"Good News Week" (1996) TV series 1996-????

User Rating:

9.1/10   

Director:

Julia Kennedy

Writers:

Kevin Brumpton (writer) (2000)
George Dodd (writer)
(more)

Seasons:

6 | 7 | 8 | unknown

Genre:

Comedy | Game-Show

Plot Keywords:

Remake | Quiz Show

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Paul McDermott	...	Himself - Host (48 episodes, 1996-2009)
Mikey Robins	...	Himself - Team Captain (48 episodes, 1996-2009)
Claire Hooper	...	Herself - Team Captain (47 episodes, 2008-2009)

(more)

Series Directed by
Martin Coombes		(47 episodes, 2008-2009)
Julia Kennedy		(unknown episodes)

Series Writing credits
Ian Simmons		(47 episodes, 2008-2009)
Mat Blackwell		(46 episodes, 2008-2009)
Warwick Holt		(46 episodes, 2008-2009)
Dave Bloustien		(44 episodes, 2008-2009)
Simon Dodd		(44 episodes, 2008-2009)
Bruce Griffiths		(44 episodes, 2008-2009)
Patrick Cook		(41 episodes, 2008-2009)
Paul Livingston		(24 episodes, 2008-2009)
Celia Pacquola		(10 episodes, 2008-2009)
Sam McMillan		(9 episodes, 2008-2009)
Simon Godfrey		(4 episodes, 2009)
Greta Harrison		(3 episodes, 2009)
Shaun Robson		(2 episodes, 2008)
Vanessa Critchley		(2 episodes, 2009)
Courteney Hocking		(2 episodes, 2009)
Kevin Brumpton		(unknown episodes, 2000)
Angus Fitzsimons		(unknown episodes, 2000)
George Dodd		(unknown episodes)
Steve Johnston		(unknown episodes)
Nick Rheinberger		(unknown episodes)
Phillip Scott		(unknown episodes)
Rachel Spratt		(unknown episodes)
Richard Thorp		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Paul Leadon	....	executive producer (47 episodes, 2008-2009)
Jordan Robinson	....	associate producer (47 episodes, 2008-2009)
Ted Robinson	....	executive producer (47 episodes, 2008-2009)
Pamela Swain	....	producer (47 episodes, 2008-2009)
Rick Maier	....	executive producer (29 episodes, 2008)
Julia Kennedy	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)
Alf Samperi	....	technical producer (unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Dick Bond		(unknown episodes)
Terry Collister		(unknown episodes)
Julia Kennedy		(unknown episodes)
Brendan Read		(unknown episodes)
Murray Tonkin		(unknown episodes)
Glenn Traynor		(unknown episodes)

Series Production Design by
Daran Fulham		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Christine Ehlert	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)
Amanda Jeesup	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)
Nicole Orlich	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Gannon Conroy	....	production manager (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Simon Butcher	....	location sound (unknown episodes, 1999)
Mark Avis	....	sound (unknown episodes)
David Dundas	....	sound (unknown episodes)
Debbie Morris	....	sound (unknown episodes)
Jikou Sugano	....	sound (unknown episodes)

Series Visual Effects by
Tony Melov	....	title designer (12 episodes, 1996-1999)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Mark Fielder-Gill	....	camera operator (9 episodes, 2008-2009)
Darryl Brooke	....	vision controller (unknown episodes)
Mark Carey	....	video tape operator (unknown episodes)
Eric Catterall	....	lighting console (unknown episodes)
Mark Collock	....	video tape operator (unknown episodes)
Nick Hocking	....	lighting assistant (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Brad Fisher	....	vision mixer (unknown episodes)
Peter Hanrahan	....	vision mixer (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Mark Wheatley	....	film researcher (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) (1996-1998)
• GNW TV Productions
• Network Ten (1999-2000)

Other Companies

• Global Television  production facilities

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

ABC Studios, Gore Hill, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

Trivia:

After spending three years (1996-98) at ABC-TV, the show crossed over to the Ten Network in 1999.

Quotes:

Himself - Host: Hey Big Spender...
Himself - Team Captain: Guess Paul's gender!

Movie Connections:

Spin off "Good News Weekend" (1998)

This Yank LOVES this Aussie program

Good News Week had a successful run a few years ago and then disappeared for a couple years. In 2008 it came back with a bang! Host Paul McDermott, one of the Doug Anthony All Stars troupe (DAAS for those who are familiar) is the perfect, cynical leader over two teams of comedians, actors and even high-ranking politicians lampooning the news of the day and personalities that might just be a bit too much into themselves. Loosely based on the British programme Have I Got News For You, GNW features several different rounds of questions each week directed toward either of the 3-person teams. Points are awarded and go toward absolutely nothing but add to the fun. Mikey Robbins hosts one team while Clair Hooper hosts the other. Both are very bright people and often are the only one on their team with an idea about the subject being questioned.

A favorite segment seen on about one out of each four shows is Tentacles of Death where Paul McDermott holds onto two large sets of severed cables. He asks questions and the first one to "buzz" in sets off a shower of sparks, fireworks and electrical arcing right by the host. Paul has actually been burned before by getting a hand too close to an explosive charge. Usually at least one person buzzes in early just to watch the fireworks and lightning and to see Paul squirm a little.

Practically nothing is out of bounds and nothing/nobody is spared being raked across the comedy coals. GNS is available as podcasts or may be viewed on line at the channel's website.

I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a great laugh.