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Summer Heights High Is The Funniest Australian Import of 2008… And Maybe Ever
Best Week Ever | November 3, 2008

By Michelle Collins

A couple of weeks ago, some promotional material for a new HBO show called Summer Heights High appeared on my desk. Considering I get a lot of mailings from various networks begging me to check out their latest offerings (they actually shipped Debra Messing over to personally invite us to a Starter Wife screening), I paid no mind to this Summer Heights High material.

Until yesterday, when something possessed me to scan the USB drive they sent over and take a look at the show. And here is what I discovered:

Summer Heights High is the greatest thing to ever happen to television.

Please — you have to believe me! The show is the brainchild of Australian comedian Chris Lilley, and is a mockumentary of an Australian high school which focuses on three characters: Jonah Takalua, a rebellious young boy; Ja’mie King, a stuck-up former private school girl who is too good for a public education; and Mr. G, an extremely homosexual drama teacher who, much like fellow mockumentary character Corky St. Clair, takes his job way too seriously. The mindblowing part is that all three characters are played by Mr. Lilley to a tee.

I don’t often beg you to tune into something. But this will be one of those times. HBO has picked up the original series from Australia (no Little Britain U.S.A. remakes here), and will begin airing them on November 9. Now, because I have zero self control, I spent most of last night watching clips of the show online… and all I can say is, I haven’t been this excited/addicted to a show since Strangers with Candy.

Here, I bring you my three favorite clips: Two from Mr. G, and a bonus Ja’mie (pronounced: Zha-may.) Here’s a handy Mr. G intro:

More BRILLIANCE ahead…

Here is Mr. G discussing his pet chihuahua, Celine:

Here is one of MANY hilarious Ja’mie scenes:

Ugh November 9 @ 10:30 pm cannot get here fast enough.

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