Thank The Lord For Your Presence

I wanted to let you know my thoughts about the new comedy show that premiered on Australian TV last Wednesday night, after weeks and weeks of build-up. It was made by members of the Working Dog team (and a few of their mates), and it's called Thank God You're Here. It's hosted by a well-known Australian comedian who is new to Working Dog Productions, called Shane Bourne.




If you like, you can read an article about it here, which was written before the first episode aired. Or, if you prefer, there's this one. Don't say I don't spoil you for choice.

The point of the show is that a celebrity (usually someone with a sense of humour) is dressed up in a costume, then instructed to walk through a blue door into a scene already underway involving other actors, props, and an entire set. The celebrity has no idea who they are, what the scene's about, or what they're supposed to be doing. But they take their cues from the other actors, and try their best to keep things moving along. Mix all ingredients, allow to boil on maximum heat, and stir. Hilarity ensues.




The premise rings of Theatresports to me, but only one particular game thereof. And as Tom Gleisner is quick to point out in one of the articles linked above, it's kind of the opposite end of the spectrum to Theatresports because the celebrity in this instance is the only one who doesn't know what's going on.

For this week's premiere episode, the guests the show featured as its victims (there's really no better way to describe it) were writer/actor Angus Sampson, radio drive shift co-host Fifi Box, stand-up comedian Frank Woodley and actor/comedian Peter Rowsthorn.

Due to his wacky behaviour (known by the audience from the way he carries on in his stand-up comedy duo Lano & Woodley's act), Frank Woodley was the most amusing (and he won). Of course, this was largely due to his tendancy to stray wildly from the scene presented to him, and to 'bend' the rules (putting it politely) in order to get the biggest laughs.

But that's the point of the show, after all - to be funny.

Despite Tom Gleisner's strained and forced attempts at humour when giving scores to each celebrity's performance (and I love all members of Working Dog - as well as the other original members of The D-Generation - but Tom has never seemed terribly comfortable in front of the camera ... he has a problem with both his pacing and his movement), I found myself really enjoying the show.

Frankly, I thought Angus mightn't prove to be very funny, and that poor Fifi would just embarrass herself, but I was pleasantly surprised by the efforts both of them put in - they each got big laughs. The pre-recorded bits of them pretending to be commentators during an equestrian event, real estate agents showing a couple through a house, and spruikers in a shopping centre selling a terrible vegetable slicer they'd never seen before) were also a highlight.

I didn't mind Bourne's work as host (such as it is), and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series (which is only eight episodes, apparently). From the ads they've used, it's easy to work out that Santo Cilauro and Robyn Butler will be featured as 'victims' in upcoming episodes, but who else they're going to get on the show in future weeks is a mystery. But I'll be watching to see who it is, and how they go.

A few suggestions: This guy, this guy, both of these guys, this guy, (and because it's Network Ten) this woman and (hey - why not) some of the Neighbours cast.

But pleeeeeeease! Not this woman.


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In other news, I'm desperately trying to find out what gaming platform to get myself, as per Wifey's promise at Christmas that I could get myself one. It's either going to be an X-Box or a PS2; I'm not spending money on the new X-Box 360 'cos that's just silly.

The pre-requisite is this: I really want the following games. Both of these, and this one. But I fear that all three aren't available on the same platform. Does anyone out there know if this is the case or not? Methinks I'm stuffed. It looks like the third one is only available on PS2, while one of the first two is only available on X-Box (the other one looks like it's available on both ... now why couldn't one of the others be ambidextrous as well, to make things easier?!!). If anyone knows of any facts to the contrary, please let me know.