What To Watch TV Reviews: 30 years of Australian Story, The Gentlemen, Raygun: Breaking Badly and Chad Powers

Australian Story Live: Celebrating 30 Years

Monday, 8pm, ABC

Australian Story has been a mainstay of Monday nights on the ABC for more than three decades. During that time it has cemented a spot for itself in our collective imagining of what it means to be Australian — you could say it’s helped write our story as a country.

A few weeks back, the show celebrated its 30th anniversary with a special concert at The Sydney Opera House, which was filmed for this special.

Hosted by perennial ABC favourite Leigh Sales, the special event brought together some of the program’s most fascinating and noteworthy guests, including actor Claudia Karvan, Olympic swimmer Michael Klim, First Nations community leader Mechelle Turvey, maths whizz Eddie Woo, and graziers Gayle and Mac Shann.

The show’s founding executive producer Deborah Fleming was also on hand, and there were musical appearances by Tim Minchin and Alex Lloyd, as well as a rousing singalong by Pub Choir conductor Astrid Jorgensen.

And having recently been to one of her fabulous evening songfests, I can attest this is shaping up to be a fabulous night.

The special gives audiences an opportunity to look back at some of the moments that have made this program so special.

Australian Story has helped solve crimes, pushed for changes in legislation, shone a light on unsung heroes, and given us a peek into myriad lives we might never have had access to otherwise — and for that it deserves to be celebrated.

Here’s to 30 more fabulous years — long may it air.

The Magic Faraway Tree

Streaming Now on Paramount Plus

If you’ve got little people at home, or even if you don’t but have fond recollections of reading Enid Blyton’s classic stories as a child, you’ll want to check out this film adaptation. Screenwriter Simon Farnaby, who’s the man behind Paddington 2 and Wonka, wrote the script, so that should give you some confidence. This has a great cast and scored fantastic reviews when it launched earlier this year. Seek it out.

Raygun: Breaking Badly

Tuesday, streaming on Netflix

I squealed when watching this trailer! This doco is the sanctioned story of Aussie academic-turned-Olympic breakdancer Rachel “Raygun” Gunn, told in her own words. It touches on the controversy that erupted after her infamous breaking routine. Directed by Chapman and Maclain Way (the duo behind Wild Wild Country), this is shaping up to be a fascinating insight into a cultural moment — can’t wait.

The Gentlemen

Thursday, streaming on Netflix

Wasn’t sure if this Guy Ritchie series would return — it met with mixed reviews. But for my part, I quite enjoyed the glorious escapism of it all, and I’m glad it’s back for season two. This sees us returning to check in with lord of the manor Eddie Horniman (Theo James), who is now all-in and running the family drug empire. This season sees him attempting to grow the business internationally. The Mafia may have one or two things to say about that.

Chad Powers S2

Thursday, streaming on Disney Plus

Mr Everywhere, aka Glen Powell, is back, popping on the prosthetics again to play his football player alter ego, Chad Powers. Chad’s star is ascending, but keeping up with his elaborate double life is testing Russ Holliday (Powell) in ways he never thought possible. He’s going to need his allies on board, but can they be trusted to keep his alter ego a secret? This is silly, frothy fun — mindless TV for a Tuesday.