The Comedy Game
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Comedy anthology television episodes |
| Parent | Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) |
The Comedy Game is an Australian anthology series in the comedy genre that was broadcast on ABC during 1971 and 1973. This program showcased original comedic works designed as trial episodes, with the intention of identifying candidates for full-length television series.
Among the prominent series that originated from these episodes are Our Man in Canberra (1971), A Nice Day at the Office (1972), The Aunty Jack Show (1972), Flash Nick From Jindivick (1974), and Scattergood: Friend of All (1975).
A Nice Day at the Office
First broadcast on 2 November 1971 in Sydney and later on 25 November in Melbourne, this episode was created by Marcus Cooney and John Brendan. It centers on Harvey and Crisp, who are employees in a government filing department.
- John Bell portraying Sean Crisp
- Neil Fitzpatrick as Ted Harvey
- Fay Kelton playing Vicki Short
- Kevin Lesley as Claude Fogarty
Use No Hooks
This episode aired on 9 November 1971 in Sydney and on 2 December in Melbourne. It revolves around newlywed couple George and Peggy Trump alongside their acquaintances. Maurice Murphy served as producer.
- Keith Lee
- John Hamblin
- Grahame Bond
- Max Meldrum
- Joan Bruce
- Tessa Malone
- Anthony Wagner
- Redmond Phillips
Our Man in Canberra
Broadcast on 16 November 1971 in Sydney and 16 December in Melbourne, this episode was penned by John O'Grady.
- Jeff Ashby as Humphrey Sullivan
- Robyn Nevin portraying Kate Sullivan
- Walter Sullivan as The Minister
- Cul Cullen as Fred Larkin
- Delore Whiteman playing Mrs Wheeler
- John Meillon as Lift Mechanic
Gaudeamus Igitur
Aired on 23 December 1971 in Melbourne, this story written by Jenny Wager depicts a university department left without professors or students for three decades.
Scattergood
Presented on 9 December 1971 in Melbourne.
Aunty Jack’s Travelling Show
This episode was shown on 7 December 1971 in Sydney and later on 30 December in Melbourne. The writing team included Geoffrey Atherdon, Graham Bond, Sherman Merlick, and Peter Weir, with music and lyrics by Bond and Rory O'Donoghue.
- Grahame Bond as Aunty Jack
Arthur
First aired on 14 December 1971 in Sydney, it was written by Michael Aitkins and follows Arthur Potter, a young man who is unemployed.
- Michael Aitkens playing Arthur
- Sheila Kennelly
- Judy Morris
- Wendy Blacklock
- Hazel Phillips
Season 2 (1973)
This season was produced by Bill Munro.
Fat Max
Broadcast on 19 May 1973 in Sydney, this episode by John O'Grady focuses on the life of a bachelor aged around forty.
- Barry Lovett
- Graham Rouse
- Olivia Hamnett
Catch What I Mean?
Aired on 26 May 1973, written by John Dingwall, it is set within a drivers pool at an urban newspaper office.
- John Meillon as Lift Mechanic
- Moya O'Sullivan
- Graham Rouse
Birth, Death, Marriage
This episode was shown on 9 June 1973 in Sydney, on 23 June at 7:30 pm in Beverley, and later on 7 November in Melbourne. It consists of three distinct plays authored by Maurice Wiltshire, Ray Biehler, and Arthur Sherman that offer a satirical take on human existence.
- Garry McDonald
- Jacki Weaver
- Peter Sumner
- Willie Fennell
- Ros Spiers
The Engagement Party
Broadcast on 30 June 1973.
- Ron Frazer
- John Krummel
- Sue Walker
Flash Nick from Jindavick
Originally aired on 16 and 23 June 1973 in Sydney, and on 14 and 21 November in Melbourne. Written by Grahame Bond.
- Grahame Bond
- John Meillon as Lift Mechanic
- Martin Harris
- Garry McDonald
The Only One Left
Premiered on 2 June 1973 in Sydney.
- Garry McDonald
- Terry Bader
- Walter Sullivan
Basically Black
Basically Black represents the first television production both written and performed by Indigenous Australians, featuring:
- Aileen Corpus
- Gary Foley
- Zac Martin
- Bob Maza
- Bindi Williams