![\"Paul](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/aba5557225476c74d8dde5841cd081450da0109c.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Paul Antoine and Carina Mirabile discuss the now-infamous wall punch on Married at First Sight. Credit: Nine<\/p>\n
The MAFS wall punch <\/p>\n
Toxic behaviour on Married at First Sight isn\u2019t anything new, but when groom Paul Antoine punched a wall during an argument with his TV wife in March, it made headlines<\/a> and provoked debate among fans and domestic violence groups<\/a> about what behaviour was truly acceptable on the show. Was it enough that the show\u2019s relationship experts condemned the act on screen? Or should the contestant have been sent home? This moment (and the season more broadly) became a flashpoint for many viewers reassessing their relationship<\/a> with the series and what they\u2019ll accept as entertainment. But it certainly didn\u2019t hurt the ratings. Meg Watson<\/p>\n Brothers in arms: Patrick Schwarzenegger and Sam Nivola in The White Lotus.Credit: Fabio Lovino\/HBO<\/p>\n The buzziest incest since Game of Thrones<\/p>\n It\u2019s always lovely seeing siblings getting along. That is until we watched the third season of The White Lotus. Viewers already sensed something was a little off between the Ratliff brothers in the first few episodes in March. But the weirdness went into hyperdrive when things get physical<\/a> during a wild night on a yacht. As expected, the incest of it all sent everyone wild. If it wasn\u2019t shock horror<\/a>, it was people shipping the two brothers (still a questionable take, in my opinion) or displaying a kind of desensitisation<\/a> typical of the internet today. The show\u2019s creator Mike White has always said he enjoys exploring taboos in his work. Well, mission accomplished. Nell Geraets<\/p>\n Olivia Wilde and Seth Rogen star in The Studio.<\/p>\n The Studio brings back good cameos<\/p>\n Cameos have been out of control recently, with shows throwing recognisable faces at us just because they can (I\u2019m looking at you, The Bear). So we all sighed with relief when watching Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg\u2019s The Studio<\/a>. This show single-handedly resuscitated the art of the cameo. Zoe Kravitz accidentally got super-high on mushrooms, Olivia Wilde sabotaged her film, Ron Howard was secretly a jerk. Martin Scorsese even sobbed over a failed studio deal, falling into the arms of Charlize Theron. Instead of mere fan service, these cameos were intrinsic to the plot \u2013 and wickedly funny to boot. NG<\/p>\n Sam Pang on the set of his his Ten talk show Sam Pang Tonight.<\/p>\n Sam Pang goes solo<\/p>\n Australian TV\u2019s current favourite It boy, Sam Pang<\/a>, took the biggest swing of his career, attempting to revive the late-night(ish) format on local screens. While Sam Pang Tonight! seriously wobbled in its first season early in the year \u2013 cheap sets, a terrible guest chair and a lack of direction \u2013 by the time it returned in October for a second crack it had found its rhythm, leaning into its silliness and booking some big-name guests (Russell Crowe was a highlight). Pang still needs to improve his interviewing skills, but it\u2019s a promising start for a long-neglected genre. Louise Rugendyke<\/p>\n The incredible camerawork of Adolescence<\/p>\n Built around the murder of a teenage girl, this superbly crafted and confronting study of family life<\/a>, masculinity and the impact of social media soared to thrilling heights at the end of its second episode. From locking viewers into the grief and trauma of a small English community with its audacious single-shot style<\/a>, the camera takes off, soaring above the site of the girl\u2019s death and the memorial that\u2019s grown around it. The transcendent moment propels the issues exposed by the drama into a much wider sphere. Debi Enker<\/p>\n Sarah Jessica Parker in the dud final episode of And Just Like That \u2026 <\/p>\n A cringeworthy end for TV\u2019s most cringeworthy show<\/p>\n This year Sex and the City fans were finally freed from the clutches of And Just Like That \u2026, a spin-off series that not only paled in comparison to the iconic original show, but often seemed determined to destroy its legacy. While it was mercifully free of the show\u2019s worst character, Che Diaz, and did offer glimmers of what could have been<\/a>, the final season subjected us to true hate-watch horrors including drunken phone sex with Aidan<\/a> and a finale that culminated in faeces spilling out of a toilet<\/a>. How fitting. MW<\/p>\n Jonathan LaPaglia, or \u2018JLP\u2019, was sacked by Ten after hosting Australian Survivor for 10 years.