TV reviews: top picks include Welcome To Wrexham, Eurovision, Duster and Murderbot
We've sifted through the latest offerings from TV and streaming platforms to find the best shows you should be watching this week.
Wrexham FC continues its charge towards the English Premier League.
WELCOME TO WREXHAM
FRIDAY, DISNEY+
Hardcore football fans will already know whether Wrexham FC – the Welsh team owned by Hollywood heavyweights Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – achieved the unprecedented feat of three consecutive promotions in their quest to one day join the elite English Premier League. But watching this funny and uplifting sports documentary spoiler-free is even more rewarding in its fourth season, although it's always been about so much more than the results on the pitch. Having been promoted to League One – the country's third top tier – last season, the owners and management are faced with the dilemma of consolidating their rapid rise or spending an eye-watering amount of money on players, staff, facilities and infrastructure to have a real crack at moving up again. The fans are split, with some daring to dream and others already managing expectations, but the formerly down-at-heel mining down is buzzing with the new lease of life courtesy of the spotlight the show has brought. While the snarky banter from celeb pals Reynolds and McElhenney is always welcome, the show truly shines with the personal stories that demonstrate the bond forged between teams and the communities when sport is at its best.
Tony Armstrong and Courtney Act unpack this year's Eurovision Song Contest.
EUROVISION SONG CONTEST
WEDNESDAY, 5AM, SBS
Even a decade after Australia's surprise acceptance into the world's biggest song competition, I have to confess that I still don't carry the Eurovision gene but have nothing but respect for the passionate fans who'll drag themselves out of bed at all hours for the musical mash-up of kitsch, class and downright craziness. Our representative at this year's event in Switzerland is singer-songwriter Go-Jo, with his track Milkshake Man, and steering viewers through the wildly eclectic genres and looks will be Tony Armstrong and Courtney Act. The Grand Final will go out live at 5am on Sunday and there will be Access All Areas wrap-ups on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at 7.30pm.
Island expert Martin Clunes heads to the Atlantic Ocean.
MARTIN CLUNES: ISLANDS OF THE ATLANTIC
THURSDAY, 8.50PM, ABC
Having already done documentaries on Britain, Australia, and America, Doc Martin star Martin Clunes is becoming quite the island expert and this time sets his gaze on tiny specks in the vast, pole-to-pole Atlantic Ocean. His first stop is the island nation of Sao Torme and Principe, off the coast of Africa, with a combined population of less than a quarter of a million people. The wry and self-deprecating Clunes makes for a wonderful guide, barely containing his joy at shepherding endangered baby turtles into the ocean, while also showing the appropriate respect and gravitas while talking to locals who endured the islands' dark slavery past thanks to Portuguese colonists and the rapacious sugar plantations that exploited them.
Josh Holloway is an expert wheelman in the crime thriller Duster.
DUSTER
THURSDAY, MAX
Come for Alias and Lost legend JJ Abrams first foray into the TV world in six years and stay for the fast and furious wheel work and fabulously funky soundtrack (there's also an excellent official soundtrack playlist on Spotify). Abrams, who co-wrote the '70s set crime thriller with LaToya Morgan, has smartly tapped his Lost star Josh Holloway to play Jim Ellis, a cocky, good old Southern boy and the best wheelman in Arizona in his cherry-red Plymouth Duster muscle car. Jim plies his trade at breakneck speed (with nary a seatbelt to be seen) for local gangster Ezra with no questions asked, until Nina (Love, Victor's Rachel Hilson), the FBI's first black female agent – who has battled sexism and racism her entire career – makes him question his loyalty in her mission to make him an informer.
Alexander Skarsgard as a sentient cyborg in Murderbot.
MURDERBOT
FRIDAY, APPLE TV+
If this sci-fi comedy adapted from the book series The Murderbot Diaries isn't the best thing that Alexander Skarsgard has done since True Blood, it's certainly the most fun. The shredded Swedish hunk is fabulous with an awkward, nerdy inner monologue as the title character, a cyborg who has hacked his code to become self-aware, and thereby developing a love for cheesy soap operas (the Star Trek meets Days of Our Lives show-within-a-show is hilarious) and a contempt for the vast bulk of humanity. When he's reluctantly hired to protect a bunch of clueless hippy scientists on a hostile planet – and haunted by memory flashes of terrible past deeds – he has to hide his true nature, or risk being scrapped.
