Fri / Sat / Sun 16 / 17 / 18

FRIDAY 16
[ABC/8:30pm] Murphy’s Law. New Series. James Nesbitt returns to the role of DS Tommy Murphy for series two of Murphy’s Law. In episode one, the hunt for a serial killer who is stalking London’s West End takes on a personal dimension for Murphy when tragedy strikes at the heart of the investigation. The killer is targeting young women who have stayed at one particular hostel for homeless people, but what is their connection with the latest victim, the star of a West End musical about Jack the Ripper? Murphy goes undercover as a homeless person to track down this latter-day Jack. Can Murphy save the troubled teenager he befriends from becoming yet another drugs statistic or Jack’s latest prey?
[ABC/9:20pm] Spooks. New Series. The acclaimed British drama series returns with M15’s crack team of spies reeling after the shocking death of Danny at the hands of hostage-takers. It is the day of Danny’s funeral, and the entire team is together for an emotionally-charged farewell to their colleague when London is hit by a terrorist attack. M15 has only 48 hours to prevent a catastrophe. Adam (Rupert Penry-Jones) faces one of the most difficult choices of his career in order to save a hospital from devastation: will he be forced to let a brave and innocent young woman die? Juliet Shaw (Anna Chancellor) arrives on the scene threatening to blackmail her old flame, Harry (Peter Firth). Rather than be manipulated, Harry tenders his resignation.

[Ten/1:00pm] Australian Formula One Grand Prix. Live. When the Australian Formula One Grand Prix hits Melbourne, there’ll be no holding back the heart-thumping excitement. Hosted by Bill Woods, along with commentators Jeremy Shaw and Murray Walker and electrifying on-track action news from pit reporters Greg Rust and Daryl Beattie.

[Ten/7:30pm] Smallville. “Wither.”
[Ten/10:45pm] Veronica Mars. “Happy Go Lucky.”
[Ten/12:30am Sat] The Late Show with David Letterman.
[Ten/1:30am Sat] Fat Actress. “Crack For Good'”

[Nine/7:30pm] NRL: Melb Storm vs Wests

[Ovation/7:00pm] The Scene
[Ovation/7:30pm] Inside the Actor’s Studio: Bette Midler.
[Ovation/8:30pm] Movie: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

[Arena/8:00pm] Boys Will be Girls

SATURDAY 17
[Nine/10:30am] The Scene. Final. With Damian Nicholas (he’s just villlle)

[ABC/8:00m] Rage: Special : Beastie Boys. A rage special on The Beastie Boys – one of the longest running hip-hop acts.
[ABC/2:00pm] Unsigned Circles. Explores the phenomenon of Crop Circles which have perplexed and inspired people all over the world for decades. Scientists, researchers and enthusiasts are among those who share their theories – UFOs, hoaxers, or natural phenomenon? Rpt.
[ABC/9:30pm] The West Wing. “Internal Displacement / Duck And Cover “ C.J. is trying to keep China and Russia from annihilating the northern hemisphere over oil and Kazakstan. Josh pressures the White House to let Santos announce a scientific research lab in Texas, much to the administration’s chagrin. Over dinner with C.J., Danny (Timothy Busfield) passes on some potentially embarrassing information about a member of the President’s family. President Bartlet must face the possibility of a nuclear reactor meltdown in California. In the midst of this emergency, the presidential campaign comtinues on, and the candidates find themselves struggling to find a good strategy to deal with the situation. It’s particularly challenging for Vinick (Alan Alda) when it’s revealed he lobbied for federal approval to build the plant. Meanwhile, Kate keeps an eye on the impending battle between Russian and China over Kazakstan. Stars Martin Sheen, Stockard Channing, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, Janel Moloney, Joshua Malina, Dulé Hill, Kristin Chenoweth, Mary McCormack, John Spencer, Alan Alda, Jimmy Smits.