<\/p>\n Real-life Survivor drama <\/p>\n Reality TV beefs spilled off-screen this year, with the controversial sacking<\/a> of longtime Australian Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia clouding the launch of Survivor: Australia v The World<\/a>. LaPaglia described the decision as a \u201cblindside\u201d and didn\u2019t hide his disappointment over the season\u2019s run. Nor did the show\u2019s fans, with many expressing confusion with Network 10\u2019s decision to replace him with David Genat<\/a>, and the lack of explanation considering LaPaglia\u2019s popularity. This landmark season also caused drama overseas, with Survivor host Jeff Probst embroiled in a controversy<\/a> about US player Parvati Shallow being called \u201ca 1\u00bd-time winner\u201d, seemingly denigrating her win and our show. Matt Rogers of the popular Las Culturistas podcast then spectacularly came to Australia\u2019s defence, saying<\/a>: \u201cAustralian Survivor is, I\u2019m gonna say it, not only a more difficult version of Survivor but a better-produced version of Survivor. American Survivor you better get it together because they are lapping you, they are outclassing you around the world.\u201d He\u2019s not wrong! <\/a>MW<\/p>\n Sarah Harris (left), Carrie Bickmore, Sam Taunton, Dave Hughes, Georgie Tunny and Waleed Aly on the final episode of The Project.Credit: David Cook<\/p>\n The Project comes to an end<\/p>\n For those who\u2019d enjoyed The Project during its near 16-year run on Ten, news of its axing<\/a> came as a disappointment. For the program\u2019s critics \u2013 some of whom claimed it was \u201ctoo woke\u201d, to the surprise of long-serving conservative panellist Steve Price \u2013 its demise sparked an unseemly bout of schadenfreude. But as its ratings softened, Ten could no longer justify the show\u2019s high production costs \u2013 even though it knew a cheaper replacement would likely attract fewer viewers (and so it proved with 10 News+<\/a>, which the network will trim from one hour to 30 minutes in January). Michael Lallo<\/p>\n The Summer I Turned Pretty fans at one of Sydney\u2019s Chippo Hotel\u2019s famed watch parties.Credit: Wolter Peeters<\/p>\n The Summer I Turned Pretty ends, but girlhood lives on<\/p>\n Sometimes it\u2019s less about what unfolds on screen and more about the memes, character-specific Spotify playlists and watch parties<\/a>. Such was the case for the third and final season of The Summer I Turned Pretty. Like Taylor Swift\u2019s Eras tour and Greta Gerwig\u2019s Barbie <\/a>before it, this series became a living, breathing extension of girlhood, with Millennial and Gen Z women in particular embracing the teen drama. Fans got what they wanted from this love triangle when Belly, free from Jeremiah\u2019s clutches, chose his beautiful brother Conrad<\/a> and screams and squeals could be heard from packed pubs around the world<\/a>. It\u2019s a moment that\u2019s difficult to replicate \u2026 unless you\u2019re a fan of men\u2019s sport, I guess. Bronte Gossling<\/p>\n Cate Blanchett in Squid Game.<\/p>\n Squid Game ends with Cate Blanchett<\/p>\n Netflix\u2019s Squid Game<\/a> never wanted for surprises, so when South Korea\u2019s record-breaking dystopian survival drama concluded in June, there was one perfect final twist. As the reformed Hwang In-ho (Lee Byung-hun) visits Los Angeles to offer condolences, he hears the sound that opened the show: the children\u2019s game ddakji being played in an alley, with the loser being slapped. Hwang realises that Squid Game\u2019s recruiters are operating in America, with the slickly suited person coolly staring back at him played by none other than Cate Blanchett. It was a jaw-dropping cameo and the gateway to an American spin-off. Craig Mathieson<\/p>\n Magda Szubanski accepts her Hall of Fame Award via video link during the Logie Awards. Credit: Getty Images for TV WEEK Logie Awards<\/p>\n Magda Szubanski at the Logies<\/p>\n There was barely a dry eye in the house \u2013 or on sofas at home \u2013 when Magda Szubanski was inducted into the TV Week Logies Hall of Fame in August. Szubanski, who was diagnosed with stage four mantle cell lymphoma in May, appeared on a big screen at the event and pulled off her beanie to reveal a beautifully bald head. \u201cI want to say first of all … I\u2019m not being awarded this honour because I\u2019ve got cancer,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m getting this because of 40 years of hard work. I don\u2019t feel like an imposter. I feel like I\u2019ve earned it.\u201d Szubanski also thanked the public for their support and said the last few months had been difficult. \u201cThe love and support that I have felt, like a tsunami from the Australian public, has been overwhelming. And I have to tell you, it really helps.