Amandaland
Wednesday, streaming on Stan
She came, she saw . . . she gentrified!
Yep, TV’s most insufferable “Karen” is back, with Lucy Punch returning to reprise her role as the eminently hateable, but also kinda loveable, Amanda Hughes in the second season of this Motherland spin-off.
Not caught it yet? You must. And while you’re at it, revisit the show that spawned this character — both are easily the best British comedies doing the rounds right now (the fact comedy legend Joanna Lumley stars in this tells you all you need to know).
This season sees Amanda back doing what she does best — getting up people’s goats, and putting herself front and centre in every scenario. She’s re-created herself as a social media influencer, and she’s out there hustling in South Harlesden to improve her lot, whether those around her like it or not.
“Amanda is still living in Soha and still juggling teenagers, her online Senuous brand and her co-lab,” an official release reads.
“But while she’s resigned to staying put, she has big plans to upscale” — just what that means is anyone’s guess, but you can bet it will be obnoxious and entirely tone-deaf.
There’s something so delicious about Punch’s portrayal of Amanda. British comedy has always been so good at irksome sorts — Basil Fawlty, David Brent, Alan Partridge, Hyacinth Bucket . . . the list goes on — and Punch’s Amanda is right up there with the best of them.
Put this one on your watch list — it’s well worth the cringe.
Killer Grannies
Monday, 8.30pm, 7Bravo
“Grandmothers are safe, sweet, loving . . . but what if your granny wasn’t trustworthy at all? What if behind that smile was not just a con artist, but a killer?”
Um, WHAT? Say it ain’t so, nanna!
The first episode of this doco series is all about double killer (and doting granny) Lois Riess, an American woman who evaded authorities after killing two people. Her story’s a doozy, ripped straight from the pages of a tabloid mag.
Each episode charts the exploits of equally egregious grans — if that’s not piquing your interest, you’ve clearly never felt compelled to thumb a copy of That’s Life magazine at the doctors.
Prime Minister
Thursday, streaming on Netflix
When I grow up, I want to be Jacinda Ardern. So I’ll be watching this doco, which traces her rise to the top job. She became New Zealand’s youngest prime minister and a mum all at the same time and, honestly, I bow down to her audacity. Can’t wait for this one.
Taskmaster
Thursday, 7.30pm, Ten
Love me a bit of Taskmaster. And though the Aussie version can be a little hit and miss, I’ll be tuning in to see Rove McManus, Celia Pacquola, Anisa Nandaula, Brett Blake and Joel Creasey give it a red-hot go.
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Friday, streaming on Netflix
Based on the well-loved novel, this stars Sally Field as Tova Sullivan, a 70-year-old widow who works the night shift cleaning at an aquarium and forms a friendship of sorts with Marcellus, a cranky, old giant Pacific octopus who narrates the story. This has “heartfelt hit” written all over it — tissues to the ready.
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