BackBerner
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Television |
| Founded | August 19, 1999 |
| Founder | ABC TV, Crackerjack Productions (now Fremantle Australia) |
| Defunct | November 14, 2002 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Television sketch comedy series |
| Parent | ABC TV, Fremantle Australia |
BackBerner was an Australian sketch comedy series focusing on political satire, produced and aired by ABC TV in collaboration with Crackerjack Productions (currently known as Fremantle Australia). The show featured stand-up comedian Peter Berner alongside actress Louise Siversen as hosts and was broadcast from 19 August 1999 until 14 November 2002.
Synopsis
This program offered a parody of current affairs shows, with Berner as the main presenter and Siversen conducting satirical interviews involving various officials discussing topical weekly news. Recurring comedic roles included Dr Dennis Johnson, who addressed medical subjects, and Dexter Pinion, a right-wing correspondent known for his critical stance toward the "AB-friggin'-C." Additional performers such as Nicholas Hammond appeared regularly, portraying a variety of government representatives like Jack Bloom, a US official.
The series concluded in 2002 with a final satirical twist where Dexter Pinion assumed control over the "AB-friggin'-C" and terminated Berner's show.
Cast
Stand-up comedian Peter Berner and seasoned Australian actress Louise Siversen served as the primary hosts. Other frequent participants included Tanya Bulmer and Kym Gyngell, who conducted pre-filmed interviews on location and in public settings. Imelda Corcoran appeared as Maria across 17 episodes, mainly during the third season (2001).
- Peter Berner – Host
- Louise Siversen – Host
- Ian Bliss – Various roles (11 episodes)
- Kym Gyngell – Self (10 episodes)
- Nicholas Hammond – Multiple characters (6 episodes)
- Imelda Corcoran – Maria (17 episodes)
- Lynette Curran – Miriam Standwick (2 episodes)
- Denise Roberts – Beryl Todd & assorted characters (2 episodes)
- Belinda McClory – Susan Lamb (1 episode)
- Rhiana Griffith – Kristi Taylor (1 episode)
- Jennifer Kent – Various roles (1 episode)
- Chris Haywood – Michael Thompson (1 episode)
- Danny Adcock – Tom McLachlan
- Drew Forsythe – Martin (1 episode)
- Alan David Lee – Gary Morris / Mark Hitchens (Labor MP) / Gavin Letchkey (Liberal MP)
- Russell Dykstra – Mr Dennis McCauley
- Nicholas Opolski
- Christian Manon
- Rebecca Riggs
- Tanya Bulmer
- Ally Fowler – Julie (2 episodes)
- Bob Baines – Liberal Party Representative (2 episodes)
- Leon Ford – Blair Fife (1 episode)
- Peter Whitford – Henry Tinkwhistle (1 episode)
- Peter Sumner – Professor Norman Twigg (1 episode)
Production
The show was developed through a partnership between ABC TV and Crackerjack Productions, now operating as Fremantle Australia. The opening and closing sequences incorporated music from the track "Thunderbirds are Coming Out" by the band TISM.
Broadcast
BackBerner was broadcast from 19 August 1999 through to 14 November 2002.