This week on the TV Gold podcast Andrew Mercado and James Manning review:

The Thursday Murder Club (Netflix, movie)
Hostage (Netflix, 5 episodes)
The Rainmaker (Stan, 10 episodes)
Alone Africa (Stan 10 episodes)

• The Thursday Murder Club (Netflix, movie)
The much-anticipated film based on Richard Osman’s first crime novel. The four members of the The Thursday Murder Club are Helen Mirren as ex-spy Elizabeth, Ben Kingsley is ex-psychiatrist Ibrahim, Pierce Brosnan is ex–union activist Ron, and Celia Imrie takes on the role of ex-nurse Joyce.

• Hostage (Netflix, 5 episodes)
TV Gold favourite Suranne Jones stars as the newly elected British Prime Minister Abigail Dalton, whose husband is kidnapped while he is working overseas. Julie Delpy features as the French president, Vivienne Toussaint, who is visiting the UK while grappling with her own political problems including being blackmailed over a sex scandal.

• The Rainmaker (Stan, 10 episodes)
Based on the best-selling novel by John Grisham. The plot features Rudy Baylor (Milo Callaghan), who is fresh out of law school. He gets an internship at a major law firm, but manages to get sacked on his first day after a run in with the boss (John Slattery). He can’t find work anywhere else except for a small time ambulance chasing law firm run by a woman called Bruiser (Lana Parrilla).

• Also mentioned this week is Alone Africa, as the American series of the franchise move from SBS to Stan.

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This week on the TV Gold podcast:
Playing Gracie Darling (Paramount+, 6 episodes)
Alien Earth (Disney+, 8 episodes)
Home and Away: Farewell Lynne McGranger (7plus)
And Just Like That: Farewell everybody (HBO Max)

Listen to the podcast here: https://pod.link/1106441089

Playing Gracie Darling (Paramount+, 6 episodes)

Playing Gracie Darling is an Australian supernatural crime drama about a missing girl, Gracie Darling, who vanished after a séance in 1997, and a second girl who goes missing 27 years later when local teens reenact the game of "Playing Gracie Darling". The series follows Joni, Gracie's former best friend, as she returns to her small hometown to uncover what happened to Gracie and prevent the history from repeating itself.

Created and written by Miranda Nation (Undertow) also writer Anya Beyersdorf (creator of Fake) and directed by Jonathan Brough (Rosehaven, The End),

Playing Gracie Darling features an  international cast led by New Zealand’s Morgana O’Reilly (The White Lotus Season 3, Friends Like Her) as Joni, Dame Harriet Walter (Succession, Ted Lasso) as Pattie, and Rudi Dharmalingam (Wakefield, The Lazarus Project) as Jay.

The Australian cast includes Celia Pacquola (Love Me, Rosehaven) as Ruth Darling, Annie Maynard (Colin From Accounts, Upper Middle Bogan) as Anita, Dan Spielman (The Code, New Gold Mountain) as Peter, and screen icon Anne Tenney (The Castle, A Country Practice) as Moira Darling.

Alien Earth (Disney+, 8 episodes)

When a returning exploration space vessel crash-lands on Earth, a young woman and a group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat in this sci-fi horror series.

Led by Sydney Chandler, the series showcases an international cast which includes Alex Lawther, Timothy Olyphant, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, David Rysdahl, and Adrian Edmondson.

Home and Away: Farewell Lynne McGranger (7plus)

Irene Roberts, a beloved character on the long-running Australian television series Home and Away, departed the show in an emotional farewell episode. But could it have been better handled and who was missing from then show this week?

And Just Like That: Farewell everybody (HBO Max)

The conclusion of HBO series And Just Like That marks the apparent end of the Sex and the City universe on television, though fans and critics have expressed mixed feelings about the final season's "open-ended" resolution and overall quality. Andrew was along for the ride all the way, listen to his final thoughts.

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This week on the TV Gold podcast Andrew Mercado and James Manning review:
The Family Next Door (ABC/iview, 6 episodes)
The Hunting Wives (Stan, 8 episodes)
Wednesday (Netflix, Season 2, 8 episodes)

The Family Next Door (ABC/iview, 6 episodes)
The mysterious Isabelle moves into a small seaside cul-de-sac where her obsessive drive to solve a mystery casts suspicion on four neighbouring families. Based on bestselling Australian author Sally Hepworth's novel.
Features great performances from a stunning cast woking with a wonderful script. That cast includes Teresa Palmer, Bella Heathcote, Bob Morley, Catherine McClements, Jane Harber, Daniel Henshall, Ming-Zhu Hii and Philippa Northeast.

