Australian sitcoms
I'm also including mockumentaries in this list. This List was initially submitted (in shorter form, I hasten to add!) as a Poll, but I pulled it due to most polls here having "The dark knight" as a voting option and therefore any poll not having that option would have 0 chance of getting up.
New criterion: for comedy dramas, it's running time determines whether it makes this list or my "Australian drama" list. I.e. shows which take up a 30 minute time slot will go here, whilst programmes with a 60 minute time slot (on commercial tv) will go in my drama list.
New criterion: for comedy dramas, it's running time determines whether it makes this list or my "Australian drama" list. I.e. shows which take up a 30 minute time slot will go here, whilst programmes with a 60 minute time slot (on commercial tv) will go in my drama list.
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- CreatorSonja DareTrisha Morton-ThomasStarsGeoff MorrellShari SebbensIan MeadowsIn the middle of nowhere is 8MMM Aboriginal Radio, a magnet for three kinds of Whitefellas - Missionaries, Mercenaries and Misfits.
- CreatorNick GiannopoulosGeorge KapiniarisSimon PalomaresStarsNick GiannopoulosGeorge KapiniarisMary CoustasThe lives of the owners and workers at a Greek cafe in Melbourne.
- CreatorColin LaneFrank WoodleyStarsColin LaneFrank WoodleyNeil PigotThe bizarre misadventures of two no-hopers who share a flat
- CreatorPino AmentaPhilip DalkinJohn PowditchStarsJon EnglishSteven JacobsJane HallOne-time Rock'n'Roll star Bobby Rivers discovers he has 15-year-old twins when his former lover dies in a plane crash. They and Tracy, the woman who looked after them when their mother was travelling the world, move in with him.I remember the promo for this show when it came out and thought it very funny...the main character of the show was just so gormless. Unfortunately the show wasn't as funny as the promo and I didn't stick with it.
- CreatorAlan HopgoodStarsGraeme BlundellChris HaywoodDawn LakeA waterbed salesman who is irresistible to women gets a job as a gardener in a convent
- CreatorChris LilleyStarsChris LilleyDeborah JonesGreg FairallA mockumentary exploring the issues faced by young males in the 21st century - their influences, their pressures, their dreams and ambitions.Chris Lilley series.
Got a laught out of "Skateboarding! Gay style!".
Also, when Gran has a heart to heart (I forget who with...probably a juvie, I think) and says something like "I also have a secret"...I kind of expected her to say "I have a penis, son". Didn't happen. Kind of expected it to happen though! - StarsMandy BishopPhil LloydMichael DenkhaThis four part comedy series takes viewers into the life of Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her partner Tim Mathieson, behind the closed doors of The Lodge.Mockumentary purporting to show the life of the then current Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard. Didn't particularly grab me...not sure that I saw all the limited number of episodes in the run...might have though.
- CreatorRonald ChesneyRonald WolfeStarsEdward HeppleSheila BradleyRobina BeardJoan and Shirley Muggleton are two sisters who inherit a run-down roadhouse/garage from their Uncle Ted in the fictitious locale of Frog's Hollow, located on the Hume Highway between Sydney and Melbourne (Australia).Suggested by JeiceWarrior.
Wikipedia states:
It was the second television sitcom produced in Australia, being preceded by the 1957-1959 series Take That, though that earlier series had only aired in Melbourne; Barley Charlie aired for 13 episodes, produced by GTV-9 and also aired on other stations across Australia. Though short-lived, the series was a ratings success;
Premise: Joan and Shirley Muggleton are two sisters who inherit a garage. Working there is Charlie Appleby, a lazy mechanic. - StarsRebel WilsonSally-Anne UptonLulu McClatchyIntelligent teenage fugly Jennie Cragg lives in the suburb Boonelg with her mother Berenice Cragg, who is now extremely overweight and has isolated herself in her bedroom.Rebel Wilson's series.
- StarsGraeme BlundellPaul ChubbKevin GolsbyWhen a new pretty female doctor joins a group of men confined to the lonely isolation of the Australian Antarctic expedition, she finds that they are keenly interested in her - and it isn't just her medical skills which holds their attention.Suggested by JeiceWarrior.
