the series features sting operations, hidden cameras, food inspections, crime scene cleaning, overnight stakeouts and good old-fashioned detective work. In the first episode we"re introduced to CCTV specialists TEC Security Services and their part in clamping down on the booming business of illegal dumping; while litter warden Noel Long attempts to track down some escaped shopping trolleys. Meanwhile, veteran housing foreman Dave has an affecting visit to a recently deceased pensioner"s home. ____________________________________________________________ 'My Father The Mercenary" (Channel 4, Friday) - A new run of the acclaimed 'First Cut" documentary strand featuring the brightest new directing talent. Philip Sessarego was a soldier of fortune who had fought in Afghanistan and trained the Sri Lankan army. In 1993, he walked out on his family and was, apparently, killed soon after. To the family"s astonishment, he appeared on television in 2001, as an expert pundit on the mujahaddin. Then, in November 2008, his body was found in Antwerp. This emotional film, directed by James Ross, follows Claire and her brother Paul, as they travel to and from Belgium to collect their father"s remains. ____________________________________________________________ 'ER Retrospective" (RTE 1, Sunday) - As television"s most Emmy-nominated series comes to a close, this hour-long retrospective takes a look back at the past 15 seasons at Chicago"s County General ER. Clips from the most memorable episodes will be featured along with interviews with many of the past and present stars of 'ER". One of the best series ever made...thanks for the memories. ____________________________________________________________ Movie Of The Week: 'Speed" (RTE 1, Wednesday) - Though it was made in 1994, this one has lost none of its impact as a Los Angeles city bus careers out of control with a full complement of passengers on board. Starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock as the good guys, and Dennis Hopper as the evil genius, this is a smart thriller like they don"t make half enough of.