Shaun Micallef's Mad as Hell

Shaun Micallef's Mad as Hell

Company type	Television program
Industry	Television broadcasting
Founded	May 25, 2012 (2012-05-25)
Headquarters	Australia
Area served	Australia
Key people	Shaun Micallef (host)
Products	Satirical news comedy television series
Website	www.abc.net.au/tv/madashell/

Shaun Micallef's Mad as Hell is a satirical Australian television program centered on news, hosted by Shaun Micallef. It debuted on ABC at 8:00pm on Friday, 25 May 2012. The series was honored with the Most Outstanding Comedy Program award at the Logie Awards of 2016. Its name is inspired by the 1976 American satirical film Network.

Cast

The show is fronted by Shaun Micallef, accompanied by a minimum of five additional cast members who perform various characters, including portrayals of Micallef himself.

Complete cast roster with series participation details

Name	Series 1	Series 2	Series 3	Series 4	Series 5	Series 6	Series 7	Series 8	Series 9	Series 10	Series 11	Series 12	Series 13	Series 14	Series 15
Shaun Micallef	colspan="15" Template:CMain
Francis Greenslade	colspan="15" Template:CMain
Tosh Greenslade	colspan="15" Template:CMain
Emily Taheny	colspan="15" Template:CMain
Stephen Hall	Template:CRecurring	colspan="14" Template:CMain
Veronica Milsom	colspan="4" Template:CMain	Does not appear
Roz Hammond	colspan="10" Template:CMain	colspan="2" Template:CGuest	Does not appear
Nicholas Bell	Does not appear					Template:CMain	Does not appear
Molly Daniels	Does not appear								Template:CMain	Does not appear
Ming-Zhu Hii	Does not appear								Template:CMain	Does not appear
Michelle Brasier	Does not appear									colspan="2" Template:CMain	Does not appear
Christie Whelan Browne	Does not appear									colspan="6" Template:CMain
Kate Jenkinson	Does not appear														colspan="15" Template:CRecurring

Notes

Broadcast

Without producing a pilot episode, the initial series consisting of ten episodes was broadcast from May through July of 2012. A second series with twelve episodes followed in 2013. The third installment, comprising ten episodes, started weekly airings in February 2014, succeeded by a fourth season later that year and a fifth beginning in February 2015. Subsequent seasons continued on a regular schedule: the sixth launched in May 2016, the seventh in June 2017, the eighth in January 2018, and the ninth in September 2018. The tenth season premiered in June 2019.

At the ABC Upfronts event for 2020, two new series were announced for production during that year, beginning with the eleventh series airing in February. Owing to COVID-19 social distancing protocols, later episodes were produced without a live audience. The twelfth series commenced in August 2020 under similar restrictions. Additionally, a special Christmas episode was broadcast in December of that year.

In July 2022, it was revealed that the program would not continue with its existing ensemble. Shaun Micallef mentioned ongoing negotiations with ABC regarding modifications to the format but confirmed that the "original version," featuring him as host, would not persist indefinitely.

Recurring segments and characters

Bill Shorten's Zingers

During Bill Shorten’s initial period as Opposition Leader, Micallef showcased clips where Shorten delivered puns or "dad jokes," typically critiquing government policies. Each joke was punctuated by an on-screen "Zinger!" graphic accompanied by a roaring sound effect for comedic emphasis. Shorten himself referenced this segment during a press briefing defending ABC funding cuts, which was subsequently incorporated into the show as one of his "zingers."

Lamentable Puns

In this segment, Micallef and his "junior sub-editor," Chris Lorax (portrayed by Tosh Greenslade), analyze front-page headlines from the Daily Telegraph. Lorax provides explanations for often ridiculous headlines and dismisses any criticism by stating "It’s just a bit of fun."

Political Singers/Clockwork Satirists

Mentions of political figures are followed by clips featuring singers who weave their names into songs—for instance, Barnaby Joyce associated with "Chattanooga Choo Choo," and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono featured in a parody of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Extended musical parodies include a David Bowie-inspired critique of the 2014 Foreign Fighters Act with Micallef impersonating Christopher Walken.

HYPERthetical

Micallef facilitates debates on hypothetical topics such as euthanasia and same-sex marriage, satirizing the ABC program Tomorrow Tonight, originally hosted by Charlie Pickering and Annabel Crabb.

Tony from Border Force

Introduced in the third series and portrayed by Stephen Hall, Tony appears at segment conclusions to subdue disruptive guests using a taser before escorting them offstage—often targeting critics leaning left who oppose the Abbott government.

