Australian Tumbleweeds
Tonight…Aaron Chen
It’s now been two weeks since there’s been an episode of John Conway Tonight, but according to TV Tonight the show may be back soon…
Rising comedian Aaron Chen may be getting his big chance at his own show on ABC2.
Chen, who has appeared as the sidekick on just 3 episodes of John Conway Tonight, could wind up as his replacement, after Conway’s sudden illness.
With 9 episodes still to be delivered for the production, Chen’s opportunity is not unlike the backstage tale of the understudy stepping in for the leading man at the last minute.
Producers GNW TV filmed a rehearsal with Chen on Thursday at Cafe Lounge and filming takes place tomorrow, requiring him to cancel a Sydney Comedy Festival show.
Fingers crossed the filming went well and the show’s back soon. It’s been a ramshackle but fun program so far, with Aaron Chen the stand-out performer and obvious choice to take over as host.
His awkward and earnest comedy persona should work as well in his new role as it did when he was Conway’s sidekick. It will also add an extra dimension to this already very meta show.
There’s a long history of comedy characters hosting parodic tonight shows – Dame Edna, Alan Partridge, Norman Gunston – with Gunston’s nerdy style possibly being the nearest indication of what a Chen-hosted program could look like. The Norman Gunston Show had a long run on the ABC in the 70s and 80s (plus a revival on Channel 7 in the 90s), which hopefully bodes well for Aaron Chen. We think this re-boot of John Conway Tonight could really work.
Radio with Pictures
Press release time!
Santo, Sam and Ed’s Total Football Podcast is now on ABC iview to watch
Thursday, May 11, 2017 — In an ABC Podcast first, the popular Santo, Sam and Ed’s Total Football Podcast is now also available to watch on ABC iview.
Following the huge success of the podcast, the trio are tackling iview to further enhance the experience as they deliver their take on all the big football news from around the globe.
The boys started together in 2010 for the FIFA World Cup on Cup Fever (SBS) and have been tackling the world game’s big issues ever since.
What they lack in stats and facts they make up for in half-baked ideas and dodgy puns. They’re not afraid to combine in depth analysis with bad Harry Redknapp impersonations and the occasional reference to Michael Mifsud.
So head to iview and watch Santo (former translator for Juventus), Ed (the tall one with the big nose) and Sam Pang (diversity choice) cover football. Totally.
This is Santo, Sam & Ed‘s what – twelfth incarnation? When you think of the number of decent shows that get the chop once and are never heard of again, it’s pretty damn impressive the way this one just keeps on popping up on different networks (remember when they were on SBS? On Seven?) and in different forms.
Sure, it’s about sport so we’re never going to really get into the subject matter. But the guys have great chemistry, a good eye for a gag, and a way of making soccer accessible to even the most disinterested of listeners… and again, that would be us.
A Little Ray of Radio Sunshine from The Chaser
You’d think a comedy team as well-known as The Chaser wouldn’t have a problem finding a sponsor for their new radio show on Sydney’s Triple M, but a segment in the first week of their new show Radio Chaser asked listeners to call in and apply to be their sponsor. A guy with a truck parts business who offered 4 barrels of motor oil won. It was a funny segment; bitterly so given the state of the traditional media at the moment.
Radio Chaser, which airs 11am-1pm on weekdays, is hosted by Chaser members Chris Taylor, Charles Firth, Dom Knight and Andrew Hanson. It features the sort of segments you’d expect on any Triple M show – phone-in topics, commentary on what’s in the news, competitions – but also sketches. As Firth explained to Mumbrella last week:
When we first started going to air there was a very big culture of pre-written sketches and more produced radio and we’ve recorded three sketches this morning that we want to stay true to that form of radio and that tradition of radio, so we are definitely going back to our roots
Even if the sketches which aired throughout the week weren’t always brilliant, it was good to see this type of radio back on commercial radio. Those who fondly remember Austereo shows like The D-Generation, Martin/Molloy, Get This and The Sweetest Plum often wonder if they’ll ever hear this type of radio again.
It’s also nice to hear a different type of conversation on Triple M, one which isn’t largely about sport. Friday’s discussion about comedy and outrage with Tom Ballard was one such example. It may seem ridiculous, but discussing that sort of topic is considered to be quite edgy in commercial radio. And one that an on-air team can only get away with if their show becomes popular.
