Recipe for another era

10 shows to watch JAMES WIGNEY, NATIONAL TELEVISION REVIEWER, SHARES HIS PICKS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD

Top pick MASTERCHEF MONDAY, 7.30PM, CHANNEL 10 At the top of the first episode, holdover judge Andy Allen states the obvious that “this is the start of a new era for all of us”. After the sad death of Jock Zonfrillo last year and the departure of Melissa Leong, Channel 10 pressed reset on the long-running and much loved reality TV cooking show, bringing in three new judges in the form of Sofia Levin, billed as “Australia’s most exciting food writer”, season one runner-up Poh Ling Yeow and multiple Michelin-hatted, UK based French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli. And the early signs look like the varied ingredients will make a recipe for continued success. In this week’s opener, the 22 new contestants are tasked with cooking something that reflects their new beginnings and has Novelli buzzing around the kitchen freely sharing his vast expertise and Yeow refreshingly bringing her contestant’s knowledge to the judging arena. Of course, on MasterChef the feels are as important as the food, and the teary moment when aspiring chef Christian meets his childhood hero and guest judge Jamie Oliver is simply delicious.

CONAN O’BRIEN MUST GO BINGE, THURSDAY US comedian Conan O’Brian is milking some comedy gold from being a brash, American serial pest in his hilarious new travel series. Inspired by fans he has met through his podcast, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, the former talk show host visits Norway, Thailand, Argentina and Ireland, pitching up on their doorsteps unannounced and then exploring local customs and sights while making a complete idiot of...