TV Gold

Australian Prime Time: Seven decades of the most iconic TV showsEpisode 2: 1970-1979 A TV Gold/TV Tonight special joint venture. Seven podcasts, each listing 10 iconic shows from that decade. By David Knox, Andrew Mercado and James Manning As Australia celebrates seven decades of television in from 1956 to 2026, TV Tonight has joined forces with the TV Gold podcast for a list of the most iconic programs from the last 70 years. TV Tonight’s David Knox and TV Gold’s Andrew Mercado and James Manning have trawled through their memories, their archives and a new TV guides and chosen 10 programs from each of the past seven decades. TV Tonight is publishing the list of 10 programs for each decade weekly starting with 1956-1969. Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed that the first list covers 13 years, that is so we could then keep the list simple with each subsequent decade starting on a round number. The criteria for selection were programs we all thought were the most “iconic”. There was much debate over what was in and what was out. The first thing to say is there are many good shows that didn’t make the list. Each week we shall give an honourable mention to those in that particular decade. This list is not aiming to be the definitive word on the best Australian TV programs, but merely a starter to the discussions to be had around what deserves to be called iconic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Prime Time: Seven decades of the most iconic TV showsEpisode 1: 1956-1969 A TV Gold/TV Tonight special joint venture. Seven podcasts, each listing 10 iconic shows from that decade. By David Knox, Andrew Mercado and James Manning As Australia celebrates seven decades of television in from 1956 to 2026, TV Tonight has joined forces with the TV Gold podcast for a list of the most iconic programs from the last 70 years. TV Tonight’s David Knox and TV Gold’s Andrew Mercado and James Manning have trawled through their memories, their archives and a new TV guides and chosen 10 programs from each of the past seven decades. TV Tonight is publishing the list of 10 programs for each decade weekly starting with 1956-1969. Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed that the first list covers 13 years, that is so we could then keep the list simple with each subsequent decade starting on a round number. The criteria for selection were programs we all thought were the most “iconic”. There was much debate over what was in and what was out. The first thing to say is there are many good shows that didn’t make the list. Each week we shall give an honourable mention to those in that particular decade. This list is not aiming to be the definitive word on the best Australian TV programs, but merely a starter to the discussions to be had around what deserves to be called iconic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• Moria (Netflix, 8 episodes)The biographical miniseries follows the journey of Ana María Casanova as she transforms into Moria Casán, a  pop-culture icon, television host, and vedette (showgirl) who challenged Argentina's traditional standards of womanhood over six decades. The series blends camp, kitsch, and reality, with Moria herself serving as the intergalactic narrator of her own story. The producers uses three actresses (plus her own daughter) to represent Moria at different stages of her  life. • Lioness S3 (Paramount+, 8 episodes)The trouble begins this series as Joe (Zoe Saldaña) leads her CIA team on an infiltration mission in Donetsk, Ukraine, to kidnap a powerful Russian military intelligence leader named Aleksi Yurimov. The mission is a success, but the fallout is immediate and severe.  Rather than retaliating against local targets, Russia targets Joe directly, sending contract agents to launch a terrifying home invasion on her family's Virginia property.  