Category: Australian

  • The Mavis Bramston Show
    The Mavis Bramston Show

    This feels like one of those things I should have already known, but it’s fun to share how I discovered it anyway. While looking at articles about The Likely Lads, I also glanced at this one … Whether it was an official remake of TW3, or just inspired by it, The Mavis Bramston Show was…

  • Fast Forward x 2
    Fast Forward x 2

    Fast Forward was an Australian sketch show that ran on the 7 Network for 74 episodes between 1989 and 1994. It’s worth quoting Mark Lewisohn in full from his excellent Radio Times Guide To TV Comedy: An earthy and funny sketch show, spoofing film and television and featuring, in its original version at least, some…

  • Ben Elton Live From Planet Earth
    Ben Elton Live From Planet Earth

    In 2011, Ben Elton returned to live variety TV comedy in the form of Live From Planet Earth, an hour long show on Australia’s Nine network. It featured Ben as host, introducing sketches and performances from a cast of regular contributors, in much the same way Saturday Live had done in the UK back in…

  • Rik Mayall On Countdown
    Rik Mayall On Countdown

    No, not that Countdown, alas. This is an appearance from Rik Mayall and Ben Elton on the Australian network ABC. It was a music magazine show, with theme music by Brian May. Rik and Ben were promoting their tour.

  • A Parody Of The Television Show Ellen
    A Parody Of The Television Show Ellen

    This feels like it might go on far too long, but it earns every moment.

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  • Proctology: A Bottom Examination
    Proctology: A Bottom Examination

    For a long time now I’ve been wanting to write an old-fashioned programme guide. One you can hold in your hand and thumb through, make notes on, spill coffee on. So I did. Proctology: A Bottom Examination is my deep dive into Bottom, the hit BBC Two sitcom starring Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson. That’s…

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  • Re-Casting Keanu
    Re-Casting Keanu

    Keanu Reeves is 56. That makes him eight years older than Clive Dunn was when he was first cast in Dad’s Army. But don’t panic, Clive Dunn was always playing much older characters than his own age. Keanu Reeves is 56. That makes him seven years older than Stephanie Cole was when she was first…

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