TODAY’S TELEVISION

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9

MOVIE: Beauty And The Beast 9GO!, 6.30pm, PG (2017) Belle is no ordinary Disney princess. She reads, she fights, she tells it like it is and follows her own rules and Emma Watson (pictured) brings the right amount of grace and grit to this live-action retelling of the 1991 animation favourite. The set and costume details are exquisite and the writers have done a marvellous job filling in some plot holes from the original. Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) is unrecognisable as the surly Beast who slowly starts to thaw as Belle’s loving influence brings some much-needed colour and life to his cursed existence. This tale as old as time is peppered with the voices of Hollywood luminaries. The Living Room WIN, 7.30pm We’ve seen a lot of guests on The Living

Room over the years, but none as big as the one taking to the stage tonight. It takes all the presenters – Barry Du Bois, Miguel Maestre, Amanda Keller and Chris Brown – to deal with this one, as well as two certified handlers. It can’t talk, but it certainly makes a scene; a giant python guest stars tonight. If less scaly, more domestic segments are your thing, Peter Walsh works his decluttering magic on a garage heaving with trinkets and chef Miguel visits Cooloola Berries, a no-waste strawberry farm on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. On the menu, of course, is a strawberry cheesecake. The Heights ABC, 8.30pm The newest Aussie soapie on the block,

The Heights has won fans thick and fast. Featuring credible, thoughtful storylines, this well-written series is a new breed of Aussie drama that celebrates the nittygritty of suburban life. Tuning in for a Friday night fix has become a ritual for many, without a shadow of guilt. In season one’s penultimate double episode, Hazel (Fiona Press) and Ryan (Mitchell Bourke) are shocked when someone from the past turns up in Arcadia. Later, Renee (Saskia Hampele) tries to face the reality of life without Mark (Dan Paris).