The Playlist: we talk TVhttp://theplaylist.com.au/Australian TV guide show hosted by Andrew Mercado provides a critic's eye view of the stuff worth watching. Features reviews and previews of the best (and worst) of the box.en-au2012-04-27 00:00:00<![CDATA[Once upon a time ...]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2458 you couldn't turn your eyes to a screen without meeting the bloodshot gaze of a Vampire. It seems though that their days in the sun have sizzled them to obsoletion given the number of decidedly fairytale-esque types cavorting about the box at the mo.

But are we ready to close the book on those dead sexy Vampires and trade them in for Rumpelstiltskin and his frolicing fairy folk? 

Andrew Mercado asks The Sun Herald's Jo Casamento and our Voice of the Viewer Georgina Harrop if they're still fond of fairytales.

]]>2012-04-23 00:00:00<![CDATA[Still lovin' The Love Boat]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2457 Better known as The Love Boat's Captain Stubing, actor Gavin MacLeod may be just about the friendliest fellow on the high seas. When we found out he was taking shore leave from his current duties as Ambassador for Princess Cruises, we tripped over ourselves to meet him.

Andrew couldn't have been happier to get up close and personal with everyone's favourite cruise ship Captain.

]]>2012-04-16 00:00:00<![CDATA[Downton Abbey season 2]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2432 For those of you who've been patient enough to wait for Seven to finally schedule season 2, Andrew's interview with the show's Executive Producer, Gareth Neame will give you a taste of what to expect from the new season of this blue blooded drama.

]]>2012-04-13 00:00:00<![CDATA[Post Easter premieres]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2431 With ratings season back up and running after a little Easter break, you can expect the networks to start rolling out some tasty new fare to lure the punters in.

Andrew previews the upcoming Autumn drop with actor Toni Pearen and Time Out's Angus Fontaine.

]]>2012-04-09 00:00:00<![CDATA[It's a mad man's world ...]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2430 but as Don Draper discovers in the latest season of Mad Men (Movie Extra), the winds of change are a blowin'. Will Don and his dinosaur pals survive the revolution going on around them as the series plunges deeper into the 1960's? 

We've been waiting aaaages to find out and reckon this season's going to be a ripper for the girls. So who better to get in to talk about the real life world of a Mad Men femme than former creative director, Marion von Adlerstein and copywriter, Jane Caro. 

]]>2012-04-06 00:00:00<![CDATA[The might and glory of Game of Thrones 2]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2429 Has there been a second season more highly anticipated than that of HBO's fantastic creature Game of Thrones?

It's a series that's left the world salivating, and FINALLY there's more. 

To find out what makes this drama so compelling, Andrew talks with The Sydney Morning Herald's Greg Hassall and The Australian's Graeme Blundell.

]]>2012-04-02 00:00:00<![CDATA[Kid's TV - the quiet achiever]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2428 With Kid's programming on ABC2 consistently dominating the digital channels, and shows like The Kid's Choice Awards (Nickelodeon) topping the charts on Foxtel, we thought it timely to take a closer look at Kid's TV.

Andrew calls in the experts, Nickelodeon General Manager, Ben Richardson and actor/ Mum, Toni Pearen.

]]>2012-03-30 00:00:00<![CDATA[Ten's Breakfast upping the ante?]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2421 Andrew asks The Sunday Telegraph's Debbie Schipp and Time Out's Angus Fontaine what they think of the latest addition to breakfast TV's all you can eat buffet - Ten's very imaginatively named Breakfast.

]]>2012-03-26 00:00:00<![CDATA[What the cool kids are watching]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2330 It's taken aeons for cult-hipster-piss-take PORTLANDIA (ABC2) to make it to air in Australia. But like its so hip it hurts characters, true fans have no doubt already watched it on their blessed little iPads, smugly awaiting the rest of the world to catch up.  

Closer to home, SBS series DANGER 5 is another little gem that's bound to connect with the mod squad.

Andrew chats about these cool comedies with author Zoe Foster and voice of the viewer, Georgina Harrop.

]]>2012-03-23 00:00:00<![CDATA[Tangle 3 - dark and delectable]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2329 With the latest instalment of Tangle (Showcase) now on air, Andrew asks critics - The Australian's Graeme Blundell and TV Week's Erin McWhirter whether this award winning drama is still pushing their buttons. 

]]>2012-03-19 00:00:00<![CDATA[Tangle 3 - meet the men]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2314 With so much focus on the fabulous females of Tangle (showcase), we thought it was time to meet some of the fellas.

Andrew caught up with Kick Gurry and newbie Dan Wyllie on the set of Tangle season 3.

]]>2012-03-16 00:00:00<![CDATA[Luck throws a shoe]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2313 HBO may have just pulled the pin on the second season of this pedigreed production, but meanwhile, back in Australia - Luck's (showcase) first season is about to leap from the gates.

Andrew Mercado checks in with a couple of punters, Elaine Lee and Scott McRae to find out more about the eye catching new race track drama, Luck. 

]]>2012-03-12 00:00:00<![CDATA[Wisteria Lane we'll miss you]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2306 With the curtains about to come down on the Desperate Housewives, Andrew asks author Zoe Foster and The Sun Herald's Jo Casamento how they think it's all going to end.

]]>2012-03-09 00:00:00<![CDATA[Happy 40th Number 96]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2305 It's been 40 years since Australian TV lost its virginity with the premiere of Number 96. Andrew Mercado revisits the old tart with cast members Elaine Lee and Vince Martin.

