Dennis Cometti: Centimetre Perfect
Wednesday, 8.30pm, Seven & 7Plus
For many of us, legendary Seven sports commentator Dennis Cometti felt like an old friend. His voice was the soundtrack to our lives: the vocal accompaniment to some of sport’s biggest moments; his smiling face and laconic, gangly presence a constant for over four decades.
But how much did we really know about the iconic figure who passed away earlier this year?
This fantastic doco, 12 months in the making, gives us an opportunity to get to know the great man a little better, through its in-depth look at his life through the eyes of those who “witnessed, shared and helped shape his remarkable journey”.
Among those speaking extensively are Mark Cometti, who reflects on growing up as Dennis’ son. Who knew Mark used to be a professional wrestler and that his dad was intimately involved in his career?
Fellow AFL legend Bruce McAvaney also shares stories, as well as Eddie McGuire, Sandy Roberts, Bob Murphy and Basil Zempilas, who credits Cometti for helping set him on the right path in the early days of his own commentating career.
It’s hard to overstate just how much of an impact the great man had on Aussie sport, and there are plenty of other high-profile identities speaking on this, including Olympic champions Kieren Perkins and Susie O’Neill, who speak with emotion on the impact his words had on their own sporting journey.
“Cometti transformed the art of sports commentary across an extraordinary career spanning more than four decades, combining wit, warmth, impeccable timing and an unmistakable turn of phrase to create a language all his own,” an official release says.
And we couldn’t agree more. This is a fitting tribute to a true legend.
American Hostage
Sunday, streaming on Stan
This eight-part drama is adapted from the scripted podcast of the same name, and stars Jon Hamm, who reprises the role he played in that as a 70s radio broadcaster who unwittingly becomes embroiled in a hostage drama. Giovanni Ribisi stars as the aggrieved man who takes a mortgage broker hostage. This is an extraordinary true story, worthy of a google as you watch. One for true-crime fans.
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story
Streaming now on Netflix
Ella Beatty, daughter of Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, takes centre stage in this Ryan Murphy/Ian Brennan true-crime drama. It’s based on the fascinating story surrounding the notorious 1892 trial of Lizzie Borden, the 32-year-old woman who was tried — and acquitted — for the axe murder of her father and stepmother. This is another bizarre tale, sure to grip viewers.
Brothers
Wednesday, streaming on Apple TV Plus
For years there have been rumours that Hollywood besties Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey are actually brothers — you can thank Ma McConaughey’s cheeky sense of humour for the scuttlebutt. The stars are leaning into the schtick, creating this sitcom that sees them play fictionalised versions of themselves. They don’t appear to be a million miles from the real thing. Meta, much?
Youth
Monday, streaming on HBO Max
Real talk: I’ll watch anything by Sharon Horgan — I’ve been bereft since Bad Sisters left screens. Thankfully, she’s back, playing a 50-year-old divorcee at a crossroads as her teen heads off to college. She’s contemplating what comes next, navigating her “second youth” — and I’ve never felt so seen. For women of a certain age, this will ring true. Your next fave show.
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