800 Words

Pictured: George Turner (Erik Thomson) with his daughter, Shay (Melina Vidler), and his son, Arlo (Benson Jack Anthony)

Credit: APT

WXXI-TV brings viewers the Australian comedy 800 WORDS, a series that follows recently widowed newspaper columnist George Turner (Erik Thomson) as he moves his family to the small town of Weld, New Zealand, his favorite childhood vacation spot. 800 WORDS airs Thursdays at 10:30 p.m. beginning August 31 on WXXI-TV.

George’s plan to start a new life in a familiar town produces troubles for him, his daughter, Shay (Melina Vidler), and his son, Arlo (Benson Jack Anthony), through a series of accidents, gossip, and misunderstandings. Rumors spread about George’s wife’s death, George publishes an article insulting the town, and he finds himself the area’s new ladies’ man. The stress of losing a loved one combined with the rapid changes of moving eventually finds the Turners’ facing an uncertain future.