Darius Horsham

Stephen Hall plays this character acting as spokesperson for Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, delivering lines with a pronounced Germanic accent reminiscent of Schwarzenegger and Cormann himself. The character is notable for aggressively chewing cigars—a reference to controversy surrounding Cormann and Joe Hockey’s cigar smoking during the 2014 budget—and routinely rebuffs criticism with phrases like "Don't be an economic girly-man," reportedly used by Cormann against Bill Shorten.

Dolly Norman

Roz Hammond portrays Jacqui Lambie’s straightforward speechwriter who deciphers Lambie’s often confusing or offensive statements. These skits frequently conclude with Micallef breaking the fourth wall in a manner similar to Frank Underwood.

Vomitoria Catchment

A parody of right-wing blogger Miranda Devine, played by Roz Hammond, this character critiques the Labor government before transitioning to serve as Tony Abbott’s Press Secretary following his election victory in 2013.

Lois Price

Emily Taheny’s role is that of a current affairs reporter resembling a morning television traffic presenter but frequently shifts into promotional segments, signing off each time with "I'm Lois Price from Mad as Hell."

Tosh Greenslade

Appearing as himself, Greenslade dons various wigs and glasses to humorously clarify government policies through quirky comparisons—for example, likening asylum seeker policies to layers of lamington cake—with Micallef wrapping up each segment.

Casper Jonquil

Also played by Greenslade, this talkback radio shock jock character rambles incoherently while complaining loudly. He has held multiple roles including osteopath and neighborhood watch member and hosts parody programs such as Right Minded and quiz show Why the Hell?

Vice Rear Admiral Sir Bobo Gargle

Francis Greenslade embodies this Australian Navy officer who discusses maritime issues and typically concludes interviews by unleashing the Kraken (Michael Ward).

Larry Sideburns

Another character portrayed by Greenslade; Larry is an entrepreneur pitching his latest venture but is frequently overshadowed by his wife.

Draymella Burt

Emily Taheny plays this sharp-tongued Liberal Party spokesperson known for witty remarks about Micallef’s perceived left-wing bias. Created in 2013, predating similar public figures like Amanda Stoker.

Brion Pegmatite

Greenslade’s depiction of Peter Dutton’s spokesperson who struggles to express empathy or regret and often seeks retribution against Scott Morrison and other Liberals amid internal party leadership conflicts.

Tamara Happenstance

Christie Whelan Browne plays a Tourism Australia ambassador embodying Australian stereotypes featuring an outback hat and apron, ending sentences with increasingly crude variations of “put a shrimp on the barbie.”

Ian Orbspider

Francis Greenslade portrays an enthusiastic scientist parodying Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, known for wearing colorful shirts and repeatedly being struck by lightning during segments—sometimes continuing his commentary even as a skeleton.

Donald McEngadine

Stephen Hall acts as Scott Morrison’s Art Director and Dirt File Coordinator who mimics Morrison’s mannerisms while spinning negative stories positively. He often exits scenes lumbering like a bear searching for berries.

Mary Brett-Punish

Emily Taheny plays Attorney-General Michaelia Cash’s aggressive spokesperson who vehemently defends her employer and is particularly irritated by repetitive stock footage showing Cash marching around Parliament. Her final appearance features her marching offstage accompanied by band music.

Series 1 (2012)

No.	Title	Original air date	Viewers

Series 2 (2013)

No.	Title	Original air date	Viewers {{Episode list   |   EpisodeNumber=19   |   Title=Episode 9   |   OriginalAirDate={{Start date     |     2013     |     4     |     17     |     df=y }}   |   Viewers=610,000   |   LineColor=999999 }} {{Episode list   |   EpisodeNumber=20   |   Title=Episode 10   |   OriginalAirDate={{Start date     |     2013     |     4     |     24     |     df=y }}    |    Viewers=617,000    |    LineColor=999999 }} {{Episode list    |    EpisodeNumber=21    |    Title=Episode 11    |    OriginalAirDate={{Start date      |      2013      |      5      |      1      |      df=y }}    |    Viewers=697,000    |    LineColor=999999 }} {{Episode list    |    EpisodeNumber=22    |    Title=Episode 12    |    OriginalAirDate={{Start date      |      2013      |      5      |      8      |      df=y }}    |    Viewers=671,000    |    LineColor=999999 }}

Series 3 (2014)

No.	Title	Original air date	Viewers

Series 4 (2014)

No.	Title	Original air date	Viewers Template:Episode list {{Episode list	EpisodeNumber = 34	Title = Episode 2	OriginalAirDate = 1 October 2014 (2014-10-01)	Viewers = 570,000

Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list |}

Series 5 (2015)

No.	Title	Original air date	Viewers

Series 6 (2016)

No.	Title	Original air date	Viewers

Series 7 (2017)

No.	Title	Original air date	Viewers

This marked the last season produced at ABC Ripponlea Studios, with the twelfth episode being among the final projects completed at this historic location.