Ewan McGregor is back on his bike in The Long Way Home
LONG WAY HOME
APPLE TV+, NEW EPISODES FRIDAYS
Actor Ewan McGregor and his bestie Charlie Boorman conquered some hostile, remote terrain and brutal conditions in their previous motorcycle treks across Eastern Europe, Africa and South America. As befits their advancing years – and the fact that Boorman nearly died in a 2016 bike crash – their latest jaunt around Europe on refurbished vintage motorcycles is a much more genteel affair. But what it lacks in drama as they travel through Holland, Germany, the Arctic Circle and the Baltic States, it makes up for in humour as the affable pair lean more into travelogue territory, investigating local customs, like the obscure Dutch sport of far-leaping and having surprise encounters such as the German shooting and drinking club. What could possibly go wrong?
Michel Roux traces his father's footsteps in Roux Down the River.
ROUX DOWN THE RIVER
SATURDAY, 7.30PM, SBS FOOD
Never mind the Michelin starred restaurants and the gastronomic marvels whipped up by French-English chef Michel Roux as he floats down the Thames, the true MVP of this new cooking-travel series is the saliva-inducing, heart-attack-beckoning cheesy chips dish, available at pub that's only accessible by boat. Roux's own version looks even better and his enthusiasm for food and family is infectious as the retraces the steps of his famous father and uncle, who founded The Waterside Inn and helped turn the tiny riverside village of Bray into the high-end food capital of the UK. Watching him cook with his cousin Alain is a joy and his Roux's easily ability to put at ease the nervous chefs cooking for him is charming.
The FA Cup final is Manchester City's last shot at some serious silverware this season. Picture:FA CUP FINAL
SUNDAY 12AM, OPTUS SPORT
It's been a bit of a dud season for Manchester City by their own lofty standards of recent years, with no shot at winning the league and bundled out early in the Champions League. But a win in the oldest national football competition in the world would give Pep Guardiola's billion Euro squad some consolation and a guaranteed place in the Europa League. In their way is Crystal Palace, who are currently in the bottom half of the Premier League and haven't won a major trophy in more than two decades. But the FA Cup final has rich history of upsets (and one day I'll get over unfancied Wimbledon knocking off mighty Liverpool in 1988, but probably not this century) so anything can happen. Game on!
Dan Aykroyd explores the extraordinary in The Unbelievable on SBS.
THE UNBELIEVABLE WITH DAN AYKROYD
MONDAY, 8.30PM, SBS VICELAND
Spook enthusiast and former Ghostbuster Dan Aykroyd, who claims to have had four alien encounters himself, is exactly the right person to host this documentary about strange experiences and phenomena from around the world and beyond. His clipped tones and matter-of-fact delivery – backed up by news reports and various experts – make the extraordinary stories of people bossed around by nature somewhat more credible. There's close encounters with meteors, tornado survival tales, fish and gelatinous blobs falling from the sky and the man who apparently had his sight restored by a lightning strike. It veers into woo-woo territory occasionally, but does it in a briskly entertaining fashion.
Train Rescue Down Under will make you look at the mighty machines with new respect.
TRAIN RESCUE DOWN UNDER
TUESDAY, 8PM, 7MATE
This doco might be aimed at squarely as the gunzel community (that's trainspotters to you and me) but anyone who's ever stepped on to a train might be astounded by the amount of work and tech that goes into keeping your daily commute on track. This week's first episode spotlights a group of mostly blokes living their best lives by working on the Ghan, Brisbane's passenger train network and at the heritage-listed Ipswich Rail Workshop, home to Queensland's longest running steam locomotive. There's a lot of animated talk about flange rollers, gudgeon pins, keeper plates, capdabblers and smendlers (I might have made a couple of them up) but their passion, knowledge and skill can't be faulted.
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Have you got what it takes to be the next Australian Idol?
