DAAS Kapital
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | July 15, 1991 |
| Founder | Doug Anthony All Stars (Paul McDermott, Tim Ferguson, Richard Fidler) |
| Defunct | July 7, 1992 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia; 18 countries including Japan, UK, USA, Germany |
Key people | Paul McDermott, Tim Ferguson, Richard Fidler |
| Products | Television series |
DAAS Kapital is a comedic television series from Australia, created and performed by the comedy group Doug Anthony All Stars—Paul McDermott, Tim Ferguson, and Richard Fidler. The supporting ensemble features Paul Livingston, Michael Petroni, Bob Downe, and Khym Lam. Its title cleverly combines the group's acronym "DAAS" with a nod to Karl Marx's seminal work Das Kapital.
The show debuted on 15 July 1991 on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and ran until 7 July 1992. DAAS Kapital reached audiences in 18 countries, including Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Germany. A DVD edition was released on 20 March 2013, which included commentary from the Doug Anthony All Stars and an exclusive new song. To mark this release, the trio reunited for a special performance on 13 April 2013.
Format
The series combined elements of sitcoms with sketch and variety show styles. Each episode followed a scripted narrative punctuated by interludes featuring fictional TV programs and commercials such as Shitsu Tonka News, Troy The Invincible, and Wayne Kerr. Guest appearances by Paul Livingston and Michael Petroni (as Bob), Mark Trevorrow (portraying Bob Downe), alongside stop-motion sequences and original Doug Anthony All Stars songs, enriched the format. Ferguson described the show as "a blend of Land of Giants, Marine Boy, and Jacques Cousteau on speed." Episodes typically centered around straightforward storylines—ranging from pest invasions to Cinderella-inspired plots—interspersed with quick-fire humor, narrative wit, and storytelling performances by the trio.
Characters and casting
Alongside Tim Ferguson, Paul McDermott, and Richard Fidler, several recurring characters appeared:
- Flacco (played by Paul Livingston): an extraterrestrial characterized by a high-pitched voice who communicates with his animated cockroach companion Ross. Livingston also portrays other roles such as the Marquis de Sade and the Pope, all bearing Flacco’s distinctive mannerisms.
- Psycho Bob (Michael Petroni): an American serial killer who secretly travels aboard the submarine, delivering chilling monologues concluding with "I'm Bob, and I'll be back." Only Tim interacts with this character, implying he may represent a figment of his subconscious.
- Thulgore (animated): a gigantic anthropomorphic crab louse residing in the vessel’s engine room.
- The Shitsu Tonka newsreader (Khym Lam): serves as the crew’s only connection to external events via Shitsu Tonka television broadcasts.
- Bob Downe (Mark Trevorrow): a tacky cabaret performer who also features as a personality on Shitsu Tonka TV.
- Wayne Kerr (Tim Ferguson): leads Shitsu Tonka’s most violent program alongside sidekicks Spinner (Richard Fidler) and Paddlefoot (Paul McDermott).
- Troy the Invincible (Paul McDermott): demonstrates self-inflicted injuries on Shitsu Tonka to showcase his supposed working-class toughness.
- Uncle Biff Happy (Richard Fidler): a used car salesman appearing in Shitsu Tonka advertisements.
Scenario
Set against a backdrop where by 1998 the Shitsu Tonka Unitocracy has established global supremacy, the world operates under a single currency called "Common Cents". Through rezoning policies and decentralization efforts, national rivalries have been eradicated. The enforced homogenization of ethnic groups has diminished traditional nationalism while enabling minority cultures to thrive within this overarching macrosociety.
The narrative takes place in 2006 aboard a submarine manned by the All Stars—Tim Ferguson, Paul McDermott, and Richard Fidler—charged with preserving the world’s artistic heritage by cataloging history. Eventually, they become lost at sea while their existence is officially denied by Shitsu Tonka Corporation.
In the first season finale, Shitsu Tonka sabotages the submarine by replacing Richard with a robotic duplicate containing an explosive designed to obliterate historical records. Rather than destroying history, the blast propels the vessel into outer space, opening avenues for science fiction storylines in season two. By that season’s conclusion, the submarine returns to ocean depths.
Season 1 (1991)
Each episode in the first season is titled after one of the seven deadly sins. The scriptbook identifies them as: Avarice, Sloth, Gluttony, Pride, Envy, Lust, and Anger. The following list reflects their original broadcast sequence:
- Note:* The episode "Gluttony" originally featured a cover of The Velvet Underground's "Sunday Morning." However, due to licensing restrictions on the 2013 DAAS Kapital DVD release, this track was substituted with an exclusive song titled "Saturday (mourning)." The DVD packaging clarifies that the initial version remains accessible on YouTube.
Season 2 (1992)
All episodes in the second season carry titles derived from the seven heavenly virtues.
Scriptbook
In 1992, a book containing the scripts from DAAS Kapital Season One was published. This edition also includes photographs taken during filming and artwork created by the All Stars.
DVD
On 1 November 2012, Tim Ferguson revealed via Twitter that a DAAS Kapital DVD was underway, targeting a 2013 release date. This collection features audio commentaries, a newly composed original track, and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage.
The DVD became available on 20 March 2013. Subsequently, the group reunited for an official launch event held on 13 April. The gathering included conversations with special guests Flacco, Khym Lam, and producer Ted Robinson, followed by live renditions of "My Girl," "Warsong," and the DVD-exclusive song "Saturday's The Day For Leaving."