Very Small Business

Amongst all the terrible reality and lackluster drama shows of Australian television came a little gem called 'Very Small Business'. This should come as no surprise as Australia knows how to do comedy,(some other countries may not get it sometimes), but this show is strong evidence.

Don Angel likes to think he has the gift of the gab, the only problem is he can't sell ice to Eskimos and his business has so many loose ends that the loose ends have loose ends. This makes for one entertaining character who makes you constantly cringe as he digs himself deeper and deeper into a hole every episode.

Ray Leonard on the other hand is the polar opposite of Don (his Boss) as they share an office space that is home to some very funny scenes. Cleverly written, superbly acted and well filmed there has only been one series of this show filmed. Even though i thoroughly enjoyed the six episodes i saw and would be happy to leave it there, i can't help but itch for more.

First season was great but it all turned to garbage after that. They turned it into an apple advertisement targeting 20 something woman, a demographic that doesn't watch the ABC

This is a show about a whiny annoying petty criminal, that for some reason completely seems to fail in making any point what so ever. Now don't get me wrong, it's a watchable show - well for what little there is of it. It's not really that funny but it's not boring either. But seriously, it is not good or clever.

Very Small Business does for the boys what Kath and Kim did for the girls. The humour reminded me a little of Wilfred, in that similarly in that show a devious dog has as his foil a basically straight and good man. There's a a touch of Bob Jelly from SeaChange here as well, and perhaps Kingswood Country also. Very Small Business is exaggerated and fast, and profoundly well written, backed by competent performers. I loved the characters, they were so original, and yet, strangely, so recognisably Aussie. After you've seen this show have a look at Back in Very Small Business (2018) which is equally as good, and even better for not being simply a second series, but something brilliantly refreshing with brand new or much grown up characters. Ultimately, and unexpectedly, both series come across as honest and heart warming. This is easily one of Australia's best comedies to date.

I have to say that this undiscovered gem of a comedy is pretty much flawless throughout all 6 episodes. It's almost an Australian "Fawlty Towers" in that it probably shouldn't get a second season even though I'd be really keen to see one.

Don Angel and Ray Leonard Leonard are the perfect polar opposite match. A beautiful combination of sleazy, inept entrepreneur and jaded, world weary, intelligent but defeated writer makes for a perfect match in this exceptionally well written, but more so, brilliantly performed piece of comedy. Kim Gyngell and Wayne Hope shine, together with the supporting roles, with not a performance out of place.

I own this on DVD, watch it regularly, and quotes from it have become part of the regular banter/vocabulary in our household. Selfishly, I like the idea of not many people discovering this as it makes it all the more special. For those few of you in the world who happen upon this comment, do yourself a favour, grab a copy, sit back and watch how it's meant to be done.