Minutes from a Hey Hey Production Meeting
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Minutes: Production Meeting, Hey Hey It’s Saturday, October 6, 2009-10-11 Present: Mr D. Somers, Mr R. Symons, Ms L. Nixon, Mr J. Blackman, Mr O. Ostrich Apologies: Mr R. Gilbert, Mr M. Meldrum, Mr P. Duck Reading of minutes from last meeting: All agreed that first reunion special was a major success, but possibly failed to “push the boundaries” enough. Suggested that for second special, increase frequency and volume of Dickie Knee interjections. It was agreed that sound effects were not zany enough — Mr D. Somers requested trebling of zaniness budget. Mr Somers also requested extension of running time to five hours to accommodate drum solos — doubt was expressed over network’s response to this. New business: Planning for second reunion special was reported to be “almost complete”. Mr J. Blackman tabled 50-page summary of suggested gay jokes to be used during Molly Meldrum segment. Room collapsed into laughter. After five minutes attempting to restore order, Mr D. Somers cleared the room, suggesting they reconvene half an hour later. Half an hour later: Meeting reconvened. Mr O. Ostrich repeated last week’s demand for larger salary. Mr Ostrich was asked to tone down his profane language and reminded that he is, in fact, a puppet. Subject dropped. At this point, Ms L. Nixon was heard to giggle. Disaster-chef — Mr Somers moved that it be entered into the minutes that Disaster-chef segment was “comedy gold” and that it be repeated this week. Motion passed unanimously. Letter drafted to Nine management pitching topical youth-oriented spin-off titled Hey Hey It’s MasterChef spoofs. Mr Symons suggests alternative title iSpoof 2.1. As show’s resident hip rock legend/intellectual heavyweight, his suggestion taken under consideration for future development. At this point, Ms L. Nixon repeated her earlier giggle. Mr J. Blackman raised possibility of reviving “The Great Aussie Joke” with Maurie Fields. The subject of Mr Fields’s death was discussed at length, with Mr Blackman forcefully putting forward his opinion that “I think we could still get away with it”. Mr Blackman demonstrated with wooden pole and old Dickie Knee footage how inanimate objects can be given the appearance of life. Room convinced; unanimously agreed that inquiries should be made as to the whereabouts and availability of Mr Fields’s body. Mr Somers made speech emphasising Hey Hey’s importance as showcase for exciting new Australian talent, asking for ideas as to hot new bands to feature on show. A prolonged silence was then heard, during which Ms L. Nixon giggled. After ten minutes it was agreed to ask John Farnham back. Group moved on to deciding which acts to include in new Red Faces segment. Final spot came down to choice between “Jackson Jive”, “Schmuckie the Jew With The Giant Nose”, “The Asian Driver Song”, and “Al-Boomah, the Exploding Arab Clown”. Mr Ostrich points out that Schmuckie may be a risky choice, given that judge Harry Connick Jr is Jewish and might take offence. In deference to Connick’s sensibilities, it is agreed not to put Schmuckie on. All agreed that a bullet has been dodged. A lengthy discussion about relative merits of Jackson Jive versus the Arab Clown. Mr Blackman raised possibility of doing something “about the gays”, and was generally ignored. Mr Somers put issue to the vote, and “Jackson Jive” was selected to appear on Red Faces by a score of 3-2. Mr Symons expressed concern that blackface in Jackson Jive skit could be construed as racist by some. Mr Symons was shouted down as it was loudly pointed out that Australia is not a racist country, and that he should “get a fucking sense of humour” (Mr Ostrich). Mr Somers also explained that one of the Jackson Jive performers is Indian, thus eliminating any possibility of racism. Mr Symons satisfied by this explanation; all happy. While on the subject, Mr Blackman suggested a call be put through to Kamahl to see if he would like to participate in Jackson Jive performance, given that he is also “black, in a funny way”. General agreement. Andrew Fyfe also to be contacted for preliminary sketches for possible development into clever black-people cartoons. Meeting ended, with agreement to reconvene in one week to plan for triumphant return as weekly show next year. Mr Somers thanked all present for their ongoing commitment to “returning good wholesome family entertainment” to Australian television screens. Ms Nixon giggled. Meeting dissolved. |
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37 Comments
Still not satire. Still not funny.
don’t give up your day job Ben this was as funny as Hey Hey itself.
