Mercado on TV: The latest true crime series, Juanita: A Family Mystery (Tuesday on ABC), has no journalist attached to it and as per the title, this is investigated by the relatives of the missing Juanita Nielsen. Being another 70s Sydney mystery, it doesn’t take long for Abe Saffron to get a mention.
Juanita Nielsen, Editor and publisher of the newspaper “Now”, Photographed at her Pott’s Point Office, 4th October. 1974
Photography by McNEIL
The notorious crime boss was also alleged to have been part of Exposed: The Ghost Train Fire (iview) although the majority of media since has been about Neville Wran. The same media outlets criticising journalist Caro Heldrum-Hanna published similar claims in 2017 but why are they not reporting this? And why has the reputation of a former premier become more important than seeking justice for the murder of six innocent children?
Australia’s Sexiest Tradie (Wednesday on 7mate) is a new comedy from 800 Words actor Rick Donald. Along with being the show’s creator, director and producer, he also plays the egotistical and inappropriate plumber trying to win an FM radio competition. The cast includes Peter Phelps, Pippa Grandison, Steve Le Marquand and Hugo Johnstone-Burt.
Australia’s Sexiest Tradie makes up a new comedy double along with the return of Fat Pizza (Wednesday on 7mate). Paul Fenech’s sitcom is now 21 years old but don’t expect anyone to grow up and start acting like an adult anytime soon. It’s good to see Maria Venuti, Melissa Tkautz and Sleek The Elite still having as much fans as the first series.
Impeachment: American Crime Story (Tuesday on FoxOne) is the latest Ryan Murphy drama after previous instalments about O.J. Simpson and Gianni Versace. Now the focus is on Monica Lewinsky (Beanie Fidelstein) because she is the series’ executive producer.
Impeachment: American Crime Story
There is President Bill Clinton (Clive Owen looking more like Matthew Modine), his secretary (Rae Dawn Chong), frumpy friend and traitor Linda Tripp (Sarah Paulsen) and conservative media pundit Ann Coulter (Cobie Smulders) and commentator Matt Drudge (Billy Eichner).
Impeachment is good but it’s not great, and 10 episodes is going to be a long slug. Maybe Foxtel don’t think much of it either, considering it is not being aired on the more classy FoxShowcase.
Suranne Jones in Vigil
Vigil (Binge and Foxtel) sees the great Suranne Jones playing a detective put on board a submarine to investigate a possible murder. Express from the UK, this six-part BBC drama should appeal to UK crime fans, but the claustrophobia of a submarine is not a great look in lockdown.
See other Mercado on TV columns here.