Wikipedia states:
Seven Network;
"The title comes from the colloquial expression "cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey", in reference to the cold climate of the Antarctic.
Brass Monkeys is the story of a pretty female doctor who joins a group of men confined to the lonely isolation of an Australian Antarctic expedition station". - StarsTim FergusonRichard FidlerPaul McDermottIt is the end of history. Shitsu Tonka, the giant conglomerate of universal power, has placed the world's art treasures in a giant submarine, the Titanic II. Assigned to protect and catalogue these treasures are former comedians, the Doug Anthony Allstars; Tim, Paul and Richard, who find themselves drawn into conflict with each other and the malevolent forces which surround them.Can't say I remember too much of this series apart from not being that much into it. They were my favourite act on The Big Gig though. This sitcom has elements of sketch comedy too, from memory. A bit of hybrid, in other words.
- StarsNoeline BrownHenri SzepsPaul ChubbLife in a newspaper office.Suggested by JeiceWarrior (although the name rang a bell for me).
Wikipedia states:
Seven Network; x13 episodes;
"The series was set in the office of a metropolitan newspaper.
It was the first Australian comedy series to feature a regular gay character (Terry Bader as journalist Leslie)." - CreatorDavid AshbyDario RussoStarsDavid AshbySean James MurphyNatasa RisticIt's Christmas in the 1980s, Adolf Hitler is alive and has two Yuletide wishes: Danger 5 dead and the world under his Christmas tree.A sitcom featuring Hitler, dinosaurs and...the moon? Two out of three ain't bad!
- CreatorShaun MicallefStarsShaun MicallefNicki WendtLucy VelikEllen, a ghostwriter working for the ex-prime minister of Australia Andrew Dugdale, tries to immerse herself in the lives of the ex-pm, his family and associates in a vain attempt at writing his biography for him.Shaun Micallef stars.
- CreatorBenjamin LawStarsTrystan GoFiona ChoiAnthony Brandon WongThere's the rules, then there's the Laws. Based on the best-selling book by Benjamin Law, The Family Law is a drama-comedy series following everyone's favourite almost-functional Chinese-Australian family.
- CreatorJohn ClarkeAndrew KnightStarsTerry BaderRichard HealyDebra LawranceTwo private investigators, Bryce and Ken operate a business known as The Excelsior Research Foundation.Created by two well known industry figures in John Clarke and Andrew Knight.
- CreatorKitty FlanaganVincent SheehanStarsKitty FlanaganJulia ZemiroMarty SheargoldFast-paced comedy about high-end contracts lawyer Helen Tudor-Fisk, who is forced to take a job at a shabby, suburban law firm following a humiliating marriage breakdown and a professional fall from grace.
- CreatorSanto CilauroTom GleisnerJane KennedyStarsRob SitchJane KennedyTiriel MoraBased on the making of a fictitious Australian CURRENT AFFAIRS show, Frontline blends invented events with REAL LIFE events. A true reflection of THE TIMES we live in.I don't rate this highly as many people/critics do. It always seemed to recap the much funnier moments of Media Watch...which wasn't a comedy...but was there first...and often funnier. Frontline seemed more of a rerun/lesser version of Media Watch...or helpfully recycling the same incidents for people who didn't watch Media Watch.
- CreatorSanto CilauroTom GleisnerJane KennedyStarsSanto CilauroTim FergusonTom GleisnerFunky Squad is an elite police unit of four young undercover cops - Grant, Cassie, Stix and Poncho - who speak the language of the streets. They're young, hip and in touch with the now generation.Not sure how much I watched of this. Didn't really grab me, if I watched it. Less watchable than Danger 5, which I did follow and might do so for the 2nd series too.
- CreatorJohn ClarkeRoss StevensonStarsJohn ClarkeBryan DaweGina RileyMockumentary about the organisation of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.Apparently Britain plagariased this show during the run up to their own Olympics. Their version was called "Twenty twelve".
Wikipedia quotes The Games' Brian Clarke as saying:
[Clarke's website later called The Games' writers] "John [Clarke] and Ross Stevenson, who run a charitable institute supplying formats to British television".
