Top TV shows to watch this week: Only Murders in the Building, Paralympics
With the return of one of the most acclaimed and best loved comedies of recent years, as well as an Aussie gangster drama, there’s something for everyone on the small screen this week.
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We’ve sifted through the latest offerings from TV and streaming platforms to find the best shows you should be watching this week.
ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING
DISNEY+, NEW EPISODES TUESDAYS
The fourth season of the hit comedy picks up right where last season’s cliffhanger left off, with Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch) talking a bullet that may well have been intended for Charles (Steve Martin) just as he, Oliver (Martin Short) and Mabel (Selena Gomez) are finishing their latest podcast. The apparent murder makes the ever-opportunistic Oliver’s words – “what we need is a hot, fresh, dead body either right here or very near to here” – even more prescient. But first the trio are summoned to Los Angeles, where producers are keen to green-light a movie version of their podcast, having already cast Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis and Eva Longoria to play them. As they lay on the largesse to convince a reluctant Mabel, who is unimpressed by her “homeless, jobless and mumbling” characterisation, the barbs come thick and fast at the expense of Hollywood excess and insincerity, setting up another cracking season of one of the best shows going around.
PARALYMPICS 2024
CHANNEL 9, STAN
Just when you thought you were coming back to earth after the sleepless nights and heart-racing moments of our best performed Olympics team in Paris, it’s time to fire up again for our Paralympians. Beginning with the Opening Ceremony at 4am tomorrow until the Closing Ceremony on September 8, there will be more than 300 hours of coverage across 22 para-sports, as 4400 para-athletes will compete in 549 medal events. With a daily wrap at 5pm, Australia’s most decorated Paralympian Ellie Cole and host James Bracey in Sydney, are joined live from Paris by three-time Paralympic gold medallist Kurt Fearnley and Olympic gold medallist Todd Woodbridge, plus a roster of top para-athlete and able-bodied athlete commentators. Sadly, there’s no word on diving expert Mark “Tubby” Taylor’s involvement at this time.
NIKITA TSZYU V KOEN MAZUDIER
WEDNESDAY, 7PM, KAYO, MAIN EVENT
Not sure what his world champion father Kostya would think of Nikita Tsyzu’s preparation for the biggest fight of his career – but weirdly, the young boxer says he’s been stocking up on potions, candles and incense that he bought from a witchcraft shop in the Blue Mountains to give him an edge. Black magic aside and despite coming off a strong win in March, challenger Mazudier is going to have his work cut out for him to deny the fighter nicknamed the Dark Prince his tenth victory from as many fights. There’s plenty for fight lovers on the undercard too, with Australian boxing’s bad boy Michael Zerafa squaring up against Tommy Browne.
CARL BARRON: SKATING RINK FOR FLIES
WEDNESDAY, 9.30PM, CHANNEL 7
Carl Barron has been voted Australia’s most popular comedian, and from his fifth stand-up special, filmed live last year at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre it’s easy to see why. The veteran funnyman’s observational, apolitical, self-deprecating, humour is as broadly relatable as ever, whether he’s taking the mickey out of oversharing fans, pondering the mysteries of text etiquette, bemoaning fake positivity and condescending commas or exploring acceptable levels of drinking. Possibly against your best intentions, you may find yourself giggling at some elevated dick and fart jokes, and his hilariously extreme German accent is worth hitting the rewind button.
GARDENING AUSTRALIA
FRIDAY, 7.30PM, ABC
I’m not a gardener, but amount of joyous enthusiasm that Costa Georgiadis can muster for an eggplant makes me want to be. The hirsute host heads to northern New South Wales for the first episode of the new series to visit the flood-stricken town of Wardell and finds an inspirational community that has found healing and connection through tilling the soil, as well using the produce to help feed up to 600 people a week. There’s also segments on a Melbourne outfit that tests experimental and new plants to see if they are suitable for Australian climes as well as a celebration of the daffodil. And with spring about to spring, don’t miss those handy hints on what to do in the garden this weekend.
LAST KING OF THE CROSS
FRIDAY, PARAMOUNT+
After the bloody events of the first season finale of this solid and satisfying homegrown drama inspired by true events, things are not looking great for the Ibrahim brothers. John has fled to the Spanish party island of Ibiza where his low-key life working in a club and romancing a local beauty is derailed by a brush with local thugs and police that gets him deported. Meanwhile Sam is behind bars and blows his chance at parole after a stabby encounter with another inmate trying to muscle in on his turf. And once John returns to his old stamping ground he finds that Kings Cross has changed after the Royal Commission has left the cops scared, the casino is killing gambling, new liquor laws are messing with the night-life and bikies have moved in. Of course he’s not going to take it lying down and it’s not long before the fists are flying, the guns are blazing and the blood is flowing again.
UNTOLD: THE MURDER OF AIR MCNAIR
NETFLIX
Netflix’s excellent documentary series is back with another three meticulously researched and immaculately produced stories from the weird and wild world of sport. First out of the blocks is the tawdry tale of Steve “Air” McNair, who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most celebrated quarterbacks of his era – and went within a metre of winning a Super Bowl in 2000. But when the apparent family man was found dead in an apartment with a woman he was having an affair with, thorny questions were raised about the killer, the murder weapon and who had what to gain from his violent death. Also just released is Sign Stealer, which delves into the strange world of football hand signals and arriving next week is Hope Solo Vs US Soccer, about the supremely gifted but divisive American goal-keeper.
AFLW: SWANS V COLLINGWOOD
FRIDAY, 7PM, KAYO, CHANNEL 7
With the men’s AFL season taking a break before the finals frenzy, the fast and furious footy is just getting started in the women’s competition this weekend. Kicking off the action on Friday night under lights at North Sydney Oval are the Sydney Swans and Collingwood, both of whom will be looking to improve on middling seasons last year, followed by the West Coast and Richmond at 9pm. Undoubtedly the standout fixture for the weekend will be rematch of last year’s Grand Final at 3pm on Sunday when 2023 champions Brisbane host runner-up North Melbourne, looking to atone for that 18-point loss.
CELEBRITY DEAL OR NO DEAL JACKPOT SPECIAL
TUESDAY, 7,30OM, CHANNEL 7
Collingwood’s season might be done for the year, but the Magpie army is out in full force for this special edition of the long-running game show. Never has Grant Denyer looked more hobbity than he does standing next to the Pies premiership winning captain, man mountain Darcy Moore – and sure enough the height gags abound as the Logie-winning host has to take a flying leap just to give him a high five and one of the suitcase openers who dresses Mason Cox gives him a pair of pants that are nearly as tall as he is. The charismatic Moore – playing for the charity Man Cave, which runs workshops for teen boys to educate about healthy masculinity and mental health – is joined by fellow premiership captains, including the understated Nick Maxwell and the straight-talking Tony Shaw, both of whom have sporting stories that are much more useful than their game advice.
COOK CLEVER WASTE LESS WITH PRUE AND RUPY
TUESDAY, 7.30PM, SBS FOOD
The facts and figures quoted in this eye-opening documentary might be British, but the points made equally apply to Australian consumers, who waste a shocking 7.6 million tonnes of food every year, which adds up to 312kg per person. And in a cost of living crisis, that’s not just bad news for the family budget, it’s also very bad for the planet. Self-styled Queen of Leftovers Prue Reith and food expert Dr Rupy Aujla have joined forces to remedy that, helping families to make the most of their produce in tasty, easy-to-cook dishes that save money, reduce household stress and cater to fussy eaters or those with allergies.
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