Today's TV highlights

4.30PM, TV2
JANDALS AWAY

Starting today in this daily slot for the school holidays is this local kids' comedy about the Ofa family who live on the Polynesian Island of A'a'a and call themselves "The A'a'a Rescue Organisation" or Taro for short. They must tackle disasters like the collision between a tanker carrying condensed milk and a ship carrying onion soup - can they find a chip big enough to mop up the mess? Stars Dave Fane as the Taro's evil nemesis Ma'afa'a.

8.30PM, TV2
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES

Gabrielle is not cut out to be a mum. She is tired of getting up many times a night, so she palms off her baby to the maid and swears her to secrecy so Carlos doesn't find out. Meanwhile, Lynette has to explain the birds and the bees to Parker, Susan realises she still has feelings for Karl, and Bree's father and stepmother come calling.

9.30PM, TV ONE
THE I.T. CROWD

In the second episode of this new Britcom, Jen is slowly getting to grips with her two awkward workmates. Tonight, she also falls in love with a pair of shoes, something Moss and Roy will no doubt scoff about. And crazy boss man, Denholm, hires a stress expert.


MOVIES
Rated out of 5 stars

8.30PM, TV3
MERCURY RISING
* *
A 9-year-old autistic boy cracks a secret government code and becomes a target for assassins. Bruce Willis plays the FBI agent charged with protecting the boy from evil old Alec Baldwin, here playing a National Security agent who would prefer to kill the boy rather than get someone to write a new code. But then, Bruce wouldn't have to duck so many bullets, would he? (1998)

8.30PM, SKY MOVIES 1
CATWOMAN
*
In the second part of Halle Berry's one-two turkey combination (the first instalment was the equally dreadful Gothika) she plays a shy graphic designer, who is transformed into a sleek feline type after uncovering a dark secret.
It's a spinoff from Batman, but you knew that. "Putting Halle Berry in a tight leather suit is a good idea. The rest of the movie is not," said one reviewer. (2004)

10.15PM, SKY MOVIES 1
BIRTH
* * * *
Intense psychological thriller, with Nicole Kidman playing a widowed New Yorker whose second wedding plans are upset when a boy appears claiming to be the reincarnation of her late husband. She becomes convinced that he is telling the truth. Beautiful cinematography. (2004)