
Sunday February 19
THE BOMBING OF DARWIN: AN AWKWARD TRUTH – THE HISTORY CHANNEL
7.30pm – Australian Exclusive Premiere
February 19 1942, the same Japanese forces that attacked Pearl Harbor struck Darwin, dropping more bombs, killing more civilians and sinking more ships. On the 70th anniversary of the Darwin bombing The History Channel presents an exclusive and world premiere on Australia’s first “physical contact with the war”. In examining the events of February 19 1942 we ask why the government kept the attack a dark secret and why the Australian military was totally unprepared for this major attack.
THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU – showtime premiere
8.30pm
The affair between a politician and a ballerina is affected by mysterious forces keeping the lovers apart. Starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt.
Monday February 20
TOP SHOT – A&E
8.30pm – Australian Exclusive Premiere
This new reality competition show takes aim at legendary tales of marksmanship. Top Shot taps into amazing feats of sharp-shooting, where teams and individuals shoot it out for a prize package. Contenders face challenges inspired by real events, from medieval crossbow contests to Wild West gun fights to modern-day sniper missions.
PROJECT RUNWAY – ARENA – Season 9
8.30pm - Australian Exclusive Premiere
Heidi is back for the highly anticipated 9th season of Project Runway and joined by regular favourites Michael Kors, Tim Gunn, and Nina Garcia on the judging panel. In this season the contestants have to make a case why they deserve one of the 16 coveted spots this season. Contestants must also think outside the box in a pet store, have one of the judges as a client, and create a piece of art that will serve as their inspiration. Season 9 boasts many guest stars including Kim Kardashian, Rose Byrne, Zoe Saldana, Christina Ricci, Adam Lambert and Malin Akerman.
*Note the TV guide for Foxtel says this is Wendnesdays and this should be Tori and Dean, but they have swapped nights.
PEACHES GELDOF: BEGINNERS GUIDE TO ISLAM – LIFESTYLE YOU
9.30PM
Peaches Geldof travels to Morocco to come face to face with the world’s most talked-about religion, looking behind the headlines and exploring the unfamiliar, to her, rituals and regimes of Islam. Staying with a devout Muslim family, she attends a ‘taking the veil’ party, travels up the Atlas Mountains by mule to expel her bad jinn, and tries hard not to witness the sacrifice of a sheep. But what does the Islamic world make of this precocious Londoner with a party girl reputation.
Tuesday February 21st
SMASH
7.30pm - Australian Television Premiere There’s nothing more exciting than the opening night of a hit Broadway musical, except maybe what happens getting there – this is the story of Smash. Julia and Tom, a successful songwriting team played by Debra Messing and Christian Borle, begin work on a new musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. When tenacious producer Eileen Rand (Anjelica Huston) jumps aboard, so begins the difficult task of casting the silver screen icon. Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty), a tough Broadway veteran, seems like the obvious choice. But enter Karen Cartwright (American Idol’s Katharine McPhee), a young girl from Iowa with a dream of making it on Broadway, who walks in and blows everyone away. So who will get the part and begin a journey that will change their lives? It’s an age-old story, but a star might be born once again. While everyone is consumed with putting the show together, real life has a tendency of getting in the way. Julia and her husband are in the middle of a complicated adoption; the producer’s husband begins divorce proceedings which could threaten the finances of the show; and the brilliant but womanising director Derek Wills (Jack Davenport) could derail everything if he puts the young star in a compromising position. This will be a rollercoaster ride that culminates on opening night when the audience gets to determine whether or not the show is a smash! Executive producers Steven Spielberg and Craig Zadan & Neil Meron (producers of Chicago and Hairspray), and songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray), bring you the blood, sweat, and tears of the making of a Broadway musical.
For a review click here.
SANDHOGS – A&E
9.30pm – Australian Television Premiere
Working in extremely hazardous conditions and facing a long history of death, Sandhogs toil underneath the streets just as they have for the past 150 years. Having built nearly every underground project in New York, they are an instrumental part of the development of NYC.
Wednesday February 22nd
THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE – FOX8 – Season 12
9.30pm - Australian Exclusive Premiere
The Celebrity Apprentice returns with a new all-star celebrity line up of candidates. The business-savvy celebrity contestants will be working towards a huge goal, as they aim to raise over $1 million for various charities throughout the season. Not only will the final winner be crowned “The Celebrity Apprentice,” but he or she will also have the honour of delivering a bonus cheque to their designated charity. However, raising money for charities doesn’t always bring out the nice side as in-fighting and constant disagreements keeps everyone on their toes. Contestants include Clay Aiken, Arsenio Hall, Debbie Gibson, Victoria Gotti, Cheryl Tiegs
TORI & DEAN: HOME SWEET HOLLYWOOD – ARENA – Season 6
8.30pm – Australian Exclusive Premiere
With a new store opening – an antique furniture and lifestyle store aptly named “invenTORI” – a book deal, dual acting careers and a third baby on the way, Tori and Dean once again prove that they can do it all, even under the spotlight of Hollywood. As always, close circle of friends come along for the ride. This season, viewers will get to experience the touching moment when Bill and Scout (the “Guncles”) welcome their new baby girl, Simone, to the family.
WITNESS TO WACO – CRIME & INVESTIGATION NETWORK
8.30pm
An in-depth look into the Branch Davidians, the religious cult, led by David Koresh in the late 1980s and early 1990s, that ultimately met with a tragic, fiery end. The revealing documentary features candid interviews with survivors of the tragedy and rarely-seen footage of David Koresh and other members of the group inside the compound throughout the siege of the property.
LOCK UP – CRIME & INVESTIGATION NETWORK – Season 11
Weekdays at 4.30pm
An extraordinary documentary archive of life behind bars, Lock Up allows the viewer to experience some of the most fascinating and violent places in the world-behind the walls of America’s prisons. Documenting the dangerous, horrendous, and monotonous conditions of the two million men and women who are locked up in the United States, this informational series offers never-before-seen access to a scary world most Americans pray they’ll never see up close. As Lock Up takes a close look at these aging, overcrowded facilities it asks a very hard question – is the most expensive correctional system in the world working?
Friday February 24
ALAN CARR: TOOTH FAIRY – THE COMEDY CHANNEL
8.30pm – Australian Exclusive Premiere
Alan Carr’s stand-up comedy show recorded at the Hammersmith Apollo Theatre in London.