13 schoolyards, Author at Australian Tumbleweeds
Bustin’ Makes Me Feel Good
Press release time! That’s “haunts, humour and so much heart”, right? You’re sure “haunts” is first? Not going to go with “haunting”? Hey. your call. Just wondering, but has a local version of any overseas comedy format ever taken off here? Back in the 70s Kingswood Country was a knock-off of All In The Family... Read More »
Crime Night! good lord it’s real
Press release time! What does this have to do with comedy? Check out that line-up of guests! Ryan Shelton: there’s a name we haven’t seen in a while. Also funny: the way this seems to have backed off a little from the original concept, which was a comedy true-crime panel show where real-life cases are... Read More »
Mother and Son: Not Demented Enough
It’s no surprise that the new season of Mother and Son is an improvement over the first. Okay, yes, it is a bit of a surprise, because how often do Australian comedy series improve with time? We’re so used to duds that turn fully half-arsed in their second go-round that it’s easy to forget that... Read More »
All That Bad Ain’t Nothing But Good
Press release time! Australian Comedy Royalty Unites for New ABC Series Bad Company The ABC, Screen Australia and VicScreen are thrilled to announce two of Australia’s most beloved comedians, Anne Edmonds and Kitty Flanagan will join forces for the new 6-part comedy series, Bad Company. Created by, written and starring AACTA award-winning comedian Anne Edmonds... Read More »
Talkin’ ’bout Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Gen
Game show Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation was always a bit of a marginal case when it comes to comedy. Being hosted by Shaun Micallef at his most unhinged made the first series a must-see for anyone who liked to laugh… often at (not with) Josh Thomas. The revival on Nine wasn’t exactly bad, but it... Read More »
Put the Dog in Park and Walk Away
Press release time! Has anyone ever, in the history of comedy, laughed at something described as a “feel good story”? How about “heart warming”? Or “doing good for the sake of it”? C’mon, that’s obviously a sure-fire recipe for comedy. Just think of all those hilarious kind-hearted sitcom characters over the years, like… uh… you... Read More »
A film review: But Also John Clarke
But Also John Clarke is a worthy tribute to one of Australasia’s great comedy figures. It’s a touching look at a much-loved husband and father, an insightful examination of the forces that shaped him and an always welcome retrospective covering some of the funniest material of the last 40 years. Frankly unmissable – five stars.... Read More »
Words of Wisdom
So this has been stirring up a bit of chat around the traps: “We could feel the writing was on the wall with network comedy in Australia,” says Kelly. “There are two that do it – 10 and ABC2 – but it’s Lord-of-the-Rings-style odyssey shit to get commissioned. Our experience is that when we were... Read More »
Austin: A Nation Divided
It’s the halfway point of Austin series 2, and what have we learned? Not to watch Austin for starters. When an episode begins with Austin (Michael Theo) being told by his publicist that if he wants to sell books to the kids he has to say his favourite singer is Taylor Swift… what the fuck... Read More »