The Elegant Gentleman's Guide to Knife Fighting

Television needs a chance to find it's rhythm and creating a sketch comedy show in Australia - especially on a network like ABC where the average viewing age is 40+, creating something that is daring is going to be met with even more criticism. I feel that EGGKF gets better with each episode. By episode two, there was the introduction of darker, more subversive characters - like the children's TV clown with the squeaky voice - that were indicative of where this show could go if given time to grow. In a country that is 1/20 the size of the US, if a large part of the population doesn't tune into something, it's considered a failure and thus, so few television shows have the chance to respond to their audience and mature. The expectation that season 1 episode 1 will be a masterwork is ridiculous.

Finally, edgy comedy that goes beyond what's safe and expected. I haven't seen anything this brilliantly funny since Python or 70's SNL. I found myself say, 'oh no they didn't' or 'oh no they aren't', only to respond 'oh yes they did'. The Prius skit, the terrorists in first class, yes those were unforgettable, but the British naming of the islands had me gasping for air and wiping tears from my eyes. So simple, yet so beautifully composed and performed. I purchased the series so I can watch it whenever I want or need to. So many shows labeled 'comedy' are just not funny at all. Treat yourself tonight to your next guilty pleasure.

You know how some comedies like to slowly descend into the insanity of the show? Eg, the way Sunny in Philly goes from bar life to terrorism in around 20 mins? Well, this show is made up of bits, each one about 2 to 5 minutes long, and they start at insane and move up from there. You don't have to wait for the talking dog, the dog is talking from the beginning and he might actually be the straight man for the skit, because that's the level of outrageous, audacious mind-boggling nonsense this is. That's how insane this is.

Think about the glory days of snl. And multiply that by about 15.

This is perfect. Utterly perfect for anybody who liked Frisky Dingo, Sealab, Wilfred, Sunny, League... that kind of stuff. It's awesome.

PLUS - Australian accents. Everybody loves Aussies. What more can you want? This is a guaranteed laugh. You have to check it out. The 3.9 rating is profane. This is 10 star gold. Watch and see. I dare you not to laugh. This was engineered for laughter. If you don't like this, your sense of comedy is broken beyond any hope of redemption or salvage.

Honestly this is very awkwardly funny. It's not for everyone but ignore you like dumb comedy with a twist then this is for you. Enjoy!

I looked forward to this - "a random and ridiculous ride into weirdness" and recommended by brother-in-law.

Sorry guys, it was not that funny. I got each 'joke' in the first 10 seconds but after that each sketch just dragged on and felt contrived. The endings were just left hanging - no punchline, just sudden endings. The "weirdness" was not there either. Each sketch starts off normal then veers into off-centredness but definitely not weird or unexpected. The acting was good as was the staging.

There are Gilliam-type Monty-Python cartoons - short and a bit funny. Also not suitable for kids.

Seriously, the writers should do a total rethink. Try to do better dialogue, nuances of language, whatever.