Australian humour is a fascinating thing.
Think of how some of the edgy tv shows mock different things. When white Aussies dressed as Arabs in full traditional costume are insultingly called “tea-towell heads” and they enter police blockades and get too far in, lots of people laughed. But when Peter Brock was mocked after his death, the outrage was widespread. What was the difference?
When the mocking is happening to something dear to us, we get upset. When the mocking is happening to groups that are not dear to us, we laugh, it seems.
When some things make us laugh or we are indifferent to them, and other things really upset us, isn’t that evidence that we are indeed not yet fully embracing and sensitive people? If something really upsets someone else, why laugh? Why do it?
I acknowledge that if that thought was taken too far we would never do anything, and so it is not the end of the discussion. But there is an obvious “end of the scale” that clearly offends minority groups. Why play the game of distressing them? Seem unnecessarily insensitive. Even cruel.
There are better ways to make jokes, and make audiences laugh.
Don’t listen to them Ben … it’s ‘comedy gold’
I thought it was funny.
i’m with the last two
Well full marks Jonathan for stating the obvious. If you didn’t think it was funny you wouldn’t have published it.
25 caret comedy, Ben
I didn’t mind it. Better than last efforts. Could have been sharper perhaps.
Perhaps placing it in the context of Darryl as Queen of Hearts, Ossie as chesire cat, John as mad hatter,and Red and Livinia as the tweedles in the wonderland of the eighties.
Loved “and Ms Nixon giggled” theme.
At least the timing is when subject is fresh.
Well I enjoyed it Ben.
I liked it too, seems like an accurate summery of what the producers were thinking.
Those minutes can’t be accurate. If they were, fully 90% of the allocated time would have been taken up with a dissection of the ratings and a replay of the show counting close ups of the host to ensure they matched the required total.
Well done. It’s witty.
Keep polishing it, Ben, and one day you will have a very amusing piece of comic/satirical writing to present to the public
Does anyone else see a simililarity between American condemnation of the ‘black face sketch’ and muslim condemnation of the danish cartoons ?
I don’t particularly have memories or interest in the american racial history of blackface and even less so for Muhammad , but i have seen people do all sorts of things trying to be funny.
Anyway - just a thought.
Please have a think about it before responding hysterically.
‘Mr Blackman suggested a call be put through to Kamahl to see if he would like to participate in Jackson Jive performance, given that he is also “black, in a funny way”. ‘
Now that is funny. This is good stuff Ben. Don’t worry about the haters.
Mr C Graham also giggled. In fact I thought it was hilarious. Was just about to highlight the ‘black in a funny way’ bit myself but Mr A Sharpe beat me to it. Nice work Mr B Pobjie.
Hilarious!
I think there was a late memo to wardrobe about getting as much footage of Jo Beth Taylor’s genitalia as possible.
Really funny Ben, love it.
Dear James
Happy to be corrected but as I recall the intent of the Danish cartoons was to incite anger in Muslims. I dont think the hey hey guys were going for anything but a cheap laugh.
BEN: As usual your irony is superb. Great article. Very well done. Olé.
@JIM REIHER: For Christ’s sake loosen up a little. Get a life. BEN POBJIE writes with delicious irony, try to appreciate this.
@DECCLES: WTF? Why criticize a beautiful piece of irony by accusing it of not being satire?
What is the matter with bl/oody country?
Hey Hey Hey Mr Probjie (is that your real name?) - go easy!
