HD Heads-Up: March 14-20

➢➢ After repeating the movie Groundhog Day three times on Groundhog Day, then re-running out-of-order episodes of The Rookie the same week as a new instalment, TVNZ’s experimental programming continues with a same-night repeat of a new talk show hosted by Traitors UK’s Claudia Winkleman. The Claudia Winkleman Show screens first on TVNZ 2 (in Graham Norton’s 7.30 Friday slot), and then repeats 10.45 on TVNZ 1. Promises the publicity: “Featuring revealing interviews, playful debates, and moments that veer delightfully off-script, Claudia creates space for big laughs, honest reflection, and just enough drama to keep things lively.” The premiere’s guests include Jeff Goldblum on his band, The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, Vanessa Williams on her turn in the West End hit The Devil Wears Prada, Jennifer Saunders on her new film The Magic Faraway Tree and comedian Tom Allen on his new book, Common Decency. Winkleman says she’ll be dressing “like Michael Aspel with a touch of Michael Caine” for the show. Here’s the teaser …

➢➢ Will AI Take My Job? (TVNZ 1, 8.30 Wednesday) is the Channel 4 documentary about the future of work that generated headlights for using UK TV’s first AI presenter. It also invites four professionals to compete in a set of identical tasks against their AI counterparts: a GP; a fashion photographer; a trainee solicitor; and a composer. “It made for a dizzyingly grim watch on multiple levels,” The Guardian said. “And given the speed with which AI is improving, this will only get worse” …

➢➢ Three-part series Scandinavia With Simon Reeve (Sky Open, 7.30 Sunday) showcases some of the most spectacular scenery on earth while revealing what makes Scandinavians so happy and successful …

➢➢ Returning for new seasons are Call the Midwife S15 (TVNZ 1, 8.05 Saturday), The Voice USA S28 (TVNZ 2, 9.30am Sunday), Highway Patrol (TVNZ 2, 7.00 Sunday), Snow Patrol NZ (TVNZ 1, 8.45 Monday) and Educators S4 (Duke, 9.00 Friday) …

➢➢ Riptide (TVNZ 1, 11.50 Saturday) is an Aussie “suburban noir” about the widow of a drowning victim who suspects foul play in his death. Both her ex-husband and stepson had reasons to want him gone. But could the affable neighbour she turns to for support be the chief suspect? The Daily Mail dubbed it “a downer, down-under” while The Times said: “This down under drama of sun, surf and suspense is no eye-catcher.” Jo Joyner (Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators), Peter O’Brien (Neighbours, Tidelands), David Berry (Outlander) and Ciarán Griffiths (Shameless) star …

➢➢ Live/delayed free-to-air sport includes the winding down of the Paralympics on Duke and:

• A-League Men: Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory (Sky Open, 2.30 Saturday)
• NRL: Dragons v Storm (Sky Open, 7.00 Saturday)
• A-League Men: Newcastle Jets v Auckland FC (Sky Open, 10.00 Saturday)
• Premiere League: Goal Rush (Sky Open, 10am Sunday)
• T20 Cricket: White Ferns v South Africa (TVNZ 1, 2.30 Sunday/Tuesday/Friday))
• T20 Cricket: BlackCaps v England (TVNZ 1, 7.00 Sunday/Tuesday/Friday)
• SRP: Highlanders v Hurricanes (Sky Open, 6.30 Friday) …

➢➢ HD coming attractions include:

• The Lego Batman Movie (Three, 7.00 Saturday)
• Monster Family 2 (Whakaata Māori, 7.30 Saturday)
• 300 (Three, 9.05 Saturday)
• The Commuter (Whakaata Māori, 9.20 Saturday)
• The Boss (TVNZ 2, 10.25 Saturday)
• The Switch (TVNZ 2, 12.25am Sunday)
• The Nut Job 2 – Nutty by Nature (TVNZ 2, 3.15 Sunday)
• Transformers: The Last Knight (TVNZ 2, 8.30 Sunday)
• Aquaman (Three, 8.30 Sunday)
• Captain Phillips (Sky Open, 8.30 Sunday)
• Last Cab to Darwin (Whakaata Māori, 8.45 Sunday)
• Bad Boys for Life (Sky Open, 8.30 Monday)
• Mana Moana Mana Tangata (Whakaata Māori, 8.30 Monday)
• Wayne’s World (Duke, 9.30 Monday)
• Inside Man (Duke, 8.30 Tuesday)
• Annie (Whakaata Māori, 7.30 Friday)
• The Grey (Whakaata Māori, 9.30 Friday).