The Hunting Wives (Stan, 8 episodes)
Having recently moved from Boston to East Texas, Sophie and Graham O’Neil attend a party at the home of Graham’s boss, Jed Banks. Sophie has an unexpected bonding encounter with Jed’s wife, Margo, and is introduced to the hunting wives, Margo’s inner circle of affluent friends. A wild and saucy drama about what real housewives of Texas might get up to.

Wednesday (Netflix, Season 2, 8 episodes)
Season 2 of the Netflix hit series from director Tim Burton. This series sees Wednesday’s parents Morticia and Gomez spend more time at the Nevermore Academy, as does her brother Pugsley. Joining the cast this season in guest roles are Joanna Lumley and Lady Gaga.

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This week on the TV Gold podcast Andrew Mercado and James Manning review:

• The Twelve (Binge, Season 3, 8 episodes)
• Chief of War (Apple TV+, 9 episodes)
• Mandy (Prime Video, Season 4, 6 episodes)

The Twelve (Binge, Season 3, 8 episodes)
The cold case murder of two teens in 1968 becomes the focus of attention when an English teacher is murdered, whilst researching a book on the crime. The husband of a friend of barrister Brett Colby (played by Logie-winner Sam Neill), is charged with the current murder – but he swears he is innocent. Twelve jurors, who are sworn in for the trial, find their own lives are changed by the experience.

Chief of War (Apple TV+, 9 episodes)
Performed by a predominantly Polynesian cast led by Jason Momoa, the series follows the epic and unprecedented telling of the unification and colonisation of Hawai’i at the turn of the 18th century.

Mandy (Prime Video, Season 4, 6 episodes)
Mandy - a hapless, jobless heroine whose daft adventures mostly end in disaster. She's got big dreams, but can she actually be bothered? Created by and starring Diane Morgan. With the fourth season about to drop in Australia, now is a good time to discover this series on Prime Video.

Plus Andrew updates on his trip – this week he has been in Belfast. He is also pretty annoyed about The Logies and one of its winners in particular.

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This week on the TV Gold podcast with Andrew Mercado and James Manning it is Keeley Hawes week with:

The Assassin (Stan, 6 episodes)
The Assassin follows retired assassin Julie (Keeley Hawes) and her estranged son Edward (Freddie Highmore) as they are forced to flee an idyllic Greek island when Julie’s dangerous past catches up with her. With questions around Edward’s paternity and Julie’s past life as a hitwoman, the pair go on the run across Europe, working together in a fight for survival.

Miss Austen (ABC/iview, 4 episodes)
Miss Austen is a  story about the bond between two sisters, Jane Austen - one of our England’s most cherished novelists - and her sister Cassandra. Very little is known about Cassandra, who figured hugely in Jane’s life. What Gill Hornby did in her novel about the two is pull together many of the historical facts about Jane and her family set-up, and fashion it into this story about the two sisters and their importance to each other.

We also discuss six Keeley Hawes roles we have enjoyed the most.

PLUS
Outrageous (BritBox, 6 episodes)
A British drama about the Mitford sisters in 1930s Britain and the scandal that enveloped two of the sisters flirtation with fascism and a friend ship with Adolph Hitler.

Also Andrew has been watching a bunch of new British television episodes plus he updates on his visits to iconic British TV institutions.

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This week on the TV Gold podcast Andrew Mercado is in Manchester on his global tour and James Manning is in the northern NSW TV Gold studio.

Listen here: https://pod.link/1106441089

Shows reviewed this week:

Untamed (Netflix, 6 episodes)
Eric Bana and Sam Neill team up for this mystery set in California’s Yosemite National Park, yet filmed in Canada. Eric Bana reminds us what a talented actor he is as he investigates the death of a woman who seems to have been living in the park. He’s a cranky special agent, but as the series unfolds we learn why.

Billy Joel: And So It Goes (HBO, 2 part documentary)
This is a lot of Billy Joel – close to five hours if you watch both parts. But you just might come away a much bigger fan of this talented singer/songwriter than you were previously.

Bookish (HBO Max, 6 episodes)
London 1946 is the setting for series one, with viewers introduced to the appropriately named Gabriel Book (Mark Gatiss) who owns a bookshop in Archangel Lane. Book spends most of his time successfully helping police solve murders.

Sold (Foxtel/Binge, documentary)
Comedian Mark Humphries goes on a journey to uncover why so many Australians are struggling to secure home ownership. He delves into the complex housing debate, looking at the current house prices, soaring rent, and the "Australian Dream" that feels more out of reach than ever. Guests include Alan Kohler and Ray Martin.

