Pizza (TV series)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | April 24, 2000 |
| Founder | Paul Fenech |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Paul Fenech (creator, lead actor) |
| Products | Television series, films, DVD, live theatre tour |
Fat Pizza, initially titled Pizza and renamed Fat Pizza: Back in Business starting from its sixth season, is a comedic television series from Australia created by Paul Fenech.
The show first aired on SBS on 24 April 2000, with its initial five seasons broadcast between 2000 and 2007. It later transitioned to 7mate for its sixth and seventh seasons in 2019 and 2021, respectively. The franchise expanded to include a 2003 spin-off film titled Fat Pizza, along with a best-of DVD featuring unseen content and a schoolies special released in 2004. Additionally, a live theatre tour showcasing the show's characters toured the eastern coast of Australia. In 2014, the series combined narratives with Housos for the movie Fat Pizza vs. Housos, which premiered in Australian cinemas on 27 November 2014.
Employing satirical and self-referential humor, the series tackles themes such as ethnicity, stereotypes, automobiles, sexuality, illegal substances, and violence through dark comedic elements. It is also distinguished by numerous cameo appearances from well-known Australian figures spanning acting, comedy, sports, and other public domains.
History and development
The origins of Pizza trace back to the early 1990s with a black-and-white short film called Pizza Man, created and starred in by Paul Fenech. This short secured third place at the 1995 Tropfest festival.
The television adaptation, Pizza, both written and directed by Fenech, features him portraying Pauly, a pizza delivery driver. The series occasionally breaks the fourth wall, with Fenech presenting behind-the-scenes segments delivered in a humorous and self-aware manner. From 2000 to 2007, the show was part of SBS’s Monday night comedy lineup alongside unconventional programs such as South Park and John Safran.
The franchise expanded with the release of the feature film Fat Pizza in 2003, followed by Fat Pizza vs. Housos in 2014, which integrated characters from Fenech’s other comedy series Housos.
During season four, the pizza shop’s location shifted from Greenacre to Station Street in Fairfield Heights, NSW, introducing fresh principal cast members. Season five saw another relocation to a shopping centre on Canberra Street in St Johns Park, NSW, where it remained until the series concluded before its 2019 revival.
In August 2019, the series was brought back on Seven Network’s multichannel 7mate under the title Fat Pizza: Back In Business, debuting on 5 November 2019. A subsequent season was confirmed in January 2020 and officially announced at Seven’s Upfronts event in October 2020; this new season premiered on 8 September 2021.
Synopsis
Centered around Pauly and his colleagues working for "Fat Pizza," a Sydney-based pizzeria owned by Bobo Gigliotti whose tagline is "they're big and they're cheesy," the show portrays their pizza delivery adventures.
The narrative explores the perils of delivering pizzas through encounters with an array of unusual and dangerous characters including extraterrestrials, aggressive kangaroos, biker gangs, bogans, petty criminals, muggers, drug traffickers, dominatrices, celebrities, intelligence agencies like CIA and ASIO, Australian enforcement bodies such as Border Force, ATO, police and military personnel, terrorists, organized crime syndicates, and even satanic entities. Despite facing these threats regularly, the characters remain undeterred and continue their poorly paid work at just A$2.00 per hour.
Main
| Actor | Role | Character description |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Fenech | Pauly Falzoni | Central character; works as a pizza delivery driver, boxer, and aspiring filmmaker. One of the longest-standing employees at Fat Pizza and, starting from season 6, takes on the role of owner and manager. Pauly’s heritage includes Maltese, Mexican, Italian, and Spanish backgrounds. In season 6, he reopens the pizzeria following Bobo's incarceration. |
| Paul Nakad | David "Sleek the Elite" Arafat | Co-lead during the initial two seasons and the feature film. An aspiring rapper and pizza delivery man dubbed the 'Lebanese Lover.' Experiences kidnapping by Islamic militants while in Lebanon. Characterized as a closeted bisexual. Replaced by cousin Slick, who is later killed off. Returns in Fat Pizza vs. Housos, where he operates a kebab shop after being detained at Guantanamo Bay and eventually faces arrest for an attempted assassination. |
| John Boxer | Bobo Gigliotti | Unstable chef and proprietor/manager of Fat Pizza. Known for his stinginess and corrupt management style, often penalizing delivery staff for tardiness. After his Vietnamese mail-order bride is deported, he becomes engaged to former adult film star Ruby ('Mama Jugs'). Sentenced to 25 years imprisonment following events in Fat Pizza vs. Housos, but escapes with a chainsaw to rescue Pauly. Returns to work but is dismissed after Pauly discovers severed body parts stored in the freezer. |