[SBS/10:00pm] Spice Up Your Life: Boys & Girls – This episode looks at the overwhelming impact pop music has had since the 90s and how our media saturated society has allowed pop music to become an overtly commercial product. What kind of effect does this have on youth culture? What kind of youth do adolescents get to enjoy today, if their world seems to be one reality talent show after another? How much are adolescents affected by the stereotypes portrayed in pop video culture? (From Germany, in English and German with English subtitles) (Part 4) (Rpt) M (L, A, S) CC WS
[SBS/8:30pm] Top Gear – Top Gear is back with its high octane mix of performance cars, adrenalin, comedy and celebrities. In tonight’s episode, Jeremy puts the four-door Mercedes CLS to the test by taking it around the Top Gear track to test its power. James gives an appraisal of the Honda Element while Richard checks out the new Toyota Aygo. The team then tests if a Range Rover can be turned into a sports car. (From the UK, in English) (Rpt) PG CC WS
[SBS/9:30pm] Rockwiz. Tonight’s episode features Beccy Cole and Mark Lizotte. (Commissioned by SBS Independent, in English) (Entertainment) (Part 3) M CC WS
[SBS/10:20pm] VIP Pass: What’s Going On: The Life and Death of Marvin Gaye takes us on a journey of Marvin Gaye’s life from religious singing to crooning, romantic songs -and affairs, through political commitment to sexy ballads and then finally to his murder. This top-notch biography, using high-quality reconstruction, new interviews and tons of archive footage is a detailed and wonderful representation of an extraordinary life. Marvin Gaye is one of the legends of Black American music. His career stretched from Motown pop hits in the early 60s through the classic socially aware albums of the early 70s and the intensely personal records of his later years. In 1982 he won a Grammy award for Sexual Healing and in 1987 was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall Of Fame. In 1984 the world was shocked at the news of his untimely death on the eve of his 45th birthday at the hands of his father whom Marvin practically provoked. What’s Going On is the story of Marvin Gaye’s extraordinary life and tragic death, produced by the same team responsible for Eagle’s acclaimed Classic Albums series, Nirvana Nevermind SBS screened on March 10th. This tale of What’s Going On: The Life and Death of Marvin Gaye unfolds through archive footage, and includes interviews with friends, family and colleagues. The program goes into intimate detail on the abrasive relationship with his father that began in his childhood, on his marriages, his drug abuse and his relationship with Motown and Berry Gordy, its owner, who in many senses became a surrogate father for Marvin. What’s Going On: The Life and Death of Marvin Gaye features excerpts from: *Stubborn Kind of Fellow *Quiet Night of Quiet Stars *I Heard it Through the Grapevine *Ain’t No Mountain High enough *What’s Going On *Inner City Blues *Let’s Get It On *Save the Children *I Want You *Anna’s Song *Sexual Healing
[SBS/11:25pm] SOS – Shorts On Screen – D.I.Y – A delightful ensemble of melodies and colourful visual rhythms that are tied together by city dwellers dreaming to have something more in their lives. From Singapore, no dialogue) C – An animation about the repetition of everyday life… (From Portugal, in English); AFRO DEUTSCH – A rap about a young man’s experience of being Afro-German. (From Germany, in German with English subtitles) M (Rpt); BEWARE – A man… A suburban train by night… Anything might happen, even the unthinkable. . .Beware won best short at Avignon New York Short Film Festival 2004 (From France, in French with English subtitles) (Rpt); THE RED FLOWER – A young boy in a rural village of Bangladesh ran away from his Circumcision ceremony… With all the wonder of a child, he walked to a village temple. He goes to a Red Flower. (From Bangladesh in Bengali with English subtitles); THE WAITING – In the middle of the desert, a man sits in front of a small hotel and waits. There’s nothing to distract him. What can someone be waiting for in a place where there’s nothing? (From Brazil, in Spanish with English subtitles) PG.

