ScreenScribe

New comedy Surviving Jack didn’t survive its first season in the US but comes highly recommended — and not only if you’re a fan of its star, ex-SVU cop Christopher Meloni. It debuts as part of TV2’s Wednesday comedy block, at 10.00 on August 6, an hour after the season finale of The Big Bang […]

It’s showtime, with the networks launching a slew of HD series the same week The X Factor NZ ends its run. The talent quest finale will screen on July 22, in a two-hour special that will screen from 7.30 instead of 8.00. The earlier time is due to Shortland Street reverting to Monday half-hours that […]

The week’s top Blu-ray newcomer, Lawless, sounds virtually flawless.  “It’s a reference quality presentation through and through.” The bootlegging thriller was was shot digitally on the Arri Alexa camera and “looks great in its presentation on Blu-ray with a perfectly solid black level, accurate fleshtones and a somewhat vibrant colour palette; despite being slightly subdued at times to fit the […]

True Blood: The Complete Fourth Season lands on Blu-ray “superbly rendered and vastly superior to the series’ 1080i broadcasts in every way”. That was an American reviewer’s thoughts on the Blu-ray-versus-the HD broadcast, so imagine how much better season four will look to NZ fans after its shabby SD trnasmission on Prime. “Like always, HBO has […]

Friends (TV2, 6.30, R) ✫✫✫✫ Rachel gets in trouble for dating her assistant; Monica tries to become friendlier with her neighbours; Phoebe needs lessons in riding a bike. Shortland Street (TV2. 7.00) ✫✫✫ Sarah finds support; Gabrielle fears for Lana’s future; Evan blows the whistle on Hunter. New Zealand’s Next Top Model (TV3, 7.30) ✫✫ Continuing with their […]

The first in the Audi NZ Season of Sunday Theatre, Tangiwai, last night steamed ahead of the competition. The HD premiere was watched by 14.5% of TV One’s target audience, 25-54 year-olds, compared to the movies Hancock, on TV2 (11.1%), and Charlie Wilson’s War, on TV3 (3.6%). The 18-49 ratings were 11.9% for Tangiwai, 11.8% […]

Friends (TV2, 6.30, R) Rachel is in a quandary when a sexy but unqualified man applies to be her assistant; Chandler, Monica and Ross tell embarrassing secrets about one another. Shortland Street (TV2. 7.00) Wendy suspects the worst of Murray; Jill and Callum take it to the next level; Winston gets in the way of love. New […]

Sexy assassin drama Nikita will be the biggest casualty of TV2’s Friday night revamp. After weeks of declining ratings, the network is dumping the 7.30pm comedy hour for a Friday Movie season, opening with The Water Horse (but not in HD), and rescheduling The Vampire Diaries to post-9.30pm. Nikita is being eliminated but the rest […]

Friends (TV2, 6.30, R) Chandler’s romantic marriage proposal is ruined when Monica’s former boyfriend (Tom Selleck) returns; Joey accidentally buys a boat; Ross is reminded of how young his girlfriend is. Shortland Street (TV2. 7.00) Nicole suffers for her hair; Sarah and TK clash over names; Lana’s sacrifice shocks Gabrielle. New Zealand’s Next Top Model (TV3, 7.30) A […]

What is wrong with this country when a new comedy as hysterically funny as Raising Hope draws half the viewership of the umpteenth re-run of Two and Half Men? Last night’s HD premiere of the hilarious new sensation from My Name is Earl creator Greg Garcia finished third behind TV2’s Men and TV One’s The […]