Post-Olympics boom for TV lovers: great new shows headed our way this week

Now the Olympics are done and dusted, free-to-air networks and streaming services are pulling out all the stops to lure us in again.

So what will we watch on TV next?

It’s good news — there are some sensational shows on the way this week, with more to come in the weeks ahead.

THIS WEEK

Bad Monkey

Wednesday, streaming on Apple TV Plus

Vince Vaughn — and a monkey — are front and centre in this new offbeat crime series, based on the cult novel by Carl Hiaasen. Vaughn plays a recently expelled detective living in Florida who finds himself in the middle of an intriguing investigation after a severed arm arrives in his possession. This one’s heaps of fun.

Shaun Micallef’s Eve Of Destruction

Wednesday, 8pm, ABC

Shaun Micallef returns to our TV screens with a talk show.~|~|x6v0q7JUV2
Camera IconShaun Micallef returns to our TV screens with a new chat show concept. Credit: Supplied/ABC

Shaun Micallef is back with an intriguing new chat show concept, which sees him ask different celeb guests the same question each week: “If your house was about to be destroyed, what two things would you save?” There’s a twist in the final episode apparently — and we’re as intrigued, and confused, as you are!

Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye

Wednesday, 8.30pm, SBS

According to statistics, beloved journalist and TV host Ray Martin will likely be dead in four years — but he’s not taking it lying down. Instead, he’s off on a three-part deep-dive into one of the nation’s last taboos — death. As he plans his own funeral, he meets morticians, medical students, undertakers and even “death deniers” — to find out what it all means. Fascinating.

Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont-Spelling Bee

Wednesday, 8.30pm, ABC

NZ comedian Guy Montgomery is bringing his unconventional comedy concept to Aussie TV — and it’s not what you might expect. Some of Australia’s best comedians compete to spell different words correctly — but you are mistaken if you think this is a run-of-the-mill spelling bee. It’s much, much better, and much, much funnier! Worth a look.

Thank God You’re Here

Wednesday, 7.30pm, Ten

Celia Pacquola is stepping up to host the new season of Thank God You're Here, returning to Ten after 14 years.
Camera IconCelia Pacquola is back hosting Thank God You’re Here. Credit: Supplied./Ten

This much-loved homegrown comedy concept was recently resurrected with comedian Celia Pacquola at the helm. It’s back with more new comedians and some of our favourite faces. No one knows what improv situations await them through the door — but they’re all jumping in feet first. Heaps of fun.

The Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers, season 2

Wednesday, streaming on Paramount Plus

The Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers is back for season 2.
Camera IconThe Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers is back for season 2. Credit: Supplied/Ten

Four lifelong mates competing to embarrass one another on national TV — what could possibly go wrong? A lot, and if you tuned into their first season, you’ll have an idea of just how chaotic this hidden camera show can get. Your teenage kids will be all over this one.

Gogglebox Australia

Wednesday on Foxtel/Binge, Thursday, 8.30pm, Ten

What’s better than watching TV? Watching someone else watch TV! This season sees many of our favourites return as well as some new new armchair experts, sisters Mia and Bree and their mate, Lainey. This show never fails to entertain — can’t wait for more.

Emily In Paris, part 1

Thursday, streaming on Netflix

Emily in Paris Season 4 arrives August 15 on Netflix
Camera IconIt’s about to get messy: Emily in Paris season 4 arrives August 15 on Netflix. Credit: Supplied./Netflix

Emily is back, and quelle surprise! She’s still in a pickle, stuck in the middle of a love triangle involving certified Likely Lad Alfie, hot chef Gabriel and hot chef Gabriel’s pregnant wife-to-be, Camille. Talk about messy. Meanwhile, Mindy’s busy preparing for Eurovision, and we love this for her.

The Bureau, seasons 1-5

Thursday, streaming on Paramount Plus

There’s a fancy American remake of this award-winning French series in the works, with Michael Fassbender attached. This is the original, and it’s finally streaming in Australia. It follows a clandestine branch of French undercover agents, dispatched across the world with false identities. If you love The Americans and Homeland, and don’t mind a subtitle, you’ll be hooked.

The Union

Friday, streaming on Netflix

The Union is coming to Netflix.
Camera IconThe Union is coming to Netflix. Credit: Supplied/Courtesy of Netflix

Those who like a good Friday night zone-out, will likely enjoy this film from Netflix, which stars Mark Wahlberg as a down-to-earth construction worker who is “thrust into the world of super spies and secret agents when his high school sweetheart Roxanne (Halle Berry) recruits him on a high-stakes US intelligence mission”.

The 64th TV WEEK Logie Awards

Sunday, 7.30pm, Seven

It’s TV’s night of nights, and you can be sure we’ll be watching to see who takes out the coveted Gold Logie. Will it be self-described busiest woman in TV, Sonia Kruger, or first-time nominee, Larry Emdur? Hamish and Andy are also competing against one another — who do we love more?

AND STILL TO COME THIS MONTH

  • The Voice (August 19, Seven): Seven’s reality singing contest is back, this time with Kate Miller-Heidke, Adam Lambert, LeAnn Rimes and Guy Sebastian as coaches.
  • Chimp Crazy (August 19, Binge): This four-part doco from the Tiger King guys has to be seen to be believed — trust us when we say the whole world will be watching.
  • The Assembly (August 20, ABC): Leigh Sales mentors autistic journalism students as they interview some of the country’s biggest names.
  • Pachinko (August 23, Apple TV Plus): This award-winning, multigenerational, multi-language drama returns to screens, promising to be every bit as epic as the first season.
  • Boarders (August 23, Stan): This British comedy/drama is about five underprivileged inner-city teens who are offered a scholarship to a prestigious boarding school.
  • Dating Naked UK (August 24, Paramount Plus): If ridiculous reality dating series with implausible premises are your thing, you won’t want to miss this one.
  • Last King Of The Cross (August 30, Paramount Plus): Series two of this local bells-and-whistles crime drama returns, once more with Lincoln Younes front and centre.

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