Dropped Into the Grinder

Press release time!

Sam Pang leads all-star cast in new ABC comedy Ground Up

A new chapter of Australian comedy kicks off next month with the arrival of Ground Up, a six-part series led by one of the country’s most loved comedians, Sam Pang. The series premieres Sunday 7 June at 8:30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.

After years of trying, Tasmania has finally been given the green light to field a team in the AFL – but there’s a catch. The locals have to build a new stadium.

Given Tasmania has a housing crisis, and a health crisis… and two sizeable stadiums, not everyone thinks the 1.13 billion dollar taxpayer spend is the greatest idea.

AFL administrator Hugh Shen (Pang) has been sent from Melbourne, tasked with establishing the club. There’s a divided public to win over, oppressive deadlines to meet, feisty protesters to handle and inoffensive mascots to employ.

Oh – and there’s also the small matter of finding the coach and the players, which might lead, eventually, to someone playing football.

Should all be a piece of cake.

Running out alongside Pang in the workplace chaos is a stellar ensemble cast including Emma Harvie (Colin From Accounts, RFDS), Dylan Murphy (Upper Middle Bogan), Josh McConville (Plum, Black Snow), Lucy Durack (Lift, Love in Lockdown) and returning to her comedic roots, Marg Downey (The Newsreader, Dear Life, Fast Forward).

They’re joined by an impressive list of guest appearances, including Broden Kelly, Christie Whelan Browne, Dave Thornton, Tegan Higginbotham, Toby Truslove, Lisa McCune, Lachlan Fairbairn, and many more.

To be honest, this doesn’t look as strong out the gate as we were hoping. But it’s also the kind of concept that probably needs a bit of background – as in, getting to know the characters – to work. Comedy sports shows (as opposed to sports comedy) often struggle a bit. Sports fans want more sport, comedy fans want less. Here’s hoping the behind-the-scenes angle keeps everyone laughing.

Meanwhile, there’s a trailer: