My TV Fortnight: The Podge and Rodge Show; Line of Duty

When we last saw Mess(e)rs Podge & Rodge, Brian Cowen was Taoiseach, the 8th Amendment had yet to be repealed, and marriage equality wasn’t afforded to gay and lesbian couples. Fast forward eight years – we now have a gay Taoiseach, the 8th amendment is gone, and everyone can get married. Dressed as Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump for the return of The Podge And Rodge Show, the duo touched on all the above, as Podge admits, “A lot has changed,” before launching into several #MeToo jabs.

“She’s a #MeToo waiting to happen,” says Rodge, talking about new co-host, Doireann Garrihy. It’s the biggest gig of her career so far. The 26-year-old is best known for her impressions on social media and presenting the Zoo Crew on SPIN. She’s fantastic – expect her to be an RTÉ mainstay for years to come.

The first guests of the new series were Made In Chelsea’s JP Patterson and Conor McGregor’s sister, Erin – the celebrities more than living up to their “Z-list” billing. Patterson was clueless as to what was going on, but was good craic nonetheless. McGregor, meanwhile, was given a good slagging over Conor’s recent loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov. To say Podge & Rodge are back to their best may be a slight overstatement – the new iteration needs more time to find its feet. But it certainly doesn’t look dated after an eight-year hiatus. Now more than ever, we need the inappropriate brothers tormenting the country’s nobodies.

Very different, but no less bonkers, is BBC police procedural Line Of Duty. The first episode of season four (recently added to Netflix) commences with a kidnapping, car accident, police chase, attempted escape, massive explosion, and a rescue – all before the opening credits. The action this time around centres on Detective Roz Huntley, played by Westworld star Thandie Newton. Following the intense beginning, Roz is lead on a journey to find the culprit, and it all gets very Murder She Wrote.

No-nonsense Irishman, Adrian Dunbar is phenomenal as Ted Hastings, the commanding officer of AC-12 - the force’s professional standards department. He’s the shows voice of reason who seemingly makes all the right calls.

When the facts on her convicted criminal don’t quite add up, it doesn’t take long for forensic co-ordinator, Tim Ifield to accuse Roz of corruption. Astonishingly, the final ten minutes proved even more ludicrously OTT than the first. After a scuffle between Roz and Tim in the latter’s home, Roz hits her head against a countertop and seemingly dies. Planning to dispose of Roz’s body, Tim purchases a chainsaw in his local Homebase. But wait! There’s yet another twist, with the final shot showing Roz’s eyes flashing open.

Of course, it’s all a little silly – but that’s also what makes it great. Will Roz fight off Tim, or is she destined for the same fate as previous big stars to appear on the series? Bring on the next episode.