Monday's TV highlights

7PM, TV2
SHORTLAND STREET
This week, Craig, Huia, TK and Libby head to Rotorua for a medical conference; Yvonne arrives back from her cruise with a romantic secret; and one of Chris' ex-wives tracks him down.

8PM, TV2
NZ IDOL
Coming to you live and direct from Christchurch, it's time for the moment of truth. You, the public, have voted and it will be revealed which three contestants will go through to the final 10.

8.30, TV2
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
There will be shrieks of despair from those living vicariously through the residents of Wisteria Lane as Desperate Housewives wraps up its second season.

As you'd expect, there are multiple cliffhangers tonight, including Bree admitting herself to a psychiatric clinic when she feels she's losing control of her life after sending son Andrew packing.

Also, Felicia Tilman's vendetta against Paul Young reaches a climax as she tries to frame him for murder - her murder.

Lynette, who thinks Tom is cheating on her, follows him to Atlantic City on a business trip.

Gaby and Carlos' maid Xiao-Mei announces she's pregnant with their baby.

And not forgetting Susan, whose love triangle with Mike and Karl becomes more complicated.

The show is in a state of flux after the second season was rubbished by US critics and it failed to gain many nominations for the Emmy Awards.

Neither has affected its viewer popularity but series creator Marc Cherry has taken over as executive producer, following the departure of Tom Spezialy, who helped launch the show.

Cherry is expected to change the focus of the show so that it is less soapy and more darkly comic.

And some new cast members have been signed or are in talks. Josh Henderson will play Edie Britt's (Nicollette Sheridan) bad boy nephew Austin, while there are rumours that Dougray Scott (The Ten Commandments) is being lined up as Susan Mayer's (Teri Hatcher) new love interest, and that Mischa Barton, of The O.C. fame, has been in talks with producers.

Season three should be on our screens next year.


MOVIES
[rated out of 5]

8.30PM, TV3
KISS THE DRAGON
Herald rating: * * *
Action film with a screenplay by Luc Besson, from a story by Jet Li. Li plays a police officer from China, in Paris to help the vice squad to catch a Chinese drug lord and his French cohorts. He meets an American farm girl-turned-hooker, played by Bridget Fonda.

Better than most of Li's post-Hong Kong flicks, relying on genuine martial arts fighting rather than effects and wires. (2001)

8.30PM, SKY MOVIES 1
THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK
Herald rating: * * *
Captured by bounty hunters, Riddick (Vin Diesel) arrives under escort to a planet where he finds himself against an invading empire. Judi Dench adds a touch of class as an ambassador from an enlightened race called Elementals, who transport themselves around like wraiths. (2004)

10.30PM, SKY MOVIES 1
EURO TRIP
Herald rating: * *
A high-school graduate goes to Europe to find the girl of his dreams and takes his three best friends - a slacker, a girl pining for true romance, and a nerd. (2004)