KEY POINTS:
When: 8.35pm, Sunday
Where: Prime
What: Journey around the man
CAPTAIN COOK: OBSESSION AND DISCOVERY
To most of us going through school, Captain James Cook was that stuffy-looking guy wearing a wig who discovered New Zealand in the name of the British Empire.
Geographer, historian and author Vanessa Collingridge hopes to change that view by fleshing out the man behind the great deeds of exploration in this four-part series. Collingridge uses a part travelogue, part biography format as she follows Cook's journey from farm boy to naval captain.
His story is told through re-enactments, interviews with experts and descendants of the indigenous people Cook encountered, and through Collingridge's own journey as she follows his progress across the globe.
One of Collingridge's aims was to illustrate the mental toughness required to navigate uncharted waters and also to reflect on how and why Cook met his demise on a Hawaiian beach in 1779.
Cook began life at sea in the merchant navy but, with an eye for the main chance, switched to the Royal Navy where he steadily moved up the ranks.
His big break came when his genius for mapping was realised after his skills allowed the British to win a crucial battle in the fight with France over Canada.
After that he spent years sailing around and mapping Newfoundland, work which brought him to the notice of the Royal Society.
He was commissioned to sail the Endeavour to the Pacific so he could help record the transit of Venus, vital to the process of measuring longitude and enabling accurate navigation. With that done, his next mission was to discover the Great Southern Continent.
This was one of three voyages to the South Pacific, which made him a hero back in Britain.
7.30PM, TV2
UGLY BETTY
Betty tries to get over Henry with a spot of online dating, and after receiving a few fake messages from Amanda, gets asked out on a bowling date. Meanwhile, Marc tries to chase an idiotic underwear model and attracts the attention of a chubby photographer.
8.35PM, PRIME
PRIME PRESENTS: CAPTAIN COOK: OBSESSION & DISCOVERY
Join enthusiastic Scottish historian Vanessa Collingridge on a global pursuit for the truth behind the world's greatest explorer. This $3.5 million four-part production was filmed everywhere from North Yorkshire, England to New Zealand.
9:30PM, TV3
BIONIC WOMAN
Jaime poses as a British transfer student to foil a terrorist plot, which means star Michelle Ryan gets to speak in her natural accent. She also falls for a teaching assistant who - wouldn't you just know it - becomes a suspect. MOVIES
8.30PM, TV ONE
Herald rating: * * *
THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE
Courtroom drama about a negligent homicide case brought against a priest who undertook an exorcism that went horribly wrong. Some scary moments, but they're safely contained in flashback scenes. (2005)
10.30PM, TV2
Herald rating: * *
THE AMITYVILLE HORROR
Remake of the haunted house yarn from the 1970s, based on supposedly true events that have since come under scrutiny. Who cares - they'll still make you jump. (2005)
11.25PM, TV3
Herald rating: * * * *
ANTWONE FISHER
Powerful true-life drama about a young sailor (Derek Luke), who opens up about his terrible past. Denzel Washington produced, directed and stars as a navy shrink. (2001)
8.30PM, SKY MOVIES
Herald rating: * * *
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS
True story with Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman and dad who's forced to work his way up from the bottom. (2006)
SPORT
4PM, SKY SPORT 2 LIVE
ODI CRICKET: COMMONWEALTH BANK SERIES 1ST FINAL, AUSTRALIA V INDIA/SRI LANKA
At the time of writing, India and Sri Lanka had yet to face off to see who has the unenviable task of taking on the Aussies. The second match is on Tuesday (3pm, Sky Sport 2 Live).
