Saturday, 4 December 2021
Phil Lynott: Songs for While I’m Away BBC Two 10 pm
Tells the story of how a young working-class black boy from 1950s Dublin became Ireland’s greatest rockstar told extensively through the words of Lynott himself and focusing on some of his iconic songs. The film gets to the heart of Phil’s story who died at the age of only 36 in January 1986.
Sight and Sound in Concert: Thin Lizzy BBC Two 11:30 pm
A vintage gig by the Irish guitar rockers at the Regal Theatre in Hitchin Hertfordshire from January 1983. Such classics as Jailbreak Baby, Please Don’t Go and the Boys are Back in Town along with the cover of the Bob Seger song Rosalie are featured.
The Irish Rock Story: A Tale of Two Cities BBC Two 12:05 am
The Story of how Rock music evolved in Ireland over 40 years through the different musical traditions of Belfast and Dublin. The creators of some of the Emerald Isle’s most famous exports are charted including Van Morrison, Thin Lizzy, The Undertones, and U2.
Sunday, 5 December 2021
Animal Farm (1954) Film Four 11 am
An animated version of George Orwell’s modern classic. After ousting humans animals try to create the perfect society.
Women’s FA Cup final BBC One 1:30 pm
The final between Arsenal and Chelsea. They last met in September with the Gunners winning a close game.
Other Like Me: The oral history of COUM Transmissions and Throbbing Gristle BBC4 10:35 pm
How a pioneering 1970s art collective invented industrial music.
Gaga for Dada BBC Four 11:35 pm
Jim Moir (also known as Vic Reeves) goes on an irreverent trip into the world of influential avant-garde art movement Dada.
Tuesday, 7 December 2021
The Code of Conspiracy: QAnon Channel 4 9 pm
Looks behind the curtain at the wildest conspiracy of our times, QAnon. What leads people down such a divergent belief? A one-off documentary that seeks an answer.
Play For Today: Hard Labour (1973) BBC Four 10:30 pm
Mike Leigh’s play centres around a middle-aged housewife and charwoman, Mrs Thornley (played by Liz Smith) who is abused and exploited by almost everybody. I grew up watching Play for Today from the BBC and loved them. We’ve started reviewing them for Counter Culture as they are gems. I wish the BBC would do something similar now.
Wednesday, 8 December 2021
Destry rides again (1939) Film 4 12:30 pm
A classic comedy western with Marlene Dietrich and James Stewart. Destry returns to a town (Bottle Neck) where his father once served as Sheriff. It’s now a lawless place so he tries to restore order. I will mainly be watching for the performance of Marlene (playing saloon singer Frenchy) but this is a good film overall.
Thursday, 9 December 2021
Trainspotting Film 4 1120 pm. A great film we reviewed here.
Friday, 10 December 2021
The Graham Norton Show BBC One 10:35 pm I don’t usually watch this, but this features Keanu Reeves who talks about resurrecting Neo in the new Matrix movie.
Nick Cave: Idiot Prayer BBC Four 9 pm
During the pandemic, Nick Cave did a solo piano set in the deserted West Hall of London’s Alexandra Palace which was then live-streamed globally. This is a film of his mesmerising performance containing songs drawn from his 20-year repertoire.
Future of Home exhibition, Custom Lane, 1 Customs Wharf, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6AL, 3rd to the 19th of December 2021
Following a critically acclaimed debut at the London Design Festival exhibition created by an Edinburgh-based studio, Local Heroes arrives back in its hometown. The exhibition features work by 16 Scotland-based designers and brands revolving around the idea of the hybrid home and the recent need for flexible working offering a remarkable snapshot of the intersection between design and socio-political conditions.
Counter Culture 