Fri / Sat / Sun / Apr 20 / 21 / 22

FRIDAY 20
[TV1/7:00pm] House: Behind the Scenes
[Ovation/7:30pm] Inside the Actor’s Studio. The Simpsons.
[Bio/8:30pm] Movie: The Matthew Shephard Story

[Ten/7:00pm] The Biggest Loser.
[Ten/11:20pm] Veronica Mars. Final. “Charlie Don’t Surf”

[ABC/8:30pm] Murphy’s Law. Three murderers are murdered. All three have been named in a campaign run by a support group for relatives of murder victims. Is it a coincidence or is this a killer-killer taking revenge? With a carefully constructed cover story, Murphy (James Nesbitt) joins the group, but he’s forced to face his demons when the true story of his own daughter’s death surfaces. After all these years the identity of the man who murdered her has come to light. The genie is out of the bottle – Murphy has a job to do. He has to catch the killer-killer, but he is also faced with the possibility of being able to exact revenge on the man who slit his daughter’s throat.Guest Artists: Patterson Joseph as Dr Mark Maddison, Simon McCallum as Jack McIntosh, Aislinn Sands as Andrea Williams, Paul Brennan as Lawrence Williams.
[ABC/8:30pm] Spooks. A terror attack is planned on the UK transport system, orchestrated by an Algerian terrorist, Malek, whilst locked in a high security prison cell. The team choose the unorthodox and risky strategy of freeing Malek so that he will lead them to the cell before the attack occurs. As they mount surveillance on Malek and his civil liberties lawyer, they discover that Malek is not the terrorist they thought he was but simply an innocent man and his arrest the result of a Special Branch admin error. However since Malek’s release he has been meeting known terrorists – has Malek been turned whilst in prison? Adam (Rupert Penry-Jones) interrogates Malek and discovers Malek’s family are being held hostage until he commits the required act of terror. The team fight to save Malek’s innocence but risk his family’s lives in the process.
[ABC/11:00pm] The Chaser’s War On Everything. Rpt.
[ABC/11:30pm] jtv
[ABC/12:00am Sat] Rage

[Nine/8:30pm] Movie: Bride and Prejudice. (India 2004)

[SBS/10:00pm] A Perfect Fake – The fantasy of creating life is as old as civilisation. This film takes us into the world of men who have chosen to reject the reality of human sexual companionship in order to pursue a variety of ‘hyper-realistic’ erotic surrogates and simulations, computer-generated virtual pornography and erotica. To the men who own life size female ‘love-dolls’, each ‘girl’ is as unique as a snowflake. (From Canada, in English and Japanese, with English subtitles) (Documentary) (Rpt) MA (A,S) CC

[Comedy/11:00pm] Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Guest: Sanjaya Malakar

SATURDAY 21
[Nine/1:30pm] Movie: Mogambo (US 1953) Clark Gable, Ava Gardiner, Grace Kelly. Actually filmed by MGM on safari in Africa.
[Nine/7:30pm] Movie: Bring It On (US 2000) Rpt.

[ABC/4:00pm] The Last Great Amateurs. Follows the Melbourne Phoenix Netball Club through the pain and passion of a year in elite-level amateur sport. Narrated by Magda Szubanski as Sharon Strzelecki. Rpt.
[ABC/7:30pm] The Sideshow. Paul McDermott returns to television, whether or not television wants him to, as the Ring Master of a new one-hour comedy/variety show, THE SIDESHOW, which premieres Saturday April 21 at 7.30pm on ABC TV. Each week, as he gives his own unique spin on the world, Paul will present a dazzling mix of local and international artists, from the worlds of comedy, music, cabaret, burlesque and good, old-fashioned freak shows. The big question is, will he sing? Well, what do you think? Paul will be joined by a troupe of regular stars, including The Umbilical Brothers, Tripod, and comedian Claire Hooper. And some of Australia’s finest fingers will make sure singalongs around the piano are never the same again. Produced by Ted Robinson (The Glass House, Good News Week), THE SIDESHOW will entertain, delight and surprise viewers of all ages. (It’ll do other things to the viewers too, but we’re not legally responsible for that). “There’s a whole new generation of brilliant performers out there, and it’s time for them to have a home on television. And if you’re going to put them in a home, there’s nowhere better than ABC TV,” says Ted Robinson, GNWTV Executive Producer. “It’s great to have Paul McDermott back centre-stage on ABC TV, fronting a show which dishes up topical comedy and cutting-edge musical satire. Australia needs a prime time performance program that’s not hostage to a tiresome, tricksy reality/game format, with no judges and no voting-off, just top shelf acts that will captivate and confound,” says Courtney Gibson, ABC TV Head of Arts, Entertainment and Comedy.
[ABC/9:20pm] The West Wing. Final. After seven years and 154 episodes the final episode of this highly-acclaimed, multi-award-winning US drama series screens tonight on ABC TV. In the series finale, the Bartlet administration prepares to leave the West Wing. While Santos and his winning camp nervously gear up for the inauguration, outgoing President Bartlet, C.J. and the others fondly look back on their time in the White House. C.J. must confront the many choices affecting her. Meanwhile, Will also finds himself in a position of uncertainty about what is to come – professionally and personally. Cast: Martin Sheen, Stockard Channing, Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, Richard Schiff, Dulé Hill, Janel Moloney, Lily Tomlin, Joshua Malina, Mary McCormack, Teri Polo, Jimmy Smits, Alan Alda, Rob Lowe, Timothy Busfield, Kristin Chenoweth, Janeane Garofalo and the late John Spencer.
[ABC/11:45pm] rage: 20 Years Of rage rage celebrates 20 years with a series of special programs presented by Aussie rock legend Tex Perkins. Over four weeks rage will take a look back at some of the best Guest Programmer moments, bloopers, classic rage videos, behind-the-scenes footage, rage facts and more. This week we look back at the years 1997-2001.