Following the home assault, Joe's family (Neal, Kate, and Charlie) finally learn the full, dangerous truth about her career. Under the guidance of Kaitlyn (Nicole Kidman) and Westfield (Michael Kelly), the CIA launches Operation Treasure to try and sort out all this mess. • The Whisper Man (Netflix movie)The Whisper Man is a notorious serial killer who targets children, but there’s more lurking beneath the surface. Chasing down the Whisper Man is an unlikely duo: retired detective Pete Willis (De Niro) and his estranged son, Tom (Scott), who’s searching for his own abducted child, Jake (Acston Luca Porto). Old school serial killer thriller that James stayed with but Andrew tuned out early on. • The Gentlemen S2 (Netflix, 8 episodes)In Season 1 of The Gentlemen, former UN peacekeeper Eddie Horniman unexpectedly inherits his late father’s estate and the title of Duke of Halstead, bypassing his reckless older brother, Freddy. Eddie quickly discovers that his family’s massive estate houses a secret, multi-million-pound underground cannabis empire. In Season 2, Eddie has completely transformed from a reluctant aristocrat into a ruthless mob boss as he expands his hidden cannabis empire. Set one year after the events of the first season, Eddie and Susie Glass push their operations past the English countryside and into Italy, forging volatile new alliances while navigating escalating criminal rivalries. One of Guy Ritchie’s best sees him directing a great cast. Watch it alone for the star turn from Hugh Bonneville as a raunchy unprincipled member of the House of Lords. Theo James and Kaya Scodelario lead the drama again as Eddie and Susie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dalliance (Paramount+, 6 episodes)One of the highlights of producer John Edwards’ career as he examines the lives of a group of Sydney friends and lovers in their 60s. Billy, a former cameraman in his sixties, has been happily married to Rose for four decades, but their lives are upended when he has a fateful encounter with Dani, a woman of the same age, on a Sydney Harbour ferry. Meet the characters played by Hugo Weaving, Heather Mitchell, and Georgie Parker.When their unexpected liaison comes to a sudden and shocking end, Billy's friends and family are left picking up the pieces and grappling with the far-reaching effects of his impulsive choices.Those friends and family are played by David Wenham, Catherine McClements, Wayne Blair and more.Andrew and James also pick a John Edwards Top 5 this episode. The Cage (ABC iview, 5 episodes)The series stars Sheridan Smith as Leanne, a widowed mother of two struggling with mounting bills and trying to protect her family, and Michael Socha as Matty, a recovering addict in debt to a dangerous loan shark. Both work inside a Liverpool casino. When Leanne and Matty realise they are both stealing from their employer, their lives are set on a high-stakes collision course. They find themselves entangled with each other, a local gangster named Gary (Barry Sloane) who is using the casino for money laundering, and a police detective named Ning (Sophie Mensah) who is closing in on the operation.A new series created by Tony Schumacher, a former taxi driver and police officer turned novelist, whose writing debut was the SBS series The Responder. That show many will remember with Martin Freeman as a Liverpool copper on the edge of a breakdown.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My Brilliant Career (Netflix, 6 episodes)Aspiring writer and strong-willed rebel Sybylla Melvyn (played by Philippa Northeast who heads a brilliant cast) lives a farming life in the Australian bush with her parents and younger siblings. The family receives a letter from Sybylla’s wealthy maternal grandmother, Winifred Bossier (Anna Chancellor), requesting Sybylla move in to her sprawling estate. When she arrives, Sybylla finds herself distracted from her aspirations by the handsome foreman of her grandmother’s estate, Frank Hawden (Jake Dunn), and local society celebrity Harry Beecham (Christopher Chung). Beecham’s upper-crust aunt, Augusta (Kate Mulvany), is a vocal suffragette looking to stir up change. The Airport Chaplain (SBS On Demand, 8 episodes)Airport Chaplain Tobias Wallace (played by Hugo Weaving) has an unorthodox approach to solving the daily crises of an airport, constantly overstepping boundaries and putting him on a collision course with new boss Mira Ansari-Cole. Mira wants him fired but Tobias isn’t giving up his beloved chaplaincy without a fight.Our review of the series includes a look at the production house Wooden Horse and we list Hugo Weaving’s five best roles on TV. Falling (ABC iview, 6 episodes)A British romantic drama television series written by Jack Thorne.  (Lord of the Flies, The Hack, Adolescence, Toxic Town).Falling follows Anna, a devout nun who has lived in a convent for 20 years, and David, a progressive Catholic priest. When a chance encounter sparks an unexpected and forbidden romance, both must confront their vows, their faith, and their relationship with God.Watch it for the Catholic lovebirds, Keeley Hawes as Anna and Paapa Essiedu as David. And don’t miss the always brilliant Jason Watkins as Peter, the district bishop.