Very Small Business (TV series)

Last updated

Very Small Business
VSB LOGO.JPG
Genre Situation comedy
Created by Wayne Hope
Gary McCaffrie
Robyn Butler
Directed byDaina Reid
StarringWayne Hope
Kym Gyngell
ComposerCraig Pilkington
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes14
Production
Executive producersRobyn Butler
Wayne Hope
Geoff Porz
Greg Sitch
Debbie Lee
Producers Robyn Butler
Wayne Hope
Production locations Melbourne, Victoria
CinematographyJoanne Donahoe-Beckwith
EditorChris Branagan
Running time30 minutes approx
Production companies Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Gristmill
Original release
Network ABC1
Release3 September (2008-09-03) 
8 October 2008 (2008-10-08)

Very Small Business is an Australian television comedy series first broadcast on Wednesday 3 September 2008 on ABC1. The series is written and created by Wayne Hope, Gary McCaffrie, and Robyn Butler, and produced by Hope and Butler. It comprises fourteen half-hour episodes. [1]

Contents

A new season began screening in September 2018 titled Back in Very Small Business. It comprises six half-hour episodes. [2]

Synopsis

Don Angel is the small business owner of the Worldwide Business Group, a business he's trying to grow. This business includes publishing of dubious niche magazines such as Feelin' Great, Railway Union Monthly and Music, Music, Music, Music – mere vehicles used by smooth-talking Don to sell advertising space to unsuspecting businesses. He's just hired Ray Leonard, a down-and-out former journalist for The Australian , as his senior journalist and sole employee. [3]

Cast

Episodes

Season 1 "Very Small Business"

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11"Basics of Team Building"Daina ReidWayne Hope, Gary McCaffrie & Robyn Butler3 September 2008 (2008-09-03)
Don needs a senior journalist for the World Wide Group, and finds Ray, a former journalist with The Australian .
22"Human Resources"Daina ReidWayne Hope, Gary McCaffrie & Robyn Butler10 September 2008 (2008-09-10)
Don's plans to start up a dog wash franchise are interrupted when his kids turn up at the office.
33"Export Fluctuations"Daina ReidWayne Hope, Gary McCaffrie & Robyn Butler17 September 2008 (2008-09-17)
After he asks his estranged daughter to do the graphic design for the Dog Wash, Ray tells Don why they stopped speaking six years ago.
44"Diversification of Capital"Daina ReidWayne Hope, Gary McCaffrie & Robyn Butler24 September 2008 (2008-09-24)
Don escapes his creditors when he and Ray film a late night TV ad for the Don's Dirty Dog Wash franchise.
55"Systems Analysis"Daina ReidWayne Hope, Gary McCaffrie & Robyn Butler1 October 2008 (2008-10-01)
While Don's stomach problems force him to see a psychologist, Ray tries to sell the Dog Wash franchise.
66"Obligations Under the Taxation Act"Daina ReidWayne Hope, Gary McCaffrie & Robyn Butler8 October 2008 (2008-10-08)
As the Australian Tax Office launches an investigation into World Wide Group's shady tax management, Ray attempts to consolidate his relationship with his ex-wife and daughter.

Season 2 "Back in Very Small Business"

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title [4] Directed byWritten byOriginal air date
71"All Over Range Rover"Robyn ButlerWayne Hope, Gary McCaffrie & Robyn Butler5 September 2018 (2018-09-05)
Don's desperate to arrive at the Small Business Awards in a new prestige car. Following a financial setback Don works to quickly increase sales. Ray could solve the crisis by selling a franchise but only on one condition.
82"By Design"Robyn ButlerWayne Hope, Gary McCaffrie & Robyn Butler11 September 2018 (2018-09-11)
Leslie fights with staff about his new role and Ray struggles to get him to lower his artistic expectations. Don receives a visit from the ACCC and Leslie helps Cody come up with an ingenious women’s fashion belt for BRRR!
93"Bad Influence"Robyn ButlerWayne Hope, Gary McCaffrie & Robyn Butler19 September 2018 (2018-09-19)
Sam brings in Coco for a photo shoot with the 'Ammo', which has gone viral on Instagram. Don’s son asks for money to record an album and Ray avoids his ex as she tries to stop him financially assisting Leslie's transition.
104"Litigating Circumstances"Robyn ButlerWayne Hope, Gary McCaffrie & Robyn Butler26 September 2018 (2018-09-26)
The Ammo belt success is short lived thanks to a Facebook video of the Cambodian manufacturer going viral. Don deals with the fallout whilst also attending mediation for the Yaytionery's pineapple rubbers class action.
115"Crossing The Line"Robyn ButlerWayne Hope, Gary McCaffrie & Robyn Butler3 October 2018 (2018-10-03)
Don tries desperately to please Bridget, promising to deliver an order stuck at the docks. Don and Vijay awkwardly confront the Wharfies. Leslie's romantic encounter goes pear-shaped and Ray is forced to call Yvonne for help.
126"Family Trust"Robyn ButlerWayne Hope, Gary McCaffrie & Robyn Butler10 October 2018 (2018-10-10)
Angry with Bridget, Don advertises the cowhide chairs on Gumtree. Don and Sam must attend mediation at the ATO. Don’s son Alex demands income derived from the family trust and Sam struggles to deal with the family conflict.
137"Guardian Angel"Robyn ButlerWayne Hope, Gary McCaffrie & Robyn Butler17 October 2018 (2018-10-17)
Furious with Don, Alex has changed his last name and Don channels his shock and hurt into rebranding the WWBG. Ray escapes for a camping trip with Yvonne, and when Leslie falls apart he turns to Don.
148"FreeDon of Speech"Robyn ButlerWayne Hope, Gary McCaffrie & Robyn Butler24 October 2018 (2018-10-24)
When the Advertising Standards Bureau upholds a complaint against Don's Dirty Dog Wash, Don and Ray face the prospect of going their separate ways. Leslie and Sam rally to help their fathers.

DVD release

Very Small Business

Set DetailsSpecial Features
  • 6 Episodes
  • 16:9 Aspect Ratio
  • 1.78:1 Fullframe
  • Subtitles: No
  • English (2.0 Dolby)
  • Total running time: Approx 158 minutes
  • Don's Essentials of Small Business
  • Ray's Cognitive Behaviour Challenges
  • Don's Job Interviews (Roz Hammond, Bob Franklin & Tony Martin)
  • Ray's Other Advertorials
  • Don's Colonoscopy
  • Don's Business Insider Interview
  • 8 Deleted Scenes
  • Making of Very Small Business
  • Out Takes

See also

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References

  1. Kentera, Yasmin (14 April 2008). "New Hope for Small Business" (Press release). Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  2. "Back in Very Small Business to begin filming in December | TV Tonight".
  3. Knox, David (5 August 2008). "Airdate: Very Small Business". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  4. "Back in Very Small Business". ABC. Retrieved 3 October 2018.