| Tahir Bilgiç | Habib Halal | Initially a supporting figure who later assumes a main role. A friend of Sleek’s and a stereotypical young Lebanese drug dealer and fence, using his pizza delivery job as a cover. Describes himself as socially awkward; previously successful with women but now prefers larger partners and collaborates with Toula. |
| Jason "Jabba" Davis | David 'Davo' Dinkum | Archetypal Australian bogan known for smoking cannabis; the sole non-'choco' employee at Fat Pizza, which causes some discrimination though he remains friends with Habib. Introduced in the film; later fired and spends time pursuing pot-smoking bogan women from Hashfield. Noted for wearing thongs as his training footwear. |
| Maria Venuti | Maria 'Mama' Gigliotti | Bobo’s domineering Italian mother who formerly owned Fat Pizza. Despite enduring physical abuse from her, Bobo maintains affection and resides with her until his imprisonment. Since then, Mama has been in shock and is cared for by her nephew Renzo. |
| George Kapiniaris | Ronnie McDoggle | Mascot of McDoggle's and Pauly’s nemesis. After a car accident involving Pauly leaves him infertile and mentally unstable, he seeks revenge including orchestrating a drive-by shooting in Fat Pizza vs. Housos. Serves as the primary antagonist in seasons 6 and 7; repeatedly attempts to harm Pauly and ultimately succeeds in severing one of Pauly’s testicles. |
Supporting
| Actor | Role | Character description |
|---|---|---|
| Rob Shehadie | Robert "Rocky" Shekazbah | Self-proclaimed 'Lebanese Rambo'. A tall, muscular, egotistical Lebanese individual who is Habib’s friend and second cousin, often acting as an enforcer figure. Known for success with young women. |
| Rebel Wilson | Toula Maccalopolous | Greek-Australian girlfriend turned wife of Habib. Exercises controlling influence over Habib’s life and leads the 'Fat Chick 12' gang. Prevents Habib from working after marriage until season 5 when he resumes employment. |
| Katrina Spadone | Katrina (Kat) | Best friend to Toula and Rocky’s girlfriend. Develops romantic feelings for Pauly; experiences multiple breakups and reconciliations with Rocky. Participates in global travel during World Record Pizza, remains in Brazil with a new partner, returning in seasons 5 and 7. |
| Tuyen Le | Lin Chow Bang | Vietnamese mail-order bride of Bobo. Central figure in the Fat Pizza movie plotline; deported during season 3 after Habib and Rocky report her on drug charges. |
| Annalise Braakensiek | Claudia MacPherson | Wealthy but dim-witted supermodel who frequently interacts with Pauly and Sleek. |
| Murray Harman | Officer Murray | Hot-tempered police officer often clashing with Pauly. Also appears as Officer Richard Head in seasons 6 and 7. |
| John Mangos | The Newsreader |
Fat Pizza Staff
| Performer | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin Taumata | Kev the Kiwi | A typical Māori Australian who is a regular at the neighborhood pub. Frequently uses New Zealand vernacular and has an ongoing feud with Junior. Features in Series 6 and 7 as Kevin Takamata from Housos. |
| Andrew Ausage | Junior | Apprentice chef under Bobo who mistreats coworkers and incorporates Samoan-style flavors into pizzas. Makes a return in season 7 but is dismissed for disregarding orders. |
| Alex Romano | DJ BJ | A young staff member subjected to harassment, passionate about DJing but prone to clumsiness leading to mishaps. |
| Anh Do | Chen Chong Fat (Keith) | An Asian team member striving to embrace Australian ways. Wrongly accused of consuming a police dog and subsequently imprisoned. |
| Joe June | Jingping | The initial chef recruited in season 6, communicates through a translator. Leaves after being blackmailed but rejoins after learning English, continuing illicit animal trafficking with Pauly's help. |
| Peter Chidiac | Jayden Brown | |
| Umit Bali | Umit | |
| Yasmin Horner | Yasmina | |
| Giani Leon | The Kid | A silent BMX courier adept at fighting and speedy deliveries. |
| Maria Tran | Suzie | Daughter of Jingping who becomes a delivery person; nicknamed 'Suzie' by Pauly due to difficulty pronouncing her name. |
Recurring / Supporting Roles
| Performer | Character | Description | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Haddad | Mohammed 2 | 7 | |
| Angela White | Ruby / Registrar | 4 | |
| Anthony Salame | Omar | Cousin to Habib and close friend of Mohammed; frequently appears alongside Habib and Rocky, involved in an insurance scam at the former Fat Pizza location. | 7 |
| Bessie Bardot | Shiba's Wife / Pussy Galore | 4 | |
| Bob Ellis | Premier of NSW | 3 | |
| Chris Franklin | Dazza | 8 | |
| Desan Padayachee | Sahib | ||
| James Liotta | Lino Falzoni | ||
| John Mangos | Newsreader | 18 | |
| Mario Fenech | Uncle Shiba | 3 | |
| Paul Fenech | Alfredo Falzoni | 44 | |
| Phen Yee Sng | Lin Chow Bang's Father | ||
| Stephanie Chaves-Jacobsen | Selina | 5 | |