Here’s hoping the people who are less interested in serious discussions about the art of comedy will keep tuning in for segments such as Little Ray of Sunshine, in which team challenged their listeners to ring up Ray Hadley (who they’re head-to-head with for their first hour) and insert the phrase “bum rainbows” into their call. This is hardly an original idea – bored teens and pranksters have been doing this for decades – but it’s almost always a funny one. And there’s something rather wonderful about the way Andrew Hanson says “bum rainbows”. He makes it sound like a charming concept, which in a way it is.
If you’re not in Sydney or can’t listen live, there’s a podcast of the show’s best bits. Based on week one, it’s a program which could run for ages.
The Perils of Live Television
Well, this doesn’t sound good:
https://www.facebook.com/JohnConwayTonight/posts/1425896874100220
(thanks to Daniel G for the tip-off)
There’s clearly not much to go on there, but John Conway Tonight is definitely not on this week (it’s been replaced by an Adam Hills’ stand-up special). Hopefully it’s nothing too serious and Conway is back on the air soon – the show itself might have been a bit hit-and-miss, but when it was good it was definitely worth checking out.
And it’s not like we need any less Australian comedy on television.
Australian Comedy: International Appeal
Press release time!
Ronny Chieng: International Student airs on ABC this June
Friday, May 5, 2017 — The ABC’s highly anticipated new comedy series Ronny Chieng: International Student will premiere on Wednesday, 7 June at 9pm on the ABC and iview. The show, produced by Sticky Pictures, is the ABC’s first co-production with Comedy Central, where Ronny Chieng is a series regular on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and will air on its flagship channel later this year in the USA.
Originally one of six comedy pilots that aired on ABC in 2016 as part of the AACTA award-winning Comedy Showroom (a joint initiative between the ABC and Screen Australia), Ronny Chieng: International Student is the first show to be green lit to full series, based on overwhelmingly positive audience response.
In the show (as in real life), Ronny is a Malaysian student who’s come to Australia to study law. Though smart, driven and competitive, he’s also blunt and barbed, so it’s not long before Ronny is at odds with most people on campus. Adding to Ronny’s rollercoaster is his relationship with his Malaysia-based mum, which veers between affection and agitation, often in the space of a single conversation, and a friendship with all-Australian classmate Asher (Molly Daniels) that could mean something more – if Ronny can ever work up the courage.
Rick Kalowski, ABC Head of Comedy and series Executive Producer, says: “I couldn’t be more excited to launch Ronny Chieng: International Student. Joyously funny and perfectly on point for these tricky times in Australian cultural identity, the show is a sheer delight from start to finish”.
Donna Andrews, Sticky Pictures’ CEO and Producer of the series says,” Ronny Chieng: International Student is a riotous exploration of the life of a university student, not only through the eyes of an international student, but from Ronny’s unique comedic perspective. This series is full of surprises!”
As long as one of those surprises* is “it’s funny”, we’re in!
*don’t worry, the press release does reveal the real news, though they bury it right down the bottom: “Production Credits: A Sticky Pictures production, with funding from ABC TV, Screen Australia, Film Victoria and Comedy Central.” Gotta have that US funding – uh, we mean “overwhelmingly positive audience response” – to make it in Australia these days…
The Internet Giveth, and the Internet Taketh Away
First the good news – for a fairly low value of good:
Junkee Media launches first Junkee Original Series ‘Life Lessons’
Please, do go on.
Publisher Junkee Media has launched its first Junkee original webisode series Life Lessons, based on the modern millennial and everything they should not do.
Okay, you can stop now.
Though to be fair, the real laughs from this otherwise somewhat uninspiring-sounding series are contained in the original press release:
Junkee Media CEO Neil Ackland commented “It covers every youth topic possible, from how to become a social media influencer to what not to do on your next tinder date.” adding “Life Lessons marks our foray into commissioning original scripted content under the banner ‘Junkee Original Series’. We are putting our money where our mouth is and investing in young content creators.”
“We know that the question that is being asked at dinner tables and pubs across Australia right now is ‘So what are you watching?’ There’s an explosion of amazing video content to watch and Video Junkee is all about capturing that conversation and providing an important filter to help video lovers discover and find new content,” he said.
You know who else is good at “capturing conversation”? That boring idiot at parties everyone tries to avoid. Not a great role model there.
Meanwhile, remember Seeso? Maybe not, as it’s US network NBC’s comedy streaming service, home of a wide range of series and specials that have been well-reviewed but have largely failed to gain much buzz.
