Philomena Cunk, aka the hilarious Diane Morgan, is back with a new Netflix special, Cunk On Life

Cunk On Life

Thursday, streaming on Netflix

I’ve long been a fan of journalist-turned-TV-producer Charlie Brooker. For those not in the know, he’s the man behind the phenomenally successful Black Mirror — he’s also indirectly responsible for Philomena Cunk.

Don’t know who this is? You do. She’s that hilarious “documentarian” whose satirical special, Cunk On Earth, popped up seemingly out of nowhere last year on Netflix, confounding audiences — and several members of my family — in the process.

Who was this strange, clueless woman? Was she a real person? Where had she come from?

I had to know. Because although she’d apparently been a mainstay on British TV for several years, she hadn’t crossed my radar, and I was intrigued.

My research told me Cunk is, in fact, the comic creation of British actor and comedian Diane Morgan, who introduced audiences to her deadpan documentarian character via Brooker’s comedy news program, Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe, which ran from 2013-2020.

She’s back again this week, with a new special which follows her as she “confounds philosophers and academics in her quest to understand the meaning of life” — and excuse me, but yes please!

Apparently she’ll be weighing in on all the big philosophical questions, seeking to better understand subjects as varied as quantum physics, existentialism, nihilism, hedonism “and at least four other isms”.

This sounds utterly hilarious. And as if that isn’t exciting enough, I’ve just read Brooker created and wrote the special, with additional writing from Morgan and a host of other incredible writers.

STILL not convinced? Give her name a quick google, or a search on social media — hilarious snippets regularly do the rounds, and you won’t be disappointed.

Cannot WAIT for this one.

The Last Year of Television

Monday, streaming on Binge

Mitch McTaggart’s annual take-down of Aussie TV is the absolute highlight of my year. He’s back again this year, shining a light on all the absurdities of local television — it’s set to be triggering as all get-out for this little professional TV watcher. Mitch is pretty much the only other person I can think of that’s watched the same amount of truly questionable content as I have, and the fact he has the time (and the inclination) to skewer it for the rest of you is truly a community service. Mitch, once again, I salute you!

Missing You

Wednesday, streaming on Netflix

This has New Year’s Day binge written all over it. It’s about a detective (played by Rosalind Eleazar, who I love) whose fiance disappeared 11 years ago. She suddenly sees his face “and her whole world explodes all over again” as she dives back into the mystery of what actually happened.

Black Snow S2

Wednesday, streaming on Stan

Travis Fimmel returns as kooky detective Cormack, who this time is dispatched to a small country town to re-investigate the historical disappearance of a young woman on her 21st birthday. Love the dark, brooding feel of this.

Gardening Australia Junior S2

Wednesday, streaming on iview

This sweet show is back for a second series — and not soon enough! Most of what I know about gardening (admittedly not a great deal) has been gleaned from watching this with my son. Stoked it’s back to give me more ideas.