1. McMillions

Right, so McMillions is this ripper of a doco mini-series from 2020. It’s all about that McDonald’s Monopoly game thing that was totally rigged for ages – like, over a decade! We’re talking 1989 to 2001.

It kicks off in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2001, and we meet these FBI agents. One of ’em gets a hot tip that all the Monopoly winners from the last ten years are somehow connected. Turns out, they are! But how did they pull it off? Who’s this "Uncle Jerry" bloke? And was someone on the inside at Maccas involved? It’s a real rabbit hole, mate.

I reckon what makes it so good is the characters. They’re not just talking heads; they’re real people with their own stories. Like that single mum who had to remortgage her house just to get in on the scam – bonkers! And the way they recall everything with such brutal honesty? Gold. It really makes you think about all those punters who ate one too many burgers hoping to win big. Crazy stuff.

2. American Greed

American Greed? Yeah, that’s been around for ages, hasn’t it? It’s like the true crime show that just keeps on giving. You reckon you’ve seen it all, then bam, another dodgy deal pops up. It’s wild.

I remember catching an episode about some bloke who was running a Ponzi scheme. Claimed he was investing in property, but really he was just using new investors’ money to pay off the old ones. Classic, right? But the thing that got me was how many people he conned – doctors, lawyers, even his own family! It’s a real eye-opener to see how easily people can be taken in, especially when greed gets involved. You can find a plot summary of the show online.

And it’s not just about the big scams, either. They cover all sorts of dodgy dealings, from corporate fraud to identity theft. It’s a good reminder to keep your wits about you and not trust everything you hear.

Here’s a few things that make American Greed so addictive:

• The real-life stories are bonkers.
• You get to see how the investigations unfold.
• It’s a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed.

I reckon if you’re into true crime, you’ll probably enjoy American Greed. Just don’t go getting any ideas, alright?

3. HBO

Right, so HBO. Everyone knows HBO, right? They’re the ones who brought us some seriously cracking telly over the years. And they’re still at it, pumping out mini-series left, right, and centre. You can always rely on them for some top-notch viewing. I was stunned to see a new DVR recording every week. Six hour long episodes. Six! Don’t expect a big pay off. The final/6th episode turns willing scam participants into sad victims. The only real victims were Simon Marketing.

HBO’s got a knack for picking up stories that are just bonkers enough to be true, and then turning them into something you can’t stop watching.

I mean, think about it. They take these real-life events, often involving dodgy dealings and everyday people getting caught up in something way bigger than themselves, and they just nail the storytelling. It’s like they’ve got a secret formula or something. I will hit the HBO button till this serie is at the very end and fullfill this review.

• They get the casting spot on. You’ve got actors who just disappear into their roles, making you believe every single second of it.
• The writing is sharp as a tack. The dialogue is snappy, the pacing is perfect, and they know how to build suspense like nobody’s business.
• And the production values? Forget about it. Everything looks and feels top-notch, from the sets to the costumes to the soundtrack.

4. Monopoly

Right, so, the McDonald’s Monopoly thing. What a bloody scandal, eh? I remember bits and pieces about it back in the day, but I never really knew the full story. This mini-series really digs into it, and it’s wild.

Basically, the whole thing was rigged for years. Someone on the inside was stealing the winning game pieces and giving them to mates, family, whoever. It wasn’t just a few dodgy prizes, we’re talking about millions of dollars.

It’s like:

• You think you’ve got a chance of winning a car or a stack of cash.
• But really, the game’s already decided.
• Some bloke’s already got the winning piece tucked away in his pocket.

It makes you wonder how much other stuff is rigged, doesn’t it? Anyway, this series is a ripper. Definitely worth a watch if you want to feel a bit cheated and entertained at the same time.

5. FBI

So, the FBI gets involved, right? You’d think it’d be all serious and procedural, but from what I’ve seen, it’s more like a bunch of regular blokes stumbling onto something massive. One agent, Doug Mathews, sounds like the kind of bloke you wouldn’t trust to organise a chook raffle, but he’s the one who cracks the case open.

It’s not just about the crime; it’s about the people involved. You’ve got agents, McDonald’s employees, lawyers – all these different perspectives coming together to tell the story. They even show actual footage from the investigation, which is pretty bonza. It’s not some dry, boring explanation; it’s like watching a real-life thriller unfold. The series does a top job of showing how these agents are just normal people with normal jobs, and how they managed to unravel this crazy scheme. It’s a ripper yarn, and I reckon you’ll be hooked from the first episode.

6. Simon Marketing

Simon Marketing, blimey, they were right in the thick of it, weren’t they? You might think the whole shebang was just about dodgy McDonald’s Monopoly tickets, but there were actual people working at Simon Marketing who probably had no clue what was going on. It’s easy to forget that the real victims weren’t just the folks missing out on prizes, but also the employees at Simon Marketing and the factory workers churning out those game tickets.

It’s a bit rough when you think about it. They were just doing their jobs, probably stressed about deadlines and performance reviews, and then BAM! Their company’s all over the news for being at the heart of a massive fraud. Talk about a bad day at the office!

Here’s a few things to consider:

• The impact on employee morale must have been huge. Imagine going to work every day knowing your company’s reputation is in the toilet.
• Job security would have been a major worry. Layoffs? Restructuring? Who knows what happened behind closed doors.
• And what about future job prospects? Having Simon Marketing on your resume after all that? Ouch.

