Sky Highlights for Week 22 (Saturday 2 May to Friday 31 May).
NEW ZEALAND PREMIERES
Salzburg Fest 2022: IL Trittico
Sky Arts – Saturdays from 25 May, 4pm
Premiered amidst the turmoil of World War I, Puccini Il trittico comprises three seemingly disparate one-act operas: Gianni Schicchi, Il tabarro, and Suor Angelica. Yet, beneath their surface differences lies a common thread of humanitys entanglement in fates unyielding grasp, an exploration masterfully brought to life by director Christof Loy. In a remarkable feat, Lithuanian soprano Asmik Grigorian takes on the leading female roles across all three acts, lending a cohesive thread to the trilogy. Her portrayal captivates audiences with its depth and intensity: from the tender vulnerability of Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi, to the tumultuous yearning of Giorgetta in Il tabarro, and finally, the poignant defiance of Angelica in Suor Angelica. As Grigorian navigates
the complex emotional landscapes of each character, she weaves a compelling narrative of love, guilt, and redemption, earning acclaim from critics and audiences alike for her virtuosity and emotional resonance.
Albert Brooks: Defending My Life
Sky Arts – Saturday 25 May, 8.30pm
In a deep and personal conversation, Albert Brooks and longtime friend Rob Reiner explore the origins and evolution of Brooks career, the impetus for his creativity, and his impact on the world of comedy. Since the late 1960s, Brooks has been a major force in American comedy with his smart, sometimes absurdist, and truly unique sense of humor. From stand-up, to acting, to writing and directing, to his seven iconic original films, including Modern Romance, Lost in America, and Mother, Brooks has paved the way for future generations.
With testimonials from some of todays brightest comedians, serious thinkers, and family and friends, Albert Brooks: Defending My Life chronicles Brooks very early work all the way to the present day, showcasing a comedic talent in a league of his own.
Jeff Dunham: I'm With Cupid
Comedy Central – Saturday 25 May, 10pm
In this Valentine Day-themed special, Jeff Dunham tackles all things love and relationships with his favorite characters Walter, Bubba J, Peanut, Jose Jalapeño and the suspiciously familiar "new" guy Achamedes.
Selena & Yolanda; The Secrets Between Them
Universal TV – Sundays from 26 May, 7.30 pm
On March 31, 1995, a shockwave rippled through the world when Tejano music superstar Selena Quintanilla Perez was tragically slain at a hotel in Corpus Christi, Texas. As her fans mourned her death, her killer, Yolanda Saldivar, was locked in a tense standoff with police at the scene of the crime that lasted for nearly nine hours. The following investigation revealed that Yolanda was a close friend of Selena's, ran her fan club and was accused of stealing from the singer's businesses. Prosecutors said Yolanda shot Selena out of rage after the alleged embezzlement was uncovered. Nearly 30 years after Selena's death, Yolanda is speaking out, and she’s not alone. For the first time, Yolandas family discusses the relationship between Selena and Yolanda and share never-before-seen documents and recordings that ask if there is more to this tragedy. Yolanda is up for parole in 2025 and the family hopes to show a different side to her.
Last Band On Stage
Sky Arts – Sunday 26 May, 8 pm
March 14, 2020. Chicago is the last band on stage as the worldwide COVID lockdowns begin. The Last Band on Stage tells the incredible story of how the 55 year-old band survived a pandemic that stopped the world in its tracks.
Naked and Afraid: Castaways
Discovery – Sundays from 26 May, 8.30 pm
Naked and Afraid: Castaways takes on a true-life survival situation when nine seasoned challengers are stranded on a remote island. Abandoned with no map or tools, they must fashion what they need to survive from wreckage and debris strewn across the island.