Fancy yourself as a singer? Sick and tired of wasting your voice, singing in the shower, or in the car, or in front of an unappreciative audience of five at your local pub's karaoke night? Now's your chance. Film yourself singing, fill out an online form, upload your video or share a link, and hold your breath. "We know Newcastle is brimming with fresh talent and we'd love to showcase some of it in the next season of the show," a spokesperson fro Eureka Productions told the Newcastle Herald. "We're excited to see what Newcastle has to offer and encourage performers from all genres to apply. "Newcastle auditions begin as virtual. Interested performers are encouraged to fill out an application form at and callbacks will be held over Zoom in July." In a promotional video uploaded to Australian Idol's Facebook page, host Ricki-Lee Coulter says: "Whether you're country or crooner, rapper or rockstar, or anything in-between, Australian Idol wants to hear from you." A good voice and stage presence isn't enough, though. To be considered, you must be an Australian; a New Zealand citizen living in Australia; or a current permanent resident of Australia. You must not have an existing contract with any other television show or record label. And, importantly, you must be aged between 15 and 35 (as of October 1, 2025) to audition. That has rubbed some wanna-be Idols up the wrong way, if social media comments are anything to go by ("Can we just leave the auditions open for all ages? The oldest contestant in Eurovision this year was 52!" ... "Can't anyone older than 35 sing?" ..."Only 15 - 35 years old?? Ageism right there!! LOL!! I'm 51!!" ... "It's always been for younger people. I think The Voice has a wider age range"). Yes, that's true. The Voice auditions are open to ages 13 and up. If you meet the criteria and are considering auditioning for Australian Idol 2026, the following statistics might be of interest. This year's grand finale, won by Marshall Hamburger, reached 1.85 million people across Seven and 7plus, which was a 13 per cent increase on the 2024 grand finale. Across its full 2025 season, Australian Idol reached 11.14 million people. And Hamburger won $100,000 in prize money and an exclusive recording package with Hive Sound Studios. "Our call out and dedicated website at has been created to make it as easy as possible for all Newcastle residents to showcase their talents and chase their Idol dream," the spokesperson said. Fancy yourself as a singer? Sick and tired of wasting your voice, singing in the shower, or in the car, or in front of an unappreciative audience of five at your local pub's karaoke night? Now's your chance. Film yourself singing, fill out an online form, upload your video or share a link, and hold your breath. "We know Newcastle is brimming with fresh talent and we'd love to showcase some of it in the next season of the show," a spokesperson fro Eureka Productions told the Newcastle Herald. "We're excited to see what Newcastle has to offer and encourage performers from all genres to apply. "Newcastle auditions begin as virtual. Interested performers are encouraged to fill out an application form at and callbacks will be held over Zoom in July." In a promotional video uploaded to Australian Idol's Facebook page, host Ricki-Lee Coulter says: "Whether you're country or crooner, rapper or rockstar, or anything in-between, Australian Idol wants to hear from you." A good voice and stage presence isn't enough, though. To be considered, you must be an Australian; a New Zealand citizen living in Australia; or a current permanent resident of Australia. You must not have an existing contract with any other television show or record label. And, importantly, you must be aged between 15 and 35 (as of October 1, 2025) to audition. That has rubbed some wanna-be Idols up the wrong way, if social media comments are anything to go by ("Can we just leave the auditions open for all ages? The oldest contestant in Eurovision this year was 52!" ... "Can't anyone older than 35 sing?" ..."Only 15 - 35 years old?? Ageism right there!! LOL!! I'm 51!!" ... "It's always been for younger people. I think The Voice has a wider age range"). Yes, that's true. The Voice auditions are open to ages 13 and up. If you meet the criteria and are considering auditioning for Australian Idol 2026, the following statistics might be of interest. This year's grand finale, won by Marshall Hamburger, reached 1.85 million people across Seven and 7plus, which was a 13 per cent increase on the 2024 grand finale. Across its full 2025 season, Australian Idol reached 11.14 million people. And Hamburger won $100,000 in prize money and an exclusive recording package with Hive Sound Studios. "Our call out and dedicated website at has been created to make it as easy as possible for all Newcastle residents to showcase their talents and chase their Idol dream," the spokesperson