The Micallef Program

Incredibly funny. In fact behind Jimoin and Seinfeld and the Simpsons, the funniest show of all time. Just cut to them "ducks on Lake" Mr Micallef. Well Done. (my favourite bit is the game show segment "I BLOODY DARE YOU". Great stuff.

The world's not short of half-hour sketch shows, but this is one of the best I've seen in a long time (On the UK's Paramount Comedy Channel). Satirical, surreal, and wonderfully played by a small regular cast (Wayne Hope, Francis Greenslade, Roz Hammond... and Miron, he's made of plasticine, but no less funny for it). Imagine an Australian "A Bit Of Fry And Laurie" if you know it, with elements of Monty Python & Kids In The Hall. Shaun Micallef in his role as chat show host/presenter/interviewer would be among the highlights; a cringe-inducingly smug, bitter, inept and offensive man - he is the Australian Alan Partridge. Despite being an Australian show, there's very rarely a joke of reference that I don't 'get' here in the UK. I ordered the DVDs online, the shows really stand up to repeated viewing.

Excellent sketch comedy show, which got even better in its second series. It combines surreal humour with very clever and precise writing and production. Shaun Micallef is genuinely interesting and charismatic. The best series of sketches was probably the claymation p***take "Attentione, il est Myron", with "Sotto Voce", and the "holding the door open for people" sketch coming a close second.

I knew very little about Shaun Micallef prior to watching his show on cable last week: yet now I feel like lobbying the UK TV channels to demand they buy and show everything he's ever done. Combining elements of Monty Python, Alan Partridge, Chris Morris and the Fast Show, this show is excellent and very amusing, with a truly talented bunch of performers in evidence.

I regret to say I have seen only two shows so far, so I'm hankering desperately for more instalments. One sketch in particular, simply involving Shaun as a rather tipsy host braving his cellar to fetch a bottle of wine, had me convulsing with merriment.

It's evident that Shaun and his co-writers are well steeped in many comedy influences, yet they still create a show that feels wonderfully fresh and hilariously original. Top marks!

Shaun Micallef is probably the funniest comedian around at the moment. He has written and performed in so many hilarious sketches, interviews, and speeches, and he has cleverly combined them into The Micallef Programme, definitely the best Aussie show ever made. As well as Micallef being excellent, he has a strong supporting cast consisting of Francis Greenslade, Roz Hammond, and Wayne Hope. All give in fine performances, and all you can do is laugh at their comedy. But Micallef is definitely the best. He usually portrays the character of himself, which is when he is at his best. The Micallef Programme is definitely underrated, and I encourage everyone to watch it. Tune in to the ABC to watch it (Don't have to put up with commercials).