The Back Side of Television - Season 3
Season 3
Episodes
Trapped Under Something!
Mitch roadtests a tasteless theory from a TV executive. Plus, some love for a forgotten horror classic, and TV's nuclear bomb panic of the 1980s.
Cop Propaganda!
Mitch takes on cops! A fun look at some of the ways Australian television has been exploited by law enforcement.
PR Apocalypse!
Factual television goes under the microscope, and Mitch reveals how the sausage is really made. Plus, when television PR absolutely backfired in 1992.
Man vs Man!
Mitch looks at a long forgotten programming battle of 1994 - how a dating show with a pool almost changed the TV landscape forever. Plus, the 0055 premium number grift, and the surprisingly violent consequences to home VCRs in the early 80s.
Soap Conspiracy!
Mitch recalls one of the best worst TV specials that ever existed - the biggest creative gamble for nostalgia, nudity, and audience sanity. Plus, why did all the TV networks end up on trial when they refused to run a news story? A grubby conspiracy of money, incompetence and soap.
Recently Updated Shows
Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch
There are some places on earth where the land just seems different, and Blind Frog Ranch in eastern Utah is one of those places. Locals say the land is cursed. That it's trying to hold on to something. From Aztec treasure to caverns of gold and silver to lost Mormon mines, legends surround Duane Ollinger's 160-acre ranch in Utah's Uintah Basin. But Duane isn't concerned with the lore. After discovering a system of seven underground caves that run through his property, he is singularly focused on finding what's hidden in them - no matter what the cost.
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Seth Meyers, who is Saturday Night Live's longest serving anchor on the show's wildly popular "Weekend Update," takes over as host of NBC's Late Night — home to A-list celebrity guests, memorable comedy and the best in musical talent.
As the Emmy Award-winning head writer for "SNL," Meyers has established a reputation for sharp wit and perfectly timed comedy, and has gained fame for his spot-on jokes and satire. Meyers takes his departure from "SNL" to his new post at "Late Night," as Jimmy Fallon moves to The Tonight Show.
The Daily Show
Hosted by a rotating cast of comedy greats, The Daily Show remains the go-to source for provocative satire, insightful interviews and an award-winning team of correspondents and contributors.
Amandaland
Following three series of the Merman-produced, BAFTA award-winning series Motherland, a brand-new spin-off, Amandaland, is coming to the BBC, focused on Amanda.
Post her divorce, Amanda has had to downsize and up sticks to South Harlesden, or as the Estate Agent calls it SoHa (definitely not the area around Wormwood Scrubs prison).
With both Manus and Georgie now at secondary school, Amanda has to try and get her head around raising teenagers, dealing with modern motherhood horrors like teenage drinking, fake Instagram accounts and eco anxiety. Not even a woman as certain of her parenting as Amanda can deal with these nightmares alone.
Then there's Amanda's mother Felicity who is constantly around, and completely in denial that she is, in fact, lonely. Theirs is a slightly unhealthy co-dependent relationship based on backhanded compliments and veiled snipes about her new home.
After a brief spell of freedom, Anne is sucked back into being Amanda's minion to help her navigate the social scene with the other parents at the children's new school. Thank God for Anne.