First Australia give us Neighbors and now this!

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Summer Heights High is an 8 episode mockumentary about a public school (Which the show is named after). It focus' on the lives of Jonah, a miscreant year 8 boy who just cant seem to follow the rules and faces expulsion if he doesn't improve his ways. Mr G a flamboyant performing arts teacher who feels he could have become a famous actor but decided his talents were better suited to teaching children to be as great as he is, and thirdly Ja' Mie a private school girl who is sent to Summer Heights High on an exchange deal to prove that Public and Private schools offer exactly the same level of education.

I've just spent the past four hours watching SHH from start to finish, the episodes are only half an hour long and it is quite a short lived series. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it, the 3 main characters are played by the same actor Chris Lilley who also Created, and Directed the entire thing. This man is extremely talented and he adapts to each roll perfectly, stereotyping your average year 11 girl, and your regular year 8 rebel in exactly the right way. The character of Mr G reminded me at first of David Brent from the UK's Office. He loves himself, but he is disregarded by the rest of his peers. I would say it is likely that the character is inspired by Brent in some ways, but it did not leave me feeling like I was just watching a Clone, Mr G suffers far more from illusions of grandeur to be considered a copy. Overall, the characters are very likable, and I am extremely impressed with Chris Lilleys talents.

Something I particularly loved about the show was its catchphrases. Being English I have no idea wether these were common place in Australia before Summer Heights High, but if it gains popularity over here I imagine Ginger people will forever be known as "Rangas" for their Orangutan hair colors. Part of me wishes I was still at school so I could use phrases such as "Are you on your period or what Miss?" and the brilliant [picture of a penis] tation (dick-tation) Tag which Jonah plasters over everything.
The show seemed to have its targets set from the start, with frequent jokes about Asians, Fat people, Ginger folks, Lesbians, Poor people to name but a few. It wasn't performed in an outrageous South park style, but more of a "Laugh at the ignorant, narrow minded, private school girl" kind of way.

I rated this 8/10 as I felt that it was very well performed. It is shot on site in a real Australian school and has many young actors and actresses in it who all act perfectly for their ages. Included in the cast are several disabled children who also perform to a high standard.

The most impressive aspect of the show is the fact that 1 man has invested so much effort towards it, there are not many things we watch now days which have had such input from only one person. Of course there are supporting actors, and supporting workers behind the scenes, but it must have taken such a long time to perform in every single scene of the show, and to do it at the standard given. I am surprised this has only aired on BBC 3 in England as usually that channel is reserved for shows such as "Titty Titty Bang Bang" If they keep airing shows like this then they will be on to a winner as they already house 2 other comedies I enjoy, "The Mighty Boosh" and to a lesser extent (Lesser than the Boosh and SHH) "Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps"

Good work Australia!

8/10

Comments

GemLil

Posted : 1 month, 1 week ago at Jul 29 19:35

I'm well related to this guy.

Added by RB6K 2 months ago on 20 June 2008 06:25