Other podcasts mentioned this episode that we recommend:

The Rest is Entertainment: https://pod.link/1718287198
Club Random with Bill Maher: https://pod.link/1613459129

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tvgoldpodcast/

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Such Brave Girls (Season 2, 6 episodes, Stan)
Too Much (Netflix, 10 episodes)
Patience (ABC iview, 6 episodes)
also
The Bear (Season 4, Disney+, 8 episodes)

In this episode, James Manning and Andrew Mercado review two new comedies, Season 2 of Such Brave Girls and Len Dunham's Too Much, followed by a discussion on the crime drama Patience and Season 4 of The Bear. They explore the strengths and weaknesses of each show, highlighting themes of relationships, comedy, and the portrayal of neurodivergence in a TV crime drama.
Takeaways this episode:
• 'Too Much' is based on Lena Dunham's life experiences.
• The cast of 'Too Much' includes actors like Rita Wilson, Naomi Watts and Richard E. Grant.
• 'Such Brave Girls' is praised for its dark humour and relatable characters.
• The family relationship dynamics in 'Such Brave Girls' are central to its comedy.
• The portrayal of mental health in 'Such Brave Girls' is both humorous and poignant.
• 'Patience' features a neurodivergent protagonist solving crimes.
• The show 'Patience' is an adaptation of a French series.
• 'The Bear' continues to explore the chaos of restaurant life.
• The episode concludes with a preview of Andrew's upcoming trip to the UK.

Chapters
00:00
Introduction to new comedies
07:22
Exploring Such Brave Girls Season 2 and Too Much
18:05
Diving into Patience crime drama
24:49
The Return of 'The Bear and who some people have tuned out

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In this episode of TV Gold, hosts James Manning and Andrew Mercado discuss three shows: Families Like Ours (SBS On Demand, 7 episodes)
Enigma (HBO Max documentary feature)
The Backside of Television (Foxtel/Binge)

They delve into the emotional and societal themes presented in 'Families Like Ours', the intriguing lives of Amanda Lear and April Ashley in 'Enigma', and the historical insights provided by 'The Backside of Television'. The conversation highlights the impact of streaming services on viewing habits and the importance of cultural narratives in television.

Highlights include:

• 'Families Like Ours' presents a harrowing yet brilliant concept.
• The show explores the impact of climate change on families.
• Character decisions in 'Families Like Ours' lead to deep emotional responses.
• 'Enigma' reveals the hidden lives of Amanda Lear and April Ashley.
• The documentary highlights the struggles of trans individuals in the past.
• 'The Backside of Television' uncovers lesser-known stories of Australian TV history.
• Mitch McTaggart's research is commendable and insightful.
• The hosts emphasise the importance of representation in media.
• Cultural reflections in these shows resonate with current societal issues.

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This bonus episode of TV Gold delves into the revival of the iconic Australian television show Number 96, exploring its historical significance, production challenges, cultural impact, and the future of Australian classics in the streaming era.

Andrew Mercado shares insights on the show's groundbreaking themes, its reception, and the efforts to bring it back to audiences through the streaming service Brollie.
Takeaways from this special episode:
Number 96 was a groundbreaking show in the 70s.
The show tackled social issues like LGBT representation and domestic violence.
Andrew Mercado worked on a project to make all the episodes available.
The original tapes of Number 96 are degrading and need digitisation.
The show was a massive ratings hit, airing five nights a week.
Number 96 featured a mix of drama and comedy, appealing to diverse audiences.
The tabloid press played a significant role in the show's popularity.
The introduction of colour TV marked a turning point for the show.
Brollie is working with Andrew to revive and stream other classic Australian TV shows.
UK fans are using VPNs to access Brollie and watch Number 96.

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This week on the TV Gold podcast.
Listen on Spotify, Apple and more…links here.
https://pod.link/1106441089

• Smoke (Apple, 9 episodes)
Inspired by true events, “Smoke” follows an arson investigator who begrudgingly teams up with a police detective as their race to stop two arsonists ignites a twisted game of secrets and suspicions. Great cast includes Taron Egerton, Jurnee Smollett, Rafe Spall, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine and Greg Kinnear.

• Hal & Harper (Stan, 8 episodes)
Hal & Harper are codependent siblings (played by Cooper Raiff and Lili Reinhart) doing their best to navigate long-term relationships, friendships, and situationships. When their dad (played by Mark Ruffalo) makes a big announcement, the two are forced to consider the current state of their lives and their complicated childhood. 

• My Mom Jayne (Max, movie)
In her feature film directorial debut—and the first time she has delved into her mother Jayne Mansfield’s story—Mariska Hargitay searches for the mother she never knew almost six decades after the Hollywood legend’s tragic death. A must-see HBO documentary for people interested in Hollywood history and iconic movie stars.

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