From local legend Ray Martin to global star Steph Curry: here’s what to watch on TV this week
From a television legend staring death in the face to an NBA great taking the mickey out of himself, there’s plenty to enjoy — and educate — on the small screen this week.
TV
Don't miss out on the headlines from TV. Followed categories will be added to My News.
We’ve sifted through the latest offerings from TV and streaming platforms to find the best shows you should be watching this week.
RAY MARTIN: THE LAST GOODBYE
WEDNESDAY, 8.30PM, SBS
Revered journalist and presenter Ray Martin’s place in Australian television will live forever – but sadly, the five-time Gold Logie winner will not. And it’s this sobering realisation – beginning with Martin lying in a coffin – that drives this fascinating and important three-part documentary. Statistically, the 79-year-old only has four years to live and with the clock ticking, he sets out to explore the many different ways that Australians deal with death, many of which include an unhealthy dose of denial – only one in five had spoken to family and friends about the inevitable – that can increase the burden and grief of those left behind. With 80 per cent of us now dying in hospitals or nursing homes, Martin’s quest takes him to medical professionals and morticians, who now provide the pastoral care once provided by the church. Then there’s the unassuming paddock in country NSW that houses the cryonics facility for those who are trying to cheat death, as well as the way different cultures regard the great beyond and honour those who have already crossed. It might be confronting to some, but will hopefully spark some valuable conversations among those who watch.
GUY MONTGOMERY’S GUY MONT SPELLING BEE
WEDNESDAY, 8.30PM, ABC
Very much in the tradition of Have You Been Paying Attention and Taskmaster, where the right joke is much more important than the right answer, Kiwi comedian Guy Montgomery’s new offering is only peripherally about spelling. Sure, the contestants – kicking off with Urzila Carlson, Nazeem Hussein, Danielle Walker and Tom Gleeson – choose words from the Cowards Cup (easy), Person’s Purse (medium) or Bucket of Bravery (hard), but the opportunity to ask for its language of origin, definition or to have it used in a sentence are really just setups for a stream of very funny gags from the host or his hilariously unhelpful offsider, Aaron Chen.
MR THROWBACK
BINGE
As if draining countless three-pointers from a different postcode on his way to another Olympic Gold medal with Team USA wasn’t enough, it turns out Stephen Curry is actually pretty damn funny too. The four-time NBA champ looks like he’s having a blast sending up extreme athlete wealth and celebrity by playing a fictionalised version of himself (he also is an executive producer) in this mockumentary and ropes in basketball mates including Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and his Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr for cheeky cameos. Comedian Adam Pally plays Curry’s childhood friend who was ejected from high-school basketball after a scandal and gone on to become a slightly shady memorabilia dealer. When he needs some fast cash, he reconnects with his former buddy with a cock and bull story about a sick daughter and as he becomes ever more seduced by the high life facilitated by Curry’s wealth and generosity, the lies become more and more outrageous.
THE INSPIRED UNEMPLOYED (IMPRACTICAL) JOKERS
WEDNESDAY, 8.30PM, CHANNEL 10
Fresh from their Olympics shenanigans on the streets of Paris, pretending to be athletes and breaking bad with Raygun, Liam, Falcs, Jack and Dom are back to reclaim their crown as the biggest idiots (in the nicest possible way) on Australian television. For those who missed the first season, it’s basically a mash-up of Candid Camera, Jackass and truth or dare, as one member of the squad is nominated to perform a task while being fed ever more ridiculous and embarrassing instructions through an ear piece by the other three. Episode one sees them trying to out-Aussie unsuspecting tradies at a hardware store, pitching absurd inventions like cargo undies to focus groups and roping in a good-natured Amy Shark to turn an intimate performance into an audience nightmare.
MICHAEL PALIN IN NIGERIA
WEDNESDAY, 7.35PM, SBS
Even at the advanced age of 81, the spritely and ridiculously well-travelled Michael Palin is racking up new destinations with an energy and enthusiasm that would defeat people half his age. In this two-part documentary, the former Monty Python great heads to the most populous country in Africa – and on its way to being the world’s third most populous – beginning in its colourful and chaotic capital Lagos. Even the veteran travel presenter’s legendary reserve is challenged by the assault on his senses from a place he observes is “not for the faint-hearted” with a population of 20 million and an ever-widening gulf between the rich and the (mostly) poor. He plays teacher in one of the few schools in Africa’s biggest slum, built from driftwood and corrugated iron over land and water, and admits to feeling decidedly uncomfortable as he follows in the footsteps of the slave trade that helped make his native Britain the most powerful country in the world.
