PRIME's blog

SUNDAY 27th JANUARY

DOCUMENTARY

It’s the world’s longest suspension bridge – a third longer than any constructed before. It is also the tallest and the most expensive suspension bridge ever built. But it’s built in a place where no bridge should be.

Japan’s Akashi Strait is a deepwater channel beset by typhoons; heavy rain; treacherous currents and to make things worse, it is built in the middle of a major earthquake zone. Midway through construction the bridge was hit by the full force of the Kobe earthquake. Incredibly, construction is only delayed by a month. The bridge has been open and trouble-free for six years. But could it one day fall down?

MEGASTRUCTURES: Akashi Kaykyo, Sunday 27th January at 6:00pm

MIDSOMER MURDERS
DRAMA

Frank Hopkirk, an environmental adviser on the proposed site of a controversial supermarket, is found stabbed to death in an old farm building on the site.
Barnaby & Jones question locals on both sides of the debate over the plans, and find that Mr Hopkirk had extra-curricular dealings with a number of the local ladies and their businesses. But which one of these caused passions to be stirred up to such a murderous extent?
MIDSOMER MURDERS, Saturday 26th January at 8.30pm

FARMER WANTS A WIFE
REALITY

Our six farmers and their two hand-picked girls live and work together on the farm. The girls are being road-tested in their skills at farm life – and in love.

Decision day is looming for the farmers. At the back of their minds, they know they will soon have to pick just one of the two girls to pursue a future with. And for the girls, the pressure of fighting for a farmer’s attention is increasing every day they fall harder for their farmer.

Before this episode is over, two girls head home from the farm early, one farmer kisses two girls, and at least one farmer has clearly fallen in love.

FARMER WANTS A WIFE, Saturday 26th January at 7:30pm

TRUE STORIES UNCUT – EXTREME SURGERY: WOMAN WITH HALF A FACE

DOCUMENTARY

This moving documentary follows the lives of two people suffering from a rare genetic disorder that has left their faces severely disfigured. Despite trying to lead normal lives, the stares and whispers are difficult to ignore. The pair meet with a world-renowned plastic surgeon who they hope will help change their lives.

Angel McGraw is a Michigan woman in her early 20s who has a four-year-old daughter. She loves shopping, regularly participates in church events and spends as much time as she can with her daughter. But Angel suffers from neurofibromatosis, or NF, a genetically transmitted disease that has taken over half of her face with disfiguring tumours. Most experts believe that the legendary Elephant Man, who lived in 19th century London, was most likely suffering from this same insidious disease. Though Angel would love to work for a living, it’s been impossible to get a job due to her disfigurement. Daniel Strube is in his mid-30s. He is divorced and the proud father of a four-year-old girl. He also suffers from NF. Daniel’s entire face is disfigured by tumour, but he has never seen the extent of his disfigurement because he also is blind. Daniel has mastered Braille, is articulate and has a wonderful voice. He also has become a public speaker and regularly gives inspirational speeches on the importance of over-coming one’s own problems. By a strange coincidence, both Daniel and Angel live in the same town – Grand Rapids, Michigan. Both of these NF victims learned of a world-renowned plastic and re-constructive surgeon based in Chicago. His name is Dr. McKay McKinnon and he made history by successfully removing a 200-pound NF tumour. Both Daniel and Angel journey to Chicago to seek a surgical solution to their terrible disfigurement. This documentary is about their individual stories of surgery and hope. Dr. McKinnon tells them that it’s not going to be easy. Each patient will need to undergo a series of surgeries and they will also suffer great pain as their faces heal after each surgery. Both patients opt for surgery. Neither expects to be transformed into the ideal of beauty, but both hope that Dr. McKinnon will help them regain some dignity and normalcy. All Angel and Daniel want more than anything is to do the little things most of take for granted, such as the ability to take one’s daughter to a park or a restaurant or a store without eliciting screams, murmurs or expressions of shock and disgust from the other people. All they want, is that most underrated blessing offered any human being: the ability to simply blend into the crowd and look like everyone else. The challenge now is whether Dr. McKinnon can help them realise their dreams.
TRUE STORIES UNCUT – EXTREME SURGERY: WOMAN WITH HALF A FACE, Friday 25th January at 9:30pm

FRIDAY 25th JANUARY

BRIDEZILLAS
REALITY
Two feuding sisters threaten to turn a wedding day into a matrimonial nightmare while another Bridezilla’s wedding plans hits rocky water.
We continue our journey with 26-year-old Tasha Foster who is suffering from a severe case of sibling rivalry. When push comes to shove, Tasha’s sister better watch out because this Bridezilla isn’t afraid to get hands-on. Meanwhile, 42-year-old Denise Smith is having her wedding aboard a yacht, but if she doesn’t get her attitude in check she might wind up overboard.
BRIDEZILLAS, Friday 25th January at 8.30pm

