13 schoolyards, Author at Australian Tumbleweeds
ABC Upfronts 2027: It’s All Downhill From Here
The ABC announced their upcoming slate for 2027 earlier this week and fans of fresh comedy have nothing to get excited about. That’s right: there are no new comedies lined up for next year. Guess they thought we got too much of a good thing this year. And by “good thing”, we do not mean... Read More »
No One Man Should Have Austin’s Power
Press release time! Ahahahahaha “beloved”. And also, “comedy”. Fortunately, the trailer also calls it “charming”, which as everyone knows is the absolute kiss of death when it comes to getting laughs. At least with this one we won’t have to act surprised when yet another Aussie sitcom ends with a wedding. Though if they’re going... Read More »
Gotta Keep ’em Separated
Press release time! So, you know, there’s that. Hey, there’s a... Read More »
Cop Killer
The funniest thing about Cop This is that it exists at all. A star-studded comedy telemovie made on the smell of an oily rag? You could make a petty strong case that all we really needed to get full value was a promo or two and a cast list. While it’s technically a movie, its... Read More »
Game Shows Are No Laughing Matter
This week Australia greeted the arrival of two new game shows featuring comedians: Shaun Micallef’s Parents Evening and Class Clowns. Regular readers will know that comedy games shows – even the good ones – aren’t really our thing. Looking for praise for Taskmaster? Can’t get enough of Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee? Tell your... Read More »
No Pangs of Regret
Press release time! Okay, so clearly “the golden touch” is what you say when you have no idea what’s actually going into the show this season. Three weeks out and they don’t know who the guests are going to be? Sounds about right. It’s a bit of a shame this always feels a little crammed... Read More »
Cop it Sweet
Press release time! Australia’s Funniest Are Reporting For Duty. A telemovie? In 2026? On Australian television? A comedy telemovie? You’re going to have to give us a second here. Okay, sure, a hefty percentage of that line-up presumably filmed their appearances in a room all by themselves. Bad news for fans hoping for a Martin/Molloy... Read More »
Shaun Micallef’s Family Abuse
Press release time! Family. They know you better than anyone. Or at least, they think they do. Shaun Micallef and his son, Gabe, are opening the doors to a hilarious new evening of family revelations, wildly conflicting memories and all-round shenanigans when Shaun Micallef’s Parents’ Evening premieres Monday, September 28 at 7.30pm on 10. Each... Read More »
What Have We Got to Live For
As you may have noticed, Australian comedy – on television at least – is keeping its head down. Over on Ten, they’ve got things sorted. Having two long running panel-slash-clip shows that have been basically unchanged for the last five years is great. It’s also a bit of a holding pattern. Still no word on... Read More »
The ABC is Out of the Satire Business
Recent comments by the ABC’s managing director, Hugh Marks, have (finally) focused attention on the ABC’s comedy line-up. Or more precisely, the ABC comedy line-up that exists in various media commentators’ heads. You know, the people saying things like: if a piece of guidance, even if non-binding, creates a no-go zone for ABC comedy and... Read More »