LIFE OF MAMMALS (Mon Aug 4, Nine- 7:30pm)
Even in repeat and with the added bane of commercials (it seems odd to have warthogs and walruses brought to us by anti-ageing wrinkle creams) this excellent series by the incomparable Natural historian Sir David Attenborough is required viewing for anyone who wants to get the full story on the rise of that Mammals, that Class of hairy milk squirting critters that includes us humans.
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QUEER OZ (Tues Aug 5, Access 31-10pm)
No, this isn’t a revisionist take on a certain Emerald City where Cowardly Lion has finally found the courage to come out of the closet and the Tin-Man gets done over in silver diamante. Rather than Dorothy, this is a lifestyle program for all the Friends of Dorothy around Australia!
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JACK THE RIPPER- THE FIRST SERIAL KILLER (Thurs Aug 7, ABC- 8:30pm)
A must for Ripperologists, this doco uses the latest investigation techniques and surviving evidence to try and pin down the identity of the infamous C19th maniac over 120 years later. The show proves that Scotland Yard knew who did it but hushed it up (‘We know who the Ripper was…one of the highest in the land’) and casts ominous Forensic shadows on long-term suspects Sir William Whitney-Gull,( Queen Victoria’s Private Physician) and her own son, Albert. Getting a ‘Prince Albert’ in those days was apparently just as painful and nasty a business as it is today…
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BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (Sun Aug 24, Sci-Fi Channel, 5pm)
Francis Ford Coppola’s muddled but breath-takingly beautiful 1992 version of the classic vampire tale gives it a dubious romantic subplot (based on the legendary monster’s real-life counterpart Vlad Tepes) which goes nowhere. However the film boasts incredible set design, costumes (Oscar-winning) makeup effects (Oscar Winning) and high camp, arch performances- Anthony Hopkins acting with his brakes off as Van Helsing, rocker Tom Waites as the literally bug-addled Renfield, Bill Campbell (TALES OF THE CITY) as Quincy Jones, Keanu Reeves’ career-worst performance as Jonathan Harker (how can you botch a British accent, luvvy?), Cary Elwes as a blandy beautiful Arthur Westrena, Sophie Frost as the ethereally beautiful vampiric Lucy and Gary Oldman living up to his name under several kilos of latex as the titular ancient, immortal and bloodthirsty creature of the night. Camper than Bela Lugosi’s rubber bats!
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HOW TO HAVE SEX AFTER MARRIAGE (Tues Aug 26, Nine- 10:30pm)
Lifestyle show that teaches people who are happily married with their 2.5 kids and a dog that they can also be still be a sexy married couple. Okay, by now you’ve all visualized your parents having sex and are running for the bathroom to vomit, so let’s move on!
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THE AMAZING RACE (Thurs Aug 28, Seven- 9:30pm)
The teams are still doing their utmost to give American tourists a bad name in as many countries possible in the shortest time. Unfortunately, the Lipstick Lesbians have been ‘Philiminated’ by cute Kiwi host Phil Keoghan, but the (hetero!) Goth emo couple and the suspiciously chummy fratboys (‘Babe?’) are still in…