N.B. I still recall the classic scene in this show where the organisers are wondering if anyone will notice if the 100m track is a different length. I'm guessing yes...if someone runs 100m in under 9 seconds...or in over a minute...just sayin'... - CreatorGeoffrey AtherdenStarsGeoff MorrellZoe CaridesJohn ClaytonThe series is set around the fictional Arcadia Waters Council near Sydney, and was primarily a satirical look at the machinations of local government.A satire of local government.
- CreatorAnne HallMichael HarrisStarsKen JamesGregory RossGregory de PolnayVarious escapades with three guys and two girls sharing a flat!Suggested by JeiceWarrior.
Wikipedia states:
ATN7;
"Despite its popularity The Group was not renewed beyond its original series of 13 half-hour episodes". - CreatorJohn FlanaganGary ReillyStarsJulie McGregorRobert HughesSarah MonahanThis is Australia's longest-running comedy series, following the hilarious adventures of top architect Martin Kelly, who gives up his business to raise his three children. And the kid next door, Nudge.
- CreatorSanto CilauroTom GleisnerRob SitchStarsLachy HulmeDavid JamesNeil MelvilleMockumentary that follows the daily situations in which the staff from the Australian Prime Minister find themselves.Political satire by The Working Dog team.
- CreatorVince PowellStarsJohn BluthalArianthe GalaniChristopher BellItalian immigrant taxi driver Enzo Pacelli is determined to keep his old country's traditions alive, his children are, however, true blue Ozzies.Australians/critics maybe used to say that Australia didn't make decent sitcoms...not sure if they forgot/didn't know of this one...perhaps Australia's first decent sitcom...but I haven't watched a lot of Australian sitcoms. "Mother and son" had its fans too.
- StarsPaul FenechElle DaweKevin TaumataThe series is a satirical parody of Australian residents, who are living in Housing Commission public housing.
- CreatorPeter HelliarStarsPeter HelliarEmily TahenyRonny ChiengAn anthology series in which each episode centres around two dates, with a range of actors, comedians and even a few personalities, playing fictional characters going on a date.Saw promos for this but never watched it. Ronny Chieng was in one promo...he looks funny (as in his comedy style, not physical appearance!). Maybe I should watch this 'one of these days'...at least for the episode with Ronny in it!
- CreatorChris LilleyStarsChris LilleyGeorgie JenningsGeorgia TreuJa'mie: Private School Girl follows the eponymous school captain during the last few months of school, far removed from the grounds of Summer Heights High and back on the lush manicured lawns of Hillford Girls Grammar School.Chris Lilley series.
Found the first half of the series a grind, until the character's trajectory changes for the remainder of the series, and shows some pathos, as do others. - CreatorChris LilleyStarsChris LilleyTama Tauali'iJason MoleliAn adventurous journey into the life of 14-year-old rebellious schoolboy Jonah, his family, friends, teachers and counsellors who are exhaustively trying to help him channel his seemingly limitless energy into bigger and brighter things.Chris Lilley series.
- StarsKate McCartneyKate McLennanRonny ChiengThe journey of a food intolerant, and an intolerable foodie.A parody of a cooking show with each episode about 10 minutes in length...originally aired on iView, I believe, but later broadcast on the main channel.
- CreatorGina RileyJane TurnerStarsJane TurnerGina RileyGlenn RobbinsA mother, her daughter, and their respective "hunks of spunk" negotiate life in suburban Australia.Never got into this show, though I did intend to. Did watch one special with Barry Humphries in it though. Not sure if dreamed the following line or I actually heard it...Kath is walking with Kel and announces that she is "crowning"...no...she's not pregnant. Ewwww!
P.S. since posting this, I've subsequently seen a repeat episode of Family Guy recently (I'm posting this in July '14', so maybe saw it in June or earlier?] and that show had the same joke...be interesting to know who came up with that joke first...it's déjà vu all over again! I remember Fast Forward having a sketch about faux coffee...and the same week another Australian sketch show had the same idea for a sketch...might have been "The comedy company". Great minds...? - CreatorGary ReillyTony SattlerStarsRoss HigginsPeter FisherLaurel McGowanAustralian comedy about life with the Bullpitt family - irascible father Ted Bullpitt; mother Thelma; student son Craig; married daughter Greta, and her Italian husband Bruno.
