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5 August
Vera – Season 12
The return of DCI Vera Stanhope, who – with the help of her wit and charm – leads a team of detectives in the pursuit of answers to murder mysteries in Northumberland, UK. Starring Brenda Blethyn, Jon Morrison and Riley Jones.
7 August
Tom Gleeson: Joy
Australia’s 2019 Gold Logie winner. Chief celebrity interrogator. Host of the highest-rating quiz show on TV. There’s not much Tom Gleeson hasn’t been up to. Now we can watch the great man live on stage. Experience the Joy.
Foreign Correspondent: Bad Monks (8 August)
In Thailand, Buddhism and the monks that lead the religion are deeply revered and hold a special place in Thai society. But a series of scandals involving corruption, adultery, drug use and even murder have undermined the religion’s moral authority. The ABC’s South-East Asia Correspondent Lauren Day reports on the ever-growing number of scandals engulfing the religion. She talks to the Thai police who are going undercover to hunt down badly behaving monks and she heads out on patrol with the Monk Police whose aim is to catch wayward monks and drag them into line.
12 August
Play School Science Time – Season 3
Dust off your lab coat, Play School’s Science Time is back for even more awesome experiments! Join Matt and Miah to learn about snot, stars, spaceships, and everything in between.
Australian Story: Nick Cave with Leigh Sales
In a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation with Leigh Sales, Cave discusses the enduring strength of his Australian roots, what he has learned about grief, his attitude to drugs, his search for meaning in religion and why he continues to make new, often challenging, music well into his 60s with his band the Bad Seeds. Broadcast at 8pm on ABC TV and on ABC iview.
13 August
The Secret Lives of Our Urban Birds: Perth
Dr. Ann Jones is on her latest birding adventure, this time across Perth. Uncovering the secrets of majestic wedge-tailed eagles to sexy splendid fairy wrens, she learns why people are passionate about their charismatic birds.
14 August
Shaun Micallef’s Eve of Destruction
Series. One question, two guests and the man everyone agrees is this country’sleast experienced interviewer. Join Shaun Micallef each week as he chats with his famous acquaintances about what’s really important to them.
Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee
Guy Montgomery and assistant Aaron Chen star in this fast-paced hilarious new comedy that puts four famous faces through their paces, as they attempt to spell as best they can to be crowned that week’s best speller.
15 August
George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces – Season 12
Amazing Spaces is back, with some of the most eccentric, ambitious, and passionate self-builders George Clarke has ever met! And, not to be outdone, George attempts to create an elegant airborne cabin from an old industrial scissor lift! He also heads to Denmark, home of gorgeous and minimalist architecture.
Foreign Correspondent: Paradise in Flames
The recent violence in the tourist mecca of New Caledonia caught many outsiders by surprise. But within the South Pacific nation tensions between the French government and indigenous Kanak people have been simmering for decades. Naomi Selvaratnam reports from the French capital Noumea where outbreaks of violence are still occurring.
18 August
Compass
Series. Compass explores the Australian soul – our beliefs, our ethical dilemmas and the changing face of our spirituality, with new host, popular journalist and broadcaster, Indira Naidoo.
19 August
Flashpoint: A matter of conscience or an act of betrayal?
In this episode of Australian Story, former Labor senator Fatima Payman reveals why she voted against her party and the fallout that followed, both at home and in the capital. Presented by Leigh Sales.
Four Corners: Water Grab (19 August)
The Northern Territory government is rolling out the red carpet for this controversial crop as part of its huge development plans, but growers are already pushing the boundaries. Reporter Angus Grigg exposes a system riven by conflicts of interest that threatens to destroy some of the NT’s most famous tourism destinations.
20 August
The Assembly
The Assembly. Image: ABC.
Mentored by one of Australia’s most renowned interviewers, Leigh Sales, The Assembly follows autistic journalism students as they interview Australia’s biggest names.
Back Roads – Season 10
The return of Back Roads sees popular host Heather Ewart and guest presenters once again travel across regional and remote Australia, uncovering stories of resilience and inspiration.
22 August
The Real Cost of a Rose
A bouquet of flowers is the go-to gift for many special occasions, but the world is paying a high price for out-of-season blooms, including right here in Australia. This week on Foreign Correspondent, reporter Isabella Higgins travels to the Netherlands, the country at the centre of this trade.
23 August
Mulholland Drive
Film (2001). After a car wreck on Mulholland Drive renders a woman amnesiac, she and a Hollywood-hopeful search for clues and answers across Los Angeles in a twisting venture beyond dreams and reality. Written and directed by David Lynch and starring Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux, Ann Miller, Mark Pellegrino and Robert Forster.
Good Game Spawn Point
Celebrate 15 years of video games and Good Game Spawn Point with 10 Super Silly Super Specials! Join Gem, Harry, and some new friends in the brand-new den of gaming as they imagine what would happen if life was more like their favourite games.
30 August
Van der Valk – Season 4
Van der Valk, an unapologetic Dutch detective, takes on criminal cases in Amsterdam, solving mysteries with astute observation and his natural street smarts.
Gardening Australia
Gardening Australia. Image: ABC.
Back after their winter break, Costa and the Gardening Australia team return with more beautiful gardens, inspiring plant-lovers, and practical information.
