. Following last year’s explosively controversial season, which threatened to see the plug pulled completely on the series, is a big ask. But I have every faith that love, narcissism and ego will once again triumph to make for engaging viewing.
MAFS NZ’s pulling power The Detail
Small Town Scandal
Like Only Murders in the Building American Vandal ,Small Town Scandal
When: Mondays, starting 9 Feb
Small Town Scandal starring Tom Sainsbury.
TVNZ
The Walsh Sisters
Chick-lit favourite Marian Keyes was deeply involved in producing this six-part adaptation of her best-selling novels. Much like the books, the series about five Irish sisters balances dark comedy with intense emotional drama. Tackling subjects like adulthood, mental health, addiction, and heartbreak with Keyes’ trademarked Irish wit.
When: The full season drops on Sunday, 1 Feb
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model
This three-part doco goes beyond the glamour to investigate what really went on behind the scenes of the noughties reality juggernaut. For such a frivolous topic, America’s Next Top Model
Miss J in Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model.
Netflix
Scrubs
After 15 years, the return of the beloved medical sitcom Scrubs
The diagnosis? Looking good.
Man on the Run
The last few years have been a glorious time for Beatles fans. We’ve had Sir Pete’s astoundingly epic 8-hour documentary Get Back , a remastered re-release of The Beatles Anthology trilogy, and the Martin Scorsese documentary movie Beatles ‘64 .
Whereas, these focused on all four Fabbies, this feature documentary zooms in on bassist Paul McCartney’s life following the break-up of the Beatles and the formation of his follow-up band, Wings, most famously described by Steve Coogan’s comic-creation Alan Partridge as, “the band the Beatles could have been”.
Extra Viewing:
Superbowl LX
The New England Patriots clash with the Seattle Seahawks for America’s top sporting prize. Punk’s elder statesmen Green Day kick off the event while Latin hip-hop artist Bad Bunny leads the halftime show .
Queen of Chess
Documentary movie about Hungarian chess prodigy Judit Polgár and her 15-year battle to break the game’s gender barriers and defeat world champion Garry Kasparov.
Eternity
Blockbuster movie studio A24 delivers this high-concept rom-com that sees Elizabeth Olsen deciding whether to spend eternity in the afterlife with her husband or her first love, who died tragically when they were young.
Karl Puschmann is an arts and entertainment journalist, and also runs Screen Crack, a popular Substack dedicated to deep-diving into film and television. screencrack.substack.com .
MAFS NZ’s pulling power The Detail
