Skithouse
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television, Entertainment |
| Founded | 9 February 2003 |
| Defunct | 28 July 2004 |
| Fate | Discontinued due to drop in viewership and withdrawal of co-funding partner |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Australia, United Kingdom |
Key people | Rove McManus (creator), Daina Reid (director) |
| Products | Sketch comedy television program |
| Owner | Roving Enterprises |
Skithouse (presented as skitHOUSE) was an Australian sketch comedy television program broadcast on Network Ten from 9 February 2003 until 28 July 2004. Created by Roving Enterprises, the production company established by Rove McManus, the series showcased well-known Australian comedians, including the musical comedy trio Tripod. Syndicated reruns have aired on The Comedy Channel via Foxtel, and internationally in the UK on both Paramount Comedy 2 and Trouble. The show's title cleverly plays on the slang term "shithouse".
After two seasons, the series was discontinued due to a drop in viewership and the withdrawal of Foxtel as a co-funding partner.
Cast
Under the banner of Roving Enterprises, Skithouse featured prominent performers associated with Rove McManus’s network, notably co-hosts Peter Helliar and Corinne Grant. The cast also included comedians such as Cal Wilson, Scott Brennan, Fiona Harris, Damian Callinan, Roz Hammond, Michael Chamberlin, Ingrid Bloom, Tom Gleeson, Jason Geary, and Ben Anderson. The comedic music group Tripod—members Scod (Scott Edgar), Yon (Simon Hall), and Gatesy (Steven Gates)—contributed both musically and through sketch performances.
Direction was overseen by Daina Reid, who previously worked on Full Frontal.
Following the show's cancellation, many cast members progressed in their comedic careers: Brennan and Harris moved to Comedy Inc., while Callinan and Wilson appeared on Network Ten's The Wedge. Hammond and Anderson became part of Thank God You're Here. Since October 2016, Tom Gleeson has been hosting ABC’s quiz program Hard Quiz.
The show
Skithouse consisted of a variety of comedic sketches, frequently featuring recurring motifs through costumes, characters, props, and settings. Its comedic style was reminiscent of classic Australian sketch programs such as Full Frontal and Fast Forward, characterized by self-mocking humor and modest production effects.
A particularly memorable sketch depicted a reporter interviewing Iraqi insurgents, deriving humor from subtitling their English speech as if it were foreign—a comedic device that gained recognition for its effectiveness.
Notable characters and sketches
Several recurring characters appeared multiple times within episodes, weaving semi-continuous narratives. Prominent figures include:
- The Australian Fast Bowler (portrayed by Gleeson)
- A cricket fast bowler reminiscent of Dennis Lillee who applies his abilities heroically.
- Bubble Wrap Man (Yon)
- A spoof superhero wearing a bubble wrap cape who urges others to "Pop the bubbles on my cape!" during tense moments.
- The "I'll Snap Ya" Guy (Callinan)
- A caricatured Australian 'bogan' who recounts stories about individuals he has assaulted.
- Redheads (played by Gleeson, Wilson, Hammond, Yon)
- Stereotypical red-haired Caucasians who avoid sunlight and communicate through squeaking sounds.
- Batman (Callinan)
- A melancholic, alcoholic version of Batman with a dilapidated Batmobile, harboring romantic feelings for Robin and frequently clashing with Captain Terrific.
- The "I Love Beer" Guy (Helliar)
- A character professing a love for beer while clearly disliking it, satirizing the Australian beer-drinking stereotype.
- The Ticket Lady (Harris)
- An upbeat parking officer oblivious to public hostility, often concluding sketches by cheerfully declaring "I love this job!" even after being pelted with objects.
- Glenn Bush (Brennan)
- An awkward teenage boy featured in video diaries or biology class presentations alongside an unwelcome "friend."
- Tripod as themselves
- Three friends engaging in geek culture activities like Dungeons & Dragons and teaching dance routines.
- "Nothing Suss!" (Gleeson, Brennan)
- Two men promoting unusual products through infomercials, frequently demonstrating partner exercise gear in suggestive manners while insisting there is "nothing suss" about it.
Each episode's closing credits include a song performed by Tripod—sometimes brand-new content or pieces created during their "Song In An Hour" challenge with Triple J.
Music and theme
The primary theme was created by John Von Ahlen and produced at Subterrane Recording Studio. The closing credits acknowledge "Theme by John Von Ahlen for Planet J Productions." Additional incidental stings were also laid down at the same studio. Each episode's credits include a track by Tripod, whose extended studio renditions were later featured on the album Middleborough Rd, which secured the 2005 ARIA award for Best Comedy Release.
ARIA Music Awards
Since their inception in 1987 by the Australian Recording Industry Association, the ARIA Music Awards have celebrated outstanding achievements across various Australian music categories.
! Ref. |- | 2005 | Classic Skithouse | Best Comedy Release | | [1] |-
See also
External links
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