Planet UnEarth

Hosted by Sean Pary and James Liotta, Planet UnEarth is a talk show like no other! Unleashing local talent onto national TV, this light comedy entertainment program gets up close and personal IN BED with their celebrity guests! Making the migration from Foxtel to Go! Planet UnEarth delivers comedy sketches, interviews, red carpet events and celebrity guests to TV screens across the country!

It's edgy, it's comical, it's youthful, it's a little bit inappropriate at times but Sean and James will get to the good stuff out and all the inside information that other talk shows neglect. They will dip into all facades of art, film, fashion, comedy and even food! Serving up a platter for you to indulge in!

For more info:
Like: https://www.facebook.com/PlanetunEarth/
Follow: http://twitter.com/PLANETunEARTH
Watch: http://youtube.com/user/PlanetunEarth
Check out: http://www.planetunearth.com.au/

December 2014 on Channel 9 GO! 

An Umbilical Experience

The Umbilical Brothers in KiDShoW (Not Suitable For Children)
The Playhouse Theatre Arts Centre
Melbourne $34-$39
www.comedyfestival.com.au
www.umbilicalbrothers.com.au 

 In their latest instalment You are taken on a joyous roller coaster ride of the minds of the Umbilical Brothers on a tangent you may not expect but will hilariously respect!!! The Playhouse is the perfect venue for the talented duo as they perform a kids show.. or is it? To a grownup audience.

 The show inclined from witnessing two average actors acting like idiots on stage to two extremely talented performing artists. They manipulate their body and voice to create the ultimate viewing experience which not all comedians have the capacity to do. You are willingly forced into following the theatrical style of non naturalism and you will LOVE it! Through the use of gesture and sound you are introduced to a character who does not exist physically but he is there. This was a seamless performance and you can see the performing relationship between Dave and Shane is so strong and that is what makes their work so tight and perfectly executed!

There is clear Brechtian influence in this production. Soundscapes, direct addressing to the audience and song are some of the theatrical conventions that The Umbilical Brothers adapt in their work and the audience is not bewildered either! Despite the title, this is not a traditional kids show, nothing like the Brady Bunch... we'll not really, you will have to see for yourself!

Get on board the Umbies crazy train because this ain't no typical stand up experience, it's a production of belly felt laughter, curiosity and amazement. Go and check them out, the shows are reasonably priced and you won't regret the spectacular experience... they even do signings and photos after the show to complete your Umbies Experience!

George Kapiniaris Interview

Check out my interview with Comedy, Stage and Television Screen legend

George Kapiniaris

Well known for playing Memo in Acropolis Now and his standup work these days George is currently in the Musical,  Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and touring with The Good the Bad and the Ethnic! 

For more info about George check out his website georgekapiniaris.com
Or book tickets to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at: chittychitty.com.au (not JUST the perfect musical for kids!)

Ja'mie Private School Girl

Princess Pictures have yet again produced another series based around the Chris Lilley character, Ja’mie King. The third series is centred around Ja’mie’s final three months of year 12 at the private all girls school, Hillford High. The bitchiness, the stories, the language, the rules, the clichés all are present in this series and the mannerisms are so accurate that it’s scary. The series is highly relatable,moreso than Summer Heights High, due to the fact that I went to an all girls high school and the prestige, assemblys, grovelling and special hierarchy. All on a bigger scale but it was all there and precise. It made me reflect back three years ago to my final year of school and made me laugh so much. Especially when her Mum rocks up at the bustop at 3:07pm and Ja’mie says,

 “I told you 3:10 not 3 fucking 07!”

I remember Dad picking me up from friend’s houses and being a couple of minutes early and I would crack it because he was too early. I could also pick out characters and match them up which is quite sad but you could always pinpoint the popular from the quieter girls. This show is hilarious not only are we laughing at the show but we are laughing at ourselves. Great Stuff Lilley!

Comedy Series

Melbourne has decided to be more winterous this spring than normal, and so, to cope from the depressing news that Sydney is 26 degrees and Queensland is averaging around the 30s there is no better way to survive the dull weekdays and weekends then chucking in a DVD. 

It's been a 'Serie(ous)' few months and I thought that it would be appropriate to share with you some of my favourite light comedy series. From sketch shows to slapstick, from stupidity to parody. Here are some of my favourites that never get old! They may date but that makes it even more entertaining and reminiscent. It doesn't matter if episode 1 or episode 20 is played these shows will not get you lost on the plot and they are so easy to follow.

Kath and Kim

Acropolis Now

Some Mothers do 'Ave 'Em

The Brittas Empire

Seinfeld

Absolutely Fabulous

Kick

Fast Forward

Perfect Strangers

Big Girls Blouse

Summer Heights High

The Office (US)

Mr. Bean

Upper Middle Bogan

The latest ABC comedy series, Upper Middle Bogan, has become my latest fixture.. as of today!

