| Thank God You're Here | |
|---|---|
| Format | Improvisational comedy |
| Created by | Working Dog Productions |
| Presented by | Shane Bourne |
| Judges | Tom Gleisner |
| Opening theme | "Come Anytime" by Hoodoo Gurus |
| Ending theme | "Come Anytime" by Hoodoo Gurus |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 41 (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Debra Chyote |
| Editor(s) | Ian Carmichael (Series 1-2, 4-) Ken Hardie (Series 3) |
| Location(s) | Global Television Studios, Nunawading, Victoria (Series 1-3)[1] Melbourne Showgrounds, Flemington, Victoria (Series 4-) |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Network Ten (2006–2007) Seven Network (2009–) |
| Picture format | 576i (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV) |
| Audio format | Dolby 5.1 |
| First shown in | Australia |
| Original run | April 5, 2006 – present |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Thank God You're Here is an Australian television improvised comedy program created by Working Dog Productions, which premiered on Network Ten on 5 April 2006, and aired for the first three seasons with Seven for the fourth season. 41 episodes as of 8 July 2009.
Each episode involves performers walking through a door into an unknown situation, greeted by the line "Thank God you're here!". They then had to improvise their way through the scene. At the end of each episode a winner was announced. It was the most successful new show in Australia of 2006, attracting an average of 1.7 million viewers after the first few episodes.
The show is hosted by Shane Bourne, and is judged by Tom Gleisner. The format was sold for recreation in a number of countries.
Contents |
Each contestant is dressed in appropriate costume, has some brief banter with the host, and is then invited to "walk through the blue door" onto a hidden set. They are greeted by the ensemble cast, in character, with the line "Thank God you're here!", and must then attempt to improvise their role in the scene. Typically they will be asked in-character questions by the ensemble cast and challenged to provide information about the scene, including the names of characters or objects.
At least twice during each episode (to cover set-up and costuming for the live audience), footage is shown of each of the four participants performing a challenge, often on location, which was filmed earlier in the week. These include a commentary booth where the contestants have to comment on an unfamiliar subject, an office where they are being interviewed or interrogated (by police, customs officials, etc), showing customers things for sale (cars, boats, pianos, houses, etc), or advertisements (e.g. slimming products, housing developments, etc). The other characters in these scenes are generally played by members of the ensemble cast. The third series also introduced an additional segment in which Gleisner highlights a "real life" Thank God You're Here-style situation, such as the infamous Guy Goma BBC interview and frequently, that of politicians forced to improvise answers under pressure. The fourth season introduced a different segment, where Gleisner points out that he believes an Australian Cricket player is able to endorse anything, and presents a falsified advertisement where a retired Australian Cricketer (Damien Fleming) attempts to endorse an also falsified company of a completely random field (such as a french restaurant or Sewerage processing plant). Running gags in these segments include the cricketer comparing selecting such a company with his medium pace bowling, the use of "Jargon" which actually is completely made-up, comparing the reliability (or other value) with his own bowling style, and a man named "Steve" who is provoked to agree with this previous statement ("bit like my bowling, eh, Steve?")
Finally, when all the contestants have played in a scene by themselves, all four enter a final scene together for the "all-in group challenge". At the end of the show, the judge declares a winner; this choice is entirely at the judge's discretion, and is largely arbitrary. Honorable and dishonorable mentions are also given, usually to contestants who do not win so that the judge can comment on their performances. The winner receives a trophy in the shape of the programme's blue door logo.
There are variations on the standard setup: occasionally the greeting will be slightly changed to better suit the setting (i.e. "Thank the gods you're here!" for a scene featuring Vikings or "Thank God you're alive" in a scene featuring a car accident), and often an alternative entrance will be built into the set. These are often used for comic effect, as in the aforementioned car accident scenario where the contestant (Matthew Newton) climbed through the back of the set and emerged from the door of a wrecked car embedded in the wall of a second-storey flat.