[Seven/12:15am] Movie: Porky’s. (US 1982) Six students at a Florida high school during the 1950s have a series of hilarious comical misadventures that take them everywhere from the girls’ school showers to Porky’s itself. Starring DAN MONAHAN, MARK HERRIER, WYATT KNIGHT, ROGER WILSON, CYRIL O’REILLY, TONY GANIOS, KAKI HUNTER and KIM CATTRALL.

[Ten/12:40am Sun] Smallville “Arrow”.

SUNDAY 18
[Seven/7:30am] Fairy Tale Police. BLACK DAY FOR SNOW WHITE. The Police Chief assigns his two best detectives – Johnny Legend and Chris Andersen – to restore law and order and ensure the Fairy Tales end the way they’re supposed to … happily ever after.
[Seven/12:45pm] Movie: The Magnificent Seven (US 1960) YUL BRYNNER and STEVE McQUEEN lead an all-star cast in this spectacular film which has been hailed the greatest Western of all time. A Mexican village is at the mercy of Calvera, the leader of a band of outlaws. In desperation, the villagers hire seven American gunslingers to free them from the bandits. The professional gunmen train the villagers to defend themselves and their land, and then plan a trap. To the seven would-be heroes, defeating Calvera is no longer just a job – it is a matter of honour and principle, and they will stop at nothing to reach victory. Also starring ELI WALLACH, STEVE MC QUEEN, CHARLES BRONSON, ROBERT VAUGHN, BRAD DEXTER, JAMES COBURN and HORST BUCHOLZ.
[Seven/6:30pm] Australia’s Got Talent. SEMI FINAL #1
Tonight, we bring back the acts that made it past our judges in our first SEMI-FINAL and narrow down our search for the hottest undiscovered talent in the country who will be taking home $250,000. Hosted by GRANT DENYER.
[Seven/7:30pm] Ugly Betty. THE LYIN’, THE WATCH, AND THE WARDROBE. It’s Halloween and Betty is in for a series of frightful experiences. She has to dress up for the Mode costume contest, deal with her growing attraction to Henry, and worst of all, has to track down Daniel’s watch at one of his many girlfriends apartments – but he can’t remember which one. Meanwhile, Daniel visits his mother in rehab and Wilhelmina has trouble getting into a gown. Guest starring PATRICK FABIAN.
[Seven/8:30pm] Grey’s Anatomy. OH, THE GUILT. Bailey treats a young mother battling breast cancer. Derek learns more about Mark and Addison’s relationship. The interns defend a resident’s competence at a hospital staff meeting. Meredith and Addison examine a couple who find themselves in a rather awkward position.
[Seven/9:30pm] What About Brian? SEX, LIES AND VIDEOTAPE
Brian’s new girlfriend brings out Marjorie’s jealous streak. Dave who is convinced that Deena is having an affair, embarks on a stakeout to follow her. Nicole goes against her own advice and hides from Angelo that she’s on fertility treatments.

[Nine/3:30pm] Joan of Arcadia. Series Return.
[Nine/4:30pm] Gilmore Girls. Series Return. “The Party’s Over.”
[Nine/6:30pm] 20 to 1. “Funny Films.”
[Nine/7:30pm] 60 Minutes.
[Nine/8:30pm] CSI. “Burnout.” Grissom attempts to get a confession from a neighborhood pedophile by having him help in locating two missing boys. The sex offender is the main suspect. The investigation is more complex than the team ever thought it would be.
[Nine/9:30pm] CSI Miami. “If Looks Could Kill.” The CSI’s investigate the murder of a male model and have to figure out the inner workings of the modeling world in order to find his killer.
[Nine/11:30pm] Movie: Sex, Lies & Videotape. (US 1989)

[Ten/10:00am] Australian Formula One Grand Prix. Live.
[Ten/6:30pm] Thank God You’re Here. Rpt.
[Ten/7:30pm] The Biggest Loser.
[Ten/8:30pm] Joanne Lees: Murder in the Outback. The story of a young woman’s courage throughout one of the most mysterious crimes in Australian history. After surviving the terrifying outback abduction of her boyfriend, Joanne Lees became the victim of a relentless trial by media across 2 continents. Starring: Bryan Brown, Joanne Froggatt, john Wood, Asher Keddie, Tom Long, Richard Carter, Laurence Bruels
[Ten/10:30pm] Movie: My Best Friend’s Wedding. Rpt.

