Thank God You’re Here

Thank God someone's making good use of Australian comics on television!

For a long time now, American TV executives have cashed in on the quick wit and bankability of stand-up comics, and despite Australia being flushed with that kind of talent, nobody has yet deemed it a worthwhile risk to give one of them a sitcom.  We've produced a number of parody sketch shows like Fast Forward / Full Frontal (same thing), Comedy Inc, Real Stories, The Wedge etc, but until this, nothing that doesn't present as contrived and incredibly cheesy.  Nothing which puts forth a comic's best asset:  quick wit.

Thank God You're Here is an improv show that takes four comics and thrusts them each into a scene they're completely unaware of.  They're then forced to fend for themselves trying to be as funny as possible while constantly having the rug pulled out from under them by the show's regular ensemble comprising each scene.  The comics are dressed back-stage, but other than that generally have no idea who they are, or what their role is.  It's akin to waking up in a public place with amnesia and trying to be funny.

This format forces them to think on their feet, and really shows off their comedic talent.  The only other format I know of to test the acuity and professionalism of comics 'live' is the much-loved Whose Line is it Anyway.

I'm really happy that Australia has produced a show of this calibre, and I was even more chuffed when I heard of the US version, but unfortunately NBC didn't give it much of a chance, and cancelled the show after only 7 episodes.  The show is due to be franchised to the UK in the near future.

The last episode of the third season aired tonight on Network Ten.