| Tania Zaetta | Zane | 9 | |
| Tuyen Le | Lin Chow Bang | 7 |
Guest Appearances (selected)
| Performer | Character | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Ada Nicodemou | Policewoman | 1 |
| Amanda Keller | Jessica Browe | 1 |
| Andrew Doyle | Ronny McDonny (from 'Freaky Pizza') | 1 |
| Angry Anderson | Bikie Leader / Captain / Vietnam Veteran | 4 |
| Anthony Mundine | The Man | 1 |
| Barry Crocker | Clarence Bumpkin | 1 |
| Benita Collings | Wowser Lady | 1 |
| Bernard King | Kenneth / TV Chef | 2 |
| Bill Bentley | Dr. Freeman | 1 |
| Bill Hunter | Police Detective | 2 |
| Brendan Jones | Karl Stiffanovic | 2 |
| Bruno Xavier | Mahatma Gandhi | 2 |
| Callan Mulvey | Dave / Middle Class Homeboy | 2 |
| Carl Barron | Junkie | 1 |
| Chris Franklin | Dazza | 1 |
| Clementine Heath | Kinky Girl | 1 |
| Cornelia Frances | Welfare Officer | 1 |
| Costas Kilias | Husband / Wrestler | 2 |
Characters (by season)
| Character | TV Series | Movies | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pizza | Fat Pizza: Back in Business | Fat Pizza | Fat Pizza vs. Housos | ||
| 2000–2007 | 2019–present | 2003 | 2014 | ||
| Pauly Falzoni | Paul Fenech | ||||
| Sleek the Elite | Paul Nakad | ||||
| Bobo Gigliotti | John Boxer | ||||
| Mama Gigliotti | Maria Venuti | ||||
| Ronnie McDoggle | George Kapiniaris | ||||
| Habib | Tahir Bilgiç | Template:N/A | Tahir Bilgiç | ||
| Davo Dinkum | Jason "Jabba" Davis | Template:N/A | Jason "Jabba" Davis | ||
| Rocky | Rob Shehadie | Template:N/A | Rob Shehadie | ||
| Toula | Rebel Wilson | Template:N/A | |||
| Katrina | Katrina Spadone Garcia | ||||
| Claudia MacPherson | Annalise Braakensiek | Annalise Braakensiek | |||
| Officer Murray | Murray Harman | Murray Harman | |||
| Newsreader | John Mangos | ||||
| Junior | Andrew Ausage | Andrew Ausage | |||
| Kev the Kiwi | Kevin Taumata | Kevin Taumata | |||
Series overview
Series 2 (2001)
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Series 7 (2021)
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Pizza: Special Deliveries (2004)
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Other appearances
- Fat Pizza: Sex, Drugs, Raps and Phones (2000): A comedy album containing sketches centered on Pauly, Sleek, and Bobo alongside rap tracks performed by Paul Nakad (Sleek).
- Slices of Pizza: Live on Stage: An Australian touring live performance featuring cast members from the series.
- Fat Pizza Fully Prank'd (2006): A collection album derived from the prohibited "Fat Pizza Radio Show" and its soundtrack.
Awards and nominations
- Between 2001 and 2005: Received four nominations for Most Outstanding Comedy Program
Australian Comedy Awards
- 2003: Recognized with a nomination for Outstanding Australian TV Comedy – character based category
- 2004: Awarded Best Achievement in Sound for a Television Program for the episode "School Pizza"
Filming locations
During the first season, interior and exterior shots of the Fat Pizza restaurant were captured at 322 Pacific Highway, Lane Cove. For Seasons 2 and 3, the Fat Pizza film, and live performances, production shifted to 67 Hume Highway, Chullora. Both venues previously operated as pizzerias; the Lane Cove location remained active until 2016 before being demolished to make way for residential apartments, while the Chullora site functioned from 2000 through 2009. By 2013, it was sold and gutted internally. It briefly reopened as "Kyoja Dumpling," a Vietnamese takeaway outlet, but proved unprofitable and was vacant again by 2017. In 2006, segments of the series were shot at Babel Restaurant in Fairfield Heights before relocating to St Johns Park in 2007.
Filming also took place across various Australian cities and international destinations, including Bangkok, Thailand; Mumbai, India; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Los Angeles and Las Vegas, United States; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Rome and Naples, Italy; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Malta; and Paris, France.
See also
- Fat Pizza vs. Housos
- Swift and Shift Couriers
- Housos
- Bogan Hunters
- List of Australian television series
References
External links
- Pizza at the Australian Television Information Archive
- (Show aired from 2000–2007)
- IMDb Fat Pizza: Back in Business TV Series (2019–present)
- Articles with short description
- 2000 Australian television series debuts
- 2007 Australian television series endings
- 2019 Australian television series debuts
- 2000s workplace comedy television series
- 2010s workplace comedy television series
- Australian adventure television series
- Australian workplace comedy television series
- 2000s Australian television sitcoms
- 2010s Australian television sitcoms
- Special Broadcasting Service original programming
- 7mate original programming
- Television shows set in Sydney
- Television series set in restaurants
- Television series by Seven Productions
- Australian English-language television shows
- Australian television series revived after cancellation