Please Like Me

Please Like Me
Company type	Television series
Industry	Television
Founded	February 28, 2013; 13 years ago
Founder	Josh Thomas
Headquarters	Australia
Products	Comedy-drama television series

Please Like Me is an Australian comedy-drama television series created by and starring Josh Thomas, who also penned every episode. The show debuted on 28 February 2013 on ABC2 in Australia and has been accessible on Netflix in selected regions. It tackles authentic issues through a comedic lens; executive producer Todd Abbott described it more as a drama than a traditional sitcom. Subsequently, the series was broadcast in the United States on the network Pivot, which contributed to its development starting with the second season. Across four seasons, the show aired before Thomas confirmed there would be no additional episodes. The series earned critical praise, numerous nominations, and several awards.

Creation

The writing of Please Like Me was largely handled by Josh Thomas, who also played the lead role. Direction for most episodes was overseen by Matthew Saville. Over a period of four years, Thomas collaborated with producer Todd Abbott to develop the concept, consulting closely with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Abbott framed the program as a drama infused with humor, focusing on genuine situations relevant to young adults. Thomas sought to craft scripts marked by originality and sincerity, promoting authentic performances free from contrived comedic timing.

Originally intended for ABC1, the series premiered instead on ABC2 in 2013 to better reach a younger audience aligned with the digital channel's demographic. This choice attracted criticism, with some suggesting the content was "too gay" for ABC1. The narrative opens with Josh coming to terms with his sexuality alongside coping with his mother's suicide attempt.

Beginning in September 2013, ABC1 started airing the show on Wednesday nights at 10 pm, approximately six months after its initial ABC2 release.

In July 2013, Pivot—a new digital cable and satellite channel in the United States—secured rights to Please Like Me, releasing the first episode online prior to its television premiere. Pivot also provided video-on-demand access and launched a social platform encouraging viewers to share personal stories related to stigma and acceptance.

On 26 July 2013, both ABC and Pivot ordered a second season comprising ten episodes, which premiered first in the US on 8 August 2014. This season introduced multiple new recurring characters. The collaboration continued with a third ten-episode season commissioned in July 2014. A fourth season consisting of six episodes was confirmed in July 2016. On 2 February 2017, it was announced that this fourth season would conclude the series.

Plot

In his twenties, Josh navigates significant transitions during early adulthood. Following a breakup, he comes to recognize his homosexuality.

Cast

Actor	Character	Seasons
Actor	Character	1	2	3	4
Principal characters
Josh Thomas	Josh	colspan="4" Template:CMain
Debra Lawrance	Rose (Mum)	colspan="4" Template:CMain
David Roberts	Alan (Dad)	colspan="4" Template:CMain
Judi Farr	Aunty Peg	Template:CMain
Thomas Ward	Tom	colspan="4" Template:CMain
Wade Briggs	Geoffrey	Template:CMain	Template:CGuest^{[lower-alpha 1]}		Template:CGuest^{[lower-alpha 1]}
Caitlin Stasey	Claire	Template:CMain	Template:CRecurring^{[lower-alpha 1]}	colspan="2" Template:CMain
Nikita Leigh-Pritchard	Niamh	Template:CMain	Template:CRecurring^{[lower-alpha 1]}
Renee Lim	Mae	colspan="4" Template:CMain
Denise Drysdale	Ginger		Template:CMain
Hannah Gadsby	Hannah		colspan="3" Template:CMain
Charles Cottier	Patrick		Template:CMain
Keegan Joyce	Arnold		colspan="3" Template:CMain
Charlotte Nicdao	Jenny		Template:CMain
Bob Franklin	Stuart		Template:CMain	Template:CRecurring^{[lower-alpha 1]}
Emily Barclay	Ella			colspan="2" Template:CMain

Notes

Critical response

Anthony D. Langford of AfterElton.com described the series as "endearing," emphasizing its blend of humor and emotional depth alongside Thomas's performance as Josh, and expressed anticipation for a follow-up season. Andrew Mast from Music.com.au praised Briggs's authentic acting and Farr's participation but felt that Thomas's written material was less effectively conveyed on screen. David Knox from TV Tonight applauded the ensemble cast and highlighted the strong comedic interplay between Josh and his parents, underscoring the show's assured mix of wit and perceptiveness.