[SBS/8:30pm] Iron Chef – Join Takeshi Kagi, founder of the Gourmet Academy, and his Iron Chefs in the cook-off cult classic series Iron Chef. Each week one of the Iron Chefs is challenged by a guest chef. Their skills are put to the test and judged by a panel of gourmets. The ingredients are unconventional, the preparations sheer genius. (From Japan, English narration) (Entertainment Series) G CC
[SBS/9:20pm] RocKwiz – Australian television’s original rock trivia quiz show, hosted by Julia Zemiro. Tonight’s episode features Leanne Kingwell and Matt Taylor. (Commissioned by SBSi, in English) (Entertainment Series) PG CC
[SBS/10:10pm] VIP Pass: Classic Albums – Frank Zappa – This episode of the acclaimed Classic Albums series focuses on Frank Zappa’s early 70’s albums ‘Over-nite Sensation’ (1973) and ‘Apostrophe’ (1974). Together they encapsulate Zappa’s extraordinary musical diversity and were also the two most commercially successful albums that he released in his prolific career. As ever the program uses interviews, musical demonstrations, rare archive and home movie footage plus live performances to tell the story behind the conception and recording of these groundbreaking albums. (From the US, in English) CC
[SBS/11:10pm] SOS – Shorts On Screen – My Dad Is 100 Years Old – A stylised, witty meditation on Roberto Rossellini’s cinematic aesthetic and his belief in cinema as a moral art form. (From Canada, in English) PG; Sissy Boy Slap Party – Musical mantra derived from machine-gun micro-montage, in which a group of camp gay men slap each other! (From Canada, in English) (Rpt) PG; Sombra Dolorosa – A grieving widow wrestles an angel of death and faces both a donkey and an impending eclipse in the struggle to save her loved ones from certain doom. (From Canada, in English) (Rpt) PG; A Trip To The Orphanage – An opera singer sings an aria full of loss and despair. (From Canada, in English) (Rpt) G; Rush – Uses experimental animation to explore different meanings of the word “rush”. (From Switzerland); The Cloakroom – A theatre cloakroom attendant, alone in an empty hall, abandons his post and enters a fantastic maze. (From France, in French) (Rpt) M; Boy Meets Girl Stories: Alone – A man want his girlfriend to consider living apart so they will have more space. (From the Netherlands, in Dutch) M

[Ovation/7:00pm] Movie: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
[Bio/7:30pm] Inside the Actor’s Studio. Barbra Streisand.
[Arena/11:30pm] Erotic Star

SUNDAY 22
[Seven/6:30pm] Australia’s Got Talent.
[Seven/7:30pm] Ugly Betty. FOUR THANKSGIVINGS AND A FUNERAL
It’s Thanksgiving Day, and everyone at Mode celebrates in their own special way. Betty is torn between work and home, Daniel attends his parent’s brunch in the hope of seeing Sofia, Marc and Amanda camp out at the Mode offices, and Wilhelmina attempts something she’s never done before – cooking a turkey. Guest starring MARTHA STEWART, DEBI MAZAR and SALMA HAYEK. Also starring AMERICA FERRERA, ERIC MABIUS, VANESSA WILLIAMS, ALAN DALE, TONY PLANA, ANA ORTIZ, ASHLEY JENSEN, BECKI NEWTON, MARK INDELICATO, MICHAEL URIE, KEVIN SUSSMAN, DEBI MAZAR, CHARLIE DAVID, STELIO SAVANTE, KEVIN ALEJANDRO and JUDITH LIGHT.
[Seven/8:30pm] Grey’s Anatomy. STARING AT THE SUN. The O’Malley family visit George at the hospital. Meredith is determined to have a more positive outlook on life. Derek and Addison strive for a civil relationship. Richard endeavours to reunite with his wife, Adele. Guest starring GEORGE DZUNDZA.
[Seven/9:30pm] What About Brian. WHAT ABOUT THE FISH…In an effort to get back into the dating game, the boys make a bet to see who can get a girl first. Brian adjusts to having Dave as his new roommate after Deena kicks him out. Nicole prepares for her baby shower, as well as a surprise guest. ‘Zap Monkey’ gets into financial trouble and Brian must figure out how to save it. Guest starring AMY JO JOHNSON and WILLIAM DEVANE.

