This had SUCH potential. Sketch comedy back in the day used to be funny. This just misses the mark. Typically the only funny ones are on the ad the previous week. I laughed maybe twice the entire episode, and I'm pretty easy to please. If they had approached the concept a bit more seriously it could be funny. The whole reason why the real shows are so bad is that they're not trying to be terrible. Also, just a typical low budget production in Aus. Millionaire was literally two office chairs with spotlights on them- very meh production value. Will I continue to hold my breath and watch the next ep? Probably not.
15 Reviews
Early days
couchshow4 March 2023
It's nice to see Oz TV investing in scripted comedy. The production values are high and nicely capture the look and feel of the various crappy tv shows being parodied. (I'm sure the crew work on them at other times)
There are some promising performers doing their best with some basic writing. 90% of each sketch is about faithfully reproducing the source, the rest of giving it a twist. Hopefully the writers find their feet in time and get a bit more creative - each punchline is visible a mile out - I'm sure it takes a while to warm up and it's only fair to remember that this is the first ep. The laugh track is painfully bad.
Update: Yeah it's not getting any better. I honestly dont know if it is a reflection on the sorry state of Oz tv that gives the writers little to work with or if it is that they have utter contempt for the channel 7 audience.
There are some promising performers doing their best with some basic writing. 90% of each sketch is about faithfully reproducing the source, the rest of giving it a twist. Hopefully the writers find their feet in time and get a bit more creative - each punchline is visible a mile out - I'm sure it takes a while to warm up and it's only fair to remember that this is the first ep. The laugh track is painfully bad.
Update: Yeah it's not getting any better. I honestly dont know if it is a reflection on the sorry state of Oz tv that gives the writers little to work with or if it is that they have utter contempt for the channel 7 audience.
Just a bunch of references and (unfunny) skits
dvdn-231207 March 2023
First off: it's got a laugh track. I think that's enough to explain how funny this show is - they have to tell you when to laugh to get anyone to laugh.
The references are to current media but they have basically nothing to say about them. MasterChef - someone cooks with things that aren't food. Amazing Race - but they go to Canberra. So they just frame these really vague jokes as being critiques of specific shows, when it's really just "rich and hot people in shows are over the top" but prefaced as "THIS IS A PARODY OF LOVE ISLAND", even though it is the most tame and vague thing that any show could have it said about it.
It's a skit show based on the parody of other shows. But it makes jokes about bin problems with neighbours, but puts it in a fantasy setting saying it is a parody of HOTD when it just...isn't? It's just surface level observations, or "wouldn't it be funny if this happened in the show, like if an OHS worker went to Squid Game or a killer admitted to a crime on a question asking show." No. It isn't funny.
If I have to give it anything, the performers are trying. If they had actually funny things to say then it might be better. The only funny moments I can think of are all due to the actors. But they really have nothing to do with the show. And, even if they do have a funny joke, they ruin it by driving it into the ground. The jous joke was funny...until everyone just started screaming and freaking out.
The actors try hard and some jokes are almost funny, but the poor writing and focus on making jokes last as long as they can until someone laughs is just painful. It's a show that doesn't justify its existence, and only seems to to be something for a bunch of old people who don't like current media to gather around and laugh at all these observations and exaggerations. It's not funny, but it's 'criticism', and that makes some people laugh.
The references are to current media but they have basically nothing to say about them. MasterChef - someone cooks with things that aren't food. Amazing Race - but they go to Canberra. So they just frame these really vague jokes as being critiques of specific shows, when it's really just "rich and hot people in shows are over the top" but prefaced as "THIS IS A PARODY OF LOVE ISLAND", even though it is the most tame and vague thing that any show could have it said about it.
It's a skit show based on the parody of other shows. But it makes jokes about bin problems with neighbours, but puts it in a fantasy setting saying it is a parody of HOTD when it just...isn't? It's just surface level observations, or "wouldn't it be funny if this happened in the show, like if an OHS worker went to Squid Game or a killer admitted to a crime on a question asking show." No. It isn't funny.
