John W

Frank Woodley tries hard to be a modern Mr Bean, with a dark undercurrent and a distinctly Aussie flavour. He seems to have what it takes to deliver the physical humour, but lacks the timing and scripting tightness to carry off this essentially one-man show on television.Painfully long sequences consistently fail to deliver anywhere near the required payoff, for example, the excruciatingly long guitar scene in the church, or the tedious fight scene at the graveside, each with long and boring build ups to endings that disappoint. Each of these could have been edited by 75% and still delivered the same number of laughs - which were pitifully few to begin with.I desperately wanted this show to succeed. Australian TV needs fresh comedic ideas. I was willing it on from my chair, wishing for some kind of editorial intrusion - pre or post production - to rescue it. But this show reeks of self indulgence and of someone taking absolute creative control without the skills to pull it off alone. Someone at some point needed to take Frank aside and tell it to him straight: 'Frank, you're great, you're clever, you do amazing somersaults... but your show is just not funny. And let's face it - not funny is problem for a comedy. Workshop it for another six months with a decent script editor then come back to see us.' If that had happened, this show might have been very good. It definitely shows potential. But in its current form, sadly, it's all too loose and flabby when modern audiences demand taut and buff.

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sandgroper66

Refreshing, charming - a lovely nod to buster Keaton & Charlie Chaplin. It's so great to see something on TV that is without guile and violence - well malicious violence! It is beautifully realized with appropriate and restrained images that allow Woodley to shine. Very clever and charming. Well done ABC for not doing the same old cop show, family gangster or law show. Justine is perfect as his foil, and his daughter is a delightful combination Of wisdom, mischievousness & love for her hapless dad. The sets & design is quaint and clever. The whole series has been made with affection & passion. The music is also a nostalgic nod to silent cinema & French mime.

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