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Bombing of Pan Am 103 (Netflix, 6 episodes)The Bombing of Pan Am 103, follows the investigation into the crash of the Pan Am flight from its beginning to its conclusion.The tragedy over Lockerbie, Scotland, connected residents of the small town with people around the world who lost loved ones in the disaster, forming a new community out of shattered lives. The six-part series examines those lives, exploring the fallout of the explosion and the investigation into the perpetrators. The Shards (Disney+, 9 episodes)Disney+ is billing The Shards as a series heavy on suspense, seduction and obsession. From prolific executive producer Ryan Murphy, the series is based on the bestselling novel by Bret Easton Ellis which is a fictionalised account of Ellis’s last year of high school. Watch it for Ryan Murphy as he gradually ramps up the suspense after a gentle first episode. Also watch it to se the siblings of Cindy Crawford (Kaia Gerber who plays Susan Reynolds) and Richard Gere (Homer Gere who plays Robert Mallory). Ted Lasso (AppleTV, 10 episodes)Richmond Football Club executives Rebecca, Keeley, and Higgins travel from London to Kansas City to convince Ted Lasso to return to Richmond and lead the new women's football squad. Ted initially declines, but after permission from his family, he agrees and brings his son and ex-wife back across the Atlantic.James warned the first episode is a bit of a punish before it slips back into more familiar territory tracking the daily dramas of running an English football team…this time with women players. Colin From Accounts (S3 Foxtel/Binge, 8 episodes)The third and final season jumps ahead following the awkward aftermath of Gordon's botched proposal, exploring whether Ashley and Gordon belong together or if their dog Colin is all that binds them.Gordon continues running his craft brewery, while Ashley settles into her role as a GP following her regional placement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Treasure and Dirt (ABC iview, 6 episodes)Detectives Ivan Lucic and Nell Buchanan arrive in the outback town of Nulla to investigate the beheading of local miner Jonas McGee. They find themselves up against combative local police and a hostile community. Believe Me (ABC iview, 4 episodes)The story of three victims of one of the most prolific sex attackers in British history, John Worboys, dubbed by the media as the ‘black cab rapist’ after preying on women under the cover of being a ‘respectable’ licensed taxi-cab driver. Furious (Disney+, 8 episodes)The series follows an FBI agent Alice Black, brilliantly played by Emmy Rossum, on the hunt for a mysterious and calculating female serial killer, played by Lola Petticrew. Both walk their own paths toward justice, and as their lives start to intertwine, the line between right and wrong begins to blur.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lucky (Apple TV, 7 episodes)The Apple TV+ crime thriller series Lucky follows con artist Luciana “Lucky” Armstrong (Anya Taylor-Joy) who really is lucky.She goes on the run after a multi-million-dollar heist goes wrong. Pursued by the FBI and a mob boss, she must track down the stolen cash and survive her own chaotic past. Also stars Annette Benning and Timothy Oliphant. Ride Or Die (Prime Video, 8 episodes)The action-comedy (loads of action, not many laughs) series follows best friends Debbie Claybourne (Octavia Spencer) and Judith Burton (Hannah Waddingham). Debbie believes Judith is a forensic accountant, but Judith is actually a secret elite international assassin. When a hit goes wrong and a figure from Judith's past emerges, they are forced on a high-stakes road trip across Europe running from dangerous criminals and law enforcement.Also stars Bill Nighy. The F Ward (Stan, 6 episodes)Australian comedy-drama follows a group of flawed medical interns sent to an underfunded coastal hospital for a last-chance program to save their careers.Dan Wyllie is the best thing about The F Ward. Listen to Andrew Mercado drill down on the rest of the cast.Second best thing is the scripts which offer up many laughs, but also some slow, awkward moments.Worst thing is putting the hospital right on the beach. It gives it a Summer Bay feel at times.