This article is updated regularly to bring you the latest and top rated Australian drama series at the top. Last updated on September 27, 2024.
Here’s ScreenHub’s critics’ selection of Australia’s best comedy series and shows of 2024, and where you can stream them.
Some of these titles include game shows, chat shows, and travel shows. ScreenHub critics like Anthony Morris often lament the lack of Australian scripted comedies among them. We’re excited to hear about upcoming shows like ‘The Office Australia’ airing on Prime in October, ABC’s spin doctor comedy ‘Optics’ in 2025 and the Australian version of BBC’s supernatural comedy ‘Ghosts for Ten/Paramount+’. I’m looking forward to checking out the scripted show.
Here’s what’s currently available: Stay tuned for more information as the year progresses.
Best Australian Comedy Series 2024
Sean Micallef’s Origin Odyssey, SBS On Demand – Tattered Authenticity
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First released on September 24, 2024.
In this SBS series, six Australian comedians explore their heritage with Shaun Micallef. Beyond the laughs, this series combines travelogue with emotional revelations in Who Do You Think You Are? style. The comedians featured are Aaron Chen, Michael Wippa Wipfli, Lizzy Hu, Dirk Jayasinghe, Nina Oyama and Aaji Barker.
ScreenHub critic Anthony Morris said in a four-star review: “If you’re looking for a solid mix of travel facts (there are also on-screen pop-ups with useful information) and history, both personal and national, then Origin Odyssey is for you” Gives you everything you’re looking for I will. Fortunately, in the opening scene where Micallef and Chen convey impressions of a dueling Donald Trump reminiscent of the travelogue parody The Trip, Micallef quickly teases out the fact that pigs can’t understand the concept of borders. It was clear from the beginning that this was not the case with this show. “I’m interested in just trekking through the same old territory.”
“The comedians’ stories are interesting in themselves, but beyond that, there’s an authenticity to the program itself.”Delays, missed connections, getting lost, running to catch a bus, all of that remains. , giving things a run-down feel that heightens both the comedy and the feeling of watching something real. ”
Read the full review or watch Sean Micallef’s Origin Odyssey on SBS On Demand.
The Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers – Season 2, Network 10, Paramount+
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First released on August 14, 2024.
Radish’s mischievous antics may not be for everyone, but ScreenHub critic Anthony Morris gave the second season of The Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers four stars.
Morris describes this setup: “Each scenario has a similar basic structure: three of the Jokers are being watched by hidden cameras in a back room, while the fourth is out in public and what he says through earphones is Everything must be done.” If he refuses to do something, he loses the challenge. The overall loser at the end of the episode is forced to take on a particularly grueling challenge, which usually involves making a fool of himself in front of a crowd that isn’t happy with it. ”
“The goal here is always to come up with the most embarrassingly stupid thing to get other people to do. So the laugh is twofold: first when you hear the idea, and second when it’s executed.” The team’s joy at humiliating each other is contagious – the scene where three people in the back room jump with joy at the stupid idea the fourth member gives them. is always depicted.”
As Morris says, “No one is watching this for character development.” Season 2 is the same as before. It’s a well-thought-out half-hour of mutual embarrassment, a harmless prank show of pals just goofing around. Unless they’re ruining a private concert, it’s no wonder fans start getting a little furious. ”
Read our full review or watch The Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers – Season 2 on Ten or Paramount+.
Sean Micallef’s “The Eve of Destruction”, ABC iview – More like this please
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First published on August 14, 2024
Not everyone liked the comedy-meets-chat show, in which comedian and actor Shawn Micallef asks guests what they would salvage if their house was about to be destroyed. (Personally, I didn’t understand the first episode with Stephen Curry, finding it stilted and awkward.) However, Anthony Morris, writing for ScreenHub, gave the show four stars, saying, “It’s certainly very interesting,” he said. I’ll probably work on a scripted comedy again someday.
Despite its low-budget format, no-frills sets, and flimsy “what property do you want to save” angle, Morris says that “Eve of Destruction” is “just enough for Micallef to go to town.” ” he said. And it doesn’t hurt that his…guests are happy to come along for the ride. ”
“My first guest is Stephen Curry, who Micallef has worked with on and off for years and who occupies a bit of a similar position in terms of being funny and dramatic and to good effect,” Morris said. The interviews are fascinating but offer little insight.” : What makes it work is the constant construction of side jokes and asides. Both comedians use their facial expressions to sell their jokes, so this is a valuable chat show segment that needs to be seen as well as heard. ”
Read our full review of Sean Micallef’s The Eve of Ruin or watch it on ABC iview.
Colin From Accounts Season 2, Binge – There’s More to the Story
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First published on May 30, 2024.