Colin Vickery and Darren Devlyn at News.com.au remarked on the show's unique warmth in contrast to other provocative comedies. Giles Hardie of The Age commended its pioneering depiction of gay characters free from clichés, skillfully combining humor with weighty topics such as coming out and suicide. Scott Ellis regarded it as a significant, tender, and insightful project for ABC. Craig Mathieson also noted the series’ successful integration of dark comedy, drawing comparisons to Louie. The program was selected to be showcased at the Series Mania Television Festival in Paris.

The A.V. Club ranked the second season among the year's top shows, lauding its visual style and Josh's portrayal. The Guardian praised its "nontraditional scriptwriting."

The premiere episode of Season 3, titled Eggplant, received acclaim for its depiction of a gay intimate scene, which IndieWire described as "a profoundly tender moment seldom granted to queer characters," representing a notable advance in Australian broadcast television by eschewing conventional cinematic censorship.

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Recipients and nominees
2013	Australian Writers Guild Awards	Best Writing in a Comedy: Situation or Narrative	Josh Thomas, Liz Doran and Thomas Ward – Series 1, Episode 3 Portuguese Custard Tarts
2013	Australian Writers Guild Awards	Best Writing in a Comedy: Situation or Narrative	Josh Thomas, Liz Doran and Thomas Ward – Series 1, Episode 5 Spanish Eggs
2014	3rd AACTA Awards	Best Television Comedy Series	Please Like Me – Todd Abbott
		Best Performance in a Television Comedy	Josh Thomas
		Best Direction in a Television Drama or Comedy	Matthew Saville – Series 1, Episode 3 Portuguese Custard Tarts
	25th GLAAD Media Awards	Outstanding Comedy Series	Please Like Me
	Australian Directors Guild Awards	Best Direction: TV Comedy	Matthew Saville
	Rose d'Or	Sitcom	Please Like Me
	Logie Awards of 2014	Most Outstanding Light Entertainment Program	Please Like Me
	International Emmy Award	Best Comedy Series	'Please Like Me'
	Australian Screen Editors Awards	Best Editing in a Television Comedy	Julie-Anne De Ruvo – Season 2, Episode 2 Ham
2015	4th AACTA Awards	Best Television Comedy Series	'Please Like Me' – Todd Abbott, Josh Thomas and Kevin Whyte
		AACTA Award for Best Direction in Television	Matthew Saville – Series 2, Episode 7 Scroggin
		AACTA Award for Best Screenplay in Television	Josh Thomas – Series 2, Episode 7 Scroggin
		AACTA Award for Best Performance in a Television Comedy	Debra Lawrance
		AACTA Award for Best Performance in a Television Comedy	Josh Thomas
		4th AACTA Awards Best Sound in Television	'John Wilkinson and Simon Rosenberg – Series 2, Episode 7 Scroggin
	'Most Popular Actor'	'Josh Thomas, Please Like Me
	'Most Outstanding Comedy Program'	'Please Like Me'
	'Outstanding Comedy Series'	'Please Like Me'
	'Best Writing in a Comedy: Situation or Narrative'	'Josh Thomas – Series 2, Episode 7 Scroggin
	'Best Direction in a TV Comedy'	'Matthew Saville – Series 2, Episode 7 Scroggin
	'Best Editing in a Television Comedy'	'Julie-Anne De Ruvo – Please Like Me (Series 2)'
	'Comedy Television Production of the Year'	'Please Like Me Season 2, Guesswork Television'	'Template:Won
	'Comedy Episode or Multi-Episode Storyline'	'Please Like Me Season 2 (Pivot)'
	'LGBTQ TV Show of the Year'	'Please Like Me (Pivot)'	'Template:Nom
	'Unsung TV Show of the Year'	'Please Like Me (Pivot)'
'Outstanding Comedy Series'	'Please Like Me (Pivot)'	'Template:Nom
'Best Actor'	'Josh Thomas, Please Like Me	'Template:Nom
'Most Outstanding Comedy Program'	'Please Like Me'	'Template:Nom
} See also List of Australian TV series List of programs aired by ABC (Australian TV network) External links Official site Official Takepart page

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Creation

Plot

Cast

Critical response

Awards and nominations

See also

External links