said. Fancy yourself as a singer? Sick and tired of wasting your voice, singing in the shower, or in the car, or in front of an unappreciative audience of five at your local pub's karaoke night? Now's your chance. Film yourself singing, fill out an online form, upload your video or share a link, and hold your breath. "We know Newcastle is brimming with fresh talent and we'd love to showcase some of it in the next season of the show," a spokesperson fro Eureka Productions told the Newcastle Herald. "We're excited to see what Newcastle has to offer and encourage performers from all genres to apply. "Newcastle auditions begin as virtual. Interested performers are encouraged to fill out an application form at and callbacks will be held over Zoom in July." In a promotional video uploaded to Australian Idol's Facebook page, host Ricki-Lee Coulter says: "Whether you're country or crooner, rapper or rockstar, or anything in-between, Australian Idol wants to hear from you." A good voice and stage presence isn't enough, though. To be considered, you must be an Australian; a New Zealand citizen living in Australia; or a current permanent resident of Australia. You must not have an existing contract with any other television show or record label. And, importantly, you must be aged between 15 and 35 (as of October 1, 2025) to audition. That has rubbed some wanna-be Idols up the wrong way, if social media comments are anything to go by ("Can we just leave the auditions open for all ages? The oldest contestant in Eurovision this year was 52!" ... "Can't anyone older than 35 sing?" ..."Only 15 - 35 years old?? Ageism right there!! LOL!! I'm 51!!" ... "It's always been for younger people. I think The Voice has a wider age range"). Yes, that's true. The Voice auditions are open to ages 13 and up. If you meet the criteria and are considering auditioning for Australian Idol 2026, the following statistics might be of interest. This year's grand finale, won by Marshall Hamburger, reached 1.85 million people across Seven and 7plus, which was a 13 per cent increase on the 2024 grand finale. Across its full 2025 season, Australian Idol reached 11.14 million people. And Hamburger won $100,000 in prize money and an exclusive recording package with Hive Sound Studios. "Our call out and dedicated website at has been created to make it as easy as possible for all Newcastle residents to showcase their talents and chase their Idol dream," the spokesperson said. Fancy yourself as a singer? Sick and tired of wasting your voice, singing in the shower, or in the car, or in front of an unappreciative audience of five at your local pub's karaoke night? Now's your chance. Film yourself singing, fill out an online form, upload your video or share a link, and hold your breath. "We know Newcastle is brimming with fresh talent and we'd love to showcase some of it in the next season of the show," a spokesperson fro Eureka Productions told the Newcastle Herald. "We're excited to see what Newcastle has to offer and encourage performers from all genres to apply. "Newcastle auditions begin as virtual. Interested performers are encouraged to fill out an application form at and callbacks will be held over Zoom in July." In a promotional video uploaded to Australian Idol's Facebook page, host Ricki-Lee Coulter says: "Whether you're country or crooner, rapper or rockstar, or anything in-between, Australian Idol wants to hear from you." A good voice and stage presence isn't enough, though. To be considered, you must be an Australian; a New Zealand citizen living in Australia; or a current permanent resident of Australia. You must not have an existing contract with any other television show or record label. And, importantly, you must be aged between 15 and 35 (as of October 1, 2025) to audition. That has rubbed some wanna-be Idols up the wrong way, if social media comments are anything to go by ("Can we just leave the auditions open for all ages? The oldest contestant in Eurovision this year was 52!" ... "Can't anyone older than 35 sing?" ..."Only 15 - 35 years old?? Ageism right there!! LOL!! I'm 51!!" ... "It's always been for younger people. I think The Voice has a wider age range"). Yes, that's true. The Voice auditions are open to ages 13 and up. If you meet the criteria and are considering auditioning for Australian Idol 2026, the following statistics might be of interest. This year's grand finale, won by Marshall Hamburger, reached 1.85 million people across Seven and 7plus, which was a 13 per cent increase on the 2024 grand finale. Across its full 2025 season, Australian Idol reached 11.14 million people. And Hamburger won $100,000 in prize money and an exclusive recording package with Hive Sound Studios. "Our call out and dedicated website at has been created to make it as easy as possible for all Newcastle residents to showcase their talents and chase their Idol dream," the spokesperson said.