Created and starring Patrick Bramall and Harriet Dyer, the second series of the hit romantic comedy about flawed and funny people choosing each other and coming to terms with the chaotic modern life that’s all too relatable.
Anthony Morris, in his four-star review of the second series, writes about the undeniably annoying Australian urban characters, the real tension between the protagonists, and the huge question of whether they will stay together. praised realistic problems.
Morris writes: “There are plenty of shows where the protagonists are expected to be found lovable despite all evidence to the contrary. To the show’s credit, Ash and Gordon actually do wrong others. It’s clear that he’s the kind of person who often rubs things off in the wrong way.Ash’s work at the hospital usually involves annoying his boss. No, but he seems like the type to let others step on him just to complain.”
Read the full review or watch both seasons of ‘Colin’ on Account on Binge.
Taskmaster Australia, Ten: A glossy comedy game show
Taskmaster Australia Season 2. Image: Ten.
First published on May 23, 2024
Taskmaster Australia is based on a long-running and popular British format in which five comedians are given a series of bizarre and hopefully funny tasks by a stern and ruthless Taskmaster. In Australia’s case, the taskmaster is Tom Gleeson, accompanied by his more subdued sidekick Tom Cashman.
Reviewing the second season of the comedy game show on ScreenHub, Anthony Morris gave it four stars, saying that it stays fresh and plays well, even if the excellent comedy cast could have been funnier elsewhere. I said it’s working.
Morris said, “Sometimes the tasks are practical, like ‘build a scarecrow.’ Other times they’re more conceptual, like ‘make chess cool.’ Comedians are the type of people who approach problems from strange angles, so they often end up overthinking things. In some cases, this can be an advantage for them. Other times, it turns out there’s more to the task than initially revealed, and their attempts to be funny ensure their defeat (which can be funny, too). There’s also a fair amount of sitting and chatting before and after the task, so in some cases it’s more like a panel chat show than a collection of wacky stunts. ”
Read our full review of Tasmaster Australia, Season 2 or watch on Ten and Paramount+.
White Fever, ABC iview – More than “I might have to punch an Asian guy”
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First published on April 10, 2024
This 6 x 30 minute drama series with a comedic touch follows Jane Thomas, an Asian-Australian woman who knows what she wants: a hairy white man. When her friends point out that she has a fetish for white men, she sets out to reprogram her sexual desire and rekindles her bond with her childhood friend Yu.
Anthony Morris, writing for ScreenHub, gave White Fever four stars. he says: “It all makes for interesting and engaging viewing. Jane is a likable protagonist on a journey that’s much more complex and thoughtful than the initial ‘I might have to punch an Asian guy’ premise.” This is a story told with warmth and insight, featuring a variety of characters who are treated with depth and empathy. ”
“Questions about race, identity, and belonging are at the center here. Beyond the initial concept, this is a series committed to treating Jane’s search seriously. That’s not surprising, in a way. , the film reflects (creator and star) Rah Chapman’s own personal journey as he explores his identity as a Korean adopted by white parents.
Read the full review or watch White Fever on ABC iview.
Population 11, Stan – Comedy Mystery Winner
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First published on March 14, 2024.
Stan’s new 12-part WA Shots series is beautifully paced and extremely satisfying, says Mel Campbell in his ScreenHub review.
Campbell writes: “…Population 11 seems primarily interested in roasting Yanks, rather than ridiculing rural Australia as caricatures of fagots.” Indeed, the film is about an outback serial killer. Leaning into stereotypes about scary animals and animals, Andy survives a kangaroo, a dingo, a venomous snake, a saltwater crocodile in the first few episodes…
“The comedy and mystery drive the show forward, rather than pulling each other down. It helps that the show is beautifully paced and a lot of fun.”Each episode is just 30 minutes long; It always ends with an important revelation. The next episode begins shortly thereafter. Luckily, Stan releases all episodes at once. This is definitely a show you can watch all weekend long. ”
Read the full review or watch Population 11 on Stan.
Triple Oh!, SBS On Demand – Short, sweet, sarcastic and funny
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First published on February 8, 2024
Episodes of this new Australian comedy show about ambulance paramedics are short and punchy, and once the jokes come out, they’re worth the wait.
Anthony Morris said, “The production is smartly written (by Erica Harrison) and charmingly directed (by Poppy Stockwell), but perhaps the production’s most obvious strength is that each episode has many It’s packed with stuff.”
“There’s an ongoing relationship between Tails (Brooke Satchwell) and Kate (Turley Fereday), sometimes charming, sometimes awkward, and even sometimes a medical emergency that turns out to be a genuine emergency. Plus some well-sketched supporting characters (the angry firefighter is a personal favorite). Not bad for 7-8 minutes.
Read the full review or check out Triple O! On SBS On Demand.
