ERIC PLAYS: Various Characters
PLOT: This Australian TV series is one of the best to come out
of our fair country for quite some time. After a string of dud sketch
comedy shows like Totally Full Frontal, Big Train, Mad TV and
O'Loughlin on Saturday, this is a refreshing change. The comic genius behind it
is Full Frontal alumnus Eric Bana, whose irreverent, rapier wit
is contrasted beautifully with a fantastic television show. His is supported
by an experienced cast of fine Australian comedians, notably sketch
comedy veteran Michael Veitch, as well as The Castle's "Dale Kerrigan": Stephen Curry.
There is no plot as the show is comprised totally of sketches,
although they are cleverly linked together by preceding skits. Some of the jokes
are absolutely hilarious, though they are made from nothing at all. One
of the best jokes simply comprised of an ethnic man who continuously
suggests to his son that he see 'Chelsea Brown' and 'Englebert Humperdink,'
and that he tries some of his mother's apple strudel. It may seem devoid of
laughs in this review, but the accent and timing made it a piece of comedy
gold. Therein lies the ingenuity of Eric Bana.
Initially, this show was one hour long and spanned a mere six
weeks. But channel 7, showing a bit of initiative for the first time in
Australian history, cut it down to 12 half-hour episodes. Good things come
in little doses.
This was a welcome change from the deluge of American sitcoms we
are constantly bombarded with. It seems every week we get a new one.
Shows such as "Veronica's Closet", "Friends", "Suddenly Susan", "Caroline in
the City" and "Full House" are so bad that I have to turn the television off.
Its a shame that Eric had to finish so soon.
DIRECTOR: Kevin Carlin
STATUS: Off Air
GENRE: Comedy Variety Show
YEAR: 1996
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