Slightly more interestingly, they’re also the guys who’ve been propping up much of the ABC’s new programming, putting money into Soul Mates II, Fancy Boy, and Wham Bam Thank You Ma’am. And it’s starting to look like they’re being wound up:
Does NBC see a future for Seeso? It doesn’t necessarily seem so. Vulture has learned that Evan Shapiro, head of NBCUniversal’s all-comedy streaming service, is leaving the company this week. Seeso, for the foreseeable future, will be run by Maggie Suniewick, president of NBCU digital enterprises, instead of operating semi-independently. (Shapiro had been reporting to Suniewick since October.) A source with knowledge of the situation says it is business as usual over at Seeso and that the moves won’t effect 2017: New programming will still premiere through the end of this year, productions aren’t shutting down, and the company is still signing up new subscribers. Moreover, Seeso recently unveiled summer premiere dates for a number of shows and premiered the pilot for new a series, There’s … Johnny, at the Tribeca Film Festival.
But beyond the near term, the future of Seeso is decidedly unclear. Multiple sources indicate the service is, for all intents and purposes, on its way out. Already, agents and managers Vulture spoke with say they’re now having a hard time getting people at Seeso to return calls. For now, NBCU is only confirming Shapiro’s departure.
Uh-oh. While no doubt the ABC has other sources of overseas funding to wave in the direction of those hot young online comedians that are all the rage these days, the ability to a): bring in cash that didn’t come from the federal government and b): give local acts some exposure on a US platform was pretty darn handy.
If Seeso does close its virtual doors, you kind of have to feel bad for the entrants in this year’s Fresh Blood… competition? Talent quest? Whatever: the only finalists from the last one who went on to series at the ABC were Fancy Boy and Wham Bam Thank You Ma’am, and it’s safe to say Seeso money was probably the deciding factor there.
With that gone, what will the winners get this year? A photocopied certificate and an ABC Shop gift voucher?
Oh wait, they don’t have ABC Shops any more. Damn.
Let’s Put the Future Behind Us
We’re not ones to waste time wondering what might have been here at Casa Del Tumblie. Clearly a world where the Shaun Micallef / Tony Martin project MousePATROL never aired but Wednesday Night Fever got a whole series is the best of all possible worlds. And yet, increasingly even we find ourselves asking: what the hell’s going on over at the ABC?
The first hint we had that something was askew came from a recent interview with Denise Scott:
We’re dining together in lieu of a show Scott and Judith Lucy have devised for the Comedy Festival this year. Called Disappointments, the title reflects the reality both women faced in 2015-16. I confess I thought they were taking the piss with that title. Apparently not. “We were really disappointed in ourselves, in our careers,” Scott says. “Because we both invested a lot of time in individual television projects and in the end they both got rejected. To some degree, rejection is part of our world, it’s not like that extreme or unusual but … You feel it more as you age I think.”
For Scott, it represented a year’s worth of work, developing a sitcom for one of the major networks. Called Denise, it was based on her family life – she appeared in nearly every scene.
In theory they could have been working on shows for one of the commercial networks, or pay TV, or a streaming service. But looking at where the bulk of Australian television comedy has aired over the last few years – between them the commercial networks have run a grand total of one locally produced sitcom this decade – the ABC would really have to be at the top of the list.
So let’s assume until told otherwise that the national broadcaster ended up knocking back shows from both Judith Lucy and Denise Scott: that sucks. But then we asked around a little, and it seems they weren’t the only high profile people to have a show knocked back at the ABC recently. It’s not exactly a secret that Tony Martin relatively recently pitched a television series to the ABC that didn’t get picked up; it’s not exactly surprising to learn that John Clarke pitched a show that went nowhere around 2010. And from what we can gather, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Obviously the ABC gets a steady stream of established names pitching comedy series to them: as pretty much the only game in town, it’s not like they have to go crawling to the talent. And yet the fact that comedians of this caliber are being regularly knocked back by the ABC suggests that getting a show up on the ABC has become a game of musical chairs – only the music has already stopped and all the chairs are taken.
For the last decade or so the ABC has been giving new series almost solely to two kinds of people: people who are already appearing on the ABC (Luke McGregor, Tom Gleeson, Shaun Micallef), and up-and-comers who can bring in overseas money to fund their show (Soul Mates, most of the successful Fresh Blood shows). ABC2 used to give (young) established people a shot at a show, but they’re out of the sitcom business these days. Otherwise, if you have a solid idea for a hilarious show, you seem to be very much out of luck.
It’s not exactly clear why this should be the case. For a long time ABC sitcoms got two series and that was it; while it was far from ideal, it did at least mean that there was a semi-regular turn-over of talent (The Chaser aside, as their cast members seem to have a standing order for at least two series a year every year). But last year the ABC gave us a third season of Upper Middle Bogan; this year we’re getting a third season of Utopia. Neither of them are bad shows, but they’re very much safe choices – and with the kind of talented people the ABC is knocking back, it certainly seems like they had other options.
