View Full Version : TV The Games - ABC Comedy
luke2177
31 Jan 2006, 12:01
Hi all,
Just wondering how many people out there remember this classic "mock-umentary" on the ABC sending up the Sydney 2000 Olympics organisers?
Bought it on DVD last week. I saw two or three episodes back when it was first screened (2000?), but am loving watching them all now on DVD.
Favourite episode is easily Mr Wilson and the 94 metre running track (as opposed to 100m) - episode three I think from memory. Classic material.
:thumbsu:
crudbucket
31 Jan 2006, 13:56
Champagne comedy...
John Clarke, what a legend. Hard to believe he's actually a Kiwi ! :p
I had completely forgotten about that show until you brought it up again. That brings back some great memories. I've got the book lying around somewhere and will now have to dig it up now
.
Mr Eagle
31 Jan 2006, 14:29
Favourite episode is easily Mr Wilson and the 94 metre running track (as opposed to 100m) - episode three I think from memory. Classic material.
"...but then we'd lose the front row of seats!"
ManWithNoName
31 Jan 2006, 14:51
I only remember one bit, and that was John Clarke trying to make all the events start in the middle of the night so that the US Viewers would be happy.
Captain Sensible
31 Jan 2006, 15:02
Favourite episode is easily Mr Wilson and the 94 metre running track (as opposed to 100m) - episode three I think from memory. Classic material.
Is tat the one where it looks like they're studying the specifacations on a blueprint really intently but in actual fact they are listening to the end of a race on the radio? When Clarke turned to the other guy and says "Did you catch who ran third?" I thought I was going to die laughing.
One of the best constructed jokes and taglines I've ever seen.
luke2177
31 Jan 2006, 16:36
Is tat the one where it looks like they're studying the specifacations on a blueprint really intently but in actual fact they are listening to the end of a race on the radio? When Clarke turned to the other guy and says "Did you catch who ran third?" I thought I was going to die laughing.
One of the best constructed jokes and taglines I've ever seen.From memory, that particular joke wasn't in that episode. Don't think I've seen that one yet actually (I've only re-watched episodes 1-4 so far!). :)
Captain Sensible
31 Jan 2006, 18:21
From memory, that particular joke wasn't in that episode. Don't think I've seen that one yet actually (I've only re-watched episodes 1-4 so far!). :)
Oh well then. I'm sure you'll enjoy it just as much as if I hadnt given it away.;)
Any other suprises I can spoil for you? I've got the scripts somewhere. $3.95 at the ABC shop. :thumbsu:
Black JuJu
31 Jan 2006, 18:35
Very, very well done show, one of the best ever produced in this country.
Mr Eagle
31 Jan 2006, 18:47
Any other suprises I can spoil for you? I've got the scripts somewhere. $3.95 at the ABC shop. :thumbsu:
I've got season one's scripts here...dammit now you've made me want to go and buy season two!!!
(the race on the radio is from 'Transport', the last ep of season one.)
Captain Sensible
31 Jan 2006, 19:35
I've got season one's scripts here...dammit now you've made me want to go and buy season two!!!
(the race on the radio is from 'Transport', the last ep of season one.)
It was a couple of years ago. I was stunned when I found the first one and almost wept with joy when a bit of rummaging turned up the second one.
I have Season 1 on DVD, hilarious Stuff!
Anyone remember the final episode only a week before the opening ceremony when they all dressed up as the Seekers to sing the Carnival is Over. Funny ********!
masked magpie
31 Jan 2006, 20:40
Classic Series - I often wondered how close it was to the truth. If I remember right there seemed to be real life drama after drama with the games organising and construction etc - kind of stuff that wrote its own script!
I particularly liked the episode where they had the tickets printed in one place and the ticket machines made somewhere else BUT the tickets wouldn't fit into the machine !?!?!??!?!
After listening to Ross Stevenson on 3aw I am not surprised he was one of the writers .........
Black JuJu
31 Jan 2006, 21:49
Classic Series - I often wondered how close it was to the truth. If I remember right there seemed to be real life drama after drama with the games organising and construction etc - kind of stuff that wrote its own script!
I particularly liked the episode where they had the tickets printed in one place and the ticket machines made somewhere else BUT the tickets wouldn't fit into the machine !?!?!??!?!
After listening to Ross Stevenson on 3aw I am not surprised he was one of the writers .........
Very true what you say here, the ongoing controversy of the Olympics organising made this show very close to home and really captured the time well (I loved their take on how the games went from being Sydney's games to 'Australia's Games' in a blatant attempt to increase national interest).