If I have to give it anything, the performers are trying. If they had actually funny things to say then it might be better. The only funny moments I can think of are all due to the actors. But they really have nothing to do with the show. And, even if they do have a funny joke, they ruin it by driving it into the ground. The jous joke was funny...until everyone just started screaming and freaking out.
The actors try hard and some jokes are almost funny, but the poor writing and focus on making jokes last as long as they can until someone laughs is just painful. It's a show that doesn't justify its existence, and only seems to to be something for a bunch of old people who don't like current media to gather around and laugh at all these observations and exaggerations. It's not funny, but it's 'criticism', and that makes some people laugh.
Caught seven minutes of this... Too much. How is it so hard to make good sketch comedy?
wisdomwasp4 April 2023
This was something I caught before another show. It was not funny, at all. Bad references, bad thought out jokes that seems like the first thing they thought of and just bad spoof ideas.
The acting seemed fine but wow this show didn't impress. And they showed an ad for the next episode, which should show the best skit and build anticipation. Instead it was an "oh we don't like you" joke. I mean seriously... There is a near endless stream of content to parody and mock and that's all they could come up with? I can do better. I just wish I got the great money those joke writers did to take a day off.
The acting seemed fine but wow this show didn't impress. And they showed an ad for the next episode, which should show the best skit and build anticipation. Instead it was an "oh we don't like you" joke. I mean seriously... There is a near endless stream of content to parody and mock and that's all they could come up with? I can do better. I just wish I got the great money those joke writers did to take a day off.
Ouch...really really bad
michaeldbirt4 April 2023
I think the best that can be said for this is that it gave some writers, actors (calling them comedians would be a stretch) and crews some work for a few weeks. I came in at episode six, by which time you'd hope it had settled down. We Interrupt This Broadcast reminds me of some high school skits (with recorded laugh track and rather better sets) and while it takes a welcome pi5s out of "reality" TV, that's it..very repetitive. The ABC and Working Dog teams are safe in their respective production lines. Network 7 is to be congratulated for putting some local content to air, but OMG ...it runs for an hour!
No expectations -pleasantly surprised
andyk-7084617 March 2023
I saw the title and decided to give it a try. I'm three episodes in and I really like it. I'm am Yank but I recognize some of the performers and I think the acting is great as is the writing. I do not normally watch "unscripted" TV but I am culturally aware enough to know the premise of each of the shows.
They do a great job of identifying and mocking the ingredients of each of the show types, for example on a cooking show to claim a recipe was from your grandmother.
All the skits I've seen deserved a chance, and most succeed, but the skits are short enough that when the gag isn't working for me, the skit is over soon enough that I don't become irritated. "Lip Island" I'm looking at you.
They do a great job of identifying and mocking the ingredients of each of the show types, for example on a cooking show to claim a recipe was from your grandmother.
All the skits I've seen deserved a chance, and most succeed, but the skits are short enough that when the gag isn't working for me, the skit is over soon enough that I don't become irritated. "Lip Island" I'm looking at you.
Oh for the good old days
Drat19644 March 2023
Australian and British TV has produced many good, well remembered sketch comedy shows over the years like Fast Forward, The Big Gig, Full Frontal, Benny Hill, French & Saunders, Not the nine o'clock news etc.
In more recent years there have been not very funny efforts like Kinne and Get Krackin, which thankfully disappeared pretty quickly.
You'd think it should be easy to make some quite good comedy sendups of lame pretentious reality shows like Survivor, Master Chef or MAFS, sadly WITB fails at this almost completely I don't think I laughed once during the entire show. Comedy is about pushing the envelope and trying new things, neither of which WITB tries to do. Old shows like D-Gen did this and launched the careers of quite few comedians who went on to feature in many other shows over the years.
According to the advertising this show has something like 25 writers yet for that it just isn't funny.
In more recent years there have been not very funny efforts like Kinne and Get Krackin, which thankfully disappeared pretty quickly.