[ABC/7:30pm] Constructing Australia is the first three-part doco-drama series to be produced under the Film Australia Making History Initiative. The first episode is the definitive story of how a giant steel arch resembling a coat hanger, became one of world’s most recognised structures, and an engineering triumph. Completed during the dark days of the Great Depression and finished in March 1932, it is the legacy of a fateful partnership between two very different men – a brilliant engineer, JJC Bradfield, and a maverick politician, Jack Lang – who shared a relentless ambition to create “the people’s bridge”. Along the way, they managed to stir up more than one hornets’ nest, both at home and in Britain. Massive, majestic and breathtaking, the Bridge was the greatest engineering challenge of its day anywhere on earth. Nothing like it had ever been attempted in Australia. It not only altered the life of a city forever, it became a symbol of a bold young nation and a changing world. And it was certainly visionary. At a time when there were only 30,000 cars and trucks in the entire city, the Bridge could carry 6000 vehicles and 160 trains every hour and all of Sydney’s people could have easily crossed it in a single afternoon. With its graceful arch rising high above the famous harbour, it remained the tallest structure in the city until the late 1960s. The tale of its construction combines immense practical problems and intense human drama, personal conflicts and political intrigues. Today, it is impossible to imagine Sydney, and Australia, without it, but as the film reveals, the bridge we know and love was at risk of not being built. Narrated by Wendy Hughes

[ABC/8:30pm] Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple. By The Pricking Of My Thumbs. When Tommy (Anthony Andrews) and Tuppence (Greta Scacchi) Beresford visit their elderly aunt Ada (Claire Bloom) in her nursing home, Tuppence is concerned by some odd behaviour by the staff and residents. So when she hears about Aunt Ada’s sudden death and the disappearance of the old lady’s friend, Mrs Lancaster (June Whitfield), Tuppence realises her concerns were correct. Tuppence meets Miss Marple (Geraldine McEwan) and together they follow a path of clues that lead them to the Norfolk village of Farrell St Edmund, where they find a community guarding an array of secrets. Miss Marple and Tuppence soon discover that a child was murdered in the village twenty years ago and it seems that Aunt Ada’s death and the child’s murder may be linked. If Miss Marple and Tuppence can find out who has kidnapped Mrs Lancaster they may find the truth about both Aunt Ada’s death and who killed the child. But this is a village full of dark secrets and when the villagers realise Miss Marple and Tuppence are investigating a murder they quickly become defensive – someone even plants a black crow in their room in order to scare them away. This does not put off Miss Marple and Tuppence and soon they realise they are unearthing the villagers’ biggest secret of all.

[SBS/9:30pm] Hooray For Bollywood: Main Hoon Na – (I’M HERE NOW) – Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is the army commando, Major Ram who yearns to see the ambitious Mission Milaap project become a reality. However, some people do not want him to succeed. One of them is Raghavan who will do anything, including threatening the life of General Amarjeet Bakshi’s daughter Sanjana. To protect Sanjana, Ram poses as a student at her school. It is a mission that provokes intense emotions and long-standing misunderstandings, and strangely, the key to its success also can be found at Sanjana’s school. Ram struggles to carry out his mission, and with a little help he gets there in the end. Directed by Farah Khan and also stars Zayed Khan, Amrita Rao, Sushmita Sen, Naseeruddin Shah and Sunil Shetty. (From India, in Hindi with English subtitles) (Drama) (2004) M (V,A) (Rpt) WS

[Ovation/9:30pm] Royal Variety Performance 2005. Shirley Bassey
[Biography/9:30pm] Olivia Newton-John
[Biography/11:00pm] John Travolta.