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Little House on the Prairie (Netflix, 8 episodes)The series follows the Ingalls family as they establish their “new forever” home outside the small but quickly developing town of Independence. The foursome, along with their dog Jack, faces the often harsh conditions of 1800s prairie life, including fever, wolves, and fire — obstacles that longtime fans will recognise from the original novels or the original TV series.As the Ingalls attempt to make a life on land they were told was “free,” they encounter Osage native Americans who have long called the prairie home.Little House on the Prairie is the Show of the Week for Andrew and James. The Bear (S5 Disney+, 8 episodes)The morning after Carmy tells his restaurant colleagues Sydney, Richie and Natalie about his retirement from the food industry, a major storm hits Chicago. Most of the final series takes place over one day. The Bear staff attempt to prepare for that evening’s customers despite challenges caused by poor cash flow and faulty plumbing.The series wraps with a surprising love affair (there was not a lot of relationship exploration outside the workplace in The Bear), a changing financial situation, an unexpected restaurant rating, a new business opportunity which has been hinted at in the series for some time, and a plot twist for Carmy. Elle (Prime Video, 8 episodes)A prequel to the Legally Blonde movie franchise. The series takes place six years before the events of the film and it explores the high school years of teenage Elle Woods (originally portrayed by Reese Witherspoon), played here by newcomer Lexi Minetree. Prime Video has already renewed the series for a second season. Five Star Weekend (Binge/Foxtel, 8 episodes)A food blogger, Hollis (Jennifer Garner) tries to rebuild her life after the loss of her husband Matthew (Josh Hamilton). Part of her therapy is organising a five-star weekend getaway at her house on Nantucket with four friends from different stages in her life:Her childhood friend, Tatum – who is waiting on the results of a test for cancer (Chloë Sevigny), her college friend, Dru-Ann – who’s just been cancelled after online comments went viral (Regina Hall), her motherhood friend, Brooke – who suffers from low self-esteem, and is trapped in a stifling marriage with a husband who belittles and isolates her (D’Arcy Carden), as well as a new friend, Gigi (Gemma Chan) – a pilot for Delta, who she recently met online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the halfway mark of 2026, Andrew Mercado and James Manning list their Top 10 shows of the first six months of the year.There are just three shows that make the Top 10 for both:Riot Women (SBS)Love Story (Disney+)Rivals (Season 2, Disney+)On Andrew's list and just missing out on James' were:Tip Toe (Binge/Foxtel)Half Man (Stan)Listen to the podcast for the full Top 10 from each co-host with explanations about programs they underrated at the time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• Ms. X (Binge/Foxtel, 6 episodes)Ms. X is a six-part dramedy that tells a “good person gone bad” story, through the eyes of a suburban kiwi mum. A stay-at-home mother of two, Mia Bennett (featuring the return of Melissa George), suspects her husband is cheating. He arrives home after a night out apparently dining with clients and then sleeping in his car.Mia enlists the help of an old high school friend, who is now an inexperienced private investigator who she reunites with after he crashes into her car, to find out what he is up to.Andrew’s Show of the Week. • Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness (HBO Max, 7 episodes)A sketch comedy limited series created by Larry David and Jeff Schaffer. Produced by Barack Obama and Michelle Obama's Higher Ground Productions, the series takes an improvised, comedic approach to major events in American history in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The show consists of seven episodes, each containing approximately four historical sketches. • After the Flood S2 (BritBox, 6 episodes)British police officers Jo Marshall (a wonderful performance from Sophie Rundle) and her police officer husband Pat Holman also featured in the first season of After the Flood where they were involved in an investigation into the death of someone who died in the flooded town. The series also revealed a web of crooked coppers including Jo’s dad who was also in the force. Orchestrating the bent coppers was