[Ten/6:30pm] Countdown To The Biggest Loser
[Ten/7:00pm] Big Brother. Premiere. This year Big Brother promises… opening night will be talked about for days. The rules will change and no crime will go unpunished. Tune in tonight to meet the new housemates for the first time. It’s your show, it’s your voice, you will be heard. Hosted by Gretel Killeen.
[Ten/9:00pm] Rove.

[ABC/5:00pm] Sunday Arts. This week on Sunday Arts Michael Veitch chats to Adam Hills – arguably the “nicest” comedian at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. We look at the increasing trend of artists from non-traditional backgrounds who are thriving in the elite world of fine art. We hear from FourPlay, who are blurring boundaries of their own, combining rock and classical genres with their electric string quartet. And Virginia Trioli speaks to world renowned ballet dancer Ethan Stiefel. Adam Hills While most stand-up comedians tend to tear others apart to get laughs, Adam Hills’ success is remarkable because he is just so polite. This week on Sunday Arts, Adam Hills chats with Michael about his new show Joy Monger. His solo shows have become must-see events at the Edinburgh Fringe, Adelaide Fringe and the Melbourne Comedy Festivals. His 2001, 2002 and 2003 shows were all nominated for the prestigious Perrier Award in Edinburgh.

[ABC/8:30pm] Curtin. In the life of all Prime Ministers, comes the moment that tests the mettle of the man. In the life of every nation, comes the moment that tests the mettle of its people. For John Curtin and Australia those two moments meet in 1941. This is where our story begins… As Leader of the Opposition, Curtin (William McInnes) seems poised to reach out and claim his rightful destiny – the Prime Ministership of Australia. But he refuses to make a desperate grab for power. He waits for the government to self destruct. With the war against Hitler intensifying, the last thing the public wants is a weak and bickering government. Curtin is the only man deemed fit for the job. Power becomes his. Curtin no sooner moves offices when the Pacific erupts. Pearl Harbour is bombed. For the first time, Australia lives in fear of invasion. The Japanese are working their way down through Asia with alarming ferocity. Australia is completely unprepared. Blow by blow, we follow Curtin – our guide, our confidante, through a chilling and tumultuous ride over six months behind the walls of power. We pick up and run to get our footage, pry through half open doors, eavesdrop in the corridors – whatever it takes to keep our subject in focus. Curtin lives and breathes his work and is forced to endure the deluge alone, while his wife Elsie, (Noni Hazlehurst) attends to her ailing mother back home. Then, Darwin is bombed. Australian defences are crushed. Curtin battles via cables with the Empire’s heavyweight, Churchill, to reroute Australian troops to defend home soil. It quickly becomes a monumental battle of wills with Curtin fighting both Churchill and members of his own government. Curtin’s health deteriorates rapidly as he desperately seeks support. This is a raw and intimate story of a driven and inspirational leader – a man who struggles to battle his own personal demons while serving and protecting a country at war.

[ABC/1:35am Mon] Movie: Silver Dream Racer. (CC, Rpt, M*Medium Level Violence, Some Coarse Language, 1980)A hot-headed motorbike enthusiast inherits a prototype designed by his brother for an incredibly fast bike, which he uses to challenge for the world championship. CAST: David Essex, Beau Bridges

[Nine/4:30pm] Gilmore Girls. 100th Episode. “Wedding Bell Blues.”
[Nine/5:30pm] Postcards. 300th Episode.
[Nine/6:30pm] 20 to 1. Rebels and Risk Takers.
[Nine/7:30pm] 60 Minutes.

[SBS/7:30pm] 2057 – The World In 50 Years – The City – A mobile phone today contains more memory than the huge computers of yesteryear. What will the city of the future look like? Autonomous and driverless automobiles will reduce the huge road fatalities every year. Fridges will replenish themselves. Children’s games will be virtual. Social hacking will be one of the greatest dangers threatening a city’s infrastructure. And newly sophisticated surveillance will bring with it issues regarding privacy. Police will be employed to make sure that the technology doesn’t crash. And last, but not least, robotics will play an ever greater and more advanced role in our lives. (From Germany, in German and English, English subtitles) (Documentary Series) G CC WS
[SBS/10:05pm] Movie: The Zookeeper – In a village somewhere in the Balkans, soldiers of the irregular army arrive. They round up all the inhabitants and separate the men and boys from the women and girls. The males are driven to the edge of a minefield and made to line up and hold hands while walking through it. A zoo worker, Ludovic decides to remain behind and continue caring for the animals, playing cat and mouse with the troops until the fighting stops. Directed by Ralph Ziman and stars Sam Neill and Gina McKee. (From the UK, in English) (2000) (Drama) M (L,V,A) WS