Pay TV previews July 5

With the entrance of Netflix to the Australian market, the scheduling of the latest season of OITNB has become a bit of a mishmash. For complete and utter overload, subscribers to the streaming service can watch all three seasons. In the middle of June, Showcase screened a complete season three marathon. But this wonderful series is also running in this very civilised timeslot at one ep a week and although it was built to be binged on, it's almost more satisfying watched the old-school way. That's especially true this season, where the absence of an arch-villain and the relegation of Taylor Schilling's Piper to just one of the ensemble means it's less plot-driven, and is flowering into what you might call its true self: exploring the infinitely varied lives and minds of 21st century women. The first ep, revolving around Mothers' Day, contained one of the most frank, concise, unsentimental and moving discussions about abortion you're likely to see anywhere, let alone in a television drama. The 30-second exchanges; the quiet conversations; the flippant, penetrating asides; and the multitudinous flashbacks into a whole range of characters have always been a part of OITNB, but this time they're really driving the drama. That makes this a less startling season, but a much more satisfying one. Catch it anyway you can.

COMEDY

WELCOME TO SWEDEN

New series ***1/2

Sunday 5 July 6.30pm, Comedy

Lawyer-turned-comedian Greg Poehler (yes, Amy's little brother) is the brains behind this completely charming Swedish-made, English-language sitcom. Essentially a culture-clash comedy, it's very much based in character rather than gag-punchline and follows the efforts of Bruce (Poehler) to adjust to his new home and family when he uproots himself to follow his girlfriend home to Sweden. If you imagine something like Lilyhammer-meets-Parks and Rec, you'll get the general vibe.

ARTS

FROM HERE TO ETERNITY

***

Sunday 5 July 6.30pm, Arts

If you can get past the idea that someone has made a musical version of James Jones' novel at all (and certainly put the 1953 movie out of your head completely) there's plenty to like about this polished Broadway adaptation. Tim Rice has written the lyrics, Stuart Brayson the music and Bill Oakes the book in a story which hews pretty closely to Jones' original thesis and has plenty of bite. The tunes range from the military (unsurprisingly) to Hawaiian hula and blues, all delivered beautifully.

KIDS

KITCHEN WHIZ

***

Monday 6 July 6.45pm, Discovery Kids

There is absolute nothing sophisticated about this breezy, cheerful quiz show for kids (originally made for Channel Nine) but any 10-and-under who either enjoys hanging out in the kitchen or enjoys shouting answers at the telly will get a kick out of it. Two teams of two compete to answer questions about food, then take part in practical challenges like icing a cake or creating fruit skewers. Former schoolteacher and Masterchef contestant Alice Zaslavsky hosts, assisted by the energetic "kitchen ninja" Andy Minh Trieu.