tv previews
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday July 20, 2009
World's Greenest HomesABC1, 6.05pmOn the basis of the first episode, this 13-part Canadian series could be retitled World's Grandest Green Homes. The host, designer Emmanuel "Manny" Belliveau, starts out by visiting innovative and palatial places in California, Athens, Aspen and Boston. The houses are vastly different in design and demeanour but share their owners' intention to maximise the use of natural heat and light and to employ sustainable materials.The homes are voluminous and impressive, living up to Manny's early promise of showing us "the most extraordinary homes on the planet" and "homes that are gorgeous, cool and green". The home owners seem extremely pleased with themselves while the slightly too-pleased-with-himself Manny says "cool" a lot. Kevin McCloud he ain't.Whatever! The Science Of TeensABC1, 8pmHost Steve Cannane reckons that teenagers today have a reputation for being moody, lazy, over-sexed, binge-drinking risk-takers. Is this a new teen order or was it ever thus? This five-part, locally produced series endeavours to use the latest science to detect the biology behind teen behaviour and the opener focuses on risk.Thrill-seeking surfer Elias, goth girl Saskia and attention-seeking rev-head Peter are profiled and then take part in a number of tests that assess their response to risk as well as their perceptions of physical and social danger. Experts are called upon to discuss brain function, adolescent development, evolution and physiology.Budget limitations are evident but it's an interesting subject capably handled. Future episodes are Binge, Sex, Mood and Sleep.Double TakeSeven, 8.30pmFeaturing a talented troupe of fresh faces, this new sketch comedy begins with a spot-on spoof of The Biggest Loser, gleefully nailing the inane contestant interviews and fake gravitas of now-departed host Ajay Rochester.It then skips merrily along to poke fun at Kochie and Mel on Sunrise, Kerry Armstrong plugging Coca-Cola, and Underbelly, which inspires historical revision as UnderKelly.Recalling the kind of comedy that Fast Forward and Full Frontal specialised in for Seven through the '90s, Double Take mostly sets its sights on television fodder and, at this stage at least, is light on original characters created for the show.But the opener does have a beautifully written Kevin Rudd send-up inspired by the music of Lily Allen and a mischievous take on "yummy mummies", casting them as obnoxious, opportunistic and demanding. A promising debut.RushTen, 8.30pmThis fast-paced, Melbourne-based police series has headed confidently into its second season, developing the core characters and introducing new member Shannon (Jolene Anderson) to the team. As she's given time to demonstrate her mettle, the others continue to grow in revealing glimpses. Tactical response team boss Kerry (Catherine McClements) is still swaggering around, barking orders out of the side of her mouth. Lawson (Rodger Corser) is capable and responsible, Josh (Callan Mulvey) is a courageous loose cannon, Stella (Nicole da Silva) is spirited and fast, Michael (Ashley Zukerman) is cocky as ever and new father Dom (Josef Ber) is still the guy who doesn't quite fit with the pack.The second episode of the series, written by Alice Bell and directed by Kim Farrant, has the standard dual storyline. The first features the nutty girlfriend of idiosyncratic communications whiz Leon (Samuel Johnson); the second involves drug mules.
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