Hats off to the Chaser. It seems to have managed the traditional post-ABC comedy hit decline — you know great show goes to commercial network, becomes overproduced, unfunny drivel — without ever leaving the comfort of the national broadcaster. Well done lads.
Last night’s was not a shark-jump episode, merely the mailed-in conformation. The cancer kids thing was clearly of dubious taste. The key here is in why. Chaser made its bones taking the piss out of prominent people in the public sphere. Being the unexpected irritant in normally well-managed public situations. Hitting pollies with nerf bats. Shadowing Howard on a morning walk. That kind of thing.
Now they are studio bound (apart from their labororious what we did on our vacation clips of overseas candid camera set ups) and lazy.
Why aren’t we seeing Chaser take the piss out of Rudd and co? Why aren’t we seeing them hanging off the rolling news agenda? That’s what gave the show currency and bite. It also made it valuable. Just dross now, and preying on the vulnerable. Oo aa.
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Not that I watched last night’s program — Sydney Airport electronics means no TV reception here, and I couldn’t be arsed watching it on iView — but yes, The Chaser crossed the line for me when the “stunts” consisted mostly of annoying ordinary people going about their business.
Yes, let’s walk a horse through some guy’s shop. His Chinese accent makes it even funnier, yes? Not that we’re racist or anything.
I liked the Wish skit. People often recover from cancer but a stroke can incapacitate for life. One grandfather & at least 5 aunts & uncles have died of cancer but I’m totally sick of cancer charities getting all the media attention. Except for Daffodil Day, which is scientific research, I refuse to give to cancer charities. I’m fed up being expected to give money so some kid can go to Disneyland. They’d probably have a better time snorkeling on the Barrier Reef.
“Quit while your ahead” comes to mind. But then again it is a quirk with the chosen few who have clawed the way to the top of the dung heap to just milk it for all your worth.
Most of these types of shows have a limited life and Chaser appears to have lived theirs in a single blaze of glory. I will never forget the Heads of State security breach …… absolutely the best.
True brilliance is in recognising the end, and then depart leaving the audience wanting more.