The D-Generation
| Company type | Television production |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television, Comedy |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Television sketch comedy series, radio programs, video/DVD releases, albums |
The D-Generation was a landmark Australian television sketch comedy series initially produced and aired by the ABC across two seasons from 1986 to 1987. Subsequently, four special episodes were broadcast on the Seven Network between 1988 and 1989. The program introduced early portrayals of memorable characters including Lynne Postlethwaite, Gina Hard-Faced B***h, Eileen Maverick, and Kelvin Cunnington.
Synopsis
Under the production and direction of Kris Noble, the series was developed and scripted by a team of Melbourne University students who had already earned local acclaim through their theatrical performances: Rob Sitch, Santo Cilauro, Marg Downey, Michael Veitch, Magda Szubanski, John Harrison, and Tom Gleisner. Founding cast member Nicholas Bufalo appeared in the unaired 1985 pilot before transitioning to the television drama A Country Practice. Several sketches authored by Bufalo were adapted into the initial series, and he later returned for the special episodes. Comedians Jane Turner and New Zealander Tony Martin joined the ensemble during the second season, with alumni from Melbourne Uni Revue Mick Molloy and Jason Stephens added for the specials.
- Nicholas Bufalo (1985, 1988–89)
- John Harrison (1985–89)
- Magda Szubanski (1985–89)
- Marg Downey (1985–89)
- Michael Veitch (1985–89)
- Rob Sitch (1985–93)
- Santo Cilauro (1985–93)
- Tom Gleisner (1985–93)
- Sue Yardley (1987–88)
- Jane Turner (1987–89)
- Tony Martin (1987–93)
- Jane Kennedy (1988–93)
- Jason Stephens (1988–93)
- Mick Molloy (1988–93)
- Judith Lucy (1991–93)
Video and DVD releases
Two compilation videos were made available: The Best of the Original D-Generation (1996), which showcased selected highlights from the ABC broadcasts. The subsequent release in 1997, titled Degenocide: The Second Best of the Original D-Generation, featured additional content from the ABC series along with material from the Channel 7 specials, including well-received Homicide parodies. This edition also contained bonus features such as Super 8 footage from their university years, clips from a Channel 9 pilot, music videos, home recordings from their 1991 stage performance at Le Joke, and appearances on shows like Countdown and Burke's Backyard.
In 2004, these two videos were consolidated into a single DVD entitled The Best and Second Best of the D-Generation.
Radio serial
The D Generation breakfast program was a highly popular radio show broadcast over six years—from 19 May 1986 until April 1992—on Melbourne’s Triple M, originally known as EON FM. Selected highlights from this radio series were released on various albums.
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | AUS |
|---|---|---|
| Thanks for Being You | Released: 1987
Label: ABC Records (L-25042) Format: LP, Cassette |
- |
| The Satanic Sketches | Released: December 1989
Label: Mushroom Records (L-30223) Format: LP, Cassette, CD |
50 |
| The Breakfast Tapes (1988-90) | Released: September 1990
Label: ABC Records (L-30421) Format: LP, CD |
47 |
Singles
| Year | Title | AUS | Certification | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | "Degeneration" | - | Thanks for Being You!! | |
| 1989 | "Five in a Row" | 12 | ARIA: Gold | The Satanic Sketches |
| 1990 | "Five More in a Row" | 37 | The Breakfast Tapes (1988-90) |
ARIA Music Awards
The ARIA Music Awards honor outstanding achievements and creativity within the Australian music industry. The D-Generation received one win from two nominations.
| Year | Work | Category | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | The Satanic Sketches | ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release | Won |
| 1991 | The Breakfast Tapes (1988-90) | ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release | Nominated |
Breakfast show lineup
- Rob Sitch (19 May 1986 / Jan. 1989–Dec. 1991)
- Tom Gleisner (19 May 1986–April 1992)
- Santo Cilauro (19 May 1986–April 1992)
- Tony Martin (June 1987–Dec. 1991)
- Michael Veitch (Oct. 1987–April 1989)
- Marg Downey (June 1988–April 1989)
- Magda Szubanski (June 1988–April 1989)
- Jane Kennedy (June 1988–April 1992)
- Mick Molloy (Jan. 1990–April 1992)
- Jason Stephens (Jan. 1990–April 1992)
- Judith Lucy (April 1991–April 1992)
- John Harrison (Sept.–Dec. 1991)
Post D-Generation
Several principal members such as Sitch, Gleisner, Martin, Cilauro, Molloy, Stephens, and Jane Kennedy moved on to the acclaimed ABC TV series The Late Show from 1992 to 1993, with Judith Lucy joining during its second season.
Meanwhile, Veitch, Downey, Szubanski, and Turner joined the well-known sketch comedy program Fast Forward airing on Seven Network between 1989 and 1992. They later appeared in its follow-up series, Full Frontal (1993–1997), notable for launching the career of actor and comedian Eric Bana.
