The Box Set
The Sapphires, 8.30pm, Wednesday, Māori TV
With a toe-tapping soundtrack, bright visuals and colourful characters, debutant Australian director Wayne Blair’s crowd-pleaser was one of the feel-good films of 2012. Virtually unheard of until Tony Briggs brought the story of this Aboriginal quartet to life for a musical, it’s easy to see why he felt this tale deserved to be told. A mix of drama and dance, triumph and tragedy. Irish comedian Chris O’Dowd is the film’s ace. Part of Māori TV’s Anzac Day lineup, which also includes Sam Neill-hosted documentary Tides of Blood (3.55pm) and Taika Waititi’s short-film Tama Tu (3.35pm).
Darcey Bussell: Looking for Fred Astaire, 8.30pm, Friday, Sky Arts
This 2017 BBC documentary sees the former ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing judge investigating the life and career of Hollywood’s favourite toe-tapper. ‘‘There was a good section on the technique Astaire learnt from African-American dancers at the Cotton Club... and the astounding synergy between Astaire and Ginger Rogers was lavishly illustrated,’’ wrote The Telegraph’s Jasper Rees.
Comedy Gala, 9.45pm, Friday, Three
Hosted by Flight of the Conchords‘ TV show star and crowd-favourite Arj Barker, this year’s lineup for the televised NZ Comedy Festival showcase includes Dai Henwood, Heath Franklin’s Chopper, Rhys Mathewson, Eli Matthewson and Pax Assadi.
The Handmaid’s Tale, 8.30pm, Saturday, Ma¯ ori TV
Before last year’s high-profile TV adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian book, there was this 1990 movie starring Natasha Richardson, Robert Duvall and Faye Dunaway. ‘‘Duvall and Dunaway provide the best moments in the movie, he by showing the unconscious egotism of the male libido, she by showing that in all times and all weathers, some kinds of women will gauge their happiness by the degree to which their family’s exterior appearance matches the accepted values of society,’’ wrote Chicago Sun-Times’ Roger Ebert.
Dancing with the Stars, 7pm, Sunday, Three
Back after a three-year hiatus, the 2018 edition of the popular reality competition features 12 celebrity Kiwis attempting to impress the judges and the nation with their moves. Dai Henwood and Sharyn Casey host, while the panel of experts includes Camilla Sacre-Dallerup, Julz Tocker and Rachel White. Continues 7.30pm Monday.
Paterno, 8.30pm, Sunday, SoHo
Al Pacino stars as Joe Paterno, the famed college football coach who became embroiled in a sexual abuse scandal at Penn State. ‘‘Brilliant as ever, Pacino is the master trickster who manages to both demonise and humanise Paterno,’’ wrote Newsday’s Verne Gay.
The seven-day television listings are as accurate as possible at the time of publication. For the most up-to-date programme details, please see the newspaper’s daily listings.