Do we have a new contender for worst TV show ever made this week?

This week on the TV Gold podcast the creator of Breaking Bad is back with a new sci-fi series, Pluribus, on AppleTV.
Andrew and James also review two sitcoms – a musical on HBO Max, Happiness, and an Australian version of the successful Ghosts franchise on Network 10
Plus more from Ryan Murphy – high priced actors playing high priced divorce lawyers in All’s Fair on Disney+.

Pluribus (AppleTV, 10 episodes)
What does a virus heading for planet Earth have to do with Carol Sturka, a fantasy romance author who has just completed a gruelling book tour? No spoilers here, but Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan delivers a gripping launch episode.

Happiness (HBO Max, 6 episodes)
Ex-Broadway director Charlie is forced by circumstances to return to his home town of Tauranga, New Zealand where his mum makes him join her amateur theatre society. Rebecca Gibney stars as Charlie’s mum in this adventurous musical comedy.

Ghosts Australia (Network 10, 8 episodes)
Young couple Kate and Sean are about to jump into the inner-city rental market, until Kate inherits a huge mansion in the country. Moving in together for the first time they are attempting domestic bliss, but unbeknown to them, the house is haunted by a collection of needy spirits who carked it in Ramshead Manor over the past 200 years.

All’s Fair (Disney+, 6 episodes)
A team of female divorce attorneys leave a male-dominated firm to open their own powerhouse practice from creator Ryan Murphy. They navigate high-stakes breakups, surprising secrets and shifting allegiances—both in the courtroom and within their own ranks.
The cast includes Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts, Sarah Paulson and Glenn Close. Is it really as bad as some of the international press reviews have indicated?

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All Her Fault (Binge, 8 episodes)
Sarah Snook stars in this thriller about a mother who is distraught after learning her son has disappeared from a supposed play date.

Down Cemetery Road (AppleTV, 8 episodes)
All the elements are here – Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson star in a story from the writers involved with Slow Horses. Both series are adaptations of novels by author Mick Herron and share creative personnel, including writer Morwenna Banks, who also serves as an executive producer for both shows.

I Love LA (HBO Max, 8 episodes)
A tight-knit friend group of young self-obsessed LA professionals gather after years apart, navigating the complexities of ambition, relationships, and how time has changed them.

*PLUS*

One More Shot (Stan, movie)
In One More Shot, Emily Browning is about a woman named Minnie who discovers a bottle of time-traveling tequila on New Year's Eve 1999. Each shot sends her back to the beginning of the night, giving her multiple chances to try and win back her ex-boyfriend before the new millennium begins.

Son of a Donkey (Netflix, 6 episodes)
Host Andrew and James couldn’t disagree more about the merits of this Netflix Australian comedy series. Andrew got plenty of laughs, James reckons he lost a few brain cells watching the first episode.

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This week on the TV Gold podcast four programs – three about different sorts of horror, and the other a romcom series.

• Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy (Foxtel/Binge, 8 episodes)

A horror story about America’s most notorious serial killer. But a TV series made without exploiting the actual crimes. It instead focuses on the impact on the victims families and follows closely the police investigation and the court case.

• Film Club (Foxtel/Binge, 6 episodes)

A quirky comedy from actor/producer Aimee Lou Wood who stars as Evie who runs a film club in the garage at her mother’s house. Mum is played by Suranne Jones who is not really known for her comedy skills. But it’s an intriguing premise and there is a nice cameo from Emmy-winning star of Adolescence, Owen Cooper.

• A House of Dynamite (Netflix, movie)

The much anticipated new movie from director Kathryn Bigelow. The film repeatedly tracks the 18 minutes that follow a missile being launched at the United States — first from the perspective of the White House Situation Room, then from the perspective of United States Strategic Command, and finally from the perspective of the President himself.

• Andrew’s Halloween special - It: Welcome to Derry (HBO Max)

A terrifying prequel series that goes back to 1962 to trace the origins of the murderous, shape-shifting entity known as Pennywise the Clown. Based on the novel It by Stephen King.

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