Annie Maynard plays Bess, who finds it difficult to bond with her upper class mother; until she realises that she is not her real mother. This series is about an educated mother's connection with her biological family after finding out she was adopted. Her real family is a bunch of bogans and it was interesting to see another Kath and Kim formula hit the ABC. It was interesting to see Glenn Robbin's play Bess' real father. I have always loved the work of Glenn Robbins and although this wasn't a drastic character change from Kel, the glass eye and interest in racing was a little bit different from the man bags and purveying of fine meats. Michala Banas who is cast as Amber, takes on similar characteristics as Kim Craig, the separation from her husband, the hair and the attitude. I have just streamed two episodes online from iView at the moment, but I definitely will continue to view this show. It's a cross between Housos and Kath and Kim. The camera work is also shaky and fly-on-the-wall like the original Kath and Kim series (when it was with ABC) and it's similarities are enough to draw me into the show as a regular! The creators, Robyn Butler and Wayne Hope (The Librarians) have the essence of this show down pat! Well done!!

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/upper-middle-bogan/

Judith Lucy and Denise Scott in 'The Spiral'

Not an empty seat in sight! The Princess Theatre in Melbourne sold out for the two Funny Ladies, Judith Lucy and Denise Scott. Just by reflecting back on their extensive list of contributing to the Melbourne Comedy scene, names were enough to sell a show.

Judith Lucy is perhaps well known for her work on 'The Late Show' back in the 90s along side Mick Molloy and Rob Stitch for her rather negatively toned attitude to which she successfully delivers her comedy. In satire sketches and even conversational set pieces, Lucy is able to share the most sensitive of topics with her audience from adoption to her sex life to her alcoholic abuse. This 'no shame' attitude that Judith attains allows her audience to connect and laugh with her as she delivers thoughts and accounts to thousands.

Denise Scott may be known to you as the 'Winners and Losers' mother and her motherly figure does not leave the stage. Speaking about the back fat created by her minimiser bra, Denise is willingly keen to share with you some of her self-inflicted embarrassments. I had seen Denise live at The Comedy Gala a few years ago and I must say she has executed her routine to perfection in her 'laid back' delivery style.

Together, both Judith and Denise complement each other and it was really fantastic to see them up on stage together at the same time. The Spiral is a dual stand up performance as they perform side by side, even admiring each others work.

This show is set up a bit like a book launch as they shamelessly promote their recent written works whilst they share with their their personal writer's notebook. From minimiser bras, passing out and to suggestive dance moves these ladies have no boundaries or restrictions. To wear a bather- like nude suit on stage, dancing to Rihanna's SnM whilst they unpicked their numerous wedgies, a lot of guts and admiration goes to those ladies. It's great to see that they will do anything for a laugh...and a stomach hurting laugh (or dozen) they received by the audience in return!!!

I was fortunate to have a chat to these ladies after the show and they were extremely appreciative of the complements that they received and took the time to converse with each person waiting in the 'sign line' and posed for a photo!!

A Date with Effie

I was going to get tickets to see Effie as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, however before I could book, lucky swung my way and I won a double pass. Just as well because the show sold out and I got to see in person a character who I comedically appreciate!

Effie Stefanedes, Jim's cousin Effie from the 90s comedy, Acropolis Now. The hairdresser with credentials and potentials in the film industry. Logie award winner. The Greek on the Roof. THE EFFIE!

She was the final act performing at the Yarraville Club. I have seen a lot of comedy and have found local comics just as hilarious as the big and well known however, I was quite disappointed with the MC of the night. His comic delivery consisted of unnecessary use of profanities dropping the f-bomb far too many times. In fact more so as if it were being used to replace punctuation. I'm not a prude when I come to a comedy show but this was excessive. To be honesr, if it weren't for the flashback visuals of the 70s-80s, his routine would of just been completely unfunny.

However that was quickly made up by the support act of the night- Gabriel Rossi! Talking about his life growing up with Italian parents in Australia and some of the influences his culture had in his life whilst growing up. All told comedically, Gab was able to create huge amounts of laughter, which was needed after the first act. The audience was captivated by his humour and I believe that reinstated their trust that attending the show was worth it. My highlight from Rossi's work would have to be his parodies particularly his Aussie/Wog versions of the classic song 'Jack and Diane'.

Then the act everyone was dying to see! Effie! Her first show in a long time, Effie has recovered, made sure her hairs are not flat and dressed to impress as she shares no embarrashment with her criteria to find the right guy. A Date with Effie is a confessional and an act of desperation for Effie as she lowers her standards to find a guy! (He just has to be rich and preferably old too!) She is gold digging to find the right guy and her show is a fine example of just that! This show incorporates interactivity after commencing as a stand up routine. If you love Acropolis Now, you won't be disappointed. This Greek raises the Roof and even does signings and meet and greets after the show. Mary Coastas alter ego is not ashamed to spill her guts for her fans and loves every moment of it!