Why mess around with expensive drama series that are grossly
under written or under budgeted, why bother with expensive non events
like Big Questions when you
can make a cheap, fun and funny comedy show - and the best part of it
all - you don't even need to write it because the actors make it up as
they go along! Since ending the successful (yet tired) The Panel, the team behind some of Australia's most successful programs (The Late Show, Frontline, The Castle)
took a hard earned sabbatical from the TV landscape, only to return in
2006 with one of the most original and outrageously successful TV
programs in the last decade, and best of all, it's such a simple idea. Take
four of this country's leading comic performers, dress them up, chuck
them in a room they've never been in and see what happens. It's Whose Line Is It Anyway? meets Fast Forward with a classic Aussie spin. The
third series of this phenomally successful comedy formula (which has
now been sold to the US, UK, Germany and the Netherlands to name but a
few) delivers more of the same. While the premise doesn't seem as
exciting and fresh as it first did (which is only natural) it's still
one of the easiest and most enjoyable Aussie TV shows to watch.
Throughout 2007, Thank God You're Here was consistently pulling in upwards of 1.8 Million viewers a week - not to shabby at all when you consider that the Australian Idol
final could only manage 1.4 Million and the David Beckham match only
scraped in 1.1 million. So it really puts into perspective how much
enthusiasm Working Dog's puppy generates.
There are some absolute cracker performances throughout the third season. Shaun Micallef is without doubt the best (a seasoned TGYH
performer, it seems he has realised the key to a good performance is to
run amok with props) with Arj Barker, Ryan Shelton and Tony Martin
showing some superior skills as well.
There are a few new faces
this time around - some hit (Peter Helliar) and some miss (Matt Tilley
- even Stevie Wonder could see Tilley's lame gags coming from a mile
away) while some plateau (Hamish Blake and Josh Lawson seem to repeat
themselves, unlike Micallef who consistently changes his approach).
Great
family entertainment which can be viewed at any time of the day (the
sign of a truly great formula) and should make for a pleasant stocking
stuffer come Christmas time.
DVD
Extras Working
Dog continues to disappoint when it comes to DVD extras. They tend to
go with the theory that Extras should be excluded so "The work can
speak for itself" - but in this modern day and age - Special Features
can make or break the decision to purchase a DVD as opposed to burning
it off the net.
It's strange too, considering that the first two
DVD releases had quite substantial DVD extras (and actual good ones -
none of this 'trailers' garbage!). Heck, even a few commentaries (with
the guests taking a look back at their performances) wouldn't go astray
- in fact - that would be a great insight into the series!
A shame really. Conclusion:
Movie 80% Extras: N/A 
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