WHEN the ABC launched its 2012 comedy line-up late last year, one name stood out among the highlights. Shaun Micallef, most recently seen on Channel Ten’s Talkin’ ’Bout Your Generation, would be returning to the network for the first time in almost a decade.
Months later and only days away from the premiere of Micallef’s Mad as Hell, it’s still unclear what we can expect from the half-hour show that the ABC has committed to for 10 weeks. But, it’s safe to say, my excitement levels are higher than for most other shows this year.
It is well documented that the future of Your Gen is unclear, given the program has finished its current season and panellist Josh Thomas is also working with Aunty this year (his upcoming sitcom is titled Please Like Me).
While its ratings may have flagged in recent times – not helped by Ten chopping and changing timeslots like MasterChef contestants slice and dice vegetables – Micallef’s off-kilter stab at a traditional hosting role has been one of the high points over its five-year run.
But most fans would agree that the comedian’s best work has always been when he uses that deadpan delivery and oh-so-slick appearance to cause utter silliness, such as on his Logie-winning ABC series The Micallef Program or his even more surreal SBS offering Newstopia, which became stranger and stranger each week.
So, what does Mad as Hell have in store for audiences? From all indications, it will be a Daily Show-type affair, analysing and poking fun at the week’s news, with Micallef playing the fairly straight Jon Stewart role.
We also know that several regular Micallef collaborators – including Francis Greenslade and Roz Hammond – will be involved.
And we also know that the 30-second teaser trailer – in which Micallef confuses Don Bradman’s final dismissal with that of Gough Whitlam – is a hoot.
All will be revealed on Friday night and I for one can’t wait.
Friday, ABC1, 8pm.
