PILOT WEEK: THE VERDICT
The dust has settled from Network Ten’s Pilot Week whirlwind and, Skit Happens aside, it was a fairly worthwhile, albeit incredibly undiverse initiative. The question now is: what shows featuring predominantly middle-aged white men will we see more of? And do we want to? OK, that’s two questions, but since I can’t answer the first one yet (other than to assume that certain star vehicles might make a return), I’ll have a go at the second.
For me, the standout pilots were the ones that weren’t just rehashes of things we’ve seen before. Yes, that’s another dig at sketch comedy attempt Skit Happens, which not only seemed like it could have been made in 1988 but also felt like it consisted entirely of the first drafts of jokes. You know, the gags that then undergo reworking and rewriting to become polished ... and funny. It’s also a reference to Judge Judy knock-off Trial by Kyle, which was also dated but little more. The exception to the rule is Saturday Night, which is essentially just Rove without a desk. Despite feeling incredibly familiar, that kind of chat show/extended stand-up routine, which few do better than Rove Mcmanus, is exactly what Saturday night TV needs. And although it didn’t rate through the roof, a show like that needs time to become the type of viewing institution it’s clearly designed to be.
Meanwhile, familiarity of a different kind surrounded the local versions of Drunk History and Taboo, which are both based on overseas formats. Of the two, Drunk History seems to be custom-made for the Australian market, given how much we like to knock back a cold one or 11. I could down another round or two of this one. Taboo didn’t really grab me—i feel like ABC’S You Can’t Ask That does a better job of giving a voice to marginalised communities.
Of the more original offerings, comedy Dave was proof there is hope for free-to-air sitcoms—let’s face it, they haven’t always been this country’s strong suit. Playing a version of himself, alongside versions of some more of Australia’s best known comedians, Dave O’neil charted the ups and downs of your average suburban funnyman. Meanwhile, although its panel show format is hardly new, Disgrace tapped into something very timely with its focus on people caught doing the wrong thing.
That just leaves Kinne Tonight, the Saturday Night– style chat show/ stand-up routine/sketch show hybrid that actually achieved the highest overnight rating of all the pilots. That’s good news for Ten—if the series featuring Youtube comedian Troy Kinne goes to series, they effectively get several shows in one ... without the cost of a huge star like Mcmanus.
“The standout pilots were the ones that weren’t just rehashes”