The biggest moments in TV: Everything that had us talking in 2025

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While we love to talk about the best shows of the year and the best episodes of the year, there was so much more to the year in television. From news events, such as the axing of The Project, to I-can’t-believe-they did-that plot twists that had everyone talking (hello, White Lotus) and a glorious tribute to a TV legend, these are the TV moments that had us – and you, our readers – talking this year. We’d love to hear what you think of the list, and any moments you think deserved a mention, so please let us know in the comments below.

Paul Antoine and Carina Mirabile discuss the now-infamous wall punch on Married at First Sight.

**The MAFS wall punch**

Toxic behaviour on Married at First Sight isn’t anything new, but when groom Paul Antoine punched a wall during an argument with his TV wife in March, it made headlines and provoked debate among fans and domestic violence groups about what behaviour was truly acceptable on the show. Was it enough that the show’s relationship experts condemned the act on screen? Or should the contestant have been sent home? This moment (and the season more broadly) became a flashpoint for many viewers reassessing their relationship with the series and what they’ll accept as entertainment. But it certainly didn’t hurt the ratings. Meg Watson

Patrick Schwarzenegger and Sam Nivola in The White Lotus.

The buzziest incest since Game of Thrones

It’s always lovely seeing siblings getting along. That is until we watched the third season of The White Lotus. Viewers already sensed something was a little off between the Ratliff brothers in the first few episodes in March. But the weirdness went into hyperdrive when things get physical during a wild night on a yacht. As expected, the incest of it all sent everyone wild. If it wasn’t shock horror, it was people shipping the two brothers (still a questionable take, in my opinion) or displaying a kind of desensitisation typical of the internet today. The show’s creator Mike White has always said he enjoys exploring taboos in his work. Well, mission accomplished. Nell Geraets

Olivia Wilde and Seth Rogen star in The Studio.

The Studio brings back good cameos

Cameos have been out of control recently, with shows throwing recognisable faces at us just because they can (I’m looking at you, The Bear). So we all sighed with relief when watching Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s The Studio. This show single-handedly resuscitated the art of the cameo. Zoe Kravitz accidentally got super-high on mushrooms, Olivia Wilde sabotaged her film, Ron Howard was secretly a jerk. Martin Scorsese even sobbed over a failed studio deal, falling into the arms of Charlize Theron. Instead of mere fan service, these cameos were intrinsic to the plot – and wickedly funny to boot. NG

Sam Pang on the set of his his Ten talk show Sam Pang Tonight.

Sam Pang goes solo

Australian TV’s current favourite It boy, Sam Pang, took the biggest swing of his career, attempting to revive the late-night(ish) format on local screens. While Sam Pang Tonight! seriously wobbled in its first season early in the year – cheap sets, a terrible guest chair and a lack of direction – by the time it returned in October for a second crack it had found its rhythm, leaning into its silliness and booking some big-name guests (Russell Crowe was a highlight). Pang still needs to improve his interviewing skills, but it’s a promising start for a long-neglected genre. Louise Rugendyke

The incredible camerawork of Adolescence

Built around the murder of a teenage girl, this superbly crafted and confronting study of family life, masculinity and the impact of social media soared to thrilling heights at the end of its second episode. From locking viewers into the grief and trauma of a small English community with its audacious single-shot style, the camera takes off, soaring above the site of the girl’s death and the memorial that’s grown around it. The transcendent moment propels the issues exposed by the drama into a much wider sphere. Debi Enker

Sarah Jessica Parker in the dud final episode of And Just Like That …

A cringeworthy end for TV’s most cringeworthy show

This year Sex and the City fans were finally freed from the clutches of And Just Like That …, a spin-off series that not only paled in comparison to the iconic original show, but often seemed determined to destroy its legacy. While it was mercifully free of the show’s worst character, Che Diaz, and did offer glimmers of what could have been, the final season subjected us to true hate-watch horrors including drunken phone sex with Aidan and a finale that culminated in faeces spilling out of a toilet. How fitting. MW

Jonathan LaPaglia, or ‘JLP’, was sacked by Ten after hosting Australian Survivor for 10 years.