From Fast Forward, Channel Seven developed comedies like Big Girl's Blouse (1994) and Something Stupid (1998), which featured Szubanski, Turner, Riley, and Downey—who subsequently starred in the popular show Kath & Kim from 2002 to 2007.
In 2015, Szubanski, Riley, Turner, Downey, and Veitch reunited for the sketch comedy series Open Slather broadcast on Foxtel's The Comedy Channel.
Rob, Santo and Tom
Original cast members Rob Sitch, Santo Cilauro, and Tom Gleisner, alongside Jane Kennedy and longtime producer Michael Hirsh, head the prominent Australian production company Working Dog Productions.
Television:
- Frontline (1994–1997)
- Funky Squad (1995)
- The Campaign (Documentary) (1996)
- A River Somewhere (1997–1998)
- The Panel (1998–2004)
- All Aussie Adventures (2001–2004)
- Thank God You're Here (2006–2009)
- The Hollowmen (2008)
- Utopia (2014–)
Radio productions:
- Funky Squad (1994)
- Medico Point (1995)
- Implausible Rescue (1996)
- Johnny Swank (1996)
Films:
- The Castle (1997)
- The Dish (2000)
- Any Questions for Ben? (2012)
Publications:
- Molvanîa: A Land Untouched by Modern Dentistry (2003)
- Phaic Tăn: Sunstroke on a Shoestring (2004)
- San Sombrèro: A Land of Carnivals, Cocktails and Coups (2006)
Tony and Mick
Tony Martin and Mick Molloy have collaborated sporadically across film, radio, and television projects. Their prominent venture, Martin/Molloy, spanned four years and produced three compilation albums that each secured ARIA Awards: The Brown Album (1995), Poop Chute (1996), and Eat Your Peas (1998).
Their partnership came to an end in 2007 following a public disagreement concerning the DVD release of Boytown.
Television:
- The Mick Molloy Show (1999)
- Any Given Sunday (2006) (Molloy)
- The Nation (2007) (Molloy)
- Before the Game (2007–2013) (Molloy)
- The Jesters (2009, 2011) (Molloy)
- A Quiet Word With... (2010–2011) (Martin)
- The Joy of Sets (2011) (Martin)
Radio:
- Bulltwang (September–December 1991)
- Martin/Molloy (1995–1998)
- Tough Love, hosted by Mick Molloy (2004–2006)
- Get This, with Tony Martin (2006–2007)
- The Lonely Hearts Club, with Tony Martin (February–April 2011)
- The Hot Breakfast, with Mick Molloy (2011–2017)
Film:
- Tackle Happy (2000)
- Crackerjack (2002)
- Bad Eggs (2003)
- BoyTown (2006)
Books:
- Lolly Scramble, by Tony Martin (2005)
- A Nest of Occasionals, by Tony Martin (2009)
- Scarcely Relevant, an ebook by Tony Martin (2012)
- Deadly Kerfuffle, authored by Tony Martin (2017)
Additional cast members
Michael Veitch and Marg Downey returned to sketch comedy with Let Loose Live in 2005; however, the show was cancelled after just two episodes due to poor viewership.
Veitch appeared in the short-lived Channel 7 period sitcom Bligh (1992), was a regular on TV-1's Shock Jock from 2001 to 2002, and featured in the Comedy Channel's Open Slather in 2015. His career also includes hosting ABC-TV's Sunday Arts, working as a radio announcer for ABC, authoring six books—four focusing on WWII aviation—and performing in theatre productions such as the Countdown tribute musical I Can't Believe it's Not Countdown.
Downey's credits encompass numerous film and television roles, including the 1994 TV movie Economy Class, the 2000 sitcom Sit Down, Shut Up, a recurring part in Kath & Kim, as well as appearances in the US series Nightmares & Dreamscapes (2006) and the 2012 film Kath & Kimderella.
Nick Bufalo transitioned into a successful television director role, producing videos and specials for the Australian children's group The Wiggles.
Jason Stephens serves as Director of Development at Fremantlemedia Australia, a major independent TV production company. His production credits include the AFI Award-winning telemovie The King, executive producing Shaun Micallef's Newstopia from 2007 to 2008, and creating The Choir of Hard Knocks.
John Harrison departed from the ensemble in 1991 to pursue a career in the corporate sector but made guest appearances on The Late Show during 1992–1993 and had a cameo role in Tony Martin's 2003 film Bad Eggs.
Judith Lucy has developed a prominent stand-up comedy career, contributed to radio programming, acted in films such as Crackerjack and Bad Eggs, and starred in ABC-TV productions including Judith Lucy's Spiritual Journey and Judith Lucy is All Woman.'