- CreatorKirsty FisherMarieke HardyStarsAlison BellCelia PacquolaToby TrusloveStartled to realize that her former lovers are dying in unusual ways, a market researcher tries to unravel the cause and save her remaining exes.Created by Marieke Hardy. Think I heard that the US was looking to remake this for their market...not sure if that is still going ahead or not.
- CreatorRobyn ButlerWayne HopeStarsRobyn ButlerRoz HammondHeidi ArenaWhat happens when you put a Catholic bigot with a panic disorder in charge of a library?The promos were funny...kind of like what would happen if Basil Fawlty was a woman...who ran a library. At some point I bailed on the series (maybe at the end of the first series...probably)...they just didn't run well enough with that premise which got me watching in the first place...i.e. a funny but repulsive woman.
- StarsLawrence LeungDave EastgateStephanie SonSimon Chan has returned to Cabramatta. Whilst everyone thinks he was studying martial arts in Beijing, he was actually at Marshall's Art School, in Melbourne. Everyone thinks he is a kung fu master and the new saviour of their town.I'm recording this but haven't seen it yet. I was amused by the tv guide reviews which mentioned that the main character went to Marshall Arts School. That causes some confusion to gang members...or something.
- CreatorPhil LloydTrent O'DonnellStarsIan MeadowsPatrick BrammallDanny AdcockAn Australian family gathers for Christmas. Love them or hate them, your family is forever. Whatever happens, your family loves to welcome you home for Christmas. But do you really want to be there?
- StarsIan MeadowsPatrick BrammallDanny AdcockA bumbling Australian extended family somehow finds a way to keep it together over the years with love as the underlying thread.
- CreatorGeoffrey AtherdenStarsRuth CracknellGarry McDonaldHenri SzepsThe story of Maggie Beare, an elderly woman suffering from dementia (or so she says), and her faithful, yet long suffering son, Arthur. Despite all of Maggies manipulative ways, he is her carer, even if they don't always get along.
- StarsPeter FisherLinda NewtonKym ValentineA a divorced man moves into an apartment with his new wife and her daughter, only to learn that his ex-wife resides in the apartment directly below.Suggested by JeiceWarrior.
Wikipedia states:
"The series debuted in Australia 8 September 1992. Only a moderate ratings success the program was not renewed beyond its initial series of 13 half-hour episodes". - StarsPaul FenechJohn BoxerAnnalise BraakensiekThe show focuses on the activities of Pauly and his fellow co-workers as they deliver pizzas for "Fat Pizza", the Sydney-based pizzeria of Bobo Gigliotti, whose slogan is "they're big and they're cheesy".
- StarsJosh ThomasThomas WardJohnTwenty something Josh is going through a number of big changes as he navigates his first decade of adulthood. After being dumped by his girlfriend, he comes to the realization that he is gay.Watched this. Not sure if I'll continue following it. It's amiable. The guy who plays the dad in this is really boring. No, I mean REALLY boring. He's meant to be though. Can't see why he couldn't have been amusingly boring though. He's just annoying.
- StarsChris TaylorJoshua TylerNathan EarlPlonk is a love letter to Australian wine and its people - just with the spell check function turned off. It's Getaway meets Heart of Darkness, Sydney Weekender meets Lost in La Mancha. It's Plonk.
- StarsDawn LakeOwen WeingottBenita CollingsThe story of a secretary, Miss Prim, working in the world of the children's court, who was given to flights of fancy.Sitcom created as a star vehicle for Dawn Lake but was short-lived. Title suggested by JeiceWarrior.
- CreatorRonny ChiengDeclan FayStarsRonny ChiengMolly DanielsShuang HuInternational Student is the story of Ronny Chieng, a Malaysian student who has travelled to Australia to study law. All he has to do is study, get good marks and make his Mom proud. Well, that was the plan anyway.
- CreatorLuke McGregorCelia PacquolaStarsCelia PacquolaLuke McGregorKris McQuadeDaniel McCallum returns to his rural Tasmanian hometown, Rosehaven, to help his formidable mother in her real estate business.
- StarsPaul MooreDoug LyonsRonn Kurtz"Rostered On" is an independent Australian comedy show based around the day to day struggles of working for a faceless retail corporation "Electroworld".