You'd think it should be easy to make some quite good comedy sendups of lame pretentious reality shows like Survivor, Master Chef or MAFS, sadly WITB fails at this almost completely I don't think I laughed once during the entire show. Comedy is about pushing the envelope and trying new things, neither of which WITB tries to do. Old shows like D-Gen did this and launched the careers of quite few comedians who went on to feature in many other shows over the years.
According to the advertising this show has something like 25 writers yet for that it just isn't funny.
AMAZING
keepitgoingtolife14 May 2023
Let me be clear, I am an american and bootleg the videos online.. This show is very much American Humor. It pokes at the very foundation of everything america is. Empty vapid nobodies that think they are special and influening somehow.. everyone lives in their own bubble where they are a star. Its so sad. This show pokes perfect fun at it and i just love it.. I even recognize a few people from my bootlegging travels.. I hope this show keeps going.. it is very on point and quick.. no long drawn out sketches, everyone comes across very committed to their characters ridiculousness. Bravo from here in the USA.
Appalling and.embarrassing.
Movie-Guy-656 April 2023
Australia has produced some gold sketch comedy over many many years - Comedy Company, Fast Forward, Skit House - genuine funny comedy.
This effort is appalling, unfunny and.just plain embarrassing.
Comedy is hard but this show makes it look like it's impossible. After watching a whole episode I didn't even crack a smile, just cringed through the entire episode.
The format is a good idea but the laughs are non existent.
So when you get the urge to watch some Aussie comedy source some of the classic stuff that still holds up to this day, not this terrible & poor excuse for comedy.
Real Aussie comedy- we need you. Save us from this rubbish.
This effort is appalling, unfunny and.just plain embarrassing.
Comedy is hard but this show makes it look like it's impossible. After watching a whole episode I didn't even crack a smile, just cringed through the entire episode.
The format is a good idea but the laughs are non existent.
So when you get the urge to watch some Aussie comedy source some of the classic stuff that still holds up to this day, not this terrible & poor excuse for comedy.
Real Aussie comedy- we need you. Save us from this rubbish.
Not a single laugh since it started - I'm out!
davidclarkson-5386528 March 2023
Well, I signed up specifically to do a review on this garbage. I've never reviewed anything in my life but felt compelled.
Having watched the better part of 3 episodes, I'M OUT!
Am I the only person that hasn't laughed EVEN ONCE!
I was really looking forward to seeing some sketch comedy with it seeming to be a starved genre,for years. The pseudo comedians aired should get out while they can. This is the most terribly written and performed sketch comedy that you will ever see in your life on any platform. A game of marbles would be far more amusing. Why hasn't this been cancelled yet? Incredible.
Having watched the better part of 3 episodes, I'M OUT!
Am I the only person that hasn't laughed EVEN ONCE!
I was really looking forward to seeing some sketch comedy with it seeming to be a starved genre,for years. The pseudo comedians aired should get out while they can. This is the most terribly written and performed sketch comedy that you will ever see in your life on any platform. A game of marbles would be far more amusing. Why hasn't this been cancelled yet? Incredible.
Flop
haydenlynch-7619613 March 2023
Ok so I saw the trailer for this show multiple times before it aired and thought it looked hilarious. The time comes and i chuck the first episode on only to find that the humour is as dry as the Sahara desert. I've seen a few high reviews on here and it's surprised me because the humour is terrible and doesn't hit the mark. It seems like they showed all the funny stuff in the trailers. Does it get better? Idk I didn't even finish the first episode. Quite disappointing actually considering I was looking forward to a new comedy show to give me a good laugh and this did not show up. NEXT!!!!!!!!
Embarrassing to say the least.
welsh-phillips26 April 2023
I thought we stopped dubbing in laughter in the 1980's. I couldn't even crack a smile let alone a laugh. Sorry, it looks like a lot of effort went into creating this show and it did not deliver. Don't waste your time watching, I was hoping it would take off from where fast forward left but I was left extremely disappointed. Bring back Hale and Pace....
