The Games 

Mockumentary about the organisation of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Creators:

John Clarke, Ross Stevenson

Stars:

John Clarke, Bryan Dawe, Gina Riley

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
John Clarke	...	John 26 episodes, 1998-2000
Bryan Dawe	...	Bryan 26 episodes, 1998-2000
Gina Riley	...	Gina 26 episodes, 1998-2000
Nicholas Bell	...	Nicholas 21 episodes, 1998-2000
Tim Schwerdt	...	Tim 13 episodes, 2000

Storyline

It's the countdown to the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and the Head of Administration and Logistics, John Clarke, and his colleagues, Bryan Dawe, Head of Accounts, Budgeting and Finance, and Gina Riley, Marketing and Liaison Manager wish everyone to know that everything is running smoothly. Certainly, the running track is not actually 100 meters, allowing Bryan to break the world record - but we can always put a bend in it, that's no problem. And 30% of the athletes and their sponsors may refuse to come because of the new fool-proof drug test - but that's a small price to pay to be known as the the very first drugs-free Olympics. And as for the rumours about the recently deceased IOC VIP dying in a King's Cross brothel - nonsense. That's just media hype. As are the rumours that the fencing may be dropped because there aren't enough venues or that the la crosse centre isn't actually built yet. In future may we suggest you not believe everything you see on television?

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Plot Keywords:

olympic games | satire | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Did You Know?

Quotes

John: How long is our 100 meter track? How long is it, Mr Wilson?

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Crazy Credits

Since veteran Australian actor Tony Martin and the New Zealand-born comedian of the same name both appeared in the series, the latter was credited as 'The Other Tony Martin'.

User Reviews

One of the most cutting satires on Aussie TV.

The Games would rank with Frontline as probably the best Aussie satire of the past 10 years.

The show revolves around the Games Orginisational Team. John Clarke is the logistics officer and oversees the operation, which he does with able cynicism towards anything that comes towards him in a cloak of privilege and/or arrogance ( ie. the IOC ), while at the same time showing an idealistic view towards what the actual events themselves entail. Gina Riley is the Private Liason Officer and has a a more rounded view of how the Olympics will function as an orginisation where as Bryan Dawe is the Financial Officer, a long time friend of John, ( an in-joke to their time spent together in the 7:30 Report ) and concerned about the Olympics' ability to make a deficit. If it was their own abilities they may have a chance but they also have to deal with an inept Minister, represented by his secretary, Nicholas Bell, who comes up with all sorts of ideas and dumps them at the doorstep of Clarke, Riley and Dawe; mainly if they go pear shaped; he won't take the blame.

The Games is a wonderful show, with some great guest stars, including a wonderful spot by the illustrious Sam Neill as a oily transport CEO and some weird and wondrous scenarios- like 100 metre tracks that...don't measure up. If you have the chance see it. If you then have another chance, buy it.

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 August 1998 (Australia)

Filming Locations:

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Beyond Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min (26 episodes)

Color:

Color