Author: Stuart

Interview with Stephen Hall

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Stephen Hall is one of the writers on Mad As Hell, not to mention a number of Shaun’s other shows, an actor, and really nice guy. Last year, he gave me some of his time in the hallways of the ABC for a chat.

Before we began, Stephen indulged me in a “nerd-off” on the topic of James Bond – he being one half of the team behind Bond-A-Rama. We came to agreement that “The Man with the Golden Gun” had one of the worst theme songs. When that was done, the questions began!

Me: I was going to ask if the writers ever get to say any lines, as previously you’ve appeared twice [in Mad As Hell], but tonight’s episode (Episode 9) that was proved wrong!

Stephen: That character is called Lionel.

He was carrying a lot of toilet paper around.

You noticed that did you?

It got more and more (in the shot pieces) – was that me?

No, I think that was Lionel.

The people in Glenhuntly Road (where the vox pops are shot) must think there’s some strange characters around.

We got looks, and people stood around. I’d be more worried if there weren’t looks – it’s not New York, it’s Elsternwick ladies and gentlement. I didn’t know what voice to do, because I didn’t think he was ever going speak. Shaun said make it counter to what we think it’s going to be. So I made it after Noel Coward or Lionel Barrymore. Named after Lionel Barrymore actually.

So they named him before the voice?

He was always called Lionel. He always had a caftan. Always had a WW1 flying helmet. That was Shaun writing that for me to do – as a mark of respect.

How does the writing process work? There’s five of you…?

Yes, there’s Shaun, Gary Mcaffrie, Michael Ward, Tony Moclair and me. Gary and Michael are on five days a week, Tony and I are on three days a week. Tony, Gary, Michael and I share an office, and we sit at our computers and write. We read the news everyday, and watch the news everyday and try to think of funny stuff that’s happening, in the various formats of sketches for the show. We email them to Shaun, print it out and put it in the script box at the same time, and he has the final say on them.

You were involved in [the writing of] TAYG as well, and Newstopia too?

Yes. Gary and Michael have written with Shaun a lot longer than I have; Gary and Shaun have known each other since they were teenagers.

[Gary] was the foot in the door [to the industry] for Shaun I believe.

I first met Shaun in 1996 on Full Frontal, where Wardy and I both started in Melbourne professional comedy writing. Wardy had been in Canberra before that, doing breakfast radio. Canberra’s 92.3 Kook and the Bambino in the Morning – I just made that up.

It sounds like something it would be. How is writing for TAYG different to Mad As Hell? Were you involved in the questions, or monologues?

It’s a different beast. There was [writing for] intros and outros, and bits where we had other people coming in and fanciful conversations with Hello Kitty. And the end game envelope delivery, ideas for those. We alternated – Wardy would write the script one week, and I the next and send it through to Shaun. As on this, he was the final arbitor. The content of the games was largely dictated by the producers of the show, and if we had ideas we could slot them in, but everyones ideas were listened to. It was a group beast. Our brief was to write the gags for Shaun, within the structure of the show. Trying to say the same thing different ways, hundreds of times.

Do you find the process of writing for TAYG different to Mad As Hell?

It’s the same people, which is really nice, and a lot of the production team are the same. It’s very different content, it’s much more challenging as it changes every day, and there are days when we look through the newpaper and say “for goodness sake, can’t something usable happen in the world.” And, it’s difficult to make jokes about death and destruction, so we shy away from those things. [If they’re] absurd, pompous and basic wankery – there’s always a good time. Tony Abbott’s hair net tour is a case in point.

Other people would be familiar with you in your acting, such as in The King or on stage as well, and you do a lot of writing. Do you have a preference?

I’ve had a lot more work writing than acting, acting is tougher, and as I have a certain look which people don’t always think of me [for roles]. With writing, it doesn’t matter as much. Things lead to other things, as much of you do something and do an OK job, and people think for you for the next thing and they contact you.

But acting not so much, in my experience there’s no such thing as a big break. You think “this will lead to other things”, but it hasn’t happened so much. For me, and my particular “journey”, I’ve had a lot more work writing than acting. But having said that, acting’s much more fun. Ideally it’s great to do stuff you’ve written, which is why Bond-o-rama is fantastic, because Wardy and I wrote it together, we gave me the really plum roles. How else am I going to get cast as Sean Connery?

Thanks for your time Stephen – we look forward to seeing your appearances during Season 2.

