Life in the fast lane
ABC series Squinters is returning for a second season of commuting comedy. One of the show’s stars, Sam Simmons, tells DANIELLE MCGRANE what’s in store for the second season and reveals the laidback formula behind the series.
In everyday life, the car becomes a substitute for the psychologist’s office. It’s pretty easy to open up while your eyes are fixed straight ahead. That’s when some of the most honest discussions happen with whoever is sharing that car journey with you.
And when someone lets their guard down, it often leads to some amusing conversations.
That’s the premise of ABC comedy Squinters which has nailed the improvisational buddy-comedy genre so well it’s returned for a second season.
Comedian Sam Simmons is one of the returning cast members, but he’s lost his Oscar-nominee car partner from the first season.
“It’s a shame I didn’t get to work with Jacki Weaver again, she was really good playing my Mum. But she was killed off; she died at the end of the first season.
“I wanted them to bring her back as a ghost but it
wouldn’t really work.”
But it’s not all bad news because Simmons has a new travel buddy in the form of comedic actress Claudia O’Doherty, who recently played the quirky character Bertie Bauer in Netflix series Love.
“I have a sister this time, played by Claudia O’Doherty,” he said.
The show follows Simmons, O’Doherty and several other pairings as they travel in cars to and from their jobs at a despatch centre called K2.
This season, the workers at the centre have to contend with a US takeover and the appointment of a new CEO played by American actress Kristen Schaal.
She shares a car with Australian actor Stephen Peacocke, while Mandy McElhinney, Ernie Dingo and Justine Clarke also make appearances in the comedy series.
The show shares an affinity with another Australian comedy which Simmons also makes an appearance in. “It’s similar to No Activ
ity in some ways,” Simmons said.
“It’s situated in a car and it focuses on all these conversations because you spend so much time on a commute anyway, so it makes sense.”
The series gives the actors the space to improvise, which Simmons says plays to his strengths.
“I wouldn’t consider myself an actor, I’m definitely an improviser. Comedians are just lazy at learning lines so they call it improvising,” he said.
“With Trent O’Donnell the director, you muck around until you find stuff, but you definitely stick to a story.
“And on the previous series of No Activity I had such a minimal amount of dialogue I just made it up, you just knew what you were meant to do with the story because you trust in your director.”
But it’s not just the comedians who have enjoyed improvising. Even the Oscar-nominees are partial to it.
“Jacki knew her lines as well as I knew my lines, which was not brilliantly, and it was really refreshing,” he said.
“Also, I think Jacki was doing it for a bit of fun, so I don’t think she immersed herself like she would for an Oscar film.” For the new season of
Squinters, Simmons has got a slightly different storyline in the car alongside O’Doherty, and a special guest or two.
“We’re trying to work out the inheritance from our dead mum (Weaver), so we’re trying to work out how to get it,” he said.
“Also Genevieve Morris is in the car with us as well and she’s hilarious. She plays my aunty and she’s in charge of the will. So it’s us three in the car and there’s a little guest surprise in the car as well, a little love interest for me which is fun.”
Squinters Returns Wednesday, 9pm on ABC