The Televisionaries

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Tue, 14 May 2024 00:49:48 +0000

Good Weekend Talks features in-depth conversations with the people fascinating Australians right now, from sport to politics to the arts, business and beyond, interviewed weekly by the country's top journalists. Consider it a magazine for your ears.

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I May Destroy You wins our 'Best of 2020' prize

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 05:26:00 +0000

In our season finale special, host Louise Rugendyke is joined by culture editor-at-large Michael Idato, Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover and Guide and Green Guide columnist Debi Enker to crown the top shows of 2020 and take a peek at what’s coming up in the next few months.

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Is Fargo's fourth season too ambitious for its own good?

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 05:24:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Green Guide and Guide critic Debi Enker and Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover to discuss the warring gangs of Fargo, they wonder if it’s ever too late to jump into a long-running series and they share a martini with the crew from M.A.S.H. The critics also reveal what they’re bingeing when off duty and revisit a game time classic.

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Is Emily in Paris an escapist fantasy or the real deal?

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 07:01:32 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Green Guide and Guide critic Debi Enker and Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover to review Darren Star’s new show Emily in Paris, they discuss what TV shows get right about scene setting and catch up with the uber-rich cast of Gossip Girl. They also play Telequizionaries and reveal what they’re watching when off duty.

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‘Side splittingly funny’: Why Staged is lockdown TV at its best

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 04:58:50 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by a Guide and Green Guide double act - editor Paul Kalina and columnist Debi Enker - to ‘moot’ upon Staged, the David Tennant and Michael Sheen comedy in which the stars attempt to rehearse a play over Zoom, they discuss the proliferation of lockdown TV shows and ‘av a laugh with Ricky Gervais and the cast Extras.

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It's gory and gorgeous, but is Ratched just style over substance?

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 05:29:25 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Green Guide and Guide critic Debi Enker and Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover to dissect Ryan Murphy’s OTT drama Ratched, which is based on the tyrannical nurse Mildred Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, they discuss what the appeal of the super producer is and check in to the emergency department of Chicago’s County General Hospital with ER.

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Why Emmy winners Schitt's Creek and Watchmen reflect the mood of our times

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 01:54:34 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Green Guide and Guide critic Debi Enker and Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover to discuss the big winners at this year's virtual Emmy Awards. They’ll sort out the champions from the runners-up, look at the Australians nominated and hand out a few awards of their own.

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I May Destroy You might be brilliant but is it bingeable?

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 06:57:21 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Green Guide and Guide critic Debi Enker and Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover to dissect the critically acclaimed series I May Destroy You, they discuss the perils of bingeing TV and look back at the oddballs from cult British comedy Spaced. The critics also play a game of Five Clues and reveal what they’re watching when off duty.

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Does Cobra Kai strike nostalgia gold or is it too heavy-handed?

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 05:56:01 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Green Guide and Guide critic Debi Enker and Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover to discuss the Karate Kid sequel Cobra Kai, they wonder if we’re craving feel-good TV and they look back at cult high school favourite Freaks and Geeks

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From The Block to The Bachelor, what’s the appeal of reality TV?

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 07:17:24 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Green Guide and Guide critic Debi Enker and Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover to discuss the fresh batch of reality shows on TV now - we’re talking the Bachelor, The Block, Plate of Origin and Further Back in Time for Dinner. Plus they look back at one of the most groundbreaking reality shows of all time, Michael Apted’s Up series.

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Is Halifax: Retribution the best Australian production this year?

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 05:53:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Green Guide and Guide critic Debi Enker and Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover to look at Rebecca Gibney’s return to her iconic role in Nine’s slick drama Halifax: Retribution, they discuss if we need a quota system to protect Australian drama and they look back at the tough-as-nails DCI Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect. The hosts also play a game of Credit Where Credit’s Due and they reveal what they are watching when they’re off duty.

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Why Lovecraft Country brilliantly challenges the horror genre

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 06:13:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Guide and Green Guide critics Debi Enker and Melinda Houston to explore Jordan Peele’s hot-right-now horror Lovecraft Country, they discuss what period dramas can teach us about the present and they search for the truth with FBI agents Mulder and Scully in The X-Files. The critics also play a game of 'Who Am I?' and reveal what they’re bingeing when they are off duty.

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Why the “narcotic pull” of I’ll Be Gone in the Dark is so addictive

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 06:45:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Green Guide and Guide critic Debi Enker and Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover to discuss HBO’s killer new documentary I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, they discuss the appeal of true crime TV and, for a complete change of pace, they look back at one of the sexiest and hairiest private investigators ever, yep it’s Magnum PI.