Not once did I make a homophobic reference to my old mate Molly (or anybody else for that matter) in either of the two top rating shows we “inflicted” on the Australian public over the past two weeks!
If you can give me just one example, I’ll not only eat Molly’s hat but kiss his Shitzu as well!
I’ve a good mind to cancel my Crikey subscription in protest.
John Blackman
@James Bennett. One lot might - MIGHT - be asserting that the so-called jokers are ungodly, heathen, unbelievers, infidel and possibly worthy of being blown up or otherwise annihilated for the glory of God. The other mob could be saying that, this could be an attempt to be funny about a very unfunny - even tragic - subject . And organising a march on Washington to make their point. To be addressed by the ghost of Martin Luther King who believed in non-violent protest. (Note that I’m not saying if I agree or disagree with either point of view or none.)
Loved it Ben, keep ‘em coming.
@Dermot McGuire, surely someone with the first name of Dermot should be able to appreciate a bit of irony??
@ James Bennett, if you evaulate every piece of humour before laughing in the manner you describe, you must be one stern faced bloke.
@ Deccles, good to see you quite while you were behind champ.
Leave my name out of it. My parents are forgiven (just!) This is clumsy stuff .
And my sense of humor.
I laughed at the show, was bemused by the reaction.
Hello to John Blackman. Nice work mate.
So many crikey readers complained about the out of date humor , i wonder the demographics of the 2.3mil audience.
Were they mostly nostalgic fools like myself who remember the old show?
Funny article in parts, Ben, but not that accurate as pointed out by Blackers. I’m not too sure about the depiction of Livinia either. She might be a (very attractive) blonde, but she has degrees from The University of Melbourne and is hardly a ‘dumb blonde’. ‘Ms Nixon giggles’ seems a bit sexist to me.
BEN POBJIE: Perhaps you should go back to New Matilda. The clods around here are too dim to be entertained.
Dear Venise
The clods around here are too dim to be entertained.
Why is it when somebody has a different opinion to you it is because of their stupidity and not perhaps because you might possibly be wrong?
“Perhaps placing it in the context of Darryl as Queen of Hearts, Ossie as chesire cat, John as mad hatter,and Red and Livinia as the tweedles in the wonderland of the eighties.”
Time to lose Ben and get this guy on a 60k retainer, Crikey. Imagine how hilarious this would have been.
‘Off with their heads,’ yelled Daryl Somers
‘Change. Places,’ replied. John. Blackman.
Ahahahahahahahahaha.
And I’m not just saying that because I’m Heathdon’s agent.
Dear Heathdon: I am wrong about many things, but seldom about literature. I am certainly correct about people being dim in this context. They are so serious they cannot be entertained by good writing. And THAT is truly stupid.
Dear Venise
I can see what you mean about good writing as I honestly wouldn’t know the difference between good or bad. I think I like what Ben is trying to sa, I just dont think it is funny. Maybe I’m just not getting it, I don’t always get first dog.Although I believe in comedy intelligence is not always the most important element in appreciating. I love the Marx Brothers as much for Chico and Harpo’s physical comedy as for Groucho’s wit. While it takes genius for them to create it doesn’t need genius to appreciate it.
Dera Cam
I was thinking more of the white rabbit’s “i’m late” being replaced by”it rates.” Perhaps played by the network executive who Daryl may have allowed in the room. I would rather read Mr Pobje’s work as I have a tendency to ramble on and on and on……
“Funny article in parts, Ben, but not that accurate”
You’re kidding, right? After all that research I did!
Dear Ben
Sorry, left out the i
Don’t worry Heathdon, everyone does.
Dear Heathdon, Irony, satire, sex shouldn’t have to be explained, you just have live it, even if it hurts. When something as grim as HHIS effort is so awful there’s literally nowhere else to go but up. Thus was born ironic humour, gallows humour and satire.
Cheers
V.:)
So John Blackman is a real person…all these years I thought he was a puppet…