Good Art #31. Shaun The Sheep.

I've a guilty pleasure. I love Shaun the Sheep making me a rather big kid. It's the work of claymation wonders Aardman, the creators behind Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run. Each episode clocks in at about seven minutes and follows the fantastical adventures of Shaun, fat sheep Shirley, the farmer,  Bitzer the dog and a host of other less regular characters including the sometimes rude three pigs. Hearty chuckles are guaranteed in this well-crafted animation.

Popcorn. If You Are The One.

Dating shows don't get much better than If You Are The One, a fast moving program from China giving twenty four Chinese women the opportunity to win a date with the man of their dreams. In round one the women decide if they like the man presented to them. Or not, turning out their light if they're not interested. The fun begins when the host asks one of the women why they extinguished their light: "He's too fat" or "I don't like his teeth" are typical responses. The girls also get to ask their own, often pointed, questions. For example this one to a young artist: "Are you one of those artists who sits in the corner at night and laments life?" She wasn't being saddled with no no-hoper artist. Compelling viewing, often hilarious.

Popcorn. Paper Giants.

Well done ABC on the riveting Magazine Wars, a rip-roaring tale about mass-market magazines New Idea and Woman's Day, and their respective editors Dulcie Boling and the larger than life Nene King. The first episode in a two part series takes us back to the late 1980s when New Idea reigned supreme, gradually moving into the early 1990s and up to the historic moment when Woman's Day took the crown with the help of one royal toe-sucking escapade. Capturing the heart and soul of magazine publishing, this series bursts with fun and drama, tears and laughter. The always excellent Rachel Griffiths does Dulcie well, but I'm not sure about the portrayal of Richard Walsh — Alana House says he's too smirky, and I agree. I can't wait for Sunday to roll around for the finale.

Popcorn. Benidorm Bastards.

SBS has always offered a different perspective, so it's little surprise their revamped SBS 2 channel pushes the envelope. The new format is lively, engaging and fun giving viewers exciting programs to watch outside of the traditional trash on the commercial networks — complete with loud grating advertisements. I've got a long list of new shows to enjoy, with the antics of Benidorm Bastards at the top — though G Wars and If He's Not The One follow very closely behind. The successful format of Benidorm Bastards has been copied in the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, England and even in the USA with Betty White's Off Their Rockers. Monday nights are fun.