The Comedy Company
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Television |
| Founded | February 16, 1988 |
| Founder | Ian McFadyen |
| Defunct | November 11, 1990 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Television sketch comedy series, merchandise (books, T-shirts, dolls, music records) |
The Comedy Company was an Australian sketch comedy series broadcast on Network Ten from 16 February 1988 until 11 November 1990. The program was created and directed by cast member Ian McFadyen, with Jo Lane serving as co-director and producer. It presented brief comedic sketches, continuing the legacy of earlier Australian shows such as The Mavis Bramston Show, The Naked Vicar Show, and The D-Generation, featuring several performers from those productions. Most episodes were filmed in Melbourne.
The show left a lasting mark on Australian popular culture and garnered a devoted fanbase, especially among younger viewers.
History
In 1987, Ian McFadyen developed The Comedy Company following a commission by Network Ten for the Media Arts Company to create a weekly hour-long comedy series. Debuting in February 1988, it rapidly became the decade’s leading comedy program, often achieving the highest weekly television ratings despite facing competition from the well-established Sunday current affairs program 60 Minutes. Its popularity stemmed largely from providing distinctive family-oriented entertainment on Sunday nights. The series held top ratings for two consecutive years.
The third and final installment, named The New Comedy Company, introduced a predominantly new ensemble alongside returning original cast members but was discontinued within one year.
In 2002, an hour-long compilation titled The Comedy Company: So Excellent was released, featuring highlights from the original run and nodding to Mary Anne Fahey’s character Kylie Mole’s famous catchphrase.
Characters
The program introduced memorable characters such as the schoolgirl Kylie Mole, the unemployed Col'n Carpenter, the elderly pensioner Uncle Arthur, and notably the greengrocer Con the Fruiterer.
Mark Mitchell continued his portrayal of Con the Fruiterer—a Greek Australian fruit seller—across various television appearances and advertising campaigns, including a 2010 initiative promoting fruit consumption.
Mary-Anne Fahey’s Kylie Mole, a sullen schoolgirl known for interviewing celebrities, played a significant role in popularizing the term "bogan". The character reappeared in the 1993 ABC series Kittson Fahey.
Glenn Robbins frequently embodied Uncle Arthur both publicly and on television, referencing the role on The Panel, including donning full costume for its 2005 Christmas special.
Cast and characters
- Mark Mitchell as Con the Fruiterer, Marika, Glenn Gelding
- Mary-Anne Fahey as Kylie Mole, Josephine, Sharon Maclaren
- Ian McFadyen as David Rabbitborough
- Glenn Robbins as Uncle Arthur/Gary Dare, Darren Maclaren
- Kym Gyngell as Col'n Carpenter
- Russell Gilbert as Russ the Postie
- Tim Smith in various roles
- Christine Keogh
- Siobhan Tute
Celebrity guests
Throughout its run, The Comedy Company featured appearances by both national and international celebrities including Julian Lennon, INXS, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Annie Jones, and Sigrid Thornton. In one episode, Con the Fruiterer even interacted with then-Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke.
Merchandising
The show produced an extensive range of merchandise uncommon for a comedy series, including publications like The Comedy Company Holiday Book, My Diary by Kylie Mole, and Con's Bewdiful Australia. Additionally, fans could purchase themed T-shirts, collectible dolls, and music records.
Albums
| Year | Album information | Highest chart rankings |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| 1988 | The Comedy Company Album
|
9 |
| 1989 | Comedy Company Classics
|
98 |
Singles
| Year | Single title | Highest chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| 1988 | "So Excellent / I Go I Go" (performed by Kylie Mole) | 8 | The Comedy Company Album |
| "A Cuppla Days" (performed by Con the Fruiterer) | 48 |
DVDs
A DVD collection features four discs containing selected highlights from the series:
- The Best of the Comedy Company Volume 1
- The Best of the Comedy Company Volume 2
- The Best of Con the Fruiterer
- The Best of Col'n Carpenter
Logie Awards
The program earned back-to-back Logie Awards in 1989 and 1990 for Most Popular Light Entertainment/Comedy Program. Additionally, cast member Mary-Anne Fahey received the Logie for Most Popular Light Entertainment/Comedy Personality in 1989.
ARIA Music Awards
The Comedy Company secured one ARIA Music Award out of two nominations in the category of Best Comedy Release:
| Year | Work | Award | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | The Comedy Company Album | Best Comedy Release | Won |
| 1990 | Comedy Company Classics | Best Comedy Release | Nominated |
Col'n Carpenter
The 1990 Australian sitcom spinoff, Col'n Carpenter, featured Kym Gyngell reprising his role from The Comedy Company. The show ran for two seasons and included co-stars Stig Wemyss and Vicki Blanche. In its second season, singer Kaarin Fairfax replaced Blanche, and former Prisoner actress Monica Maughan joined as Carpenter’s mother.
Guest appearances featured actors such as Ben Mendelsohn, Annie Jones, and Tracy Mann.
Con's Bewdiful Holiday Videos
In 1997, Network 10 broadcast Con's Bewdiful Holiday Videos, a spinoff starring Mark Mitchell as Con the Fruiterer alongside his wife Marika. This program blended sitcom-style storytelling with comedic home video clips, resembling formats like Australia's Funniest Home Videos.