This Sunday, a new ratings war gets underway, but without any new shows. Instead, it’s The Block (Nine) back for its 18th season, My Kitchen Rules (Seven) for its 12th, Spicks and Specks (ABC) for its 10th, and The Masked Singer (10) for its 4th.
The Block may be the old bloke in this, but it still manages to come across as the freshest. Moving to the country creates a new feel and has its most diverse cast yet.
First, there is Indian couple Ankur and actress Sharon Johal (above). Neighbours fans know her as Dipi, which is odd given she doesn’t appear to take direction well, given Scott Cam’s advice to her is either ignored or misunderstood.
Then there’s Muslim mates Omar and Oz who love a laugh, particularly at themselves. They are real characters and are even shown praying together. Future episodes will even show them observing Ramadan. Nice one.
Next up in the ratings war: My Kitchen Rules (above) was always diverse, and it is back after a two-year break. Joining Manu is new judge Nigella Lawson, although The Australian has reported she will only appear in half the season. Regardless, Nigella should have fans asking Pete who.
The Masked Singer (above) is the final commercial newcomer in the Sunday night ratings war. The series has three new judges – Abbie Chatfield and Chrissie Swan should be awesome. Mel B is there too, after being a contestant on two international versions of the show, and who has now been a judge on a total of 10 different reality shows.
So the more things change, the more they remain the same, but at least there is a brand new Aussie drama. After The Verdict (Wednesday on Nine) is the second Aussie drama this year set around a jury, but this one is more of a comedy, compared to The Twelve (Foxtel/Binge).
The plot, about four jurors going rogue and hanging out with the accused, is highly improbable. Luckily, it is just saved by solid performances from Michelle Lim Davidson, Magda Szubanski and Sullivan Stapleton, plus Lincoln Younes kills it after being cast against type.
Uncoupled (Netflix), starring Neil Patrick Harris, is about four single friends and their dating adventures in New York. If that sounds somewhat familiar, it’s because it’s the latest show from Sex and The City creator Darren Star.
That makes it an even gayer version of Sex and The City, but at just eight episodes, it is easy viewing. It ends on a cliffhanger, so Uncoupled really wants to come back for another season, but only if there is a bigger role for scene-stealer Marcia Gay Harden.
Read more Mercado on TV columns here.
Listen to Andrew Mercado every week in the Mercado and Manning podcast.
Latest episode will be available by noon Friday August 5:
This week – Candy, Uncoupled, The Block v MKR v The Masked Singer, plus Nine’s new Aussie drama After the Verdict and more.
Andrew has binged all episodes of Uncoupled (Netflix) and James knocked off all episodes of Candy (Disney+) in one day. Other recommendations this week – the return of The Block for season 18 and Nine’s new drama After the Verdict from the creators of House Husbands. But the greatest TV revival of the year could be Seven bringing back My Kitchen Rules.
Listen online here, on the LiSTNR app or your favourite podcast platform.
Like or follow the podcast for alerts when new episodes are available.