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Why slick teen spy caper Alex Rider isn't just for kids

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 06:15:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Green Guide and Guide critic Debi Enker and Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover to discuss the teen thriller Alex Rider, they delve into why the ‘young adult’ genre is so hard to get right and they look back at one of the most angsty high school dramas to ever hit the small screen - Dawson’s Creek. The critics also test their wits in a teen TV quiz and, as always, they reveal what they’re watching while off duty.

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It's “unashamedly, ludicrously implausible” but Wentworth is great

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 07:23:41 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Green Guide and Guide editor Paul Kalina and Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover to discuss the women of Wentworth Correctional Centre, they wonder if killing central characters off is wise and look back at one of the most controversial, legally fraught and popular crime series Australia has produced - season one of Underbelly. The critics also play a game of Career Criminal and, as always, they reveal what they’re bingeing when they’re off duty.

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What We Do In The Shadows is the comedy we need right now

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 06:00:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Green Guide and Guide critic Debi Enker and Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover to take a bite out of the very silly vampire comedy What We Do In the Shadows, they discuss what makes a successful film to TV adaptation and look back at the fourth most popular folk duo in New Zealand, yep it’s Flight of the Conchords. The critics also play a game of Who am I? and, as always, they reveal what they’re bingeing when they’re off duty.

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Why Women Kill has sex, infidelity and death... but is it any good?

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 05:50:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Green Guide and The Guide critic Debi Enker and Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover to discuss the murderous melodrama Why Women Kill, they look at how family viewing has changed over the years and they pull out the shoulder pads, clip on some giant earrings and say hello to the Golden Girls. The critics also pit their wits against one another in a game of Telequizionaries and, as always, they reveal what they’re watching when they’re off duty.

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From BoJack Horseman to Tiger King, here’s our best of the rest

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 01:27:32 +0000

In part two of our mid-year special, host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Guide and Green Guide editor Paul Kalina, Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover and Guide and Green Guide reviewer Debi Enker to reveal our honourable mentions - the shows that just missed out on our top 10 list of this year's best so far - plus the shows we can’t wait to see later this year and we’ll play round two of our “very special” super quiz.

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From Normal People to MasterChef, our top 10 shows of the year so far

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 04:32:54 +0000

In our mid-year special, host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Guide and Green Guide editor Paul Kalina, Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover and Guide and Green Guide columnist Debi Enker to deliver our mid-year report card on the 10 best shows of 2020 so far. In keeping with the theme of our “very special episode”, our critics also test their wits in a very special quiz.

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From The Sopranos to Perry Mason, what’s in HBO’s secret sauce?

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 05:49:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by The Guide and Green Guide double act - editor Paul Kalina and columnist Debi Enker - to discuss the sexy reboot of the 1950s and '60s classic Perry Mason. They also look at what makes HBO so successful and take a road trip to Wandin Valley to say hooroo to the good folk of A Country Practice. The critics also play a game of Who Am I and, as always, they’ll reveal what they’re bingeing when they’re off duty.

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Reese Witherspoon takes on race and motherhood in Little Fires Everywhere

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 07:43:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Green Guide and The Guide critic Debi Enker Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover to discuss the Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington’s book-to-TV adaptation, Little Fires Everywhere, we look at the new-wave of female movers and shakers in TV and step back to the 1950s and say hello to one of TV’s trailblazers, Lucille Ball, and her sitcom I Love Lucy and, as always, the critics reveal what they’re watch when they’re off duty.

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Does Big Brother have a big problem with diversity?

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 06:39:56 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by culture editor-at-large Michael Idato and Green Guide and The Guide critic Debi Enker to discuss the rebooted Big Brother, the cancel culture sparked by the Black Lives Matter movement and they revisit '80s super soap Dynasty. As always, the critics reveal what they’re bingeing when off duty and this week the host takes the takes the challenger’s seat in game time.

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Is Belgravia the new Downton Abbey or just a period snoozefest?

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 05:44:28 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Guide and Green Guide editor Paul Kalina and Culture Editor at large Michael Idato to discuss Belgravia, the new period drama by Downton creator Julian Fellowes. They also ask whether hype can kill a show and pop open a bottle "cardonnay" in honour of those foxy ladies from Fountain Lakes, Kath and Kim. The critics also play Telequizionaries and, as always, reveal what they have been bingeing while off duty.

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Is Space Force a massive misfire from Netflix?

