“It’s upsettingly silly,” declares Mark Samual Bonanno about the sketch comedy series “Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun.” Zachery Ruane from the show adds, “If you have had a tough day, if you have had to think a lot, or you are stressed about the world, we are trying to be something that is the opposite of that.” Watch our exclusive video interview above.
The Netflix sketch series is created by the Australian absurdist comedy group “Aunty Donna.” Bonanno, Ruane and Broden Kelly are the members that star in the series. Director Max Miller,composer Tom Armstrong and producer Sam Lingham complete the group. They first garnered attention through viral comedy videos on YouTube. Ruane explains, “We’ve been doing sketch together as an ensemble for nearly 10 years. When we got to this show, we’d done two pilots, a lot of online stuff and created and...
The Netflix sketch series is created by the Australian absurdist comedy group “Aunty Donna.” Bonanno, Ruane and Broden Kelly are the members that star in the series. Director Max Miller,composer Tom Armstrong and producer Sam Lingham complete the group. They first garnered attention through viral comedy videos on YouTube. Ruane explains, “We’ve been doing sketch together as an ensemble for nearly 10 years. When we got to this show, we’d done two pilots, a lot of online stuff and created and...
- 4/28/2021
- by Matt Noble
- Gold Derby
It’s morning in Australia which means Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun, Netflix’s new sketch comedy series, has been out for more than a day when we meet the show’s stars over Zoom. The Aussie comedians who comprise the troupe Aunty Donna—Broden Kelly, Mark Samual Bonanno, and Zachary Ruane—are already fielding scathing reviews.
“My mum didn’t care for the ‘Morning Brown’ song,” says Ruane, referring to a rousing musical number—about morning coffee that unfurls into a string of raunchy sexcapades—that kicks off episode two. “I called her on the night of release. I was so proud, so excited. I was like, ‘What’d you think?’ And she was like, ‘That coffee song was a bit much.’”
Although “Morning Brown” is one of the more memorable (good luck not humming it when you make your coffee after watching it) and delightfully unhinged sketches in season one,...
“My mum didn’t care for the ‘Morning Brown’ song,” says Ruane, referring to a rousing musical number—about morning coffee that unfurls into a string of raunchy sexcapades—that kicks off episode two. “I called her on the night of release. I was so proud, so excited. I was like, ‘What’d you think?’ And she was like, ‘That coffee song was a bit much.’”
Although “Morning Brown” is one of the more memorable (good luck not humming it when you make your coffee after watching it) and delightfully unhinged sketches in season one,...
- 12/30/2020
- by Chris Longo
- Den of Geek
I can honestly say that I have never imagined anything, in my entire life, as chaotic as Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun – the new sketch-based comedy show available on Netflix. This series is brought to you by the creative team called simply Aunty Donna, who I personally never heard of before, and they play strange characters based on themes levels in a weird cartoon-esque world. From my research, I have discovered that this team are based in Australia… and so there are many Australians specific references that I did not understand. I found a video which pointed out all theses references but I still did not understand any of these due to being from the totally other side of the planet. This show does promote this comedy groups which is fundamentally the main purpose that people create Netflix style shows. I believe that the show is a...
- 12/2/2020
- by Rhys Payne
- Nerdly
‘Reputation Rehab.’
Two years ago writers-producers Sophie Braham and Melina Wicks had the idea of a show which tackled ‘outrage culture,’ the ugly phenomenon of public figures being pilloried in Tweets and media headlines for real or imagined mistakes.
Together with Cjz’s Nick Murray, they pitched the idea to the ABC, which agreed to fund the development of Reputation Rehab.
Presented by Kirsten Drysdale and Zoe Norton Lodge, who are co-writing and co-producing with Braham and Wicks, the eight-part show premieres at 9.05 pm on October 28 and could not be more topical, according to Nick Hayden.
“It’s a show about shaming, the outrage in the media cycle and the audience’s involvement in how that cycle perpetuates itself,” says Hayden, who was promoted earlier this month to ABC head of entertainment from entertainment manager.
The first episode centres on tennis ‘bad boy’ Nick Kyrgios, who agreed to a rare...
Two years ago writers-producers Sophie Braham and Melina Wicks had the idea of a show which tackled ‘outrage culture,’ the ugly phenomenon of public figures being pilloried in Tweets and media headlines for real or imagined mistakes.
