MAFS who? An SBS series called The Matchmakers is the ONLY Aussie dating show worth watching right now

The Matchmakers

Wednesday, 8.40pm, SBS

I know I’m not alone when I say I would rather gouge my eyes out than watch one more episode of MAFS.

In the early days of the loosely labelled “social experiment” I was right on board. But these days the show feels more like an elaborate precursor to the setting up of contestants’ inevitable Only Fans pages — one minute they’re walking down the aisle with a stranger, the next they’re spruiking adult toys via Instagram, and excuse me while I vomit in my mouth.

No thanks.

But there’s none of this with SBS’ new addition to the genre.

Titled The Matchmakers, the series is more documentary than MAFS-style slow-mo car crash, and “delves into the unique and private world of three of Australia’s most successful cultural matchmakers”.

Readers — it’s a delight.

Producers take a deep-dive into cultural matchmaking practices, following a pair of matchmakers from the Hindu community, as well as hooker-upperers from the Jewish and Muslim faiths.

They’re all brilliantly cast, and I’m particularly enjoying spending time with Toby from the Jewish community (pictured), whose intricate matchmaking system has a real ‘red-string-crime-wall’ vibe. I’m sure she has an algorithm in there somewhere, it’s THAT scientific.

As well as the matchmakers, we also meet several intrepid singles willing to put their lives up for scrutiny in the hopes of meeting someone to settle down with and marry — it’s genuinely fascinating to spend time in their worlds.

This series has none of the manufactured drama of MAFS, but still manages to entertain and inform. And honestly, after watching the first episode, I’m convinced that it doesn’t matter which community you belong to in this country — dating past a certain age is an absolute s..tshow regardless of your beliefs.

The New Look

Wednesday, streaming on Apple TV Plus

Watching Ben Mendelsohn go ‘Full Mendo’ in a role is one of life’s greatest pleasures — when it comes to someone playing a gravelly-voiced villain, there’s no one who does it quite so well.

So it comes as something of a surprise to see him in this drama, playing fashion icon Christian Dior, a man who was neither particularly nefarious nor gruff-of-voice.

This is all about what he and fellow fashion contemporaries, including Coco Chanel, played in this by Juliette Binoche, got up to during WWII.

I’d watch Mendo till the cows come home, so will be checking this one out.

This is Me… Now

Friday, streaming on Prime Video

Twenties years on, and I still love me some JLo. So of COURSE I’ll be tuning in to catch this “highly entertaining musical and visual reimagining of her publicly scrutinised love life”. Not sure I know what this means . . . but I’m there for it.

Mr Bates vs The Post Office

Wednesday, 8.30pm, Seven

This drama is dropping over two nights. And while it doesn’t have a particularly catchy title — or even a particularly sexy premise — trust me when I say you’ll be hooked, and intrigued by the real-life ramifications this series has had. Fascinating.

Three Women

Friday, streaming on Stan

This drama starring Betty Gilpin and Shailene Woodley is based on Lisa Taddeo’s bestselling novel of the same name. Fans of the book will want to check it out.