Thursday's TV highlights

7.30PM, TV3
TOP CHEF
The contestants are thrown into the demanding kitchen of famed San Francisco restaurant, Fleur de Lys where they have to cook their signature dish.

7.30PM, TV ONE
CORONATION STREET
Steve and Ronnie are revelling in their new relationship, unaware of how far Jimmy is prepared to go for revenge. His son gets into Claire's cab as she picks up Joshua, and threatens them both with violence. The nightmare continues as Nick follows Claire back to the street.

8.30PM, TV2
MCLEOD'S DAUGHTERS
Kate learns a valuable lesson about trusting her heart, Fiona wins the upper hand over Sandra, and Jodi pulls Drovers Run out of the co-operative.

8.30PM, TV ONE
DRAGONS' DEN NEW ZEALAND
Will the dragons put their moolah behind an invention billed as "the lightest motorcycle in the world"? And will they see the potential in a great new DIY invention?

9.30PM, TV ONE
RESCUE ME
Still unable to shake the unsettling visions he has been having since he stopped drinking, Tommy's anger over having his truck towed causes him to attack the cop he holds responsible.

10.30PM, TV2
THE SHIELD
Fourth season of the cop drama starring Michael Chiklis as rogue detective, Vic Mackey. He now faces a more formidable opponent: a tough, politically savvy woman, prepared to do whatever it takes to succeed.


MOVIES
[rated out of 5]

8.30PM, SKY MOVIES 1
MILLIONS
Herald rating: * * *
It's a race to spend some loot before the introduction of the Euro makes British pounds redundant. Danny Boyle (Trainspotting) directs this kind-hearted comedy in which two Mancunian boys observe the reactions generated by greed. (2004)

8.30PM, SKY MOVIES 2
ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13
Herald rating: * * * *
Precinct 13 is a police station scheduled for closure, where Sergeant Jake Roenick (Ethan Hawke) is domiciled after a drug bust went wrong and his team was killed. A busload of prisoners, including a junkie, a con-man and a cop killer are jailed at the precinct overnight because of a storm. A group of masked men place the building under siege. (2005)

10.20PM, SKY MOVIES 2
RAY
Herald rating: * * * *
Jamie Foxx plays Ray Charles, who against all manner of adversity, enjoyed a lifelong, highly successful musical career and in the process smashed down barriers between the traditionally separate genres of rhythm and blues, country and pop music. Foxx portrays Charles as a charming womaniser who must battle his own demons. (2004)


SPORT

7PM, SKY SPORT 1 LIVE
AIR NEW ZEALAND CUP: SOUTHLAND V TARANAKI
A brave new world for provincial footy as it breaks into Thursday night games. The crowd will be of as much interest as the rugby.

8PM, SKY SPORT 2 LIVE
NZ KNIGHTS V SYDNEY
After successive hammerings could things get any worse for the Knights? Yes, they face the defending league champions tonight.