TV & Radio Tuesday November 1

Two nations stop for Melbourne Cup day, apparently, and an exploration of Native American history on Maori TV.

TV

We Shall Remain

3 Sport Horseracing: Melbourne Cup 2011 (TV3, 4.30pm). The Melbourne Cup already? It seems like only yesterday that we were winning the office sweep … er, that we watched this during our tea break. Rachel Smalley presents coverage from Melbourne of the horse race that stops two nations, apparently.

Downton Abbey (Prime, 8.30pm). Horrors! Downton is transformed into a convalescent home (a fate that befell the real Downton, Highclere Hall), which means everybody under one roof, including the despicable Thomas, and many, many covert and sideways glances. Cousin Isobel and Lady Cora are at odds, as are the three sisters (why is Mary so mean to Edith?), and the Dowager Countess thinks she can get rid of Lavinia, Matthew Crawley’s intended. Also, starstruck maid Ethel talks dirty with one of the soldier-patients: “No one tucks better than I do.” Crikey.

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We Shall Remain (Maori, 8.30pm). The second episode of the PBS series about Native American history focuses on Tecumseh, one of the greatest Native American leaders of all time. More about the series here.

The Retreat (BBC Knowledge, 8.35pm). In the other corner from Did God Create the Universe? (Saturday) is The Retreat, a series that follows on from The Convent and The Monastery, in which six Britons are sent to a Muslim retreat in Alqueria de Rosales in Andalusia, Spain, which caters to many different branches of Islam. There will be daily prayer, reflection and study, and in the final week, the volunteers will observe Ramadan. The group includes a 32-year-old woman who converted to Islam and whose family suffered abuse after 9/11 and 7/7; a devout Muslim who, at 14, campaigned successfully for the right to wear the hijab at school; a psychotherapist who was brought up Christian; and a divorced graduate who describes himself as a “questioning agnostic”.

90210 (Four, 10.20pm). Plot: Liam reveals to Naomi the boat that he works on when he’s … angry. Also, Annie reveals to Jasper that she knows he’s a drug dealer. He reveals he knows she ran over his uncle. Sample dialogue: “We can totally go topless in St. Bart’s … I’ve been tanning my ta-tas in anticipation.” Man, we may have to start watching this show again!

FILM

Trailer Park Boys: The Movie (Sky Movies, Sky 020, 8.30pm). The beloved Canadian TV series about life in a Nova Scotia trailer park gets its own movie (which promptly shot to No 1 in Canada). In it, verbal virtuoso Ricky (Robb Wells) tries to get back with Lucy (Lucy Decoutere), who has a new boyfriend and new breasts. Plus, the guys try to pull off the world’s stupidest heist. Stoner fun that didn’t seem to translate in America, but in New Zealand … (2006)

RADIO

Nine to Noon with Kathryn Ryan (Radio New Zealand National, 9.06am). Today: US correspondent Luiza Savage; Carole Beu reviews A Train in Winter: A Story of Resistance, Friendship and Survival by Caroline Moorhead; David McPhail continues his memoir, The Years Before My Death; business commentator Rod Oram; media commentator Gavin Ellis. Info and audio here.