Although their parts are thoroughly scripted, the actors who interact with the guest stars in each scenario are drawn from an ensemble of experienced improvisational actors.
Improvisation experience is preferred so that the cast can react appropriately and immediately to the improvisations of the guest stars, though in most cases this improvisation is limited. This ensemble is also used in many of the mid-week assignments, fulfilling the roles of customers or members of the public with whom the guests must interact in a real-life setting.
The following are regular ensemble cast members who have appeared or currently appear on the show.
Several special guests have also appeared, either playing themselves or as part of the ensemble cast for a scene. Special guests have included Dan O'Connor, Kimberley Davies, Simon Burke, Natalie Bassingthwaite, Mark Holden, Joan Sydney, Kate Ceberano, The Veronicas, Mick Molloy, Nikki Webster and Alan Fletcher to name a few. Other guests including Don Burke and Suzie Wilks have appeared as mock presenters in the locational challenges.
| Contestant | Appearances | Show wins |
|---|---|---|
| Angus Sampson | 11 | 3 |
| Hamish Blake | 10 | 2 |
| Josh Lawson | 9 | 3 |
| Julia Zemiro | 8 | 2 |
| Fifi Box | 7 | 1 |
| Peter Rowsthorn | 7 | 2 |
| Cal Wilson | 7 | 3 |
| Merrick Watts | 7 | 3 |
| Shaun Micallef | 7 | 2 |
| Frank Woodley | 6 | 1 |
| Akmal Saleh | 6 | 1 |
| Tony Martin | 6 | 1 |
| Bob Franklin | 5 | 3 |
| Rebel Wilson | 4 | 1 |
| Anh Do | 4 | 1 |
| Matthew Newton | 3 | 1 |
| Dave Hughes | 3 | 1 |
| Arj Barker | 3 | 2 |
| Kate Langbroek | 3 | 1 |
| Alan Brough | 3 | 1 |
| Glenn Robbins | 2 | 0 |
| Robyn Butler | 2 | 0 |
| Ryan Shelton | 2 | 0 |
| Tahir Bilgic | 2 | 0 |
| Colin Lane | 2 | 1 |
| Kate Jenkinson | 2 | 0 |
| Jo Stanley | 2 | 0 |
| Peter Hellier | 2 | 0 |
| Stephen Curry | 2 | 0 |
| Nish | 2 | 0 |
| Carl Barron | 2 | 1 |
| Josie Long | 2 | 1 |
| Felicity Ward | 2 | 0 |
| Toby Truslove | 2 | 0 |
| Santo Cilauro | 1 | 0 |
| Tanya Bulmer | 1 | 0 |
| Dalian Evans | 1 | 0 |
| Bianca Dye | 1 | 0 |
| Russell Gilbert | 1 | 0 |
| Anthony Field | 1 | 1 |
| Andrew G | 1 | 0 |
| Jimeoin | 1 | 1 |
| Stephen K Amos | 1 | 0 |
| Eddie Ifft | 1 | 0 |
| Julia Morris | 1 | 0 |
| Ross Noble | 1 | 1 |
| Matt Tilley | 1 | 0 |
| Sean Choolburra | 1 | 0 |
| Adam Hills | 1 | 0 |
| Franklin Ajaye | 1 | 0 |
| Heath Franklin | 1 | 0 |
| Jordan Raskopoulos | 1 | 1 |
| Rhys Darby | 1 | 0 |
| Rob Carlton | 1 | 0 |
| Tom Gleeson | 1 | 0 |
| Season | Ep # | Season Premiere | Season Finale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 10 | 5 April 2006 | 7 June 2006 |
| Season 2 | 10 | 6 September 2006 | 8 November 2006 |
| Season 3 | 11 | 11 July 2007 | 26 September 2007 |
| Season 4 | 10 | 29 April 2009 | 8 July 2009 |
The show is first shown in April 2006 and it was filmed at Global Television Studios in Nunawading (a suburb in the outskirts of Melbourne)[1] which are rented by ATV-10.