Back-to-back Shaun on a Wednesday

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Starting Wednesday 20th, you will be able to watch 1 and a half hours of continuous Shaun (excluding ad breaks and the moments when he’s off camera).

Mr and Mrs Murder begins on that night at 8:30pm on Channel Ten, following Mad As Hell, which airs at 8pm THE SAME NIGHT! (but different bat channel, the ABC to be exact).

If you’ve been living under a rock, Mr and Mrs Murder is a new comedy/drama starring Shaun and Kat Stewart, who are professional crime scene cleaners and amateur crime solvers. Read more here.

So just 2 more weeks till you get more Shaun than you could ever hope for.

Mad As Hell is back!

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Mad As Hell is back for its second season- and this time Shaun promises he knows what he’s doing.

This year it has moved to Wednesday nights (from the original Friday night time), probably to line up with the ABC’s traditional comedy night.

It returns 20 February 2013, Wednesdays 8pm on ABC1.

(Now I need to calm down from all this excitement.)

More Interview-ness with Shaun

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Last year, I had the enviable task of interviewing Shaun about his latest works. Unfortunately we ran out of time, so he kindly answered the rest via email… and through the busyness of last year – I forgot to post it!

So, as originally promised, part 2 of the 2012 interview: (some facts may have changed since first answered)

Me: You’ve traditionally been very private about your family and home life, what made you decide to participate in Who Do You Think You Are?

Shaun: I would never want to take part in a documentary about myself. I don’t even like doing an interview unless I’m plugging something and I can do some shtick. Sometimes if it’s someone I know well, I’ll do it (like Tony Martin) but otherwise I just assume people really wouldn’t be that fascinated by me blathering on about myself. It’s okay on a website like this because people come looking for it – but on TV it’s a bit different and has a slightly higher obligation to be a bit entertaining (sorry Stuart). WDYTYA was a bit different though: part history lesson and part travelogue. I thought it would be interesting and was surprised that I opened up emotionally (for me).

Your appearance on the show got such a response from people who felt connected to your story. Did you imagine that would happen?

I must admit I hadn’t thought about that. I was amazed at the number of people who watched it, who actually knew my father. Quite a few people lived in the same street and remembered the bombing. My cousin contacted me (I have not seen her for many years) to tell me the two little girls who were killed (and who shared our surname) were, in fact, related to us. Very sad obviously. But the whole point of the series is to connect with people – and it did that.

Has what you found out in WDYTYA changed things for you and your relationships? (If it’s not too personal)

Well, it did for a while – I was all charged up with embracing my family and looking up relatives I haven’t spoken to in decades – but I have since reverted to my usual aloof self.

How long have you been planning Mr and Mrs Murder? Is there anything you can give away about it?

Mr & Mrs Murder was an idea Jason Stephens and I had a couple of years ago. We had been trying to hatch a project for myself and Kat for a while ) We’d both come up with Newstopia back in 2008 – along with Gary and Michael). There was a sketch show the ABC were interested in which turned out to be too expensive (the doctor-wants-your-husband’s-bed sketch from MAH was written for the Pilot). Mr & Mrs is the one that TEN liked. Can’t give away too much as TEN like thinking they are in charge and will get cross if I reveal anything…like that my character is a Martian and Kat’s character is actually a robot. Oops.

Are you looking forward to concentrating more on the acting?

I’m always acting – even when I’m not on screen. But I am looking forward to just acting and not having to produce or write the show.

You worked with Kat in Newstopia, and obviously developed a bond. Was it a preference to work with her in a more dramatic role rather than having her join Mad As Hell?

Well, I loved working with everyone in Newstopia but we wanted to make Mad as Hell a new show – or as new as possible, given the type of show it was – and that is why we didn’t use the same cast. I’d work with Kat in anything – the same goes for Nicholas Bell, Julie Eckersly, Ben Anderson and Peter Houghton. All brilliant.

Jenn asks: After a busy year with TAYG, MAH and Mr and Mrs Murder, will you be taking a break or are you keen to jump straight into the next project (or the next season of MAH?)

MAH returns early next year. Not sure what’s happening beyond that. I may get time to work on my new book.

There have been a few in-jokes in MAH – such as the parrot sketch reference, the two iced vovos, the TV guide description mirroring Welcher and Welcher – do you (or the other writers) like to add them for those who’ll notice them, or purely for your own enjoyment?

