Wednesday Night Fever
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | July 3, 2013 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Satirical sketch comedy television show |
| Parent | ABC1 |
Wednesday Night Fever was an Australian satirical sketch show with a topical focus, produced and aired by ABC1, debuting on 3 July 2013.
Comedian Sammy J served as the host, guiding a format that blended live studio segments with pre-filmed sketches. The program showcased timely impersonations, satirical personas, musical comedy, and featured special guests performing before a live audience. The series was overseen by Executive Producers Rick Kalowski and Greg Quail, who previously worked on At Home With Julia. The accompanying house band was the heavy metal ensemble Boner Contention, led by comedian and musician Dave Eastgate.
Originally, the series intended to include a recurring parody named "Downton Abbott," a spoof of Downton Abbey casting Tony Abbott as the Duke and then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard as the Duchess. However, this segment was removed after Gillard was replaced by Kevin Rudd shortly before the show aired, necessitating swift revisions to the scripts.
Each episode typically concluded with musical performances impersonating notable public figures. Examples include Heath Franklin portraying 'Clive Palmer' in a rendition of Wings' "Live and Let Die" retitled "Live and Let Clive," and Genevieve Morris as 'Gina Rinehart' performing a parody of Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child o' Mine" called "Sweet Child o'Mines." In August 2013, Clive Palmer made a guest appearance, delivering a segment he authored himself.
After completing one season, Wednesday Night Fever ended in August 2013 without being renewed.
Cast
The ensemble cast comprised comedians and actors:
- Amanda Bishop
- Paul McCarthy
- Genevieve Morris
- Dave Eastgate
- Heath Franklin
- Anne Edmonds
- Robin Goldsworthy
- Lisa Adam