\u201d LR<\/p>\n Lynne McGranger wins the Gold Logie for her portrayal of Irene on Home And Away.Credit: Getty Images for TV WEEK Logie Awards<\/p>\n Lynne McGranger signs off<\/p>\n It was a big year for Lynne McGranger, the longest-serving female actor on Australian TV. Not only did the soap doyenne farewell Home and Away after an action-packed 33 years, she scooped up not only the Gold Logie for most popular personality on Australian television, but also the Silver Logie for best lead actress in a drama. To say the Silver Logie was a surprise is an understatement, but it did prove the power of the new voting system at the Logies and the power of its host broadcaster, Seven.<\/p>\n Jimmy Kimmel: \u201c[Trump] did his best to cancel me. Instead, he forced millions of people to watch the show.\u201dCredit: AP<\/p>\n Jimmy Kimmel\u2019s return to TV<\/p>\n When host Jimmy Kimmel walked onto the set of his late-night show on September 24 to loud cheers, it wasn\u2019t just any other night. It was Kimmel\u2019s return to television after the Disney-owned US network ABC suspended him for six days over his remarks about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel fought back tears as he addressed the audience, saying \u201cit was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man\u201d and expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support he had received from viewers and famous friends. And while US President Donald Trump \u2013 a regular target of Kimmel\u2019s \u2013 liked to boast that Kimmel had \u201cno ratings\u201d, a record number of viewers disagreed, with more than 6 million tuning in, propelling the show to a 10-year ratings high. LR<\/p>\n Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese in the documentary Mr Scorsese.<\/p>\n A glimpse into Martin Scorsese\u2019s dark past<\/p>\n Two very different things can be true: Martin Scorsese is America\u2019s greatest living filmmaker, a titan of cinema, and he also consumed a staggering amount of cocaine in the late 1970s. Throughout Rebecca Miller\u2019s terrific Apple TV documentary series Mr Scorsese<\/a>, the master director is effusive discussing everything from camera techniques to Hollywood rage. But when it comes to his cocaine sojourn, the 83-year-old is nervy and discreet. It is almost endearing, and quite instructive, watching Scorsese trying not to dwell on the addiction that left him at death\u2019s door. CM<\/p>\n Maddy (left) and Charlotte celebrate their win at The Block auction this weekend, selling their house for $3.5 million.Credit: Nine<\/p>\n The Block auctions are a bust<\/p>\n When this year\u2019s season of The Block delivered the smallest profits in 14 years<\/a>, viewers were quick to point fingers, claiming the reserve prices \u2013 determined by Nine (the owner of this masthead) \u2013 were too high, especially for a tree-change town such as Daylesford, where cashed-up buyers are not exactly plentiful. But in terms of ratings the show was a hit, averaging 2.65 million viewers for its finale: an astonishing result for a program in its 21st season. Executive producer Julian Cress put things into perspective by noting that The Block is a game show, \u201cnot a guarantee that you\u2019ll make life-changing money\u201d. ML<\/p>\n Celia Imrie and Alan Carr stole the show on The Celebrity Traitors.<\/p>\n Alan Carr giggles his way through Celebrity Traitors<\/p>\n Britain\u2019s version of The Traitors is always a total delight. But this inaugural celebrity season<\/a> cemented it as a cultural phenomenon<\/a>. The highlights? Seeing Stephen Fry get regularly outsmarted was fun. As was the moment 73-year-old actress Celia Imrie ripped a big fart. But the true star was Alan Carr, a surprisingly successful traitor who giggled his way through every interrogation. The US version of this hit show has been casting celebrities since 2023 to great effect, but the Brits delivered something softer and sillier. I can\u2019t wait for more. MW<\/p>\n Big Brother host Mel Tracina.\u00a0<\/p>\n Big Brother tries to turn back time<\/p>\n Big Brother went back to its original home of Network 10 this year, with a new house at Dreamworld and a promise to recapture the glory days of the early 2000s<\/a>. But did it deliver? Yes and no<\/a>.