Michael Ward wrote the sketch with the dead parrot reference, Gary wrote the one with the iced vovos in it and I wrote the program descriptions. Personal tics and favourite references turn up all the time but are rarely the point of a joke or front and centre in a sketch.  I suppose it’s a way of personalising the material. Gary’s sketches tend to have characters named after SANFL footballers and be about form rather than character, Michael’s tend to be mostly about characters who are idiots and mine involve me sitting at the desk, nodding.

Mr Griffiths asks: Where do you get your ideas for your sketches from?

There’s an internet site we use.

Have you enjoyed bringing back old characters like Nobby and Milo?

In MAH we had some jokes which required an immensely stupid character, so I resurrected Nobby. Milo didn’t make an appearance (unless you count Francis’s impression of him in the last episode). I did notice that Nobby seemed a bit sad and lonely looking. My hair is now so white Nobby had to wear a beanie.

What does Gary think of these old characters returning!?

I think Gary was happy to see Nobby. He used to write the sketches for him when he was on Full Frontal. Hard to tell what Gary is thinking. He’s so mysterious.

Has Mr William Duthie become a new favourite?

I liked him. Michael Ward and I wrote the sketches. He might have done his dash though as he became increasingly senile over his five appearances. Keen eyed viewers will note he looks a bit like a character I played in the Micallef Program who burns down a nursing home.

Alex asks: I’m all the way up here in Brisbane, and it’s hard for me to get down to Melbourne, but one day I would love to meet you Shaun! Do you have anything planned in the future in terms of a tour?

Nothing planned as yet, Alex, but I’m always thinking about doing a stage show of some description – perhaps with Francis. I have the title: ‘An Audience in front of Shaun Micallef (and Francis Greenslade) but no actual show written as yet.

Mardi asks: On the scale of one to ten, do you still have the superball I gave you?

Green.

Jenn asks: What is your weapon of choice in the inevitable zombie apocalypse?

Ka-Bar Black Cutlass Machete. Maybe also take out an AVO.

Thanks to Shaun for continuing to be pestered by my questions!

GQ Australia Comedian of the Year

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Shaun has been announced by the Australian version of GQ magazine as “Comedian of the Year” in their Men of the Year awards for 2012. Noted as the “silver fox”, he is described as someone who “grafts the subversive to the obscure.”

For someone who doesn’t easily fall into the traditional “comedian” category, it’s a great acknowledge for his wit and charm.

You can read the full story on the website or in the Dec/Jan magazine.

Coming in 2013

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Filming is continuing on Mr and Mrs Murder at the moment, with reports that it’s looking quite good. Channel Ten have recently announced their 2013 line-up, with Mr & Mrs being a major element.

As for whether TAYG will return, Josh Thomas has again confirmed the end of it via a tweet: “I keep getting asked…Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation isn’t returning. Mostly because Shaun has run out of new ways to poor [sic] food on my head.”

And with another season of Mad As Hell next year, there’s plenty to look forward to. And maybe… another book… ?!

Mad As Hell on DVD

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Strangely enough for a topic news show, the first season of Mad As Hell is making its way to DVD. It’s available from this Wednesday 3rd October from most DVD retailers or the ABC shop. We’re not expecting any special features, but if you didn’t tape it when it first aired, here’s your opportunity to complete your Micallef collection.

 

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Interview with Tosh Greenslade

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Just who is Tosh Greenslade? Apart from seeing him play some great characters on Mad As Hell, and knowing he wasn’t related to Francis, he was an enigma to us all. Then I got to talk to him, after a taping of Mad As Hell, and it turns out he is just a big a fan of Shaun’s as we are! And very modest.

(And he agreed to have that photo posted!)

Me: There’s been a lot of interest on the website to learn more about you. (Tosh looks incredulous) I guess because everyone is familar with Francis, Roz and the rest of the cast, but you’re a new face. How did you become involved in Mad As Hell?

Tosh: Basically, Francis directed a show that I did at drama school about 4 years ago. At the time, I was like “awww it’s Francis”, because I’d never met him before. And then, last year in December I got a call from the production people, and they were like “Shaun Micallef want’s you to audition for his show.” I was at a call centre, at my job, and I had to pretend on the phone to everybody that I wasn’t pissing myself. And then, I auditioned for it. I hadn’t seen Francis really, except briefly (since the show). And he kindly recommended me for an audition!