Real-life Survivor drama

Reality TV beefs spilled off-screen this year, with the controversial sacking of longtime Australian Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia clouding the launch of Survivor: Australia v The World. LaPaglia described the decision as a “blindside” and didn’t hide his disappointment over the season’s run. Nor did the show’s fans, with many expressing confusion with Network 10’s decision to replace him with David Genat, and the lack of explanation considering LaPaglia’s popularity. This landmark season also caused drama overseas, with Survivor host Jeff Probst embroiled in a controversy about US player Parvati Shallow being called “a 1½-time winner”, seemingly denigrating her win and our show. Matt Rogers of the popular Las Culturistas podcast then spectacularly came to Australia’s defence, saying: “Australian Survivor is, I’m gonna say it, not only a more difficult version of Survivor but a better-produced version of Survivor. American Survivor you better get it together because they are lapping you, they are outclassing you around the world.” He’s not wrong! MW

Sarah Harris (left), Carrie Bickmore, Sam Taunton, Dave Hughes, Georgie Tunny and Waleed Aly on the final episode of The Project.

The Project comes to an end

For those who’d enjoyed The Project during its near 16-year run on Ten, news of its axing came as a disappointment. For the program’s critics – some of whom claimed it was “too woke”, to the surprise of long-serving conservative panellist Steve Price – its demise sparked an unseemly bout of schadenfreude. But as its ratings softened, Ten could no longer justify the show’s high production costs – even though it knew a cheaper replacement would likely attract fewer viewers (and so it proved with 10 News+, which the network will trim from one hour to 30 minutes in January). Michael Lallo

The Summer I Turned Pretty fans at one of Sydney’s Chippo Hotel’s famed watch parties.

The Summer I Turned Pretty ends, but girlhood lives on

Sometimes it’s less about what unfolds on screen and more about the memes, character-specific Spotify playlists and watch parties. Such was the case for the third and final season of The Summer I Turned Pretty. Like Taylor Swift’s Eras tour and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie before it, this series became a living, breathing extension of girlhood, with Millennial and Gen Z women in particular embracing the teen drama. Fans got what they wanted from this love triangle when Belly, free from Jeremiah’s clutches, chose his beautiful brother Conrad and screams and squeals could be heard from packed pubs around the world. It’s a moment that’s difficult to replicate … unless you’re a fan of men’s sport, I guess. Bronte Gossling

Squid Game ends with Cate Blanchett

Netflix’s Squid Game never wanted for surprises, so when South Korea’s record-breaking dystopian survival drama concluded in June, there was one perfect final twist. As the reformed Hwang In-ho (Lee Byung-hun) visits Los Angeles to offer condolences, he hears the sound that opened the show: the children’s game ddakji being played in an alley, with the loser being slapped. Hwang realises that Squid Game’s recruiters are operating in America, with the slickly suited person coolly staring back at him played by none other than Cate Blanchett. It was a jaw-dropping cameo and the gateway to an American spin-off. Craig Mathieson

Magda Szubanski accepts her Hall of Fame Award via video link during the Logie Awards.

Magda Szubanski at the Logies

There was barely a dry eye in the house – or on sofas at home – when Magda Szubanski was inducted into the TV Week Logies Hall of Fame in August. Szubanski, who was diagnosed with stage four mantle cell lymphoma in May, appeared on a big screen at the event and pulled off her beanie to reveal a beautifully bald head. “I want to say first of all ... I’m not being awarded this honour because I’ve got cancer,” she said. “I’m getting this because of 40 years of hard work. I don’t feel like an imposter. I feel like I’ve earned it.” Szubanski also thanked the public for their support and said the last few months had been difficult. “The love and support that I have felt, like a tsunami from the Australian public, has been overwhelming. And I have to tell you, it really helps.” LR

Lynne McGranger wins the Gold Logie for her portrayal of Irene on Home And Away.

Lynne McGranger signs off

It was a big year for Lynne McGranger, the longest-serving female actor on Australian TV. Not only did the soap doyenne farewell Home and Away after an action-packed 33 years, she scooped up not only the Gold Logie for most popular personality on Australian television, but also the Silver Logie for best lead actress in a drama. To say the Silver Logie was a surprise is an understatement, but it did prove the power of the new voting system at the Logies and the power of its host broadcaster, Seven.

“[Trump] did his best to cancel me. Instead, he forced millions of people to watch the show.”

Jimmy Kimmel’s return to TV

When host Jimmy Kimmel walked onto the set of his late-night show on September 24 to loud cheers, it wasn’t just any other night. It was Kimmel’s return to television after the Disney-owned US network ABC suspended him for six days over his remarks about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel fought back tears as he addressed the audience, saying “it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man” and expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support he had received from viewers and famous friends. And while US President Donald Trump – a regular target of Kimmel’s – liked to boast that Kimmel had “no ratings”, a record number of viewers disagreed, with more than 6 million tuning in, propelling the show to a 10-year ratings high. LR

Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese in the documentary Mr Scorsese.