I couldn't watch more than 10 minutes, even then I wish I had never stumbled across this show. Obviously channel 7 is grasping at what ever they can lay there hands on these days. Maybe they havé finally have no money left to buy anything worth watching.
I couldn't watch more than 10 minutes, even then I wish I had never stumbled across this show. Obviously channel 7 is grasping at what ever they can lay there hands on these days. Maybe they havé finally have no money left to buy anything worth watching.
What a Joke - Pun intended
brendanbrown-747-6111687 April 2023
I have now sat through at least 5 episodes, and I can honestly say I haven't laughed once, the most I've managed is a slight grin when the show was almost funny. If I could rate it a zero I would but IMDB starts at 1 star. I miss the days when there were real comedy shows on TV, like the Paul Hogan Show, Fast Forward, The Comedy Company, The Big Gig, The D-Generation, The Aunty Jack Show, The Naked Vicar Show, Full Frontal and they're just the ones I can remember. Channel seven should do themselves a favour and scrap this pathetic excuse of a sketch comedy show and just put on some reruns of the some of the shows that I've just listed.
Don't understand how it is possible to get this kinda stuff made in C21st
RastaVari21 March 2023
The premise, flicking through an on demand service and landing on a selection of reality TV, media staples and recent(ish) trends (well recent for close to retirement rellies Squid Game and Scandi Noir jeez in a fast moving media landscape eeeekkk), as a way of feeding short wee sketches to a broad contemporary audience is a good idea.
Many of the shows whether Love Island, I'm a Celeb, Survivor, Bachelor, Stranger Things are ripe for lampooning and some of the impressions are passable - the hosts of the Block and Celeb are convincing, the SAS fella, Manu and most others are an abomination, but not wrong or surreal enough to make you laugh.
The majority of the show is so unfunny its actually kinda compelling, like how you can write such uninteresting and pointless sketch comedy in the modern world.
The whole thing feels extremely old fashioned a) whilst there are some melanated cast regulars they tend to get the rubbish role/unfunny lines in the sketch b) the same older white guy is always the love interest to young highly attractive women c) yeah the writing, which feels like the team is made up of ya Gran's mate, an extremely unpopular 12 year old & cracker/Dad joke writers (which is kinda one of the regular sketches a pastiche of Netflix comedy specials for unfunny folk)
Many of the shows whether Love Island, I'm a Celeb, Survivor, Bachelor, Stranger Things are ripe for lampooning and some of the impressions are passable - the hosts of the Block and Celeb are convincing, the SAS fella, Manu and most others are an abomination, but not wrong or surreal enough to make you laugh.
The majority of the show is so unfunny its actually kinda compelling, like how you can write such uninteresting and pointless sketch comedy in the modern world.
The whole thing feels extremely old fashioned a) whilst there are some melanated cast regulars they tend to get the rubbish role/unfunny lines in the sketch b) the same older white guy is always the love interest to young highly attractive women c) yeah the writing, which feels like the team is made up of ya Gran's mate, an extremely unpopular 12 year old & cracker/Dad joke writers (which is kinda one of the regular sketches a pastiche of Netflix comedy specials for unfunny folk)
Laugh track=funny....right?
Onlywhenitsreallybad8 April 2023
Well this was a waste of money, time and production effort that could've been used on a project that was at least written half well. The sketches are something that would be written by early schoolers before heading to high school or year 5 in which their humor would've evolved. The acting ranges from painful to tolerable but mostly try hard over the top in the hope that adding a much too used laugh track will equal comedic value. For such short sketches and how many their are you would think at least quarter or a few would be decent..it genuinely stumbled me. There's so much material and horrible shows out there to make fun of and get good ideas from and they somehow missed the mark completely by resorting to humor that matches (but most of the time is lower than) shows your child would be watching on abc3. This is one of them shows that will be forgotten and an unspoken horror of the past we never dare mention again. Put it in a crate like raiders of lost ark and lock it away forever in a warehouse, then put that warehouse in another giant crate and under the cover of night dump it in the mariana.
See also
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