Together with Cjz’s Nick Murray, they pitched the idea to the ABC, which agreed to fund the development of Reputation Rehab.
Presented by Kirsten Drysdale and Zoe Norton Lodge, who are co-writing and co-producing with Braham and Wicks, the eight-part show premieres at 9.05 pm on October 28 and could not be more topical, according to Nick Hayden.
“It’s a show about shaming, the outrage in the media cycle and the audience’s involvement in how that cycle perpetuates itself,” says Hayden, who was promoted earlier this month to ABC head of entertainment from entertainment manager.
The first episode centres on tennis ‘bad boy’ Nick Kyrgios, who agreed to a rare...
- 10/22/2020
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
In today’s TV news roundup, HBO Max released a trailer for “The Flight Attendant,” and Spotify released a one-time show with Matthew McConaughey.
Dates
Season 15 of CMT‘s “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team” will premiere on Nov. 24 and be simulcast on CMT and MTV at 10 p.m. Due to Covid-19 safety protocols, the auditions for this year’s cast were held virtually, and the Dcc Summer Training Camp took place inside a bubble. The cheerleaders will perform to impress judges director of cheerleading Kelli Finglass and head choreographer Judy Trammell. Melissa Rycroft Strickland will return to mentor and guest judge on the show, while choreographers Charm La’Donna, Travis Wall and Evan Miller will also return.
Netflix announced that “Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun” will premiere Nov. 11. The streaming platform also shared a trailer for the sketch series by Australian comedy group Aunty Donna, which...
Dates
Season 15 of CMT‘s “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team” will premiere on Nov. 24 and be simulcast on CMT and MTV at 10 p.m. Due to Covid-19 safety protocols, the auditions for this year’s cast were held virtually, and the Dcc Summer Training Camp took place inside a bubble. The cheerleaders will perform to impress judges director of cheerleading Kelli Finglass and head choreographer Judy Trammell. Melissa Rycroft Strickland will return to mentor and guest judge on the show, while choreographers Charm La’Donna, Travis Wall and Evan Miller will also return.
Netflix announced that “Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun” will premiere Nov. 11. The streaming platform also shared a trailer for the sketch series by Australian comedy group Aunty Donna, which...
- 10/20/2020
- by Eli Countryman
- Variety Film + TV
Niki Aken at Charlie’s in La
Like the rest of the crew and cast, Niki Aken was gutted when the production of the ABC comedy Why Are You Like This was shut down with two weeks filming to go.
Aken is the script producer on the six-part show created and written by Naomi Higgins, Humyara Mahbub and Aunty Donna’s Mark Samual Bonanno, produced by Sarah Freeman for the directors Jessie Oldfield and Adam Murfet’s production company Ckol.
A spin-off of the pilot funded by the Screen Australia/ABC Fresh Blood initiative, the series follows best friends Mia (Olivia Junkeer) and Penny (Higgins) and Penny’s aloof housemate Austin (Wil King).
“Obviously it was the the right call, but gutting for the cast and crew,” Niki says. “It was a normal, human response to an unprecedented situation.
“I am one of the lucky ones as an in-demand writer...
Like the rest of the crew and cast, Niki Aken was gutted when the production of the ABC comedy Why Are You Like This was shut down with two weeks filming to go.
Aken is the script producer on the six-part show created and written by Naomi Higgins, Humyara Mahbub and Aunty Donna’s Mark Samual Bonanno, produced by Sarah Freeman for the directors Jessie Oldfield and Adam Murfet’s production company Ckol.
A spin-off of the pilot funded by the Screen Australia/ABC Fresh Blood initiative, the series follows best friends Mia (Olivia Junkeer) and Penny (Higgins) and Penny’s aloof housemate Austin (Wil King).
“Obviously it was the the right call, but gutting for the cast and crew,” Niki says. “It was a normal, human response to an unprecedented situation.
“I am one of the lucky ones as an in-demand writer...
- 3/27/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Michael Carrington.
The ABC intends to ramp up digital-first content as well as reaching new audiences, including those who rarely if ever watch broadcast television.
“We look for content that works across multiple platforms to appeal to a multitude of people, from traditional broadcast audiences to viewers who have never seen a TV schedule,” Michael Carrington, ABC director of entertainment and specialist, tells If.
