KEY POINTS:
TODAY'S PICKS
7pm, TV2
SHORTLAND STREET
In this age of viral marketing and stage-managed leaks it's hard to tell whether the website posting of three alternative endings for this year's cliffhanger was sabotage or self-promotion. Either way, it's stirred up a lot of interest as Shorty winds up for another year and fans hope to discover the identity of the Ferndale Serial Killer.
Shorty fans who want to enjoy the thrill of the moment should read no further as we are about to outline the three alternative endings that were posted: the first scenario has nurse Tania Jeffries being strangled by Dr Justine Jones as Dr Callum McKay looks on and then asks if he can have a turn; the second has nurse James "Scotty" Scott cornering nurse Shanti Kumari in the supply room and pulling out a piece of plastic tubing and winding it around his hands; the third has nurse Alice Piper inviting Dr Luke Durville into her home. She goes to the fridge, Luke closes the front door and takes out a piece of plastic tubing. But who's to say any of these endings will feature? While the serial killer storyline has given this season a darker tone, producers promise that when the show returns on January 14 - and once the killer is caught - it will return to more standard fare, including the return of an old favourite, new romances, existing relationships tested and a major wedding. There will also be some new faces such as Dinesh, who is betrothed to Shanti and will threaten her romance with Scotty. And watch out for the season-ending car-crash that could spell the end for a regular cast member.
7.30PM, TV ONE
CORONATION STREET
Steve puts Vernon to work in the pub; Roy shows bad Becky the ropes; Tracy and Claire bond over baking; and - woohoo - forbidden lovers Frankie and Jamie finally get it on.
8.30PM, TV3
SURVIVOR: CHINA
For those who have missed a few episodes - like the totally gratuitous Chinese food "delicacy" one where the survivors had to eat bird foetuses (not recommended at dinner time) - tonight's recap is for you.
9.30PM, TV3
CALIFORNICATION
You can probably imagine what happens when Hank hits the absinthe and spends the evening with a surfer chick. And then, oh, poor Hank, he has to deal with unwanted attention from Mia.
9.30PM, TV ONE
THE F WORD
It's a night of extremes for everyone's favourite foul-mouthed chef when he has pop starlets Girls Aloud over for dinner and they reveal what they really think of their rivals in the music biz. Can't wait. Then comedy legend Ronnie Corbett takes on the recipe challenge.
MOVIES
6.25PM, SKY MOVIES GREATS
Herald rating: * * * *
MOULIN ROUGE
Baz Luhrmann's visually sumptuous musical fantasy set in 1899 France, with Ewan McGregor as a young Scottish poet who arrives in Paris and meets a group of bohemians led by Toulouse Lautrec. He writes a cabaret for them to perform at the legendary Moulin Rouge and falls in love with the club's tightly-corseted star, Satine (Nicole Kidman). Makes use of contemporary songs such as Elton John's Your Song and LaBelle's Lady Marmalade. (2001)
8.30PM, SKY MOVIES
Herald rating: * * *
THE NATIVITY STORY
Inspirational Christmas film starring Keisha Castle-Hughes as Mary, who is told by an angel of God that she is to bear the Messiah. Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem, where - surprise! - she gives birth to Jesus Christ. (2006)
10.15PM, SKY MOVIES GREATS
Herald rating: * * * *
THE LAST SEDUCTION
Linda Fiorentino plays a dangerous woman on the run from her husband (Bill Pullman) after stealing money from him. Fantastic, edgy, modern film noir. (1994)
SPORT
1.30PM, SKY SPORT 1 LIVE
GOLF: AUSTRALIAN OPEN
A classy field including defending champ John Senden, Geoff Ogilvy, Aaron Baddeley, Stuart Appleby and our own Michael Campbell battle it out at the Australian Golf Club in Sydney.
8PM, SKY SPORT 1 AND RUGBY LIVE
2007 RUGBY AWARDS
Should be a short ceremony for this celebration of NZ rugby, with a dull provincial competition, no team in the Super 14 final and no World Cup. Sigh.