DS Phil Mackie, who is again a key character in S2.It’s a good watch whether you saw the first season or not.James’ Show of the Week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Killings at Parrish Station (Stan, 6 episodes)When a brutal massacre at a remote desert research station rocks 1987 Australia, Detective Georgia Cooke (Mia Wasikowska) and her partner, Michael Thorne (Xavier Samuel), uncover disturbing links between a delusional survivor, a mysterious text called The Bone Gospel, and the station’s eccentric benefactor, Callum Parrish (Nic English). As the case becomes more inexplicable and descends into the paranormal, Georgia’s grip on reality fractures—costing her career, her daughter Frankie’s (Grace Owens) trust, and ultimately her freedom. A “cosmic horror” drama from Mark Fennessy’s Helium Pictures.Thirty-seven years later, Georgia (Heather Mitchell)—now institutionalised—is pulled back into the Parrish Station nightmare when a string of identical murders emerges. Small Prophets (ABC iview, 7 episodes)A six-part British dark comedy-drama created and written by Mackenzie Crook. It follows Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley), a grieving man who has drifted through life since his partner, Clea, mysteriously vanished seven years earlier. Urged on by his eccentric, elderly father, Brian (Sir Michael Palin), Michael converts his garden shed into an alchemist's workshop to help find an answer to what happened to Clea. The Four Seasons (Netflix, 8 episodes)Season 2 of The Four Seasons follows the surviving friend group as they navigate life, grief, and relationship changes following Nick's sudden death. With Nick's heavily pregnant girlfriend Ginny now part of their quarterly trips, the group struggles to redefine themselves and find meaning as they enter middle age.Tina Fey and Will Forte return as Kate and Jack, along with Kerri Kenney as Anne, the show’s most complex and interesting character.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alice and Steve (Disney+, 6 episodes)Billed as a comedy-drama that follows the 25-year-long friendship between middle-aged Londoners Alice and Steve. Their bond devolves into an all-out, petty feud when Steve—a divorced celebrity hairdresser—begins dating Alice’s recently dumped daughter, Izzy.  Casting of Nicole Walker and Jermaine Clement in the lead roles keeps you watching.Andrew’s Show of the Week. Star City (Apple TV, 8 episodes)A compelling, alternative-history sci-fi thriller that explores the space race from the Soviet perspective. A spin-off of For All Mankind, the series goes behind the Iron Curtain to reveal the paranoia, high-stakes espionage, and sacrifices of the cosmonauts, engineers, and intelligence officers. Brilliant performance again from Anna Maxwell Martin and a career high point for Alice Englert.James’ Show of the Week. I Will Find You (Netflix, 8 episodes)An eight-episode mystery thriller miniseries that follows David Burroughs (Sam Worthington), a man wrongfully imprisoned for the murder of his young son. When his ex-sister-in-law (Britt Lower) brings him photo evidence that the boy may still be alive, David stages a desperate prison break to prove his innocence and find his child. Also this episode, Andrew on:Michael Jackson: The Verdict (Netflix)Rolf Harris: Primetime Predator (ABC iview) Homework from James who has finally finished two series from May 12. Can he separate them to find a stand alone Show of the Week?What was best – The Revenge Club or Widow’s Bay? Then in a segment full of spoilers, Andrew and James debate the ending of Tip Toe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of TV Gold, Andrew Mercado and James Manning review: Two Years Later (Paramount+, 8 episodes)Two Years Later is an Australian romantic dramedy created by Pete Bridges, starring Brenton Thwaites and Phoebe Tonkin. The show tracks thirty-somethings Ryan and Emily, who exchanged flirty glances on their daily commute prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. When they reconnect years later, Ryan proposes an unconventional experiment: they will go on exactly eight dates to determine if they are truly meant to be together. Ground Up (ABC iview, 6 episodes)After years of trying, Tasmania has finally been given the green light to field a team in the AFL - but there's a catch. The locals have to build a new stadium. Given Tasmania has a housing crisis, and a health crisis… and two sizeable stadiums, not