A glimpse into Martin Scorsese’s dark past

Two very different things can be true: Martin Scorsese is America’s greatest living filmmaker, a titan of cinema, and he also consumed a staggering amount of cocaine in the late 1970s. Throughout Rebecca Miller’s terrific Apple TV documentary series Mr Scorsese, the master director is effusive discussing everything from camera techniques to Hollywood rage. But when it comes to his cocaine sojourn, the 83-year-old is nervy and discreet. It is almost endearing, and quite instructive, watching Scorsese trying not to dwell on the addiction that left him at death’s door. CM

Maddy (left) and Charlotte celebrate their win at The Block auction this weekend, selling their house for $3.5 million.

The Block auctions are a bust

When this year’s season of The Block delivered the smallest profits in 14 years, viewers were quick to point fingers, claiming the reserve prices – determined by Nine (the owner of this masthead) – were too high, especially for a tree-change town such as Daylesford, where cashed-up buyers are not exactly plentiful. But in terms of ratings the show was a hit, averaging 2.65 million viewers for its finale: an astonishing result for a program in its 21st season. Executive producer Julian Cress put things into perspective by noting that The Block is a game show, “not a guarantee that you’ll make life-changing money”. ML

Celia Imrie and Alan Carr stole the show on The Celebrity Traitors.

Alan Carr giggles his way through Celebrity Traitors

Britain’s version of The Traitors is always a total delight. But this inaugural celebrity season cemented it as a cultural phenomenon. The highlights? Seeing Stephen Fry get regularly outsmarted was fun. As was the moment 73-year-old actress Celia Imrie ripped a big fart. But the true star was Alan Carr, a surprisingly successful traitor who giggled his way through every interrogation. The US version of this hit show has been casting celebrities since 2023 to great effect, but the Brits delivered something softer and sillier. I can’t wait for more. MW

Big Brother tries to turn back time

Big Brother went back to its original home of Network 10 this year, with a new house at Dreamworld and a promise to recapture the glory days of the early 2000s. But did it deliver? Yes and no.

This shortened season had a lot of buzz at the start of its run, with the 24/7 livestream a particular hit. There were big characters, cruel challenges and relatively candid discussions about social issues. But later episodes were embroiled in repetitive dating drama and the show seemed to rush to an end in its final weeks before hurriedly crowning single mum Coco the winner. It wasn’t perfect (those live shows ain’t what they used to be), but the series is reportedly 10’s biggest reality show since 2023, so if you developed a parasocial relationship with that livestream, you might well get another hit soon. MW

Robert Irwin takes the stage (and our hearts)

In a world that can feel overwhelmed with doom and gloom, Robert Irwin delivered a much-needed dose of joy on the US version of Dancing with the Stars. For 11 weeks, this wildlife warrior pulled out all the stops. He leant into his post-Bonds ad sex appeal and ripped off his shirt mid-routine, multiple times. But he also managed to maintain his family-friendly image, speaking of his late father’s legacy and calling on his mother and sister to make cameos on the ballroom floor. Though his dancing was not lacking, it was public support that saw him take home Australia Zoo’s second mirrorball trophy, 10 years after Bindi’s win. BG

Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys in The Beast in Me.

Claire Danes v Matthew Rhys in The Beast in Me

The atmosphere around their table positively crackles with tension as real estate developer and suspected wife-killer Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys) meets his nervy new neighbour, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Aggie Wiggs (Claire Danes), over lunch in this rich Netflix thriller. He’s a wily predator accustomed to getting his own way, and she’s blocking his plans. As they warily size each other up, the battle of wits is riveting, as is the pleasure of watching two terrific actors sparring over their entrees. DE

Stefan Dennis, Jackie Woodburne and Alan Fletcher in the final episode of Neighbours.

End of Neighbours

Two years after it was revived by Amazon, Australia’s most cursed cul-de-sac bid farewell again in December, axed by the same streaming giant that was once its saviour. Unlike its previous farewell in 2022, which included the much-hyped return of Kylie Minogue to Ramsay Street, this time it was a rather muted affair, ending on the sombre vision of its three stalwarts – Susan and Karl Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne and Alan Fletcher) and Paul Robinson – standing in the middle of the street. Whereas the last finale was joyous, this really felt like the end, not just of Neighbours but of an era of Australian television. LR

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