Rush (ABC, 1974) was an Aussie gold rush drama that was re-voiced by the D-Generation and renamed The Olden Days. Now Rush is the title of a new reality series with a familiar vibe, and Gold Diggers (Wednesday on ABC) is the new goldfields comedy.
There is a lot to laugh at in Gold Diggers, with great performances from Claire Lovering and Danielle Walker as husband-hunting sisters, and a bang-on supporting cast that includes Eddie Perfect, Michala Banas and Aaron McGrath. The breakout scene-stealer, however, is Megan Wilding as Fran “Slapdog” Slaperelli, described as once being “Parramatta’s biggest moll for three years running”. Now she is pretending to be sophisticated French socialite Francesca L’Estrange and it’s brilliant. A star is born!
Gold Diggers: Megan Wilding is Fran, Luke Mullins is Percy.
Top: Danielle Walker is Marigold and Claire Lovering is Gert
Don’t be overwhelmed by how much Aussie comedy there is on ABC right now, what with Utopia, Queen Of Oz and Gold Diggers. All are preferable to commercial TV’s addiction to remade reality shows but with a twist! Blow-Up was Lego Masters with balloons. Million Dollar Island is Survivor but with five times the people. Now comes Rush (Sunday on Nine) which is The Amazing Race but during “chaotic cultural festivals”.
All these same-same concepts end up with so-so ratings but nothing will stop them. Next to come is Stranded On Honeymoon Island which is Married At First Sight crossed with Alone. Seven says it has “no doubt viewers will lap up every minute of this bold and exciting new format” and I have no doubt that had to have been said tongue-in-cheek.
Will viewers lap up every minute of all the bold and exciting shows about dogs? We’ve recently had Muster Dogs, The Dog House, and Dogs Behaving Very Badly, but now there is New Leash On Life (Tuesday on ABC) and Animals Abroad With Dr Harry (Wednesday on Seven). The first is about dogs being rescued and the second is about dogs being put back into cages for a long flight.
If you want to watch a show about a much more exciting plane trip, don’t miss Hijack (Apple TV+). With a touch of the Airport disaster flicks, and an all-star cast that includes Archie Panjabi, Max Beesley, and Eve Myles, the Charlton Heston-type hero is Idris Elba playing a professional negotiator. He tries to out-psych the hijackers and it’s a nail-biter from start to finish. Huge thumbs up.
Read more Mercado on TV here.
Welcome to TV Gold: Mediaweek’s weekly TV podcast
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This week on TV Gold: Hijack, Gold Diggers, No Escape
This week’s key reviews cover Hijack (AppleTV+) with Idris Elba and Archie Punjabi, Gold Diggers (ABC/iview) with Claire Lovering and Danielle Walker, and No Escape (Paramount+) with Abigail Lawrie, Sean Keenan and Susie Porter.
TV Gold bonus episode: Producer & writer Jason Herbison
The longtime Neighbours executive producer talks about his “suburban noir” drama Riptide (a TV Gold Show of the Week), and his stellar TV career writing and producing primetime FTA dramas. He also reveals the rollercoaster ride of emotions he experienced when Neighbours was first cancelled and then re-commissioned.
Email the hosts and tell us what you have been watching. The good and the bad. Emails to: [email protected]