Life Support (Australian TV series)
| Company type | Television show |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television entertainment |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Defunct | 2003 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia |
| Products | Comedy television series |
Life Support was a comedic television show broadcast on Australia's SBS network that parodied lifestyle TV programs. The show was produced for three seasons. On Australia Day 2006, the Comedy Channel aired a marathon featuring the entire first season and part of the second.
Concept
This series presented a satirical and occasionally dark examination of Australian culture through the format of lifestyle television. The cast included various "experts": Sigourney, a home economics specialist advising on "pleasing your man"; Todd, a DIY enthusiast; Rudi, a South African general practitioner; and Penne, representing the young adult demographic.
Much of the comedy stemmed from politically incorrect humor and black comedy elements. For instance, Penne suggested using roadside memorials as sources for fresh flowers; Dr Rudi recommended encouraging daughters to gain weight to discourage male attention; and Sigourney advised shaving one’s head following a bad haircut, humorously comparing it to chemotherapy.
The program also incorporated vox pop segments featuring real individuals, often reinforcing the stereotypes embodied by the fictional characters.
Characters
- Penne – an outspoken, archetypal university student focused on finding quick financial gains and easier lifestyles for stressed young adults. Played by Abbie Cornish in season 1 and Alison Barnes in seasons 2 and 3.
- Sigourney – a scatterbrained blonde from Sydney’s North Shore whose primary goal is to secure wealthy husbands. Portrayed by Rachael Coopes.
- Todd – a caricature of the typical DIY handyman. Portrayed by Brendan Cowell during seasons 1 and 2, and Duncan Fellows in season 3.
- Dr Rudi – an unscrupulous South African physician with a pronounced Afrikaner accent, satirizing doctors from Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. Famous for the greeting "Howzit, Dr Rrrrudi here." Played by Simon Van Der Stap throughout seasons 1 to 3 and Jack Finsterer in season 3.
Dr Rudi vs Dr Rudi
In the third season, subtle clues implied that the new Dr Rudi—explained within the show as having undergone surgery—was an impostor. Rather than continuing with typical mail segments, episodes developed a storyline where the original Dr Rudi sought vengeance and aimed to reclaim his identity. In the finale, during the wedding of Sigourney and Dr Rudi (portrayed by Jack Finsterer), the original Dr Rudi (Simon Van Der Stap) appeared to interrupt proceedings. A confrontation ensued over which Dr Rudi Sigourney would marry, culminating in a physical altercation before the closing credits. Since no subsequent episodes were produced, this plotline remains unresolved.
DVD release
Life Support’s complete three-season run has been released on DVD.