New fantasy series Once Upon a Time starts its magical journey, and Project Runway season nine.
TV
Once Upon a Time
Cricket (Sky Sport 1, Sky 030, 1.30pm). The third one-day international against Zimbabwe, who have not had a lot of fun in New Zealand. Will the loss of Black Caps’ batsman Dean Brownlie (he has a broken finger) make a difference though? Time will tell.
Once Upon a Time (TV2, 8.30pm). In a land far, far away (Maine), there’s a town stuffed to the gills with outcasts from the magic kingdom. Not Disney, though this light fantasy is reminiscent of those old family shows, but with a bigger budget and from the brains behind Lost, who are everywhere these days. Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison, House) is a bail bondswoman, so far unaware that she’s actually the first-born child of Snow White and Prince Charming, who have alter egos in her hometown. High concept, but whacky fun. – Sarah Barnett
Bones (TV3, 8.30pm). Our favourite of the myriad forensic-science crime procedurals, thanks to its refusal to glamorise or sex up murder, not to mention its will-they-won’t-they tension between Brennan (Emily Deschanel, sister of New Girl’s Zooey) and Booth (David Boreanaz). Of course, we know they did, and now Brennan’s up the duff: we can only hope the baby isn’t a sign this show is flagging. – Sarah Barnett
Media 7 (TVNZ 7, 9.05pm). With Stratos gone and TVNZ 7 to follow, Media 7 examines of the state of public service broadcasting in New Zealand. On the panel with Russell Brown are Rachel Cunliffe of Throng TV, film industry veteran Lindsay Shelton, and Peter Bell, president of the Screen Directors’ Guild. New broadcasting minister Craig Foss declined an invitation to appear, as he is still settling into his portfolio.
Project Runway (TV3, 9.30pm). Project Runway is the exception that proves the rule that reality shows are boring, and it’s the only one that TV week officially endorses! Season nine begins with 20 designers vying for 16 places, and that old meanie Tim Gunn wakes them up at 5am and tells them they have to create something from their pajamas and one sheet from their bed.
Haven (TV2, 10.30pm). Something by Stephen King gets adapted again. Haven is loosely based on King’s novella The Colorado Kid, and features and FBI agent (Emily Rose) who gets involved in a bunch of supernatural events in the town of Haven, Maine. (Maine is so spooky, isn’t it?) It’s similar to another SyFy series, Eureka, and in the same style – unchallenging viewing with a mystery-of-the-week feel. These series hang on the appeal of their stars, and Rose is bland, said the New York Times. She and co-star Lucas Bryant are pretty, however.
FILM
Black Swan (Sky Movies, Sky 020, 8.30pm). Not boring, said our reviewer David Larsen, even though the “script is ponderous and the story is ludicrous”. Natalie Portman, as the troubled young ballerina facing a make-or-break career challenge, is thoroughly convincing, and the film has visual panache. (2010)
RADIO
Nine to Noon with Kathryn Ryan (Radio New Zealand National, 9.06am). Today: The Electoral Commission’s decision to refer the appearance of John Key on Radio Live to the police; the Finance Minister discusses the impact of the European debt crisis on the New Zealand economy; UK correspondent Matthew Paris; Crystal Beaver reviews Siege by Simon Kernick; new technology with Donald Clark; parenting with Nigel Latta; and media with Gavin Ellis. Info and audio here.