10 television moments that had us talking in 2021

From killer reveals and water-cooler moments to the funniest performance of the year, The Binge Guide takes a look back at the unforgettable shows and scenes that we couldn’t stop discussing this year.

Water-cooler moment of the year:

Samantha Armytage quits Sunrise (Seven Network)

Unsuspecting viewers probably dropped their cereal spoons when Samantha Armytage dropped the mic on March 8, announcing that, after eight years as Sunrise co-host, she was calling time on a job that had been as gratifying as it was gruelling.

Through tears, Armytage, who hosts Stellar’s successful weekly podcast Something To Talk About, said, “I go out of this job at a time of my own choosing and on top of the ratings, which not many people on television can say they do.”

- Nicholas Fonseca, deputy editor of Stellar, Body+Soul and The Binge Guide

Performance of the year:

Sarah Paulson in Impeachment: American Crime Story (Binge)

It was a role that presented numerous challenges – not least being that Linda Tripp, who betrayed her friend Monica Lewinsky by secretly recording their conversations to expose the former White House intern’s affair with President Bill Clinton, is still seen as a deeply unsympathetic character.

Then there was the well-intentioned but misguided criticism over Paulson donning a fat suit to portray Tripp. But, as you’d expect from one of the best actors of her generation, Paulson’s transformation ultimately owed nothing to prosthetics and everything to a nuanced, poignant and flawless performance.

- Sarrah Le Marquand, editor-in-chief of Stellar, Body+Soul and The Binge Guide

On-screen death of the year:

Ann Reynolds at the hands – literally – of The Freak in Wentworth (Foxtel)

Notorious for its high body count and epic death scenes, Wentworth’s final season did not disappoint. A garrotting with a bed sheet and an impaling caused by an explosion were just some of the ways that inmates met their maker.

But it was vengeful prison boss Ann Reynolds (Jane Hall) having her neck snapped by Joan “The Freak” Ferguson that ultimately proved the most memorable. Fans have watched The Freak commit many atrocities, but never in the name of love. RIP, Ann.

- Siobhan Duck, The Binge Guide writer

Sporting moment of the year:

Australian women’s swim relay team win gold at the Olympics (Seven Network)

More than 20 million Aussies tuned in to watch the 17 days of coverage, making it the biggest television and streaming event in Australian history. My favourite moment would have to be Australia’s all-conquering sprint queens claiming gold in the 4 x 100m freestyle relay for the third Games in a row.

They shattered their own world record in the process and set the nation up for a huge week in the pool. The event saw Bronte Campbell, Meg Harris, Emma McKeon and Cate Campbell claim Australia’s first gold medal of the Games, clocking an incredible 3:29.69 seconds – the first team ever to go under 3:30.

- Selina Steele, News Corp women’s sports editor

Moments worth a second look:

Jimmy Nicholson and Holly Kingston in The Bachelor Australia (Network 10)

There was a lot of talk about ratings when it came to The Bachelor Australia franchise this year. While I agree the format could do with a shake-up, this season really delivered on drama, heartbreak and, most importantly, a happy couple.

Pilot Jimmy Nicholson and his winner Holly Kingston (who feature on the cover) are loved-up and living together, with talk of marriage in the future. And special mention goes out to this year’s Bachelorette Brooke Blurton.

She not only gave us an entertaining season, but she was also our first Indigenous and bisexual star on the dating series. If you missed all the drama, both shows are worth a Boxing Day binge-watch.

- Bree Player, features & beauty editor of Stellar and Body+Soul

Find more exclusives in this Sunday’s The Binge Guide

Fashion moment of the year:

Elle Fanning in The Great (Stan)

Elle Fanning’s Catherine the Great is a masterpiece in amalgamating period drama and modern fashion aesthetics.

Costume designer Emma Fryer takes Fanning on a journey from the classic cut, colour and silhouette of the era when Catherine first becomes queen to reigning in a shocking-pink corset and full skirt with dirndl – more Valentino Couture than 18th century royalty.

- Kelly Hume, contributing style director of Stellar and Body+Soul

Funniest moment of the year:

Roy Kent in Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)

There’s a good reason why this wholesome comedy has everyone talking – and that’s because the characters are simply delightful. From Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) to Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster), each one is fully formed and oftentimes very funny – none more so than the gruff Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), who, in the laugh-out-loud moment of the year uttered..

“I think you might be dying” to his young niece after he copped a face full of her bad breath. I was laughing so much I had to press pause.

- Adrienne Tam, features editor of Stellar, Body+Soul and The Binge Guide

Musical moment of the year:

The Beatles: Get Back (Disney+)

This documentary offers a fly-on-the-wall perspective of a masterclass in the alchemy of art. The dynamics between John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr in bringing the final studio album to life are the juice everyone wanted; there were so many myths to confirm or dispel.

But the greatest joy of this immersive doco is to see classics ‘Get Back’, ‘Let It Be’ and ‘Across The Universe’ come to life.

- Kathy McCabe, News Corp national music writer

Twist of the year:

The killer is revealed in Mare Of Easttown (Binge)

Spoiler alert! In retrospect, the clues about young Ryan Ross (Cameron Mann) being the killer of Erin McMenamin (Cailee Spaeny) were there all along: the hushed conversation with his father and the look on his face when the titular character and brilliant detective (Kate Winslet) turned up at his house in the penultimate episode revealed the truth.

But seriously, who would have predicted that middle-school student Ryan killed the young single mother, given all the other suspects who seemed to be vying for top position?

- Lisa Woolford, News Corp national entertainment writer

That’s all folks…

As countless others came and went, Australia’s favourite presenter Bert Newton remained a fixture for more than five decades. He entertained generations with his quick quips and unmatchable skill for elevating even the most mundane of moments into comedy gold.

The quadruple Gold Logie winner prided himself on being the best second banana in the business – first to his best friend Graham Kennedy and then later to Don Lane. But being second banana never meant being second best.

Newton wasn’t afraid to share the spotlight or let someone else have the punchline as long as the audience was laughing. That was his magic. And that is why his legacy will live on in the many performers he helped along the way, and with the audiences who adored him.