It Gets Worse

Thursday, streaming on Foxtel and Binge

Last week, Lena Dunham announced her seminal comedy series Girls would be returning next year for a five-episode special — I passed away with excitement.

Her HBO series, which premiered in 2012 and ran for six glorious seasons, is perhaps my favourite TV show of all time, which is saying something.

A few days later, from beyond the grave, I watched a screener for It Gets Worse. And who should pop up in a guest role but Ms Dunham herself?

By then I’d already decided this British comedy, all about a bunch of best mate roommates living in London in their twenties, was a worthy successor to Dunham’s genius comedy, so her unexpected cameo felt entirely appropriate.

Of course she’d lend her voice to this incredible new series. It all felt right.

Not since Fleabag have I fallen so in love so instantaneously with a show.

From the very first instance, I knew I was going to adore it, even though I wasn’t entirely sure I actually liked any of the main characters, a dysfunctional bunch of pseudo-adults in inner-city London f...... up left, right and centre.

Still, having watched Girls, I already recognised that liking a show and liking the characters are concepts that exist entirely independently in my brain. I was able to lean into the chaotic hilariousness of this fabulous series, written, created and starring comedian Leo Reich.

Oh, and Fleabag’s very own Hot Priest, Andrew Scott, also pops up. RIP me, all over again.

Big Brother

Monday, 7.30pm, Ten

Anyone else lose hours and weeks of their life watching Big Brother’s TikTok Live Stream last year?

Just me? Yeah — that checks out.

The show, and its addictive live element, is back, with The Cheap Seats’ Mel Tracina once more at the helm. She was fabulous last season, a worthy successor to Gretel Killeen, who remains the GOAT in my mind.

Here’s hoping they keep up the momentum.

Now, if you need me, I’ll be watching strangers sleeping . . .

The One About Matthew Perry

Tuesday, streaming on Netflix

Not sure how I feel about the post-mortem celebrity doco: they feel a dime a dozen these days. It doesn’t bode well that Perry’s Friends co-stars declined to take part. Still, this has his family’s blessing, so I’ll be curious to take a peek.

The Mob

Monday, streaming on Disney Plus

A bunch of celebs are sequestered in an Italian villa, tasked with tackling mob movie-inspired challenges for a chance to win big, with Parker Posey presiding. Sounds fab, right? But will this Traitors-inspired deception contest stack up? Intrigued.

Nocturne

Friday, streaming on Apple TV Plus

Adolescence’s Stephen Graham stars as a creepy AF serial killer locked in a psych ward, who is playing mind games with Liev Schreiber’s ex-detective character. This had me hooked from ep one — can’t wait to see more.