So why bring them back? Well, both those shows had overseas interest – Netflix picked up Utopia (and re-titled it Dreamland) while last year CBS made a pilot for an US version of Upper Middle Bogan (starring Katey Segal). Again, if overseas interest is what it takes to get a season of a sitcom on the ABC, then a whole lot of decent comedians are shit out of luck.
The result is that we seem to be in the middle of a relatively large shift in the way Australian comedy works. If you’re a comedian whose fanbase is local and you’re not already on the air, you’re not getting on the air. The future of Australian television comedy now involves bringing in overseas money, and that means developing an overseas fanbase: it’s no surprise that the two new comedy shows the ABC has lined up this year are from Ronny Chieng – as seen on The Daily Show – and the Kates from YouTube hit The Katering Show.
But for people like Judith Lucy, Denise Scott, Tony Martin and the late John Clarke – plus who knows how many others – who have built up careers focused on Australia, things seem grim. Which is rubbish: these are people as funny as anyone currently on our televisions, and if we can’t find room for them somewhere then something is seriously wrong.
No doubt some “realists” would see this as a reasonable state of affairs – money is tight, the ABC has to do the best with what they’ve got and risking their limited funds on new shows just might be a step too far in the current climate. Bullshit. All we should be concerned about is the quality of what is being aired. If you think that the ABC’s current comedy line-up represents the best of Australia’s comedy talent, we’re happy for you; out in the real world, we have to disagree.
Circling the Drain
We know we’ve been focusing a lot on The Weekly over the last few months because Jesus fuck who thinks putting Tom Gleeson on twice an episode is a good idea? C’mon, he’s the weakest link and yet they’re pounding away like somehow after two decades he’s going to suddenly spark up and deliver the goods. Then again, he’s the only one off The Weekly who’s been given his own spin-off show so clearly getting laughs doesn’t count like it used to. Hell, even Denton had to be funny before they’d let him host Randling.
But what about the shows around it on what was once the ABC’s comedy fortress of Wednesday nights? Let’s cast our minds back to last week, when on the ABC’s big night of comedy we had:
a): Anh’s Brush with Fame. Featuring Anh Do painting the portrait of Rosie Batty, anti-domestic violence spokeswoman. That’s a bundle of laughs right there, but it got even better when Do revealed he’d also painted a portrait of her dead son, who was murdered by her mentally ill ex at a sporting ground. He then revealed the portrait, and she broke down. Hilarious!
b): The Weekly. Nuff said.
c): You Can’t Ask That. This episode’s laff-tastic subject: suicide! Oh for fuck’s sake.
This week’s line-up wasn’t quite as bad – while Do was painting the portrait of one of The Wiggles (fun!) we did notice the show had the increasingly common comedy coda of “if this show has raised issues, here’s the suicide hotline” – and You Can’t Ask That was about military veterans, not all of whom were now suicidal or on drugs. It did end with the suicide hotline advice though. They really should just add that to The Weekly‘s end credits, just for consistency’s sake.
But it does raise the question: what is all this grim stuff doing on what even now is still vaguely promoted as the ABC’s big night of comedy? Oh wait, the ABC’s been working hard to redefine comedy as something closer to “vaguely entertaining” for years now, so celebrity tear-jerking and public service announcements pretty much fit the bill. Suicide and dead kids: you have to laugh.
It is in no way surprising then that one of the commercial networks – you know, the ones that are actually interested in entertaining their audiences – decided to go up against the ABC on a Wednesday night with some actual comedy:
Beloved co-host of The Project, TV Week Gold Logie nominee and all round funny man Peter Helliar brings his trademark humour to Peter Helliar: One Hot Mess.
A natural-born entertainer, Peter’s characterisations, terrible accents and relentless and infectious energy have kept him at the top of the comedy world ever since he rose to prominence on Rove in 1999.
Now a household name alongside Carrie Bickmore and Waleed Aly onThe Project, Peter has earned himself a nomination for the coveted Gold Logie, one of the Australian television industry’s highest honours, at tonight’s TV Week Logie Awards.
Peter Helliar: One Hot Mess sees Peter take a hilariously affectionate swipe at Australian suburbia, sport, family and fatherhood, as he brings his hit stand-up show to television audiences.
Will it be one hot mess or one mess of hotness? Either way, it is going to be both hot and messy.
Peter Helliar: One Hot Mess.
