Others Gonna Work It Out

Press release time!

JULY 13, 2017 – Australia’s leading local streaming service Stan announced today that its latest Stan Original series, The Other Guy, will premiere exclusively on August 17.

Created by and starring leading Australian comedy talent, Matt Okine, THE OTHER GUY is a funny, raw and poignant look at break-ups in the modern age and at the harsh reality of recovering from heartbreak.

THE OTHER GUY co-stars Valene Kane (The Fall, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Harriet Dyer (No Activity, Love Child), Marg Downey (Fast Forward, Kath & Kim), Christiaan van Vuuren (Soul Mates, Bondi Hipsters), Adam Briggs (Cleverman, Black Comedy) along with composer, performer and rising star Amali Golden (Australian Idol).

The 6 x half hour comedy drama series follows a successful radio host, AJ Amon, who finds himself unexpectedly back in the dating pool for the first time in a decade, after discovering his long-term girlfriend has been having an affair with his best friend.

Filmed on location across Sydney earlier this year, THE OTHER GUY is written by Okine and Becky Lucas (Please Like Me) and script produced by Greg Waters (Soul Mates, Dance Academy). Directed by Kacie Anning (Fragments of Friday), the series is produced by Aquarius Films (six-time Academy Award nominated film Lion and Berlin Syndrome) and global studio Entertainment One/eOne (Designated Survivor, Sharp Objects) who will also distribute the series internationally. THE OTHER GUY has received production investment funding from Screen Australia in association with Create NSW.

 The Other Guy will premiere exclusively on Stan on August 17

Well, at least they’re investing in local comedy.

… yes, okay, we mean local dramedy – advertising yourself as “a funny, raw and poignant look at break-ups in the modern age and at the harsh reality of recovering from heartbreak” suggests a show that leans more towards sad montages rather than, you know, bust-a-gut laffs.

Also: co-written by someone from Please Like Me.

We go on about this way more than is healthy, but when it comes to Australian television it’s a sad fact: adding literally any other word to “comedy” when describing a show means it contains zero comedy. Comedy is that rare thing that people want to see, which is why, when someone makes a show that they’re not quite sure has an audience – hey, remember The Warriors? – they go out of their way to add “comedy” to the description.

So this? This sounds like a mild drama about a guy trying to find love with the occasional funny moment thrown in – a more dating obsessed The Wrong Girl, perhaps. It’ll probably be a well-made show because they all are, but a comedy?

Well, Okine is a funny guy, so obviously a story based on the time he got cheated on for real will be hilarious, right?