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The Big Gig

From Alfawiki
The Big Gig
Company typeTelevision program
IndustryTelevision entertainment
Founded1989
Defunct1992
Headquarters
Australia
Key people
Ted Robinson, Neil Wilson, Wendy Harmer, Doug Anthony All-Stars
ProductsTelevision comedy and variety show

The Big Gig was a well-known Australian television program blending sketch comedy with music and variety elements, drawing inspiration from the British series Saturday Live. It aired on ABC TV between 1989 and 1992, under the direction of Ted Robinson and Neil Wilson.

Program Overview

Primarily sourcing talent from Melbourne’s stand-up comedy circuit, The Big Gig served as a launching pad for numerous comedians who later achieved national recognition, including host Wendy Harmer and the musical comedy group Doug Anthony All-Stars (DAAS). Initially named Tuesday Night Live, the series merged comedic sketches with musical performances, providing a distinctive platform for up-and-coming artists.

Episodes commonly began with a monologue delivered by Wendy Harmer or, in earlier episodes, Glynn Nicholas. These were followed by musical segments featuring resident bands such as The Swinging Sidewalks, Bachelors from Prague, or Zydeko Jump. The program typically concluded with these bands playing as the credits rolled.

Among the memorable characters was 'Veronica Glenhuntly' (portrayed by Jean Kittson), a sharp-tongued newsreader whose storylines involved on-screen romantic entanglements and family dynamics. Accompanied by weather presenter Clinton Funt (Phillip Scott), this character satirized Melbourne’s local news scene and its affluent suburb Glenhuntly. Kittson also brought to life other notable personas including Candida Royale and Rose McCloud.

The show showcased emerging comedians such as Judith Lucy, Anthony Morgan, Jimeoin, Greg Fleet, Lano and Woodley, Scared Weird Little Guys, and The Umbilical Brothers. Regular performers took on iconic roles: Glynn Nicholas appeared as children’s entertainer Paté Biscuit and Sergeant F*kn Smith, with Shaun Micallef contributing to the writing of Nicholas’s material. Matt Parkinson and Matthew Quartermaine formed The Empty Pockets' Lager Boys, delivering anarchic sketches that humorously advertised fictional products.

Sydney-based comedian Anthony Ackroyd joined the cast following guest appearances, performing stand-up routines and characters like Addam and Constable Constable. Angela Moore and Glenn Butcher portrayed Shirley Purvis and her son Darren—characters that originated from The Castanet Club troupe. Other frequent contributors included Denise Scott, Tracy Harvey, Lynda Gibson, Phillip Scott, and Paul Livingston as Flacco.

The Doug Anthony All Stars were the program’s major attraction with their irreverent blend of musical comedy and incisive social commentary. They regularly closed episodes until 1991 when they moved on to their own ABC series titled DAAS Kapital. In 2008, their early performances from The Big Gig were made available on DVD.

Broadcast Information

  • Series 1: 28 February 1989 – 6 June 1989 (15 episodes)
  • Series 2: 29 August 1989 – 21 November 1989 (13 episodes)
  • Series 3: 6 March 1990 – 22 May 1990 (12 episodes)
  • Series 4: 28 August 1990 – 13 November 1990 (12 episodes)
  • Series 5: 30 April 1991 – 16 July 1991 (11 episodes)
  • Specials aired on: 31 March, 19 May, and 14 July 1992

Occasional reruns of The Big Gig are broadcast on The Comedy Channel.

See also

External links

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