everyone thinks the 1.13 billion dollar taxpayer spend is the greatest idea. AFL administrator Hugh Shen (played by Sam Pang) has been sent from Melbourne, tasked with establishing the club. There's a divided public to win over, oppressive deadlines to meet, feisty protesters to handle and inoffensive mascots to employ. Not to mention the coach they employ who’s had an interesting past. Cape Fear (Apple TV, 10 episodes)The TV remake of two classic movies follows married attorneys Anna and Tom Bowden, whose lives are upended when Max Cady, a notorious killer they previously defended and prosecuted, is released from prison and begins stalking their family in a twisted quest for vengeance. Seventeen years ago, Amy Adams‘ Anna was a defense attorney representing Max Cady (Javier Bardem), a Savannah restauranteur accused of murdering his pregnant wife. Tom (Patrick Wilson) was the prosecutor. Soon after the trial ended with Cady pleading guilty and getting life in prison, Anna and Tom got married, which caused some tongues to wag since she was pregnant throughout the proceedings with a different man’s baby.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A special episode of TV Gold this week with Andrew Mercado and James Manning joined by author Holden Sheppard, whose best-selling debut novel Invisible Boys was turned into a Stan series. All three have watched Tip Toe and talk about the series, the themes explored, the plot devices and how some critics have had problems with the storytelling. The five-part series on Binge and Foxtel follows Leo and Clive who have lived next door to each other in Manchester for almost 15 years. But just as life should be settling down, the world around them is growing more tense. Words become weapons, opinions become radicalised, and gradually, two neighbours become deadly enemies in a suburban thriller which challenges everything we consider to be safe. Alan Cumming plays Manchester bar owner Leo and David Morrissey is his tradie neighbour Clive. They are supported by a great cast playing lovers, friends, family members and work colleagues. Creator Russell T Davies has the viewer riveted from the chilling opening scene. Picking Show of the Week was easy this week with just one program reviewed. The panel’s unanimous choice – Tip Toe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shows reviewed by Andrew Mercado and James Manning this week on the TV Gold podcast: A Woman of Substance (Binge, 8 episodes)Based on the best-selling novel by Barbara Taylor Bradford, A Woman of Substance is a drama spanning six decades, charting the rise of Emma Harte (Brenda Blethyn) from penniless Yorkshire maid in the early 1900s to apparently a powerful 1970s business mogul.  Brenda Blethyn  plays the grown up successful businesswoman Emma Harte, while Young Emma Harte – is played by Jessica Reynolds. Dear England (Binge, 4 episodes)Dear England was an acclaimed stage play, and now a television drama, by James Graham that chronicles Gareth Southgate’s tenure as the manager of the England men's football team. It explores the psychological toll of elite sports, leadership, and the quest to cure "years of hurt". Joseph Fiennes is wonderful in the lead role as Gareth Southgate. Jodie Whittaker however doesn’t have much to do and is wasted as Pippa Grange, Southgate’s sports psychologist Pippa Grange) Deli Boys (Disney+, S1 10 eps, S2 6 eps)After their father ("Baba") dies unexpectedly, brothers Mir and Raj Dar lose their trust funds and learn that their family fortune actually comes from cocaine smuggling. Plunged headfirst into the criminal underworld, they rely on their fierce and unfiltered aunt, Lucky, to help them learn the ropes, evade the authorities, and navigate rival gangs—all while attempting to wash the money and secure a normal future. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (Stan, S1 6 Eos, S2 6 eps)A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder has returned for Season 2 with new episodes in the YA mystery series. Emma Myers is back as Pip, alongside Zain Iqbal as Ravi Singh, with the six-episode season picking up in the aftermath of the pair solving what happened to missing student Andie Bell (India Lillie Davies). Life Is Short (Netflix, documentary)The acclaimed documentary about comedy legend Martin Short. Directed by Lawrence Kasdan, the doco explores Short’s life, comedic resilience, and enduring friendships with intimate home movies and celebrity interviews. Wonderful interviews featured include Steve Martin, Eugene Levy, Paul Shaffer, Catherine O’Hara, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Steven Spielberg, plus archive footage featuring many including Mel Brooks, Johnny Carson, Goldie Hawn, David Letterman, and Conan O’Brien.