“Great content is great content, no matter how people watch it. Programs like Total Control and Killing Eve have attracted younger audiences on iview in addition to strong results on linear. So we are not just talking about increasing the volume of digital-first content but how we can better curate content between our platforms.
“Saying that, we need to meet the growing expectation of audiences for high-quality content on demand. That will mean a greater focus on enhancing our content and technology for digital audiences, from...
The ABC intends to ramp up digital-first content as well as reaching new audiences, including those who rarely if ever watch broadcast television.
“We look for content that works across multiple platforms to appeal to a multitude of people, from traditional broadcast audiences to viewers who have never seen a TV schedule,” Michael Carrington, ABC director of entertainment and specialist, tells If.
“Great content is great content, no matter how people watch it. Programs like Total Control and Killing Eve have attracted younger audiences on iview in addition to strong results on linear. So we are not just talking about increasing the volume of digital-first content but how we can better curate content between our platforms.
“Saying that, we need to meet the growing expectation of audiences for high-quality content on demand. That will mean a greater focus on enhancing our content and technology for digital audiences, from...
- 1/6/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Stateless.’
The ABC’s 2020 programming slate unveiled today is packed with new documentaries and factual series – but there is a distinct air of déjà vu in the categories of drama and comedy.
No new commissions were announced in either genre, but that does not necessarily mean there will be fewer local dramas or comedies on screen next year, despite budget cutbacks.
Referring to the $84 million funding reduction over three years on top of cuts of $50 million a year since 2014, Michael Carrington, ABC director, entertainment and specialist, tells If: “To date, ABC management has found ongoing savings that will total about $17 million a year from next year.
“We’ve looked carefully at non-content related initiatives such as renegotiating third-party contracts. Management will also undertake reviews of our property portfolio and our acquisitions expenditure to assess where other savings may be made.
“It’s good progress but more needs to be done to meet our savings target.
The ABC’s 2020 programming slate unveiled today is packed with new documentaries and factual series – but there is a distinct air of déjà vu in the categories of drama and comedy.
No new commissions were announced in either genre, but that does not necessarily mean there will be fewer local dramas or comedies on screen next year, despite budget cutbacks.
Referring to the $84 million funding reduction over three years on top of cuts of $50 million a year since 2014, Michael Carrington, ABC director, entertainment and specialist, tells If: “To date, ABC management has found ongoing savings that will total about $17 million a year from next year.
“We’ve looked carefully at non-content related initiatives such as renegotiating third-party contracts. Management will also undertake reviews of our property portfolio and our acquisitions expenditure to assess where other savings may be made.
“It’s good progress but more needs to be done to meet our savings target.
- 11/7/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Why Are You Like This‘.
Comedy Why Are You Like This, one of four pilots supported through Screen Australia and the ABC’s Fresh Blood initiative, has been greenlit for a six-part series.
Created and written by Naomi Higgins, Humyara Mahbub and Aunty Donna’s Mark Samual Bonanno, Why Are You Like This follows best friends Mia and Penny as they navigate their 20s in Melbourne, along with Penny’s dramatic and aloof housemate, Austin. Guided by their own modern day moral code, they confront complex social issues in an outrage driven world, leaving a path of destruction in their wake.
Screen Australia and the ABC’s ongoing Fresh Blood initiative is designed to uncover a new generation of comedic talent. Why Are You Like This was one of four pilots produced thanks to the program in 2018, alongside Michael Cusack’s Aacta-nominated Koala Man, Becky Lucas and Cameron James’ Be...
Comedy Why Are You Like This, one of four pilots supported through Screen Australia and the ABC’s Fresh Blood initiative, has been greenlit for a six-part series.
Created and written by Naomi Higgins, Humyara Mahbub and Aunty Donna’s Mark Samual Bonanno, Why Are You Like This follows best friends Mia and Penny as they navigate their 20s in Melbourne, along with Penny’s dramatic and aloof housemate, Austin. Guided by their own modern day moral code, they confront complex social issues in an outrage driven world, leaving a path of destruction in their wake.
Screen Australia and the ABC’s ongoing Fresh Blood initiative is designed to uncover a new generation of comedic talent. Why Are You Like This was one of four pilots produced thanks to the program in 2018, alongside Michael Cusack’s Aacta-nominated Koala Man, Becky Lucas and Cameron James’ Be...
- 9/24/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
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