Art21
Sky Arts – Sundays from 26 May, 9.30 pm
The latest season of Art21’s long-running, Peabody Award-winning documentary series Art in the Twenty-First Century highlights some of the United States’ most innovative artists as they go big and bold, responding to the challenge of the current moment with new paintings, sculptures, films, and performances that inspire and heal. Produced in the series’ signature first-person storytelling style, the three episodes and twelve artists of Season 11 delight our senses with visually potent works and direct our minds towards some of the most pressing issues of our time: representation and visibility, indigenity and heritage, technology and humanity, empathy and community. Over the course of three one-hour episodes, Season 11 offers stories of artists
taking action, revealing little-known truths, creating new icons to honour, and finding new communities to serve. Working across the country from Philadelphia and Atlanta to New Mexico and Los Angeles, all the way to Puerto Rico, some of the most celebrated artists of our time share their creative processes and innermost thoughts alongside newer artists still finding their shape and power.
Magic Moments Of Music: Nigel Kennedy and the Four
Sky Arts – Monday 27 May, 8 pm
Nigel Kennedy's recording of the Four Seasons is making waves in the classical music scene, captivating audiences who previously felt distant from Bach or Vivaldi. With his unique approach, Kennedy broke down barriers for those who found Schubert and Beethoven too elitist. His performances inspire a diverse audience, reaching unprecedented levels of popularity. The album became the best-selling classical record of all time, with over 3 million copies sold, earning Kennedy a place in the Guinness Book of Records. Maintaining its position at the top of the UK classical charts for over a year, it climbs high on the pop charts. Kennedy's unconventional appearance, with wild hair and distinctive attire, attracts attention from tabloids and
magazines. The recording of his tour, which sells out rapidly, is hailed as a pinnacle moment in music history. Kennedy's genuine connection with his audience, presented without pretence, allows him to effortlessly introduce them to his world, creating an inclusive and accessible experience for all.
The Whitley Art Scandal
Sky Arts – Mondays from 27 May, 9 pm
The Whiteley Art Scandal offers a rare glimpse into the glamorous yet high-stakes world of art dealing. When
car salesman turned art dealer Steve Nasteski purchases what he believes to be a genuine Brett Whiteley painting in 2009, little does he know it will spark a sensational trial. Suspicions arise about the painting's authenticity, leading to accusations against well-known art dealer Peter Gant and conservator Aman Siddique for creating and fraudulently selling multiple fake Whiteley paintings. Initially appearing straightforward, the case takes unexpected turns when explosive evidence emerges, flipping the accusations against the accused. With twists akin to a thriller, the documentary provides extraordinary access to key players, including Peter Gant and Wendy Whiteley. As questions arise about Australia's cultural heritage integrity and the unregulated art market, The Whiteley Art Scandal prompts reflection on the need for specialized art fraud squads within law enforcement.
Angelyne
Discovery – Mondays from 27 May, 9.30 pm
Tim, Tickle and Howard embark on a fun-filled quest for legendary lost liquors from America's past. Unearthing dusty bottles and secret recipes, they rebuild stills and revive old mash bills in a spirited attempt to taste booze that was lost to history.
Moonshiners: American Spirit
Discovery – Mondays from 27 May, 9.30 pm
Tim, Tickle and Howard embark on a fun-filled quest for legendary lost liquors from America's past. Unearthing dusty bottles and secret recipes, they rebuild stills and revive old mash bills in a spirited attempt to taste booze that was lost to history.
Secrets in the Ice
History – Thursdays from 30 May, 7.30 pm
In this series, we go to the most remote, cold, and inhospitable places on the planet to reveal great mysteries that were once frozen in time. Merging CGI re-creations, advanced scanning technology and scientific research, the series investigates the curiosities that have been lost for millennia or never seen before, exploring how and why they ended up in the most desolate and distant corners of the planet and contemplating what may still be concealed in the frozen depths.
RETURNING SERIES
Dr Pimple Popper (S5)
TLC – Mondays from 27 May, 8.30 pm
Dr. Sandra Lee, aka Dr. Pimple Popper, is a renowned dermatologic and cosmetic surgeon who treats her patients various skin ailments in an effort to help them reclaim their lives. In this episode: Alyse has been suffering from a burning rash that feels like it's rubbing away her existence. Terry has become too big for his britches due to a painful butt cheek lipoma. James has "demons" on his back that are ruining his life!