<\/p>\n Loading<\/p>\n This shortened season had a lot of buzz at the start of its run, with the 24\/7 livestream a particular hit. There were big characters, cruel challenges and relatively candid discussions about social issues<\/a>. But later episodes were embroiled in repetitive dating drama and the show seemed to rush to an end in its final weeks before hurriedly crowning single mum Coco the winner<\/a>. It wasn\u2019t perfect (those live shows ain\u2019t what they used to be), but the series is reportedly 10\u2019s biggest reality show since 2023, so if you developed a parasocial relationship with that livestream, you might well get another hit soon. MW<\/p>\n Robert Irwin takes the stage (and our hearts)<\/p>\n In a world that can feel overwhelmed with doom and gloom, Robert Irwin delivered a much-needed dose of joy<\/a> on the US version of Dancing with the Stars. For 11 weeks, this wildlife warrior pulled out all the stops. He leant into his post-Bonds ad sex appeal<\/a> and ripped off his shirt mid-routine, multiple times. But he also managed to maintain his family-friendly image, speaking of his late father\u2019s legacy and calling on his mother and sister to make cameos on the ballroom floor. Though his dancing was not lacking, it was public support that saw him take home Australia Zoo\u2019s second mirrorball trophy<\/a>, 10 years after Bindi\u2019s win. BG<\/p>\n Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys in The Beast in Me.<\/p>\n Claire Danes v Matthew Rhys in The Beast in Me<\/p>\n The atmosphere around their table positively crackles with tension as real estate developer and suspected wife-killer Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys) meets his nervy new neighbour, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Aggie Wiggs (Claire Danes), over lunch in this rich Netflix thriller<\/a>. He\u2019s a wily predator accustomed to getting his own way, and she\u2019s blocking his plans. As they warily size each other up, the battle of wits is riveting, as is the pleasure of watching two terrific actors sparring over their entrees. DE<\/p>\n Stefan Dennis, Jackie Woodburne and Alan Fletcher in the final episode of Neighbours.<\/p>\n End of Neighbours<\/p>\n Two years after it was revived by Amazon, Australia\u2019s most cursed cul-de-sac bid farewell again in December, axed by the same streaming giant that was once its saviour. Unlike its previous farewell in 2022, which included the much-hyped return of Kylie Minogue to Ramsay Street, this time it was a rather muted affair, ending on the sombre vision of its three stalwarts \u2013 Susan and Karl Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne and Alan Fletcher) and Paul Robinson \u2013 standing in the middle of the street. Whereas the last finale was joyous, this really felt like the end, not just of Neighbours but of an era of Australian television. LR<\/p>\n Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Brothers](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/b5495dd8e05c4b7356c320a98731452e55a2ae45.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Olivia](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/c887512a0fc0f73835153acfa8545f750a96744e.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Sam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/82254fddb5d4551100c66fd51a92aeac72014957.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Sarah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/4c26d524bc77231ffd2e6326fd3feb28ce4bca35.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Jonathan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/28de158c8e79d0ecab103fe04864ef5c1509d1da.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Sarah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/defb168b624f2577affc4cbaf1b3a6557583f6d0.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2f314b5ac49d8529730fa12d6705b1f8f3c0790e.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Cate](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/7e27884a86f9dae230d50549fb7030b12a24b3ad.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Magda](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/b92eaa16194a7cc3f861aca8ecbdb4c40bf2b1b0.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Lynne](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/b21584e92806e462fd465666d86873be4142777a.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Jimmy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/93b634ed725a396ced3f68b2aecf52aa24dd7df7.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Robert](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/5c492c8e7c87f288dd5154e3a8a0ec3d90077d2b.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Maddy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/461b6a67c5908c97efaa4ff2f1229047d97297a0.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Celia](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/d2d033b00921f3510822dc84ca529e7049c1f8ce.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Big](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/40dabaacf403554c7561cb9322f97a5b7dfd88f8.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Claire](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/675f64889510fadb1f2bec6db0e6e8c2b36589c4.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Stefan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1553663f8deceedea4fc101b46b4ff67cf05bc82.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n