Robert N EmersonNewstopia - Australian Satirical News with Shaun Micallef (LINK)
October 9th 2007 01:09
I have often found myself concerned by the relative absence of scathing satire from Australian screens. I became even more desperate when The Glass House was eventually shattered. I hoped fervently that our own Jon Stewart would emerge from the proverbial primordial ooze, wide eyed and ready to take on Australian society.
It appears that my plea has been answered, with Shaun Micallef taking his first shaky steps into the blinding light of news comedy.
Enter Newstopia, a new half-hour satire headed to SBS, that will take aim at politicians, current affairs, and Australia's position on the world stage.
The format is immediately evocative of programmes such as The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, and the various offerings of The Chaser. However, all indications are that the show won't simply be a carbon-copy, and will put its own spin on the format.
The real question here is whether this programme will work. The Chaser has had some success in this field, although their latest and most popular offering has become more 'stunt' focused over time. Channel Nine attempted to tap into the market with The Nation, but the abysmal ratings make a second season unlikely. Does Australia want a show of this nature, and will they tune in?
Thankfully, the fact that Newstopia will air on SBS means that ratings won't be such an issue, and the programme won't be quickly yanked like the host's previous project, MIcallef Tonight. Micallef himself has something of a refined and debonair aura, and his presence as anchor is far more fitting than the rather inexplicable use of Mick Molloy. He does have an ardent and loyal following, which has only grown since his appearances on Thank God You're Here. However, his absurdist and Pythonesque humour can be off-putting, and many people just don't 'get' him. MIcallef claims that this programme will see something of a different persona from his previous incarnations:
One of the show's greatest assets - the fact that it will screen on SBS - may also be its greatest hindrance. Still, it has been generating a reasonable amount of online discussion, so people out there are aware of the show. I will certainly be watching, as I want to see what approach the writers take, and whether this will competently and humourously fill the satirical news void.
Newstopia begins 10pm Wednesday on SBS
It appears that my plea has been answered, with Shaun Micallef taking his first shaky steps into the blinding light of news comedy.
Enter Newstopia, a new half-hour satire headed to SBS, that will take aim at politicians, current affairs, and Australia's position on the world stage.
Photo by Simon Schluter, courtesy of Fairfax Digital
The real question here is whether this programme will work. The Chaser has had some success in this field, although their latest and most popular offering has become more 'stunt' focused over time. Channel Nine attempted to tap into the market with The Nation, but the abysmal ratings make a second season unlikely. Does Australia want a show of this nature, and will they tune in?
Thankfully, the fact that Newstopia will air on SBS means that ratings won't be such an issue, and the programme won't be quickly yanked like the host's previous project, MIcallef Tonight. Micallef himself has something of a refined and debonair aura, and his presence as anchor is far more fitting than the rather inexplicable use of Mick Molloy. He does have an ardent and loyal following, which has only grown since his appearances on Thank God You're Here. However, his absurdist and Pythonesque humour can be off-putting, and many people just don't 'get' him. MIcallef claims that this programme will see something of a different persona from his previous incarnations:
"I wanted to play away from my usual persona - which I have foolishly appended my own name to - as an egocentric, vain, lunatic, absurdist sort of person. I have garnered this reputation of being dada-esque or absurd and that's not quite right."
"I think if you're making observations about the news you need to stand part-way between the audience and the actual news, gently, and say, 'Look at this.' It's a bit more of a ringmaster role."
"I think if you're making observations about the news you need to stand part-way between the audience and the actual news, gently, and say, 'Look at this.' It's a bit more of a ringmaster role."
One of the show's greatest assets - the fact that it will screen on SBS - may also be its greatest hindrance. Still, it has been generating a reasonable amount of online discussion, so people out there are aware of the show. I will certainly be watching, as I want to see what approach the writers take, and whether this will competently and humourously fill the satirical news void.
Newstopia begins 10pm Wednesday on SBS
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Comment by Mrs M
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Shaun is a bit of an odd ball but he does have a brain in his head.
I miss CNNNNN so hopefully Newstopia can fill that void.
The Chaser's War on Everything just isn't doing it for me.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
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Comment by Ash
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I have never seen any of the shows that you mentioned except a few episodes of Thank God you`re here.
I love comedy though and it will be refreshing to see a comedian who does not rely on crude jokes to get the laughs. Will certainly watch out for this one! Thanks for the heads up.
Ash
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May be worth watching this
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I'm going to give this one a look in, because I do 'get' Shaun's humour. I just love it when he's been on Thank God You're Here, when I have occassionally switched it on. I must admit I have become a great fan of his humour.
Thanks for the Heads Up.
Lilla ...
PS I was surprised to see him in the recent American movie, Aquamarine?
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There is something about wednesday nights now...
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Will try to watch this. Hope you're well Ninabelle...
I am. Sort of. A few more
yearsdays and I'll be fine.Comment by Nina
Ash,
No problem. I am hoping that the humour will be intelligent and clever - crude jokes and shock value get very tiring.
Damo,
Hopefully it will be worth watching. Only time will tell...
katyzzz,
I suppose it is my job to be up on all the latest television programming news. You always have very interesting links on your pages though - lots of things I've never heard of!
Melissa,
It's always the way, isn't it? Life can be funny sometimes...
Techno,
I wasn't originally going to put up a picture, but I loved that one so much I just had to include it.
Lilla,
I definitely think that Shaun's profile has been raised through his work on TGYH, and his fan base has expanded as a result. I've never heard of Aquamarine, but its great to hear that he is getting some international roles.
ReenaF,
I hope so too. The Daily Show is just brilliant, and even if this show is only half as good, it will still be worth it in my mind.
Sheree,
Wednesdays certainly have become a great night for television, although it is a shame that Thank God You're Here is finished for the moment. It's also great to see that some of the best programming is locally produced, and mostly on the ABC and SBS.
Dusk,
It is a bit strange, but I think it is because Shaun's humour is somewhat polarising. I don't know why exactly, but there seems to little middle ground in reactions to him - people either love him or hate him.
As for Rove, he certainly can be off-putting as well, but since his humour is generally more sanitised and 'safe,' the feelings towards him seem to tend more towards indifference.
Thanks again everyone,
Nina
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Hope the workload has subsided a little for you!
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My workload has cut down a little bit for the moment, but in a couple of weeks it will all be back again, worse than ever...
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