Monday, October 15, 2007

Idiot box

As a Shaun Micallef fan, I'm quietly chuffed that after 3 years in the television wilderness, aside from the occasional guest appearance on Thank God You're Here, he has at last returned to our screens with NEWstopia, a satirical take on news and current affairs, airing on SBS on Wednesday nights at 10 o'clock. Whilst not always hilariously funny, Micallef's brand of humour is often subtle and understated, respecting the intelligence of the audience. Comedy can often be a hit and miss affair, but thanks to tight writing and direction, most of the satirical arrows hit their targets. It's hard not to sound snobbish saying this, and I don't mean to, but I think SBS viewers are more likely to appreciate his humour more than viewers of commercial television, hence the failure of his short-lived 2003 foray into commercial television, Micallef Tonight. If the first episode was anything to go by, it looks like it has the potential to be a must see program, particularly during the federal election campaign. His comedy quiver still has plenty of arrows left in it.

6 comments:

Kitty Cheng said...

Sounds good. I should check out Shaun Michllef....

Ross said...

Some of the humour is a bit dark, but there are worse ways to waste half an hour, I guess.

Kippers said...

I loved NEWStopia. All three fantastric series of it. I just hope the ratings juggernaut that is Talkin' Bout Your Generation hasn't put the kibosh on it once and for all!

Ross said...

Hello Kippers. Thanks for visiting. Thanks to NEWStopia, I snicker every time I'm out shopping and see an Andre Rieu CD. As much as I enjoy TAYG, it would be good to see NEWStopia back as well.

Mel said...

Hi Ross,

Thought you might be interested in this - Shaun Michallef and Stephen Curry peforming in the Comedy Festival this month.

http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2010/season/shows/good-evening-the-sketches-of-peter-cook-dudley-moore-starring-shaun-micallef-stephen-curry/

Ross said...

Thanks for the reminder. I'm going to see this show on April 9. Watch this space for a review.