Wow, fantastic. So you came in and did an audition…

Yes, that’s it. And then I went to America, and spent all my time there being like “I hope I got it… maybe I didn’t get it.” Then it got to April, and I was like, I can pretty much guarantee I haven’t got this – I’m going to work in a call centre the rest of my life. And then they called me, and said “Tosh, Shaun wants you to be in the show.” I was like *uurghn*, and then I was in the show!

How have you enjoyed working on the show, the format and the different characters?

Well, it’s pretty rediculous being able to work on the show. I know of (this website) because I’m a fan of Shaun myself.

I wish I had any talent to work with Shaun!

I mean, look at me, I’m working on Shaun’s show – it can happen to anybody. Most of the stuff I’d done previously, I’d done almost entirely theatre. It’s something where I work very much from a character perspective, and a lot of actors are entirely method and prefer to find realism in their characters. I’m usually like, “if I do a voice, thats a character isn’t it?” So it (the show) plays to my strengths, I think. Even if that’s not a lot…

So you enjoy the characters where you can work with them a little bit, but they might not be fully developed?

Yeah, I think the shortness of each scene and the chopping between scenes (works for me).

Lucy from the website wanted to know what your background is?

As an actor or a human being?

I guess as an actor. I mean, you’d been in theatre before?

Not paid – not of any profile! (laughs) I always wanted to be actor ever since I was 15 or 16 years old, and then I went to University and thought I should probably do something to fall back on. I did half of a science degree, and didn’t go to any classes and failed out of it. I failed a few semesters, and it got to the point where I thought, “they’ve let me in a lot of times, I really should do something else because they’re going to kick me out this time.” And then my friend said “go to drama school”, and so I did and I got out 2 years ago. It’s mainly been theatre shows and stuff with friends. Mainly indie-theatre. I haven’t been acting outside of drama school, in the public sphere for the that long, two years at most.

So this is your first…. ?

Yeah, this is my first job. It’s basically like if you left high school and got to be an Astronaut, or what ever you wanted to be when you were a child. “Here, let your first job be your dream job – enjoy that!” It’s rediculous, it doesn’t make any sense. Right up until we actually started filming, I thought it was a horrible, horrible joke that was going to end up with me being hit with a stick. It’s rediculously good.

You end up playing a lot of the characters in suits, trying to debunk theories….

Basically, all I do is I come in, I learn my lines… not always – as evidenced (on this website)! (Tosh breaks into laughter)

You had the most scientific lines possible, so I did preface that they were quite difficult.

Nah, I was just shit at them. I come in, get my clothes on, which is usually a suit. Then they do something with my hair, or put a wig on. And then I just do it straight, and the material is such that I don’t really have to do anything at all. It’s the easiest job I’ve ever done. If there is room to create a character, I will try to do a little bit of character stuff, but it’s almost entirely in the material. When I get the scripts, I read it and you can tell “that’s funny, Shaun’s written that” – it feels like something that Shaun’s written, and you know just straight away from the words. You read the rhythms of it.

You can tell when Shaun’s written something as opposed to one of the other writers?

To an extent. I probably can’t tell so much between Shaun and Gary, just because I’ve grown up watching Full Frontal or The Micallef P(r)ogram(me) where they write together. I’m starting to pick between them, and starting to feel the little differences. When I say, “that’s a Micallef script” – I mean that’s Shaun’s team, it’s that style. If you play it completely straight, the comedy just comes out of it. You don’t need to do anything with it. And when you try and do things to it, when you try and put a funny voice on it or put a funny character on, it wrecks it because it hides all the material. Basically I’m a prop that breathes.

You’re way too modest! It’s been fantastic.

The show’s very fantastic. I really like the show. I watch it myself, and I don’t like my own stuff.

Are you someone who would fast forward your own bits?

No, I’m somebody who would watch my own bits intently and say “that’s terrible.” Not self analyse, just beat myself up by watching my own performances. I go online a lot, and I look for people who don’t like my performances, and it’s very hard to find them. I’ve only found one, and I dwell on that. I’m getting it tatooed on my face.

You’re terrible. What thing have you done so far that you’ve enjoyed the most?

There’s some things coming up (in the final episode) that are really fun. And blowing up the van (in the 9th episode) – you didn’t see how big it was on the film, because it was shot from above. The fireball was massive, it was so good. If you listen to the audio of it, just after it cuts off you can hear me go “awwwww!” I would say Worksafe, but that wasn’t overly fun given that they had to belt my arm to my body, so I couldn’t feel it.It’s all fun. Any day I get to come into work is really fun.

We’re very lucky that’s you’re here doing it. Thanks Tosh!