Beyond Paradise (S2)
BBC UKTV – Mondays from 27 May, 8.30 pm
The hit spin-off from Death in Paradise returns as DI Humphrey Goodman and his fiancée Martha settle into
their new life by the Devon coast. Shipton Abbott continues to keep DI Humphrey Goodman and his team busy, with a baffling crime each week – from a death on a steam train to a missing teacher. Meanwhile, Humphrey and Martha’s journey to find their own version of a family continues as they explore the possibility of fostering. Martha’s mother Anne throws herself into the world of online dating. And a well-meant gesture from Esther’s daughter Zoe threatens to uncover a long-held secret.
MOVIES
Daliland
Rialto – Saturday 25 May, 8.30 pm
In 1973, a young gallery assistant is drawn into the wild, never-ending party that is artist Salvador Dalís life in New York City. As he helps the aging genius prepare for an important show, he discovers not everything is as it seems. Stars: Sir Ben Kingsley, Ezra Miller.
There's Something Wrong With The Children (Premiere)
Sky Movies Premiere – Saturday 25 May, 8.30 pm
Thriller: Four friends and their two children take a weekend trip. Supernatural suspicions are roused when the kids start acting strangely. Stars: Zach Gilford, Amanda Crew.
Gran Turismo: Based On A True Story (Premiere)
Sky Movies Premiere – Sunday 26 May, 8.30 pm
Action: A working-class gamer, a failed former race car driver, and an idealistic motorsport exec risk it all to take on the most elite sport in the world. Stars: Orlando Bloom, David Harbour.
The Equalizer 3
Neon – Wednesday 29 May
Retired government agent Robert McCall seeks a quiet life in Italy. But his solace is shattered when he learns his friends are under the control of local crime bosses. Stars: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, David Denman, Sonia Ammar, Rimo Girone, Eugenio Mastrandrea.
My Name Is Alfred Hitchcock
Rialto – Wednesday 29 May, 8.30 pm
2022 marked the hundred-year anniversary of Alfred Hitchcock’s first feature. Over a century on, Hitchcock remains one of the most influential filmmakers in the history of cinema. But how does his vast body of work and legacy hold up today? Mark Cousins tackles this question and looks at the auteur with a new and radical approach. As Hitchcock rewatches his films, we are taken on an odyssey through his vast career - his vivid silent films, the legendary films of the 1950s and 60s, and his later works. Stars: Albert Finney, Jacqueline Bisset, Anthony Andrews.
The Inventor (Premiere)
Sky Movies Family – Friday 31 May, 7 pm
Animated: Leonardo da Vinci leaves Italy to join the French court. With help from Princess Marguerite de Navarre, he questions the meaning of life. Voices of: Stephen Fry, Daisy Ridley.
FAMILY
Paw Patrol: Mighty Pups (New Episodes)
Nick Jr. – Weekends from Saturday 25 May, 10 am
Harold creates a ray that can freeze things instantly, it goes awry and sends a giant ice ball toward Adventure Bay. Then, when the Cheetah snatches half of Chase's Crystal, Chase must stop the Cheetah and restore his crystal before anyone gets hurt.
Tiny Toons Looniversity (New Series)
Cartoon Network – Weekends from Saturday 25 May, 10.15 am
A brand new series is coming to Cartoon Network! Starting Saturday, 25 May, follow Babs and Buster Bunny, Sweetie Bird, Hamton J. Pig, and Plucky Duck as they learn what it takes to be a professional toon in Tiny Toons Looniversity.
Barbapapa (New Episodes)
Nick Jr. – Weekdays from Monday 27 May, 9.20am
Childhood friends since the 70s, the legendary Barbapapa family is once again adding cheer and creativity to the daily lives of children in their brand new animated series. The series follows daily lives of the extraordinary blob-shaped Barbapapa family, who can morph into other forms but retain their original colors.
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