First there was the Modern Family Aussie edition on Ten, starting with a behind the scenes look that was fun, then the actual episode.

Modern Family is a program that never fails to give me a laugh.

Okay, the Aussie episode was over-the-top, but that's what the show is all about.

Phil had a series of disasters – allergic to Vegemite, stung by a jellyfish at Bondi and punched by a kangaroo (actually that scene was very well done).

They admired the Opera House, climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, went bush, surfed at Bondi and flew over the Great Barrier Reef.

Marvellous tourist stuff, so hopefully Americans will come in their droves.

Up against Modern Family – the Aussie show, was the semi-final of My Kitchen Rules on Ten.

Modern Family should have received the ratings hands down, but MKR does drag them in.

EVERYONE knows Seven and Nine are competing madly so Seven pulled out its big guns and screened the finale of Downton Abbey against Nine's Logie Awards.

Now I haven't been watching Downton Abbey because I'd gained access to DVD of this series, but the DVD doesn't have the Christmas Special so I had to watch Seven (Prime).

I videoed the Logies, which admittedly do drag on and was without a host this year, but what I did notice is the musical numbers were great especially the opener, but the presenters, or most of them, were a bit feeble delivering their comedy lines.

I WROTE there was a heap of goodies and Parer's War on the ABC was certainly one of them.

I recorded it on my T-box so haven’t seen it yet, but I'm looking forward to it immensely as Damien Parer has long been a hero of mine with his memorable film and photos of the Kokoda Trail and the war in New Guinea generally.

Parer's War was followed by a repeat of a Jack Irish story – Black Tide - and even though it was a repeat it was well worth watching again. 

I know - I bought the DVD.

MEANWHILE, back to Ten, and Elementary and The Graham Norton Show were scheduled.

Elementary is good viewing always, but I'm really hooked on the Graham Norton Show.

The Irish leprechaun manages to enliven even the dreariest of guests and they know they can play up and get away with it.