THE DRESDEN FILES
SCI-FI/DRAMA
Minutes after leaving a store, a former gang member is found dead under mysterious circumstances.
Murphy’s recent emotional vulnerability causes Dresden to wonder if it might be a good idea to do a little less consulting for the police. Murphy doesn’t necessarily disagree until a man named Connor Reyes is found dead only moments after he steps out of a store. He apparently drowned—five miles from the mostly frozen lake—and has been branded. As Harry reluctantly works the case with Murphy, he finds himself at odds with her father Joe, an ex-Chicago cop. As if that doesn’t complicate matters enough, Reyes’ mysterious death and gang history draws the attention of Sergeant Darren Munzer, Head of the Anti-Gang unit and Murphy’s nemesis.
THE DRESDEN FILES: Thursday 24th January at 9.30pm

COMING SOON

TEEN TAMER
REALITY
When teenagers find themselves in trouble, it’s time to call in someone who can sympathise with their predicament. This is where behavioural expert Lorrine Marer steps in. She helps parents tackle their teens’ alcohol abuse, heavy cannabis habits and promiscuous behaviour. These moving stories showcase Lorrine’s techniques and exercises and demonstrate how she finds resolutions in the face of seemingly overwhelming problems.

HIDDEN PALMS

DRAMA

Johnny (Taylor Handley) learns more about Eddie’s mysterious death and is surprised by the arrival of a friend from his past.

As Johnny adjusts to life in his new home, he becomes increasingly aware that things are not quite what they seem. He questions the reasons behind the obvious tension between Greta and Cliff, as well as the identity of the person sending cryptic emails warning him to be careful. He learns that Eddie, Greta’s former boyfriend, killed himself in the bedroom where he now sleeps. Since Johnny’s father also committed suicide, this discovery leads to a huge argument between Johnny, his mum and his stepfather. Things really get complicated when Johnny runs into Nikki Barnes, a beautiful, vivacious girl he met in rehab who is obviously attracted to him. Although Johnny is happy and comfortable around Nikki, he is conflicted about starting a romance with her because of his emerging feelings for Greta. Johnny puts his will power to the test when he attends a fundraiser at the country club, his first party since rehab. He remains sober but Nikki, whose jealousy of Greta is manipulated by Cliff, takes a dramatic tumble off the wagon. Johnny and Greta get even closer when she helps him deal with the fallout from Nikki’s drinking binge. He also takes a very small step towards reconciling with his mother.

HIDDEN PALMS: Thursday 24th January at 8.30pm

THURSDAY 24th JANUARY

‘TIL DEATH
COMEDY

Eddie’s summer vacation woes are challenged once Allison and her laid back boyfriend, Doug, arrive at home.

School’s out for summer and no one is as unhappy about it as Eddie. The season’s humid, rudderless days, with their lack of structure and purpose, have always been Eddie’s nemesis. And this year is no different, at least until Allison unexpectedly arrives at home with her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Doug. After confirming that Allison isn’t pregnant, Joy rushes off to work, leaving Eddie to deal with Doug and his broken-down van. Ignoring his instincts, Eddie agrees to let Doug stay outside in the van until he can replace its missing gearbox. Meanwhile, being at home for the summer causes Jeff to realise that, contrary to what he’s been told, Steph hasn’t been working on her graduate school thesis while he’s at work.

‘TIL DEATH: Thursday, 24th January at 7.30pm

WEDNESDAY 23rd JANUARY

BLUE STREAK

Action/Drama

Starring Martin Lawrence, Luke Wilson, Peter Greene, Dave Chappelle

Directed by Les Mayfield

US –1999

A convicted thief poses as a cop in order to retrieve a stolen diamond.

All jewel thief Miles Logan (Martin Lawrence) wants to do is make the score of his life and live like a fugitive king at a faraway Mexican retreat. But the fast-talking Logan barely escapes with his life when his carefully planned heist of a $20 million diamond goes awry. Double-crossed by Deacon (Peter Greene), a greedy member of his crew, Miles makes a daring escape to a nearby building under construction, unaware it’s a new precinct for the Los Angeles Police Department where he hides the gem before the cops catch him. Released from prison two years later, Miles poses as LAPD “Detective Malone,” while looking for the diamond hidden in an air vent in the men’s room. Inadvertently he captures an escaping suspect and impresses Captain Rizzo (Graham Beckel), who promotes Miles to partner with Carlson (Luke Wilson), a rookie detective. Things get even more complicated for Miles when his former bumbling partner in crime, Tulley (David Chappelle), resurfaces for his cut of the action.

MID-WEEK MOVIE: BLUE STREAK, Wednesday 23rd January at 8.30pm