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 06:05:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Guide and Green Guide critic Debi Enker and culture editor-at-large Michael Idato to discuss the most-watched shows in lockdown, from The Last Dance to Game of Thrones, as well as Steve Carrell’s new satirical comedy Space Force and that girl from Flushing, Queens – The Nanny.

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Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult shine in The Great

Tue, 26 May 2020 05:59:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover and culture editor-at-large Michael Idato to discuss Australian writer Tony McNamara’s new bawdy comedy The Great, if we should or shouldn’t remake great TV and step back in time with the great British comedy Blackadder. They also play Who Am I and, as always, the critics reveal what they’re bingeing when they’re off duty.

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Breaking down HBO's Run, plus, a look back at Love My Way

Tue, 19 May 2020 06:04:03 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Guide and Green Guide columnist and reviewer Debi Enker and culture editor-at-large Michael Idato to discuss HBO's new show Run featuring Phoebe Waller-Bridge, they examine if there’s a formula to making good TV and remember ‘Australia’s best drama series’, Love My Way. We’ll also check in with what our critics are binge-watching and play Credit Where Credit’s Due.

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Is Normal People high art or just another teenage soap opera?

Tue, 12 May 2020 05:47:12 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover and culture editor-at-large Michael Idato to discuss the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney’s 2018 best-selling novel Normal People, they deliberate on what makes a great adaptation, look back at one of the most ambitious yet frustrating shows in Lost, play Telequizionaries and, as always, the critics reveal what they’re bingeing when they’re off duty.

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Is The Secrets She Keeps domestic noir or suburban blah?

Tue, 05 May 2020 06:02:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Guide and Green Guide columnist and reviewer Debi Enker and culture editor-at-large Michael Idato to discuss Network Ten’s new thriller The Secrets She Keeps, starring Downton Abbey’s Laura Carmichael, they examine the appeal of international actors in local series and look back at Arrested Development. We’ll also check in with what our critics are bingeing and play a little Six Degrees of Ben Mendelsohn.

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Cate Blanchett's 'thermonuclear' performance in Mrs America

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 06:06:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover and culture editor-at-large Michael Idato to discuss Cate Blanchett’s star turn in the powerful Mrs America, ponder whether truth or fiction is more important when creating TV drama and they look back at The Wonder Years.

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What’s the hero ingredient to MasterChef’s enduring success?

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 06:04:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Guide and Green Guide columnist and reviewer Debi Enker and culture editor-at-large Michael Idato to discuss the reheating of MasterChef and the resulting ratings storm, how the essentials of food, clothing, shelter and love underpin our viewing habits and look back at the first family of Australian reality TV in Sylvania Waters.

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Does Killing Eve miss its mark in season three?

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 06:15:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover and culture editor-at-large Michael Idato to discuss the stylish thriller Killing Eve, ask if gender equality is improving on our screens and remember the classic spy satire Get Smart.

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Is Ozark a really good Narcos or a sub-par Breaking Bad?

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 05:46:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by The Guide and Green Guide TV reviewer Debi Enker and culture editor-at-large Michael Idato to talk through the moral dilemma presented by problematic TV. Should once-loved shows that no longer fit modern sensibilities be wiped from the history books?

Also up for discussion is the just-launched third season of Netflix thriller Ozark, starring Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, and if the HBO series The Wire is the greatest police drama ever.

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Tiger King is the lockdown cure we need right now

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 04:43:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover and the culture editor at large Michael Idato as they breakdown Netflix’s new truth-is-stranger-than-fiction show Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness. They also discuss the impact COVID-19 is having on the TV industry and if the TV well will run dry and the David Lynch classic Twin Peaks.

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Is The Test a documentary or propaganda?

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 05:14:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke and her socially distant colleagues from the Herald and the Age newsrooms - Guide and Green Guide editor Paul Kalina and Culture Editor at large Michael Idato - discuss Amazon Prime’s glossy eight-part documentary about the Australian men’s cricket team. Is it a documentary or propaganda? They’ll also break down what streaming service has the best bang for your buck when you're 'working from home' due to the coronavirus shutdown and they’ll remember a classic Aussie comedy.

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Can Stateless overcome 'showverload'?

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 05:10:00 +0000

Host Louise Rugendyke is joined by The Guide and Green Guide reviewers Michael Idato and Kylie Northover as they tackle some of the big topics in television right now, from the ABC's refugee drama Stateless to the concept of "showverload". They also revisit some old Friends.

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Coming Soon - The Televisionaries

Sun, 01 Mar 2020 01:36:26 +0000

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