Problems (2012) User Reviews

Good pythonesque, surreal skit comedy

[EvilBaldDude · 8/10 · 14 December 2012]

I don't know why this is getting such a low rating. It's just the right kind of weird for my sense of humour.

The show is basically a series of skits, all focusing on the antics of eccentric, but somehow believable characters in the outer suburbs. Apparently filmed in Melbourne, but it could be the outer burbs of any Australian city really.

Sam Simmons really shines in this. Not wishing to pigeon hole the guy, but I actually think his skit characters are a bit funnier than his stand up. Something he would have in common with John Cleese, is that his face is much funnier in close up.

Great to see Anthony Morgan in there as well. He's a good comedian, and there just isn't enough of him on tele.

I hope they do another season. Again, I enjoyed it. But going by the user ratings, perhaps it's a little too out there for some.

Excellent

[robmilnerfhm-63116 · 9/10 · 19 June 2015]

I stumbled across this on UK TV and immediately loved it! the intensity of Sam Simon's performance of the main character drives the ridiculous story lines forward brilliantly.

He shows the intense anger we all feel for such small events but don't release, it makes me wonder what kind of world we would live in if we didn't filter out our immediate true feelings.

Looking around it looks like this hasn't made it past 4 shows which is a real shame, hopefully someone will see sense and throw some money at him to make more!

Rob

Most Excellent

[ryanlock · 8/10 · 16 December 2012]

As per one of the other reviewers, I just want to counter the low review score. While some of the skits without Mr Simmons can come across as a little forced, there are plenty of laugh out loud moments that make this a worthwhile watch.

There are a few shamelessly borrowed comedy bits (The Castle and Wilfred), but Sam's unique style of humour and banter creates something new that I think is a valuable contribution to progressing Australian Comedy - something which, in my opinion, has been extremely scarce over the past few decades. So I welcome Sam's foray into TV with great pleasure.

I would gladly recommend this comedy to international friends as it is one of the few Australian shows I think could compete with the great UK/US shows such as Mitchell & Webb, Peter Serafinowicz and Tim & Eric.

Sam Simmons can find my secret taco ingredient any day of the week ;)

A Work of Genius

[alan-51-111974 · 10/10 · 9 February 2013]

This is the funniest thing I've seen on television for a couple of years... probably the best comedy coming out of Australia now.

I've watched every episode more than five times and they never get old (except for the brief scenes with the moths).

Sam Simmons appears to be a bit of a love/hate personality in Australia, particularly after receiving death threats when it was announced (falsely) that he would permanently replace the host of an Australian radio show.

If you take Sam out of his Australian context and place him on the world stage (well Britain and Canada at least), then this stands with the best comedy made by Anglo-Saxons. I hope some Americans might enjoy it also.

Anyone who likes Vic and Bob, Python or Peter Cook should see this, it's pure joy.

Only 4 episodes. Must watch warm oz comedy. Genius moments. Surreal Kickback!

[major_zombie · 10/10 · 14 January 2018]

Sam Simmons is a very clever comedian. He looks like he's from a 70s cop show, but he is a very quick witted man. This comedy is ahead of it's time, and has somehow faded into obscurity. Clearly a low budget show, but some heart has gone into even the less good skits/songs. The 2 old guys sat on the lawn are are especially funny, clearly a lot of their banter is ad-libbed. You Aussies have a very funny man in Sam Simmons, right now he works mainly here in uk, because let's face it we have good comedy producers that know good talent. Not Mainstream funny, but cool witty absurd funny.

Australian Beauty

[eamonster · 9/10 · 11 October 2015]

Great show from Oz. Found it randomly on UKTVPLAY which is a site I also found randomly so I'm double lucky. Only 4 shows each 20 odd minutes long from 2012. The moths do some great acting I thought. Thanks Sam. There's not much more I wanted to say. IMDb insist that if I'm going to write about something on here it better contain a minimum amount of lines. I'm fortunate enough to have visited Australia about 15 years ago and they really do like 'the Bill' (as Sam mentions when he sees the kid with the lion face) it was very popular. We might think that's weird but they wonder why we like Neighbours and Home&away. blah blah

Funny Man..

[eskimosound · 10/10 · 21 December 2018]

This is almost a direct copy of 15 Storeys High by Sean Lock.... In fact I know it is a copy... But it's still excellent and very funny.