TV Gold

TV series reviewed on the TV Gold podcast this week: Widow’s Bay (Apple TV, 10 episodes)Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys) is a well-meaning but somewhat timid leader determined to transform his struggling, isolated town of Widow’s Bay into a bustling tourist destination. Despite warnings from eccentric locals—led by skeptical fisherman Wyck (Stephen Root)—that the island is cursed, Tom pushes forward, focusing on attracting a New York Times travel reporter who he hopes will brand the destination the new Martha's Vineyard. Urzila (ABC iview, 6 episodes)Urzila is an outrageous and ambitious sketch comedy, capturing Carlson’s fearless, no-filter approach to comedy in full flight. Each episode mashes up her stand-up with cheeky, fast‑firing sketches, many of them plucked straight from the wildly funny stories she riffs on during her live shows.  The Revenge Club (BritBox, 6 episodes)The Revenge Club is a six-part British darkly comic thriller following six members of a divorce support group who bond over shared trauma and pivot from healing to plotting revenge against their exes. What begins as petty pranks spirals into sinister "accidents" and murder, turning their unlikely alliance into a dangerous conspiracy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Half Man (Stan, 6 episodes) The original six-episode drama from the multi award-winning Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer) explores male rage, trauma, and identity over 30 years, starting with the childhood of two “brothers from another lover” and following them into adulthood. A tough watch for some, this is nevertheless an important series. The series explores their non-biological bond that turns toxic and destructive. A TV Gold Show of the Week. Bad Company (ABC iview, 6 episodes) Comedian Anne Edmonds didn't just create and write Bad Company. She also stars in the six-part series as artistic director Margie Argyle, who's run her beloved "Papa's" avant-garde theatre into the ground in her six short years at the helm. With the future of The Argyle Theatre in peril, the board installs restrained chief executive Julia McNamara (Kitty Flanagan) to turn things around. A TV Gold Show of the Week. Apex (Netflix, movie) The movie follows Sasha (Charlize Theron), an elite rock climber haunted by the death of her rock climbing partner during a tragic ascent in Norway. Seeking a form of penance and solitude, Sasha travels to the rugged Wandarra National Park in the Australian wilderness for a solo kayaking expedition. Her journey turns into a nightmare when she befriends a seemingly helpful local named Ben.See which of our critics (Andrew and James) got it right.Andrew: “Revolting torture porn”James: “Edge of the seat climbing scenes” Andrew also reviews the third season of Euphoria (HBO Max). He is halfway through the series and yet to settle on his final review: “I don’t know if this is the best or the worst TV show in the world.” James talks about the TV production sector in shock as networks and streamers cut back commissions. Although the numbers are down in all genres, Australia scripted drama, especially on broadcast TV, almost seems extinct.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.