]]>2012-03-05 00:00:00<![CDATA[Revenge: Dallas for the noughties?]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2265 We're not sure what she's been doing since 1996, but in the 20 years since starring alongside Daniel Day-Lewis in The Last of the Mohicans, Madeleine Stowe hasn't aged. At all.

Her preserved beauty serves her well as Revenge's scary matriarch - she's the best soap bitch we've seen in ages, with a death stare to rival Julie Bishop!

The ratings for Revenge (Seven) are proof that everyone loves a soap, especially one about a pretty, wronged blonde out to punish the billionaires who destroyed her father.   

Andrew asks filmmaker Gretel Killeen and Harper's Bazaar's Lisa Hensley what it is we love so much about a juicy, night time soap.

]]>2012-03-02 00:00:00<![CDATA[Expectations of an older Miss Havisham]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2264 Proof that a classic tale never dates is the latest telling of Charles Dickens' 1861 novel, Great Expectations (ABC1).

The BBC have crafted a dark and gritty version that will hopefully switch a new generation on to this masterpiece despite (or perhaps because of?) the casting of a "too youthful" Gillian Anderson as Miss Havisham.

Anyone who caught Anderson's performance as a brothel crone in last year's The Crimson Petal and the White (UKTV) will know that she's more than moved on from her days as Special Agent Dana Scully. But has she got what it takes to breathe new life into the literary world's most famous abandoned bride? 

Andrew asks actor Cornelia Frances and TV Week's Erin McWhirter what they think.

]]>2012-02-27 00:00:00<![CDATA[Dire Straits]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2252 Why aren't audiences tuning into new ABC drama The Straits? We can't work it out - it's a well made show with a top shelf cast set in Australia's exceptionally photogenic far north.

Andrew asks filmmaker Gretel Killeen and Time Out's Angus Fontaine why this top end drama isn't snaring the numbers it deserves.

]]>2012-02-24 00:00:00<![CDATA[Silence please, this year the Oscar goes to ...]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2251 Who will win, who will lose? Andrew asks film critic Lisa Hensley and Time Out's Angus Fontaine what their tips for this year's Oscars are.

]]>2012-02-20 00:00:00<![CDATA[Have you met Miss Fisher?]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2218 We're lost for superlatives to describe the wonderfulness that is Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (ABC1). 

Sexy, smart and oh so sumptuous to behold - FINALLY a Friday night drama worth staying in for, not least for the be-bubikopfed charms of Essie Davis' frightfully fabulous lady detective,  Miss Phryne Fisher.

To find out more about this most welcome addition to our Loving It list, Andrew talks with Sky News' Tracey Spicer and The Australian's Emma Jane.


]]>2012-02-17 00:00:00<![CDATA[Walking with zombies]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2217 Andrew talks with The Australian's Emma Jane and The Sun Herald's Sam de Brito about the launch of new Foxtel channel FX and the very eagerly awaited zombie series The Walking Dead.

]]>2012-02-13 00:00:00<![CDATA[A&E - TV with testicles]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2190 Foxtel's revving up a brand new channel chock full of high octane new programs. Think shows with names like Pawn Stars, Ice Road Truckers, Swamp People and Big Shrimpin'.

This is rootin', tootin' Man's TV!

Grrrrrrrrrr.

To find out more about all this action and entertainment, Andrew talks with a couple of blokes in the know, The Sunday Telegraph's Richard Clune and The SMH's Scott Ellis.

]]>2012-02-10 00:00:00<![CDATA[Smash hit]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2189 You've got to wonder how anyone could fail to be charmed by W's delectable new drama series Smash.

For starters it's backed by the might of Steven Spielberg, is jam packed with on-screen talent including Deborah Messing and Anjelica Huston (yes, ANGELICA HUSTON) and is the story of the staging of a Broadway musical about the perennially fascinating Marilyn Monroe. 

But is all that razzle dazzle a bit too gay um, niche? Andrew talks with Sky News' Tracey Spicer, and The Sun Herald's Sam de Brito to find out.

]]>2012-02-06 00:00:00<![CDATA[If you go down to the woods today ...]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2164 With the seemingly infinite couplings of supernatural beasties conjured by writers of film and TV, it's hard to imagine any mythical life-form lurking around out there without a hit TV series.

So it's no surprise to discover TV turning its attention to a smorgasbord of new villains - this time, the monsters and ghouls of fairytales.

Cue Grimm (FOX8), a new fantasy/crime series featuring a modern day detective blessed with the gift to see the fairytale monster lurking behind each week's murder scene.

To find out more about this beast-of-the-week procedural Andrew talks with The Sydney Morning Herald's Scott Ellis and thescifishow.com's Oscar Hillerstrom. 

]]>2012-02-03 18:32:32<![CDATA[Outland's gaggle of geeky gays]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2163 Just when we thought Aunty couldn't tickle our funny bone any harder, out rolled her latest local comedy series, Outland.

Based on the ups and downs of a gay science fiction fan club, Outland takes us down the rainbow path, and deep into the nerd cave where we discover 5 people for whom coming out in a sexuality sense is nothing compared to opening the closet on their geek-dom.

Andrew couldn't resist the opportunity to get all over Outland with The Playlist's favourite geek, Oscar Hillerstrom (thescifishow.com) and The Sunday Telegraph's Richard Clune

]]>2012-01-30 00:00:00<![CDATA[2012 preview]]>http://theplaylist.com.au/post/2146 TV stations have started to roll out their 2012 programs, so what can we look forward to? Andrew asks TV Week's Erin McWhirter and The Sydney Morning Herald's Michael Idato what shows are on their radar.

]]>