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

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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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In this bonus TV Gold episode, Bay of Fires cast member Ilai Swindells (Sammi the tech expert) talks with Andrew and James about working on the hit ABC drama co-created by Marta Dusseldorp. We go behind the scenes to hear about the casting, filming on location in western Tasmania and how the cast were greeted by the locals.

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Reviews this week of two Australian productions, a US family saga and a British medical drama.

• Bay of Fires S2 (ABC iview, 8 episodes)
Season 2 of Marta Dusseldorp’s Bay of Fires sees her taking charge of the strange community that inhabits Mystery Bay.

• Little Disasters (ABC iview, 6 episodes)
This British psychological medical thriller explores female friendships and motherhood. An impressive ensemble cast is led by Diane Kruger and Jo Joyner.

• The Waterfront (Netflix, 8 episodes)
A US drama series from the creator of Dawson’s Creek about the fictional Buckley family. Set against the backdrop of coastal North Carolina, The Waterfront explores family dynamics and the lengths people will go to when their legacy is on the line.

• The Surfer (Stan, movie)
When a surfer (played by Nicolas Cage) returns to Australia to buy back his family home after many years in the US, he is humiliated in front of his teenage son by a group of local surfers who claim ownership over the secluded beach of his childhood. Being hailed by some as a cult classic, The Surfer was shot in a single location in Yallingup in Western Australia.

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Mix Tape (Binge/Foxtel, 4 episodes)
An Australian/Ireland co-production telling the story of a teenage romance in Sheffield which ends abruptly with some unanswered questions. Later in life the former lovers reconnect which impacts their current relationships. Young lovers Alison and Daniel steel the show.

Mr Loverman (Binge/Foxtel, 8 episodes)
Lennie James stars as Barry. The flamboyant dresser is a celebrity in Hackney, but he carries a secret none in the family or his community know about. Will revealing it cause pain for his family and friends?

Echo Valley (AppleTV+ movie)
Justifiably being billed as an “edge-of-your-seat thriller” starring Julianne Moore as Kate, who goes to extraordinary lengths to help her troubled daughter Claire, played by Sydney Sweeney.

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