BAD MONKEY
WEDNESDAY, APPLETV+
By and large, Vince Vaughn has been playing different versions of the motormouthed, slightly snarky smart-arse ever since his breakout role in Swingers more than 25 years ago. Thankfully, that’s exactly what this high-energy, whole-lotta-fun black-comedy, crime-drama needed and it’s the best thing he’s done in years. Vaughn plays Andrew Yancy, a Florida detective whose casual attitude towards protocol get him kicked out of the force, but when he becomes entangled in murder case (involving a severed arm with one digit locked into a very rude position), he sees a way back to his old job – if he can survive the greed and corruption of the prime, sun-drenched real estate business of the area. And a special shout-out to the titular monkey, who is Hollywood’s prime primate, with credits in The Hangover 2, Night at the Museum and The Fabelmans.
INSIDE THE MIND OF A DOG
NETFLIX
This new documentary narrated by Rob Lowe is a must watch for any pooch owners, especially those who have found that their canine companions have them around their paws. By tracing the long and unique bond between humans and dogs, who over millennia discovered they got further with friendship than fighting, it reveals scientific and emotional insights of what’s going on behind those puppy dog eyes by talking to researchers, trainers and pet lovers. With aww-inducing footage of just about every cute breed you can think of – and input from institutions set up to study dog behaviour – it delivers practical advice about what different barks and tail wags can mean and how their brains and facial expressions work, all building up to the big question: do our dogs truly love us?
LOGIE AWARDS
SUNDAY, 7PM, CHANNEL 7
After absolutely killing it last year, comedian Sam Pang is back with one of the hardest hosting jobs around, wrangling a room full of Australia’s brightest (and most refreshed) TV stars vying for the industry’s biggest prizes. Veteran presenter and host Larry Emdur is the favourite to take out this year’s Gold Logie, but not far behind is Tony Amstrong, who will be looking to make it a hat-trick after winning Most Popular New Talent in 2022 and Most Popular presenter in 2023. Missy Higgins will provide the soundtrack to his year’s in memoriam with a specially composed song and there won’t be a dry eye in the house when Jess Mauboy and Guy Sebastian team up for a tribute to Farnsey, in honour of his documentary John Farnham: Finding The Voice.
THE VOICE AUSTRALIA
MONDAY, 7.35PM, CHANNEL 7
The reality TV singing show has rung the changes for its 13th season, with veteran Guy Sebastian the only holdover coach from last year. The new occupants of the red spinning chairs are Adam Lambert, the US American Idol alumnus who also steps into Freddie Mercury’s massive shoes to front Queen, multi-million-selling, Grammy-winning country-pop star LeAnn Rimes and eclectic homegrown talent Kate Miller-Heidke, billed as the only person to have sung at Coachella, Eurovison and New York’s Metropolitan Opera House. Out to impress them and tempt them to use their new “Ultimate Block” power, which instantly overrules all the other coaches, are an impressive array of wannabe pro-singers from around the country – and there’s a truly special talent in the opening episode.
THE ASSEMBLY
TUESDAY, 8.30PM, ABC
Many artists and celebrities view giving interviews – and having to answer the same old questions over and over again – as a necessary evil and the price of publicising their work or messages. But what sets this dynamic apart for the likes of Sam Neill, Hamish Blake, Anthony Albanese, Delta Goodrem and Adam Goodes is the fact that they are being grilled by autistic journalism students under the tutelage of veteran Leigh Sales. Nothing is off the table as the would-be reporters overcome their various challenges, such as anxiety, leaving both sides with expanded horizons and new perspectives from the unvarnished and sometimes blunt questions. First guest Neill is at times visibly moved by the experience as he opens up on his cancer treatment, career and childhood stutter.
More Coverage
Originally published as From local legend Ray Martin to global star Steph Curry: here’s what to watch on TV this week
How to play Squid Game in real life
Aussie fans of the thrilling hit show, Squid Game, will soon be able to see if they have what it takes when a real-life version opens at a top tourist spot.
TV host announces her own tragic death
A beloved Australian TV host has announced her own death on social media after she lost her battle with motor neurone disease.