7NEWS
a day ago
- 7NEWS
Robbie Fowler backs ‘top manager' Ange Postecoglou amid reports he will be sacked by Tottenham
English Premier League icon Robbie Fowler has thrown his support behind Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou amid reports the Aussie is facing the axe. Postecoglou guided Tottenham to Europa League victory last month, ending the club's 17-year trophy drought, but they also endured their worst domestic season for nearly half a century by finishing 17th in the Premier League. The 59-year-old said last month he remained unsure of his future, with reports in British media this week saying Tottenham are set to make their decision soon. Fowler is well aware of Postecoglou's success, having played in the A-League while the master coach was in charge of the all-conquering Brisbane Roar. 'I don't think so (he should get sacked), but you know we've seen managers with worse records who've been sacked. We've seen managers with worse records who keep the job,' he told 7NEWS Melbourne. 'I know with Tottenham, people will sort of quite rightly look at the performances in the Premier League and think it's not been good enough. And look, let's be honest, it hasn't. 'But I think he certainly deserves a stay of grace because the chance that Tottenham have won that Europa League for the first trophy in a long time. 'I'm a big fan of Ange. So hopefully the Premier League stays with him. Tottenham stay with him and we see him being successful for quite a long time. 'You know I've been a massive fan since I was over here playing for North Queensland Fury, watching his Brisbane Roar team you know absolutely annihilate opponents. 'He's a top, top manager who, should be in the Premier League. And hopefully he's there for a long, long time.' Fowler was in Melbourne celebrating the 20-year anniversary of Liverpool's Champions League title in 2005. He is the latest in a long list of EPL greats to throw their support behind the Aussie. Former Swiss international Ramon Vega, who made 64 league appearances for Tottenham, said letting the Australian go would be one of the biggest mistakes the club could make. 'I find it incredibly disrespectful to even think about sacking Ange Postecoglou,' Vega said on social media. 'He has accomplished the impossible - something others with more significant credentials have failed to achieve.' Ex-Spurs and Ireland striker Robbie Keane said in the eyes of the fans the Europa League win had made up for the woeful domestic campaign, and Postecoglou had backed up his statement that he always wins something in his second season. In his first season at the club, Spurs were top of the league in October but they eventually finished fifth and suffered early exits in the FA Cup and League Cup. 'There's no getting away from that (league form). I think everybody, certainly the manager, has admitted that,' Keane told talkSPORT. 'But I tell you what - as someone who's played for Spurs, and my two kids are Spurs fans, I don't think anyone cared at the end, because winning the trophy - at the end of the day it's about winning. 'He's got a lot of stick, Ange, and to be fair to him, he's backed it up by his comment that he made about the second season and he put himself under a lot of pressure but he's done it. So I think now - give him time.' In an interview with Stats Perform, former Tottenham and United States goalkeeper Brad Friedel called on the club to back Postecoglou in the transfer window. 'I hope for Postecoglou they keep him and let him build in the summer and see how the start of the season goes,' the American said.
West Australian
a day ago
- West Australian
Wallabies captain firms for Reds' tall finals task
Harry Wilson has completed training with a heavily-strapped arm as the incumbent Wallabies captain's tilt to face the Crusaders in the Queensland Reds' sudden-death quarter-final strengthened. In just his second game back from injury, the flanker left the field late in the Reds' big defeat of the Fijian Drua on Saturday holding the same arm he had fractured earlier this season. But in confident signs, Wilson was tackling and running freely on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the Reds' departure on Wednesday. Winger Tim Ryan (ankle) and versatile forward Seru Uru (knee) also trained as Wilson pushed for a return for the clash, likely to be played in near-freezing, wet conditions in Christchurch on Friday night. Their availability would be a huge boost for Les Kiss's injury-hit side. Wilson starred when the Reds snapped a 25-year winning drought in Christchurch last year, pouncing on an out-of-form Crusaders team who have since rediscovered their mojo. They pipped the ACT Brumbies in Canberra last week to snag second place and ensure the fifth-placed Reds travelled across the ditch rather than to the nation's capital for their must-win game. Lock Josh Canham said there were ways to ensure the hosts didn't swallow them up on Friday night. "We're up for the challenge," he said. "Everyone knows the Crusaders in finals are a force but the boys showed last year it's possible to win over there. "We've had a lot of good moments in our games but fluctuated really poorly in our bad areas. "Don't bounce up and down, all games fluctuate, but don't bounce that far, we'll be in the game. "(Flyhalf Tom Lynagh's) been great this year putting us forwards on the front foot. "It's never going to be perfect, but when things don't go perfect we don't put our heads down and go into a shell, we fight our way out of it." Canham, 24, doesn't usually commit energy to analysing his opposite number but admits it's hard to ignore when that man is the All Blacks captain. Scott Barrett is the second-row superstar who played a big role in the Crusaders' run of five consecutive Super Rugby titles either side of the domesticated 2020-21 seasons. "I try not to think about my opposition too much but it's hard to ignore him," Canham said. "It's his full-round game. Detail around his lineout stuff, his carries, maul work. "It will be awesome to go against his lineout as well." The Reds won't have Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (shoulder) to help in the lineout, making the task tougher for the talented Victorian. Ryan Smith, who will depart for Welsh club Ospreys next season, and Angus Blyth have ensured the depth chart at lock remains strong.
