Need to catch a TV break and don’t know what to watch? Simon takes us through his top picks on must-see shows and films for the week. Click through to see what’s showing for your entertainment needs.
Wednesday 2nd September, 2015
Sammy J and Randy in Ricketts Lane-ABC iView-Streaming 24/7
In what is both an interesting marketing move by Aunty and perhaps a sign of the digital times, all six episodes of the hilarious new Aussie comedy Sammy J and Randy in Ricketts Lane hit iView this week ahead of its TV premiere in October. Starring the long running stand-up comedy duo of Samuel Jonathan McMillan and his puppet pal Randy (puppeteer Heath McIvor), the show sees loser lawyer Sammy forced to move into a share house with a recent divorcee named Randy when he finds himself down on his luck. Also starring Nathan Lovejoy as Sammy’s boss, Sammy J and Randy is a hilarious new spin on the odd-couple format, so get online and give it a binge.
Thursday 3rd September, 2015
Bespoke-ABC-10pm AEST
Marcus Westbury is a mover and shaker who has done amazing things to not only revitalise decaying urban centres, but also to promote artistic communities who otherwise may be struggling to stay afloat. As the founder of both the Renew Newcastle and Renew Australia, he has singlehandedly created economic growth in regions that had otherwise lost their way. His new show Bespoke is a continuation of his urban and creative interests, as he travels the globe to learn more about the sudden explosion of traditional handmade craft and art. An insightful series well worth your time.
Friday 4th September 2015
Big Daddy-Seven-10.30pm AEST
There is no denying that Adam Sandler is in something of a creative rut at the moment, though his films continue to dominate at the box office, audience and critic reactions have been less than kind. Moving his box office flops to one side, it is clear that Sandler possesses a certain level of comedic genius, a fact which is well reflected in Big Daddy, arguably one of his best films. When the illegitimate five-year old son (Cole Sprouse and Dylan Sprouse) of his out of town housemate (Jon Stewart) turns up on his doorstep, slacker Sonny Kofax (Sandler) decides to take the boy in and raise him as his own. Hilarity and jokes at Rob Schneider’s expense ensue.
Saturday 5th September 2015
Heathers-Thriller Movies-6.40pm AEST
When Heathers was released back in 1988 it was quickly heralded as a classic, a hilarious black comedy that satirises the cliques and rituals of the typical American high school. The film centres on Veronica (Winona Ryder) a popular young girl who is more than happy hanging with her best pals The Heathers, led by the conniving Heather Chandler (Kim Walker). However everything changes when Veronica starts dating the new kid in town J.D. (Christian Slater), and she soon finds herself caught up in his murderous spree to take down the queen bees. Smart, funny and sexy, Heathers has it all.
Sunday 6th September 2015
The Block-Nine-7pm AEST
Get excited blockheads, for Scotty Cam and Shelley Craft are back for another season of long running renovation hit The Block! This season, the new contestants are pitted against each other in the “Blocktogon”, an octagonal, eight-storey motel that Cam kindly calls “the ugliest building I’ve ever seen”. Though this show is clearly more about product placement than anything else, there’s something strangely addictive about watching a bunch of couples scramble wildly around Melbourne building their apartments, and this season is sure to be no different.
Monday 7th September 2015
Episodes-BBC First-9.30pm AEST
There is a growing tradition in Hollywood these days of American actors gleefully playing fictionalised versions of themselves, but nobody does it better than Matt LeBlanc in Episodes. The series hilariously mocks another Hollywood tradition, that of the American remake, as it centres around a British couple Sean (Stephen Mangan) and Beverly (Tamsin Greig), who move to America to adapt their BAFTA award winning show Lyman’s Boys. However when network executives start messing with their show, they soon find themselves with LeBlanc as their lead actor in a series named Pucks! Tonight is the premiere of the fourth season of the show, which has continued to go from strength to strength in its mockery of Hollywood culture.
Tuesday 8th September 2015
Snowpiercer-Premiere Movies-10.15pm AEST
South Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s English language debut Snowpiercer was something of a revelation when it was released in 2013, a science-fiction film that really was like nothing that had come before. Starring Chris Evans, the film is set on a train (named Snowpiercer) that holds the last remnants of humanity, eternally traversing the globe after attempts to halt global warming created a new ice age. When lower class passenger Curtis Everett (Evans) leads a coup against the train elite, life on the train quickly changes forever. Also starring Tilda Swinton and Octavia Spencer, Snowpiercer is a modern classic that you would be a fool to miss.
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