The second series of the show ran from 6 September to 8 November 2006, at a 7:30 pm AEST timeslot. The ratings for the second season place the show in the top three shows watched in Australia boosting the ratings of follow-up show House on the network and placing the show up with ratings juggernaut Border Security: Australia's Front Line which broadcasts on the Seven Network. Thank God You're Here received an average of two million viewers every week.The new season will air on the seven network. For the last episode of 2006 (8 November), had received ratings of 1.85 million viewers nationally.[2]
The final episode of Season One, in which the actor Angus Sampson won, had 2.13 million viewers nationally.[3]
The first episode of Series Three was filmed on 21 June 2007. Guests for this episode included Stephen Curry, Josh Lawson, Peter Helliar and Cal Wilson. Series Three had begun at the same 7:30 pm time slot on Wednesday 11 July 2007.
With Global Television Studios in Nunawading getting ready to shut down,[1] Series 4 started filming at Melbourne Showgrounds in Flemington, in the shed normally used as the Poultry Pavilion. With the move from Nunawading also comes a move from Global to Cutting Edge as the broadcast provider. Shooting started Thursday 19 March 2009, in front of a live audience of 500 people. At the recording of episode 2 on 26 March, Tom Gleisner told the audience they couldn't find an available studio big enough for all their sets and large studio audience, so started looking at other types of venues, and found what they needed at the showgrounds. Portable buildings have been set up outside the pavilion as offices, etc. Another vacant pavilion is used to house the audience before taping. The new venue is an issue for audio, as there is no soundproofing, so the nearby railway line often interferes with scenes, and Tom said if it rains, they are "stuffed".
Recording of a single episode is done between 7:30pm and 10:30pm. Each segment is recorded "as if live", but with longer breaks between acts for set changes and costuming. Some retakes are done after the initial recording is done to correct any errors made by the hosts during the initial recording, or to cover sounds picked up from outside the studio. The guest scenarios are recorded non-stop, and are longer than what will be seen on TV.
The main theme is "Come Anytime" (June, 1989) by Sydney based rock band, Hoodoo Gurus. A piece used throughout the interludes of the first Season of the show is "Don't You Know Who I Am", performed by Small Mercies.
In the second season, new music was also used in addition to the main themes:
In the third season, more new music was used in addition to the main themes:
Seasons 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the show have been released on DVD in Australia. There are currently no plans to release the DVDs in other countries. Season 1 was released on 8 November 2006, Season 2 was released on 23 August 2007, Season 3 was released on 28 November 2007 and Season 4 was released on 5 November 2009.
| Thank God You're Here — The Complete Series One | ||
| Set Details | Special Features | |
|
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| Release Dates | ||
| Region 4 | ||
| 8 November 2006 | ||
| Thank God You're Here — The Complete Series Two | ||
| Set Details | Special Features | |
|
No Special Features are included. |
|
| Release Dates | ||
| Region 4 | ||
| 23 August 2007 | ||
| Thank God You're Here — The Complete Series Three | ||
| Set Details | Special Features | |
|
No Special Features are included. |
|
| Release Dates | ||
| Region 4 | ||
| 28 November 2007 | ||
| Thank God You're Here — The Complete Series One, Two & Three | ||
| Set Details | Special Features | |
|
As per Series One release. |
|
| Release Dates | ||
| Region 4 | ||
| 28 November 2007 | ||
| Thank God You're Here — The Complete Series Four | ||
| Set Details | Special Features | |
|
Uncut, extended scenarios from during the week. |
|
| Release Dates | ||
| Region 4 | ||
| 5 November 2009 | ||
Host Shane Bourne and Judge Tom Gleisner appeared on Rove Live on 11 April 2006, to promote the show after the first episode had screened. After an interview with Rove McManus, they participated in a game McManus called Where The Bloody Hell Have You Been, a play on words of the Australian tourism campaign, So Where The Bloody Hell Are You?. In this game they had to perform, without preparation, a situation involving a funeral, and the reading of an improvised eulogy, following exactly the same format as Thank God You're Here.
