Plain sailing TG4 launches star-studded new schedule
Aine Ni Dhroighneain and Frank Kelly at the launch of the new TG4 schedule on the River Corrib
Thursday September 06 2007
TG4 has unveiled a star-studded line-up of home-grown drama as part of their new autumn schedule.
An Irish-language 'South Park', a gay version of the station's dating show 'Paisean Faisean' and a Route 66 travel show by Kerry weatherman Daithi O Se are some of the highlights for the new season, which launched last night.
Aine Ni Dhroighneain and Frank Kelly (pictured right) were two of many who turned up for the launch on the 'Corrib Princess' on the River Corrib.
Actress Fionnuala Flanagan, known for her starring role in 'The Others', graces the new comedy drama 'Paddywhackery' with her presence in the shape of the ghost of Peig Sayers.
Don Wycherly of 'Bachelor's Walk', Frank Kelly of 'Father Ted' and Carrie Crowley make up the celebrity-filled cast list for political drama 'Running Mate'.
The four-part series centres on the skullduggery and intrigue that stems from a bid by a desperate politician to win a Dail seat in South Kerry.
Daithi O Se makes a return, as does the long-running soap 'Ros na Run' and the second series of the acclaimed teenage drama 'Aifric'.
TG4 is hoping to repeat last year's sporting successes.
Live GAA games will be shown every weekend -- including the All-Ireland Finals in under-21 hurling and Ladies football, with AIB club championship matches each Sunday.
TG4's popular weatherman will front a new series called 'Daithi Ar Route 66' which follows him across the famous American highway in an open-top Mustang.
The star, who was voted TV's sexiest personality last year, retraced the steps of the countless millions who travelled this way in the last century, en route to the promised lands of the West Coast.
The six-part bilingual comedy drama series, 'Paddywhackery', is one of the station's gems from the autumn schedule.
It follows newly unemployed Dubliner Paddy Woods, played by 'Showbands' actor Paddy C Courtney, and his friend, played by Siobhan O'Kelly, as they try to set up a variety of Irish- language businesses.
The station will also be running a documentary called 'Mobs i Meiricea' following the route taken by Irish mafia bosses on the mean streets of America a century ago.
Some of its US imports include 'Nip Tuck', 'One Tree Hill' and the Irish TV premiere for new American hit 'Army Wives'.