Series 8 (2018)

No.	Title	Original air date	Viewers Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list {{Episode list   ||  EpisodeNumber   = 84   ||  Title           =  Episode 8   ||  OriginalAirDate=  Template:Start date \   || Viewers        =608,000   || LineColor        =999999   }} Template:Episode list Template:Episode list {{Episode list	EpisodeNumber = 87	Title = Episode 11	OriginalAirDate= {{Start date \|\ 2018\|\4\|\11\|\df=y}}	Viewers =544,000	LineColor =999999 }} {{Episode list	EpisodeNumber = 88	Title = Episode 12	OriginalAirDate= {{Start date \|\2018 \|\4 \|\18 \|\df=y}}	Viewers =525,000	LineColor =999999 }} {{Episode list	EpisodeNumber =89	Title = Episode13	OriginalAirDate= {{Start date \|\2018 \|\4 \|\25 \|\df=y}}	Viewers =534,000	LineColor =999999 }}

Series 9 (2018)

No.	Title	Original air date	Viewers Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list {{Episode list	EpisodeNumber = 100	Title = Episode 11	OriginalAirDate = 28 November 2018 (2018-11-28)	Viewers = 742,000

|}

Series 10 (2019)

  EpisodeNumber=110   Title= "Episode 8"   OriginalAirDate={{Start date  2019  8 14 [df=y]}}   Viewers= "585,000"   LineColor= "999999"}}    EpisodeNumber=111    Title= "Episode 9"    OriginalAirDate={{Start date   2019   8   21 [df=y]}}    Viewers= "683,000"    LineColor= "999999"}}     EpisodeNumber=112     Title= "Episode 10"     OriginalAirDate={{Start date    2019    8    28 [df=y]}}     Viewers= "686,000"     LineColor= "999999"}}         EpisodeNumber=113         Title= "Episode11"         OriginalAirDate={{Start date        2019        9        4 [df=y]}}         Viewers= "498,000"}}

Title	First broadcast	Audience

Notes

a. The third episode was initially planned for July 17 but was mistakenly broadcast earlier. It was subsequently made available on ABC iview and aired on ABC TV on July 18.

Series 11 (2020)

No.	Title	Original air date	Viewers Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list {{Episode list	EpisodeNumber = 125	Title = Episode 10	OriginalAirDate = 8 April 2020 (2020-04-08)	Viewers = 715,000

|}

Series 12 (2020)

No.	Title	Original air date	Viewers Special No. Title First Broadcast Date Audience Series 13 (2021) No. Title First Broadcast Date Audience Series 14 (2022) No. Title First Broadcast Date Audience Series 15 (2022) No. Title First Broadcast Date Audience Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list {{Episode list   │EpisodeNumber   =170   │Title           =Episode8   │OriginalAirDate=Template:Start date│2022│9│7│df=y   │Viewers          =460,000   │LineColor        =999999 }} {{Episode list   │EpisodeNumber   =171   │Title           =Episode9   │OriginalAirDate=Template:Start date│2022│9│14│df=y   │Viewers          =497,000   │LineColor        =999999 }} {{Episode list   │EpisodeNumber   =172   │Title           =Episode10: Very Final Episode   │OriginalAirDate=Template:Start date│2022│9│21│df=y   │Viewers                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           } Awards 2013 Peter Beck AACTA Award for Best Television Comedy Series 2013 Shaun Micallef's Mad as Hell Logie Award for Most Outstanding Light Entertainment Program 2014 Shaun Micallef AACTA Award for Best Performance in a Television Comedy Shaun Micallef and Peter Beck AACTA Award for Best Television Comedy or Light Entertainment Series 2016 Shaun Micallef's Mad as Hell Logie Award for Most Outstanding Comedy Program 2017 Shaun Micallef's Mad as Hell Logie Award for Most Outstanding Comedy Program 2018 Shaun Micallef's Mad as Hell Logie Award for Most Popular Comedy Program 2019 Shaun Micallef's Mad as Hell Logie Award for Most Popular Comedy Program 2020 Shaun Micallef's Mad as Hell AACTA Award for Best Comedy Entertainment Program See also Newstopia External links