I saw the American version of “Kath and Kim” and two of the “Crocodile Dundee” movies, so I had low expectations regarding Australian comedy, but “The Chaser’s War on Everything” is often genuinely funny. How did that happen?
Only typical: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBjw8cydXmM&feature=related
Well I’m not a particular fan of the Australian Kath and Kim, but from what I saw the American version was horrific. The Chaser are excellent satirists and haven’t disappointed me yet. You could also check out their earlier show CNNNN.
Agreed! Please don’t describe the travesty that was the Americanized Kath and Kim as Australian comedy! The original was good, but probably way too specifically targeted to appeal to non-Australian audiences.
We also love **The Chaser **- My (American) husband can get a little, erm, defensive, during the segments mocking Americans. I laugh and laugh 
I think Aussies do mockumentary very well: Chris Lilley’s stuff is some of my favourite recent comedy series - Summer Heights High was picked up (not remade) by HBO, and We Can Be Heroes follows nominees for the Australian of the Year award.
In the past, the D Generation crew were responsible for some funny sketch comedy, including The Late Show, and also some scripted sit-com-ish stuff like Frontline, which predates, but still feels a lot like The Office to me - fly on the wall behind the scenes of an ethically-challenged current affairs show.
Some of the Frontline people are involved in a new show The Hollowmen which is quite good too. The Games is similar, but better, though it’s older. It’s about the preparations for the Sydney Olympics. That’s John Clark and Brian Dawe, who are geniuses. Youtube video of one of their current affairs type skits (they do these every week). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-QNAwUdHUQ
Chaser are hit and miss for me. Often they fall flat, but some of their stuff is absolutely hilarious. They get my respect for always pushing limits. Sometimes I wonder how they manage to avoid a punch in the face. The latest series is almost all good stuff.
And the “If Life were a Musical” bits were pretty amusing.
Tantamount to blasphemy.
Bargearse.
Your link is to the original Aussie series. I’ve read that an American version was being considered, and maybe greenlighted, and I share your concerns about the American version screwing it up, but I’ve yet to hear any more about it… and that clip definitely isn’t it.
The Aussie show has travelled to the USA before for at least one episode, IIRC, perhaps further muddling the issue.
On a related note, I converted a friend into a “Chaser’s War” fan tonight! All it took was the Trojan Horse skit and one of the fake street cop ticketing motorists for wanker plates, and he was hooked. That’s my payback to him for turning me into a fan of the BBC show “Top Gear,” which cost me a couple hours of sleep a few nights ago.
[The Stig, of course!]
On edit: my bad; I misread your reference to “Australian comedy” as to “American” instead! I apologize! Yeah, the Aussie show is brilliant, and if it ever does get remade for the USA market, it’ll almost certainly suck hurricane-force winds.