Sick of flicking between the same old stuff? Here are the seven TV shows you should watch this week

SICK of flicking between the same old cooking shows? Here are the seven TV shows you should watch this week, from dramas to reality to docos and beyond.

What’s on ... we’ve picked the best of what’s on television this week. Don’t worry, there are no shows about palm trees like what this guy is watching. Picture: iStock

SICK of flicking between the same old reality cooking shows each night?

If you’re not into that sort of thing, you might struggle to find something to watch on television.

We’ve gone through the program listings for every single free-to-air and subscription channel over the course of the next week, from gripping drama to intriguing docos to fun reality and beyond.

Here are our top picks of what to watch each night — with some guilty pleasure shows thrown in.

The Politician's Husband David Tennant ABC

THE POLITICIAN’S HUSBAND

Those Brits do TV drama so well, and this follow-on from the critically acclaimed The Politician’s Wife is no exception. Aiden Hoynes, played by David Tennant, is a pollie whose star is on the rise, until his ambitions are suddenly cut short. His wife Freya (Emily Watson) is catapulted into the limelight — a dramatic power shift he struggles to accept. Gritty, controversial, brilliant portrayed — this one is definitely worth a watch. Sunday, 8.30pm, ABC.

Honourable mention for guilty pleasure viewing:Sex: An Unnatural History on Sunday at 10.30pm on SBS2. A doco exploring the dramatic shift in human sexuality over the past 50 years. Fascinating and fairly provocative.

DSC_2384.NEF

ROGUE

Undercover cop Grace Brogan, played by Thandie Norton, loses her son in a drive-by shooting and becomes obsessed with finding the killer. When she’s suspended from duty, there’s little choice but to go rogue in her hunt. This is a pretty fast-paced and emotive drama that makes for gripping viewing. Monday, 9.15pm, Soho.

Honourable mention for guilty pleasure viewing:The Island With Bear Grylls: Women’s Island on Monday at 8.30pm on SBS. Fourteen women are dropped on a deserted island with just the clothes on their back and some basic tools. How long will they survive as castaways?

EMBARGOED SUN AUG2 TV GUIDE Who Do You Think You Are features actor Geoffrey Rush. Picture: SBS

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

In this new season, a batch of famous Australians dig into their pasts to unravel a whole host of family secrets. Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush is first up. What makes this thespian who he is? Where did he come from? This is a great series that’ll inspire you to do your own family tree to trace your lineage. Tuesday, 7.30pm, SBS.

Honourable mention for guilty pleasure viewing: The Great Australian Spelling Bee on Tuesday at 7.30pm on Ten. Clever little kids spelling very big words in a competitive yet supportive setting. What’s not to like?

Going home ... Julia Zemiro peers into Matt Moran’s past. Picture: ABC

JULIA ZEMIRO’S HOME DELIVERY

I just love this series. Each week, Julia jumps in a car and takes a notable on a trip back to their childhood to revisit old memories. Tonight, Matt Moran revisits his path from school dropout to celebrity chef and television presenter. How did this precocious youngster make the leap to running his own restaurant at 22? We’ll find out. Wednesday, 9pm, ABC.

Honourable mention for guilty pleasure viewing:The Bachelor Australia on Wednesday at 7.30pm on Network Ten. The search for ‘love’ continues. Marvel at the breathtaking drama, OTT interior styling and sheer volume of candles, if nothing else.

New paranormal ABC TV series Glitch starring Emma Booth and Patrick Brammall along with Rodger Corser, Genevieve O’Reilly, Sean Keenan, Ned Dennehy, Daniela Farinacci and Andrew McFarlane.

GLITCH

This ripper little Aussie drama about a bunch of people returning from the dead is nearing an end, and the mystery only intensifies. I just hope we don’t reach the finale and find we’re left with more questions than answers. We’ll find out soon. If you’ve missed any of it, you can catch up on iView. It’s worth a look. Patrick Brammall is fantastic, the production values are high, the scenery is spectacular ... high fives all around. Thursday, 8.30pm, ABC.

Honourable mention for guilty pleasure viewing: This Is The End on Thursday at 9pm on Seven. This is a bit of a slow night on the small screen, so this so-dumb-it’s-good film from 2013 is the best I can find, I’m afraid.

Jamie Durie joins The Living Room. L-R Amanda Keller, Barry DuBois, Jamie Durie, Miguel Maestre, Dr Chris Brown

THE LIVING ROOM

I can’t quite put my finger on what it is about this variety lifestyle show that I like so much. The hosts are charming and have good chemistry, and the segments are a good mix of food, home, DIY, travel, gadgets, animals ... the list goes on. Tonight, Dr Chris Brown swims with sharks in Fiji while Miguel Maestre is in the Top End to make a meal in rolled paper bark. If you’re on the couch on a Friday night, this is your show. Friday, 7.30pm, Ten.

Honourable mention for guilty pleasure viewing: Snog, Marry, Avoid on Friday at 10pm on Eleven. The ultimate voyeuristic viewing, as a bunch of weird and wacky punters are given a reality check when strangers declare whether they’d kiss, wed or run away from them. Then they’re made over and the questions are asked again to see if they’ve improved.

Far Flung with Gay Mehigan airs from July 6 on Channel 10. Supplied.

FAR FLUNG WITH GARY MEHIGAN

I like food — eating it more so than preparing it — and I love travel, so this sort of show is my cup of tea. Especially if I’m spending a Saturday night in. MasterChef judge Gary heads off to various locations to explore their culinary scenes. Tonight he’s in Vietnam looking for new and wonderful flavours. Saturday 6pm, Ten.

Honourable mention for guilty pleasure viewing: Cops on Saturday at 7.30pm on One. The original and best real-life police observational, where the good guys chase down the bad ones while a camera crew follows.

What television shows are you loving at the moment? What are you hating? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.