In December 2009 the "Thank God You're Here" board game was released. It contains 70 different scenarios which can be acted out in the home, in a similar format to the show. The board game is being distributed in selected stores only, including What's New.
Seven Network announced to be signed for the fifth series.
The format has been sold to FremantleMedia for worldwide distribution and has subsequently been sold for creation in 17 countries including the United States.[4] International versions are required to use the same sketch premises used on the original Australian version and if one wants to alter one of their episodes in some way, such as taping a Christmas-themed episode, they must go through FremantleMedia for permission to do so.
| Country | Name | Host | Channel | Language | Premiere | Website | Judge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Thank God You're Here | Shane Bourne | Network Ten 2006–2007 Seven Network 2009 - |
English | 5 April 2006 | Link | Tom Gleisner | |
| Belgium | GodzijDank | Matthias Coppens | vtm | Dutch | 16 March 2007 | Link | ||
| Canada | Quebec | Dieu merci! | Éric Salvail | TVA | French | 27 September 2007 | Link | Gaston Lepage | |
| Czech Republic | Konečně jsi tady | Josef Carda | TV Prima | Czech | 4 March 2007 | Link | ||
| Denmark | Gu' ske lov du kom | Mads Vangsø | TV3 | Danish | 30 September 2006 | Link | Sebastian Dorset and Hella Joof, third season Søs Egelind and Sidse Babett Knudsen | |
| Estonia | Jumal tänatud, et sa siin oled! | Andrus Vaarik | Kanal 2 | Estonian | 6 October 2007 | Eino Baskin | ||
| Germany | Gott sei Dank ... dass Sie da sind! | Knacki Deuser | ProSieben | German | 30 November 2006 | Link | ||
| Indonesia | Akhirnya Datang Juga | Winky Wiryawan - Trans TV, Narji 'Cagur' - Trans TV, Olga Syahputra - Trans TV, Boy William - MNCTV | TRANS TV, MNCTV | Indonesian | 21 October 2007 (Trans TV), 21 Mei 2011 (MNC TV) | Link | Didi Petet - Trans TV, Parto Patrio, Desy Ratnasari - Trans TV, Desy Ratnasari, Jaja Miharja - MNCTV | |
| Israel | Tov Shebata | Moni Moshonov | Arutz 10 | Hebrew | 5 June 2007 | Tomer Sharon | ||
| Italy | Grazie Al Cielo Sei Qui! | Leonardo Manera | La7 | Italian | 22 March 2009 | Link | ||
| Lithuania | Ačiū Dievui, atėjai | Egidijus Sipavičius | TV3 | Lithuanian | 1 September 2007 | Arkadijus Vinokuras | ||
| Netherlands | Gelukkig Je Bent Er | Carlo Boszhard | RTL 4 | Dutch | September 2006 | Link | ||
| Portugal | Ainda Bem Que Apareceste | Virgílio Castelo | RTP1 | Portuguese | October 2008 | Link | Nilton | |
| Russia | Слава Богу, ты пришёл! | Михаил Шац | STS | Russian | 24 September 2006 | Link | Andrey Urgant | |
| Spain | Por Fin Has Llegado | Josema Yuste | TVE1 | Spanish | 14 September 2007 | Link | David Fernandez | |
| Sweden | Tack Gode Gud | David Hellenius | TV4 | Swedish | 21 March 2007 | Link | ||
| United Kingdom | Thank God You're Here | Paul Merton | ITV | English | 12 January 2008 | Link | ||
| United States | Thank God You're Here | David Alan Grier | NBC | English | 9 April 2007 | Link | Dave Foley |