Frontline

"Frontline" is an amazing show. It combines actual current events (Pauline Hanson, the Gulf War, etc.) with a funny and thought-provoking analysis of topics such as how the media treats people and events, and how people are stereotyped. Laugh at Mike Moore and crew as they battle the odds, the rival networks and each other in search of good television... or is it good ratings?

Favorite Moment: When Mike goes on Burke's Backyard and proves himself as a complete idiot.

I'm not from Australia, but this show is one my favorite all-time television satires. It does a better job showing the venality, cynicism and amorality of the broadcast news business than anything I've ever seen. It's also wickedly dark, and it succeeds in one crucial aspect that sinks many lesser comedies: it's got great characters, acted with impressive naturalism by a fantastic cast.

From ignorant airhead anchor Mike Moore (Rob Sitch) to the perpetually harried line producer Emma (Alison Whyte), to the cruel yet resourceful reporter Brooke (Jane Kennedy) and the apathetic senior reporter Marty (Tiriel Mora), there's a great cast of characters here who start out by conforming to type and then, as the series goes on, actually reveal a surprising amount of nuance. Like many comedies (Seinfeld, Always Sunny, Archer etc.) the characters are essentially jerkoffs, but you come to like them and - sometimes! - even see things from their point of view. Each of the three seasons also features a different executive producer character, from the sage Bruno Lawrence to the ratings-driven Kevin J. Wilson to the gleefully boorish Steve Bisley.

The naturalistic acting and cinéma vérité-style camerawork makes it all feel like a real newsroom. It's a great example of how (what was obviously) a low budget can still yield something special when you have great acting and writing.

And the writing really is that good here, with plenty storylines following our amoral news team as they report on such sensitive issues as immigration, hostage situations, sexual harassment, Nazis, little kids getting open heart surgery and more. There's plenty of references to Australian news events and media scandals, and some fun cameos from the likes of Harry Shearer and real-life Aussie politicians.

Overall this is a phenomenal comedy, and clips from it should be shown in journalism, media literacy and ethics classes around the world.

Frontline is the best, most intelligent series to have come out of Australia. It is as insightful as it is funny. For anyone who believes in the validity of what you watch on current affairs television, this show is for you.

Rob, Santo, Tom, and Jane (the creators, and producers) should have kept making these episodes, television is worse off without them. They did go on to great things though, and their same brand of humour is evident. These people, are the creators of the brilliant Australian movies "The Castle", and "The Dish", and you would enjoy this series if you liked those movies.

This series is made up of a host of hilarious characters who help to expose aspects of journalists that we all can identify with, like the huge egos, (Brooke van den Burg), the stupidity and lack of talent accept as an actor pretending to be serious and intelligent (Mike Moore - the classic anchorman), and the drive for ratings (executive producer Brian Thompson was the best of the three - R.I.P Brian).

"Frontline" was an apt satire that exposed current affairs television for the uncaring, sexist, ratings-grabbing, irresponsible shows they are.

What's more, the show is hilarious! Funny in an intelligent way.

9 out of 10

This series was the watershed of satirical description of TV current affairs. After the rubbish that the commercial stations dish up as current affairs it was at times hard to tell the difference between this and the real thing.

This series is just marvellous, another gem by the great team of Santo Cilauro, Rob Sitch, Tom Gleisner etc.

It is basically a satirical look at the ficticious current affairs program 'Fronline'. It has a great cast of characters including Mike Moore, the slightly naive host of the show.

Each episode revolves around a storyline, usually involving the team trying to chase a big story or, for example, their night at the Logie awards. Each episode is carried along brilliantly by it's humour, sometimes subtle but none-the-less excellent.

Definently a must see.