Well, here we are – the last week of ratings for 2010. Aren’t supposed to save the best until last? It doesn’t seem to be the case with some of the shows… still, the non-ratings period looks to be better than ever with 14 digital free-to-air channels (soon to be 15) competing for our attention, there’s gotta be something good on the tv over summer, right? Right?! If nothing else, the networks will be dishing out movies across their digital multi-channels which should uncover some great films, or some bad films that are now so old they’re great. Either way, we all win.

CAN’T MISS

  • Modern Family – Sun 7pm & Wed 7:30pm, Ch10
  • Glee – Mon 7:30pm, Ch10
  • Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation (SEASON FINAL) – Tue 7:30pm, Ch10
  • The Block (SEASON FINAL) – Wed 7:30pm, Ch9
  • Beauty and the Geek Australia (SEASON FINAL) – Thu 8:30pm, Ch7
  • James May On The Moon – Fri 7:30pm, SBS1
  • Breaking Bad (SEASON FINAL) – Fri 9:30pm, ABC2

BURIED TREASURE

  • Survivor:Nicaraga – Tue 10pm(ish), Ch9
  • Blue Harvest (Family Guy Star Wars Special) – Wed 8:30pm, 7Mate
  • Spaceballs – Thu 2:30pm, 7Two
  • Embarassing Bodies – Thu 10:30pm, GEM

SECRET TV PLEASURES

  • All Stars Twenty/20 Cricket – Sun 6:30pm, Ch9
  • Good Game – ABC2 8:35pm, ABC2
  • The Librarians – Wed 8:30pm, ABC1
  • Fringe – Wed 9:30pm, Go!
  • The Simpsons (new episodes) – Fri 7:30 & 8pm, Ch10

AT YOUR OWN RISK

  • Offspring (SEASON FINAL) – Sun 8:30pm, Ch10
  • Hamish & Andy’s Reministmas Special – Sun 7:30pm, Ch10
  • Warnie – Wed 9:10pm, Ch9
  • Hey Hey It’s Saturday (FINAL) – Sat 7:30pm, Ch9

LAST CHANCE(S)

  • The X Factor (Grand Final) – Mon 7:30pm, Ch7
  • Raising Hope – Wed 8pm, Ch10
  • Rake – Thu 8:30pm, ABC1

With some major shows finishing a week ago, it’s a relatively lacklustre end to the 2nd half of the year. The Block will end on a high with the inevitable auction – who’s unit will sell & make the most money, and which media outlet will leak the winner ahead of time (the auction is 6pm the day before the show airs)? TAYG finishes with an inevitable Christmas special so early even Shaun Micallef acknowledges the lunacy of it. Offspring ends tonight with a 2 hour finale sure to interest someone. Surely. The X Factor has limped to the line with a bit of fizz with the three finalists performing with some well known artists in INXS, Jamiroquai & James Blunt. The final Hey Hey It’s Saturday this week will reveal if the show is coming back in 2011 – given it’s performance this year, it’s highly unlikely. A smart move by Ch9 execs has the farewell to GTV9 studios scheduled for immediately after Hey Hey, meaning it will have to finish close to scheduled time for once this season.