7. DVR

Okay, so DVRs. Remember them? Before everything was streaming and on demand, we relied on these trusty boxes to record our favourite shows. It feels like ages ago, doesn’t it? Now, with so many options for what to watch, are DVRs even relevant anymore?

• The convenience of DVRs was undeniable back in the day. You could set it to record an entire series and watch it at your leisure, skipping the ads, of course.
• But let’s be honest, the interface was clunky, the storage was limited, and you always seemed to run out of space right before the season finale.
• And who can forget the frustration of accidentally deleting a recording you meant to keep? Ah, the memories!

These days, streaming services offer a much smoother experience. No need to worry about storage space or scheduling recordings. Everything is just there, ready to watch whenever you want. Plus, the picture quality is usually better, and you can watch on any device. Still, there’s a certain nostalgia attached to the good old DVR. It was a simpler time, in a way. You had to plan your viewing in advance, and there was something satisfying about building up a library of recorded shows. Maybe one day, DVRs will make a comeback, but for now, they’re mostly a relic of the past.

8. IMDb

Alright, so you’re probably already across IMDb, right? It’s basically the go-to spot for anything and everything movies and TV. But did you know how much it can help you decide what to binge next?

IMDb is more than just a database; it’s a community. You can suss out what the general consensus is on a show before you commit. Plus, heaps of user reviews can give you a heads-up on whether a mini-series is worth your precious time.

For example, take MobLand TV series. IMDb’s user ratings and reviews can give you a fair idea if its 11 episodes are worth the watch.

Here’s why I reckon IMDb is grouse for finding your next mini-series obsession:

• User Ratings: See what everyone else thinks. A quick glance at the rating can save you from a dud.
• Reviews: Read detailed opinions. Get the lowdown on the plot, acting, and overall vibe.
• Trailers and Clips: Get a sneak peek. Decide if the show’s style is your cup of tea.
• Cast and Crew Info: Find out who’s in it. Maybe your favourite actor is starring in something new.

So, before you settle in for a night of telly, give IMDb a burl. It might just help you discover your next favourite mini-series. You can even download the IMDb app for Android and iOS!

9. TV Shows

TV shows, eh? Where do you even start these days? There’s just so much stuff to watch, it’s almost overwhelming. I reckon the sheer volume of content is both a blessing and a curse. You’ve got your streaming services pumping out new series every week, plus all the regular channels still kicking around.

• What’s on TV and streaming? That’s the big question, isn’t it?
• Top 250 TV shows – always a good place to start if you’re looking for something critically acclaimed.
• Browse TV shows by genre – sometimes you just need a good crime drama or a laugh-out-loud comedy.

It’s a real mixed bag, and finding the gems can take some digging. But when you do find a good one? Worth it.

10. Movies

Okay, so we’ve been banging on about mini-series, but let’s not forget the big screen, eh? Sometimes you just want a good movie, and 2025 is shaping up to have some ripper options. I reckon we’ll see a few that are so good, they’ll be talked about for years to come.

Keep an eye out for indie flicks that pack a punch, and those big-budget blockbusters that are just pure entertainment.

Here’s what I’m looking forward to:

• Genre Benders: Movies that mix genres in ways we haven’t seen before. Think sci-fi westerns or rom-com horrors. The weirder, the better, I say!
• Aussie Originals: Gotta support our local talent, right? I’m hoping for some cracking Aussie films that tell our stories in a fresh way.
• Unexpected Sequels: Not just the usual suspects, but sequels to movies that came out of nowhere and became cult classics. Imagine a follow-up to something like Napoleon Dynamite – that’d be gold!

Righto, Time to Get Stuck In!

So there you have it, a fair dinkum look at some of the mini-series coming our way in 2025. It’s gonna be a big year for telly, heaps of good stuff to sink your teeth into. Don’t just sit there like a stunned mullet, get ready to add these to your watch list. You don’t want to be the only one at the BBQ who hasn’t seen the latest must-watch show, do ya? Nah, didn’t think so. Grab a cuppa, get comfy, and prepare for some top-notch viewing. You won’t regret it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the go with McMillions?

McMillions is a ripper mini-series that spills the beans on how the McDonald’s Monopoly game was rigged for years. It’s a true story about a massive fraud and the FBI’s mission to crack it.

Is McMillions a bit too long?

Yeah, heaps of folks reckon it’s a bit of a long haul. Some reviewers on IMDb thought it could’ve been shorter, maybe just a couple of hours, instead of six episodes. But, hey, more to watch, right?

Is McMillions an HBO show?

Absolutely! It’s an HBO production, so you know it’s top-notch. They really went all out to tell this wild story.

What’s the deal with the Monopoly game in the show?

The scam was all about the McDonald’s Monopoly game. People were supposed to win prizes by collecting game pieces, but a sneaky group made sure only their mates won the big ones.

Who was involved in catching the crooks?

The FBI were the good blokes who busted the whole operation. They had a code name for their investigation, ‘Operation Final Answer,’ which is a bit of a laugh, seeing as ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ was big at the time.

What was Simon Marketing’s role?

Simon Marketing was the company that ran the McDonald’s Monopoly game. They were supposed to keep it fair, but some dodgy characters on the inside helped rig the whole thing.

Where can I watch McMillions?

You can usually find it streaming on platforms that carry HBO content. So, if you’ve got a subscription to one of those, you’re in luck!

Is McMillions a true story?

It’s a true crime documentary, so it’s all based on real events and real people. It’s pretty wild to think it all actually happened!