Wednesday At 8.30pm on TEN & WIN.
If you missed this latest installment in a seemingly never-ending run of stand-up comedy specials, you can watch it here. Or just forget we even brought it up.
The Other Sitcom
Press release time!
AUSTRALIAN COMEDIAN MATT OKINE TO WRITE & STAR IN
NEW STAN ORIGINAL COMEDY SERIES THE OTHER GUY
Production has begun, led by the award-winning team at Aquarius Films (Lion, Berlin Syndrome) and global indie studio Entertainment One, and featuring Harriet Dyer, Valene Kane, Magda Szubanski and Christiaan van Vuuren
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2017 – Australia’s leading local streaming service Stan announced today that production has begun on its latest Stan Original Series, The Other Guy, starring and written by popular Aussie comedian and broadcast personality Matt Okine. From global independent studio Entertainment One (eOne), The Other Guy is a comedy-drama based on Okine’s own experiences, which he developed into an award-winning stand-up show, and now a TV series for Stan. The show is co-written by Becky Lucas (Please Like Me) and Greg Waters (Soul Mates, Dance Academy).
The Other Guy joins a slate of award-winning Stan Original Australian productions that have been commissioned by the streaming service, including Logie Award-nominated and AACTA Award-winning drama series Wolf Creek, recently picked up for a second season, AACTA-Award winning comedy No Activity, and One Night Stan, a series of full-length stand-up comedy specials.
A 6 x half hour series, The Other Guy is the story of a successful radio host 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. The series will be directed by Kacie Anning (Fragments of Friday) and comes from producers Aquarius Films, whose credits include Berlin Syndrome (currently in cinemas) and the critically acclaimed Lion – nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture – and eOne, who will also distribute the series internationally. The Other Guy has received production investment funding from Screen Australia in association with Screen NSW.
Stan’s Chief Content Officer, Nick Forward says, “The Other Guy demonstrates Stan’s ongoing commitment to creating fresh, engaging local content you won’t find anywhere else, showcasing the wealth of talent we have in Australia. Matt is one of the country’s most in-demand comedians and we’re delighted to have Kacie Anning on board – she’s undoubtedly one of the most talented young directors coming out of Australia.”
The series also stars Harriet Dyer (No Activity, Love Child), Valene Kane (The Fall, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Magda Szubanski (Kath & Kim, Bran Nue Dae), Christiaan van Vuuren (Soul Mates, Bondi Hipsters), along with composer, performer and rising star Amali Golden (Australian Idol).
Producers, Angie Fielder, Polly Staniford and Cecilia Ritchie from Aquarius Films say, “We are absolutely thrilled to be collaborating with Matt on his first foray into narrative TV. Co-written by brilliant stand-up comic Becky Lucas, The Other Guy is a comedy series full of humour and heart that reminds us that breaking up is hard to do, and it can be funny too. We are also delighted to be working with very talented director Kacie Anning and such a wonderful cast.”
“eOne is thrilled to partner with Stan and the teams at Aquarius, Screen Australia and Screen NSW on The Other Guy and are also honoured to represent the series on an international basis. Together, we have assembled a really exciting team to support Matt, Becky and Kacie in bringing this show to life,” says Jude Troy, Executive Producer for The Other Guy and EVP, TV Development and Acquisitions, Australia & New Zealand, eOne.
The series will be shot on location around Sydney and will be produced in partnership with Screen Australia and Screen NSW.
“The Other Guy is an incredible career opportunity for exciting new talents Matt Okine and Kacie Anning to collaborate with this group of highly experienced producers and showcase their comedic voice on a premier platform. For our third partnership with Stan on a piece of original Australian content, we couldn’t be prouder to support this show,” says Mike Cowap, Investment Manager – Multiplatform at Screen Australia.
Michael Brealey, CEO of Create NSW says, “The Other Guy brings together an exciting group of talented NSW screen creatives to produce a highly engaging, original series. We are particularly delighted to support a project which sees one of the newer content players, Stan, investing in local talent and ideas.”
The Other Guy is set to premiere exclusively on Stan in late 2017.
Having a former Triple J breakfast host playing a “successful radio host” seems like it’s going to be safely within Okine’s wheelhouse as an actor, and considering he was clearly doing his best with a very bad deal in How Not to Behave, we’re going to set the dial on this one to “guardedly positive”.
… even if it is a show about a dude looking for love, which presumably is only going to be a small part of the finished show because otherwise we’re just seeing three hours of him looking at his phone and making various swiping gestures. But you never know – maybe they’ll be really flamboyant gestures?