- StarsGlenn RobbinsHermann IbergTom MartinSlapstick mockumentary about an enthusiastic Aussie wildlife expert, Russell Coight, whose haphazard and inept adventuring style ensures that he is a danger to anything and anyone he meets, not to mention himself.Apparently a mockumentary...not seen this myself. Am familiar with it slightly though. Seems a parody of Australian tv figures (and their various tv shows) like Harry Butler, Steve Irwin, the Leyland Brothers etc.
- StarsSammy JHeath McIvorGeorgia CharaA musical comedy about two mismatched housemates from the acclaimed comedic duo, Sammy J - a human - and Randy - a purple puppet.Starring a man and...a muppet...
- CreatorDaley PearsonStarsBarry CrockerToby TruslovePatrick BrammallHapless city cop Toby Banks is demoted to night duty in the sleepy beachside village of Coolum, only to find himself investigating strange late night phone calls that reveal the bizarre truth of the town.
- StarsWayne HopeMatthew NewtonSophie KatinisCentres on the lives of the four men on the editorial team and the women that work in a mens magazine.Recommended. I enjoyed this series. Pity it didn't go on...I would have watched more of it.
- StarsChris LilleyAsolima TauatiIro UtaifeauThe life of a public school epitomized by disobedient student Jonah Takalua, self-absorbed private school exchange student Ja'mie King, and megalomaniac drama teacher Mr. G.Chris Lilley series.
- StarsIan TurpieAmanda KellerPaul FenechA hilarious comedy that parodies the people, the politics and the outrageous events of a working class business.
- StarsPhilip StaintonIrene HewittFrank RichComedy series set in a schoolroom.Suggested by JeiceWarrior.
Wikipedia states:
HSV-7; 1957-9; Take That was one of the earliest Australian television series; is sometimes considered to be Australian's first sitcom; For some time the series aired in a 15-minute time-slot 7:00PM on Wednesday; - CreatorSanto CilauroTom GleisnerRob SitchStarsRob SitchCelia PacquolaDave LawsonComedy set inside the offices of the "Nation Building Authority", a newly created government organization responsible for overseeing major infrastructure projects.Hopefully this is the right link for the upcoming (August 2014?)Working Dog team production, which is a satire of local politics (I think!). Worth a look.
- CreatorRobyn ButlerWayne HopeGary McCaffrieStarsKim GyngellWayne HopeIan BlissA smarmy, debt riddled, borderline con-artist teams up with a chronically depressed acclaimed journalist to try and keep his head above water.
- CreatorRobyn ButlerWayne HopeStarsAnnie MaynardPatrick BrammallRobyn MalcolmMiddle class woman, Bess Denyar, discovers she's adopted. She's shocked to find her birth parents head up a drag racing team in the outer suburbs.
- CreatorChris LilleyStarsChris LilleyJennifer ByrneMick GrahamA group of Australians are nominated for the Australian of the Year Award.Chris Lilley series.
Low key absurdity, which I liked. E.g. the woman who plans to roll... - CreatorShaun MicallefStarsShaun MicallefRobyn ButlerFrancis GreensladeEnter a world of controlled madness at Welcher and Welcher - the law firm presided over by Quentin Welcher. A solicitor with a massive ego, he is a pompous, accident-prone fool and a terrible lawyer to boot.Shaun Micallef sitcom.
- CreatorBrigid DelaneyBenjamin LawStarsCeleste BarberJJ FongLachlan BuchananFollows Liv who, when she has a major health crisis, is forced to rethink her 'live fast die young' attitude.
- CreatorJason GannTony RogersAdam ZwarStarsJason GannAdam ZwarCindy WaddinghamA depressed man is the only one who can see his girlfriend's dog as a full-grown man in a dog suit.Never got around to watching this. Thought about watching the US remake but thought I really should watch the original version first if I was going to. Seen neither version though.
- CreatorFrank WoodleyStarsFrank WoodleyJustine ClarkeAlexandra CashmereFilled with virtuosic physical mayhem, Woodley is an unashamedly romantic comedy series.Recommended. Has physical comedy from the titular character influenced by the likes of Buster Keaton etc.