Having lived through this time, which will obviously be remembered for many years as an important piece of history from this generation, I think part of the charm of 'The Games' was the 'how close to the truth is this?' factor - very like the excellent 'Frontline' really. It's interesting that 2 of Australia's best comedies are actually the 'fly on the wall/mockumentary' style which has also seen 'The Office' do big things out of Britain.
Katthawk
31 Jan 2006, 22:56
Would they dare to play this again? It was a brilliant piece of television.
Clark Kent
1 Feb 2006, 11:56
One would hope so.
Gina Riley is just a sensational actor/comedian. People overlook her work on programs such as this, instead remembering the inferior (but still great) Kath and Kim.
Yeah, the 94-metre running track is my favourite episode, too :D :D :D Would they dare to play this again? It was a brilliant piece of television.
Mr Eagle
1 Feb 2006, 12:00
It did get replayed in the 6pm slot a couple of years back, if I recall rightly... might have been pre-Athens.
Great show. My favourite, along with the 94 metre running track, was their negotiations for with a person named "Sydney Olympic Games" for the naming rights to the Games.
Been watching it again lately and it's an absolute ball tearer.
crows98
13 May 2008, 23:22
Haven’t seen it in a few years but agree it was brilliant
Freo Big Fella
13 May 2008, 23:29
Loved "John Howard from Sydney" delivering a live apology to appease the Chinese.:p
Have they brought out season 2 on DVD yet?
Have they brought out season 2 on DVD yet?
They haven't and I don't think they will now. I downloaded a series 2 torrent which had been ripped from VHS, but it was good enough for me.
potatomasher
14 May 2008, 13:41
Yeah, the 94-metre running track is my favourite episode, too :D :D :D
That's the one I always seem to remember when I think of the Games.
Dasher39
4 Aug 2008, 20:31
It's back!
The Comedy Channel will show The Games from Monday August 11th!
:thumbsu:
It's back!
The Comedy Channel will show The Games from Monday August 11th!
:thumbsu:
I saw it advertised. Its great news as when i last saw it i was around 13 years old so i cant really remember it. Though from what i do remember it was extremely funny.
Mr Eagle
1 Dec 2009, 16:43
At long, long, looooooooooooooooooong last: SERIES 2 ON DVD!
http://shop.abc.net.au/browse/product.asp?productid=770488
At long, long, looooooooooooooooooong last: SERIES 2 ON DVD!
http://shop.abc.net.au/browse/product.asp?productid=770488
I noticed that the other day.
Been watching it again lately, up to the start of Series 2. Absolutely hilarious show.
Very true what you say here, the ongoing controversy of the Olympics organising made this show very close to home and really captured the time well (I loved their take on how the games went from being Sydney's games to 'Australia's Games' in a blatant attempt to increase national interest).
I remember at the time it was spooky how it seemed to preempt stuff. One of the episodes was about how none of the electronic tickets worked with any of the admission gates, and then less that a week later a virtually identical mini-crisis arose in RL. Similar sort of things happened with episodes on drug testing and the like as well.
The supporting actors were quality too - Nicholas Bell was perfect as the Secretary to the Minister, and that redhead from BackBerner was a total hoot as the marketing consultant.
For some reason Australia and Britain seem to do these mockumentary satires exceptionally well. Contrast that to the US where they've never really bothered with them - and when they do they end up twisting them into a more traditional sitcom feel anyway (see: The Office).
Black JuJu
3 Dec 2009, 22:46
YES!
FINALLY!
Fantastic!
I dreaded that season 2 would be lost for ever!
After hearing about some BBC show basically ripping it off, I dusted off the DVDs and watched a few episodes this arvo. My favourite episode is still the Lateline one - awesome plots with the country submission for the opening ceremonies, the changes to the swimming heats and of course the "hole in the o-zone layer" stuff. The phrase "that's Ayres Rock, you know" still gets a workout.
Is it true they are releasing one for the London Olympics? I heard it was going to be on Nine, though...
Mr Eagle
13 Apr 2011, 14:16
Is it true they are releasing one for the London Olympics? I heard it was going to be on Nine, though...
The Games: London Calling. John and Gina confirmed to be in it, no mention of Brian.
I will be very sad if it doesn't include Brian; he's the perfect straight man for the other two.
To be honest, with that and the fact it's on Nein, I'm more apprehensive than excited.
I will be very sad if it doesn't include Brian; he's the perfect straight man for the other two.
To be honest, with that and the fact it's on Nein, I'm more apprehensive than excited.
Honestly can't imagine a John Clarke show without Bryan these days, but I guess he's the most "replaceable" of the three.
Just watched the last episode again. "The Carnival is Over" scene is an absolute pisser. :D
P.A.F.C
14 Apr 2011, 14:46
Fantastic show, one of my favourites