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mercado and James Manning review three new TV series this episode: Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed (AppleTV, 10 episodes)Paula (Tatiana Maslany) is a magazine fact-checker in the midst of a messy divorce from her ex-husband Karl which centres around the custody arrangements of their daughter Hazel.  She begins paying Trevor, a webcam boy, for his time, during which she vents about her life and enjoys sexual experiences with him. One night, during one of their sessions, Paula witnesses Trevor being brutally attacked in his home. Reporting it to the Police, Detective Sofia Gonzalez believes it to be a scam. Co-starring are Murray Bartlett and Dolly De Leon. The Boroughs (Netflix, 8 episodes)The Boroughs is a Netflix sci-fi series executive-produced by the Duffer Brothers. It follows a quirky, resilient crew of retirees in a seemingly idyllic retirement community. The story kicks off in a picturesque retirement community, where a grieving newcomer experiences a bizarre and monstrous encounter. Super cast including Alfred Molina, Geena Davis and Bill Pullman. Kylie (Netflix, 3 episodes)Believe the hype, this really is an unfiltered look at the singer life including the major hits and plenty of revealing insights about and from her family and lovers. It doesn’t cover everything which would be a huge undertaking beyond the scope of this doco. There aren’t a lot of interviews but the director has secured the best with contributions from Pete Waterman, Jason Donovan, Nick Cave and sister Dannii – in addition to several sessions with Kylie on the couch. Plus: Andrew also talks about a new Crawford Productions YouTube channel which is home to some classic Australian TV series. James sounds a bit excited about watching Keeley Hawes playing a nun in the forthcoming series Falling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the TV Gold podcast Andrew Mercado and James Manning review: Dutton Ranch (Paramount+, 9 episodes)Reilly and Cole Hauser reprising their roles from Yellowstone as Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler. They gamble everything on a new life in South Texas, with the promise of building a future far from the ghosts of Yellowstone. Also features Aussie actors Finn Little and Jai Courtney. The complete Yellowstone universe so far (aka Duttonverse)Yellowstone (53 eps)1883 (10 eps)1923 (16 eps)Marshals (13 eps)Dutton Ranch (9 eps)5 series, 92 eps Legends (Netflix, 6 episodes)A six-part British crime thriller based on the true story of ordinary Customs employees recruited by the government in the early 1990s. Handed new covert identities—their "legends"—these untrained civil servants were sent undercover to infiltrate and take down Britain's most dangerous drug gangs. Brilliant cast is led by Steve Coogan, Tom Burke, Hayley Squires and Tom Hughes. Gary (Bonus episode of The Bear) (Disney+)Stars cast members Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Richie) and Jon Bernthal (Mikey) and was directed by series creator Christopher Storer. The episode is a flashback to early 2019, when Richie's pregnant wife Tiff (Gillian Jacobs) is close to her due date. Richie and Mikey get a job from Uncle Jimmy and take an emotionally charged road trip from Chicago to Gary, Indiana. In this episode, James asks Andrew: Is this an insightful exploration of two central characters from The Bear or a self-indulgent hour that doesn’t shed any light on the series? Rivals (S2 Disney+, 12 episodes – 2 batches of six)The battle for the Central South West television franchise heats up as incumbent Corinium and newcomer Venturer continue their war. Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) seeks to destroy his rival which is led by former TV star Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner). In this 1980s setting, the personal lives of the Rutshire heroes fall into chaos, with marriages breaking under pressure, affairs causing trouble, and secrets emerging with consequences.The supporting case are all superb in this dramatisation of the late Jilly Cooper’s novels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.