Highlights
SATURDAY Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway TVNZ 1, 7pm
Perennial teenagers Ant and Dec are back for a new season of their popular, long-running variety show. The series features celebrity guest appearances and has segments showcasing the pair’s trademark pranks and japes.
Britain’s Best Home Cook TVNZ 1, 8.30pm
Ten home cooks live together and compete against one another in a new season of this series hosted by Claudia Winkleman (above). Their challenge is to impress the judges with their culinary skills – and the judge everyone wants to show off to the most is Mary Berry of The Great British Bake Off fame. Who will make Mary’s periwinkle eyes twinkle with delight? And receive the greatest prize of all – her hearty approval?
SUNDAY Country Calendar TVNZ 1, 7pm
Showing no sign of slowing down in middle-age, Country Calendar kicks off its 54th year. First up is a clucking good yarn about pasture-raised hens that produce the best eggs while enjoying an idyllic lifestyle in Balclutha.
Brian Johnson: A Life On The Road Prime, 8.30pm
AC/DC’s Geordie former frontman is now using his rasping vocals to interview musical celebrities. Johnson (above left) – whose newsboy cap is welded to his head, concealing a miniature version of the same hat – trades anecdotes and stories with fellow musicians of note. In tonight’s episode, he chats with Billy Joel (right) about the Piano Man’s life and career. Future episodes include chats with Dolly Parton and Mick Fleetwood.
MONDAY The Joy Of Painting With Bob Ross Vice, 5.15pm
Painter and television presenter Bob Ross (left) died 25 years ago but his popularity remains as evergreen as his lush landscapes. In this soothing series, Ross gently demonstrates painting techniques. While he makes it look easy, you will probably find it far more restful to leave the painting to him and just enjoy the unfolding scenes and Ross’ calming tones. Continues weekdays.
Britain’s Most Historic Towns History, 7.30pm
In this series, Professor Alice Roberts (below) takes on the role of a sort of historical Time Lord. Roberts travels through some of Britain’s most storied places and back into the past. In each episode, she visits a new town and experiences what life would have been like during its most important historical period. In Canterbury, she’s a Plantagenet pilgrim while in Dover, she dons the headscarf of a wartime land girl.
Earth’s Tropical Islands TVNZ 1, 8pm
Tonight’s final episode in this series
takes us to Hawaii, where the world’s oldest-known wild bird makes her home. Wisdom is a 67-year-old albatross who has successfully raised 37 chicks and this mature mother isn’t ready for an empty nest just yet.
WEDNESDAY Heathrow: Britain’s Busiest Airport TVNZ 1, 9.05pm
Go behind the scenes at Heathrow Airport and inside the restricted areas that are usually plastered with ‘Authorised Personnel Only’ warnings. In this season, staff must deal with an influx of passengers after Gatwick airport is closed because of illegal drones and armed police patrol Heathrow’s halls, ever watchful for would-be criminals.
Raw Recruits TVNZ Duke, 9.30pm
There are just a few places in the world where 16 year olds are permitted to join the army and, perhaps surprisingly, the US isn’t one of them. This series follows students at The Army Foundation College in North Yorkshire, UK where school-leavers undergo basic training.
THURSDAY Zumbo’s Just Desserts Three, 7.30pm
The winner will be decided tonight in the finale of this sticky reality series. There’s a $100,000 prize on the line for the maker of the tastiest treat as the final two face-off in a battle of sweet confections.
Speedworks Motorsport Prime, 7.30pm
V8s are the focus in tonight’s Speedworks episode. First, it’s the V8 Utes from Hampton Downs followed by BNT V8s from Pukekohe Park.
The Graham Norton Show Three, 8.35pm
Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick join Graham to promote their new animated movie Trolls World Tour. Singer Sam Smith also performs.
FRIDAY Jurassic Park Three, 7.30pm
Local hero Sam Neill (right) and Oscar-winner Laura Dern (Marriage Story) star in this classic story of what happens when science meddles in matters of nature. The plan to resurrect dinosaurs for an amusement park, unsurprisingly, goes terribly awry.