Why Are You Like This

Last updated

Why Are You Like This
Genre Comedy [1]
Created by
Directed by
  • Adam Murfet
  • Jessie Oldfield
Opening theme"Big Shot" by Pearls
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producers
  • Nick Hayden
  • Amanda Higgs
  • Adam Murfet
  • Jessie Oldfield
ProducerSarah Freeman
CinematographyShelley Farthing-Dawe
Original release
Network ABC Television
Release27 November 2018 (2018-11-27)

Why Are You Like This is an Australian television comedy series that first screened on the ABC in 2018. It follows the adventures of best friends Penny and Mia, as well as Penny's housemate Austin. They are in their early 20s and socially conscious, and navigate the uncertainties of emerging adulthood. [2] The series was written by Naomi Higgins, Humyara Mahbub, Mark Bonanno, with additional writing by Vidya Rajan, Michelle Brasier and Laura Davis.

Contents

Production

First series

The series began as part of the comedy anthology series Fresh Blood which screened in 2018. It was one of four new comedies screened in the series, which were seen as potential pilots for a full TV series. In September 2019, the show was picked up ABC. [3] It premiered on 16 February 2021 on ABC TV Plus, with a repeat on ABC TV the following night. [4] The series is set in Melbourne. [5] [6] Marie Claire Australia writer Courtney Thompson describes the three main characters as being "very online". [5] [7]

Cast

Main cast

Recurring cast

Guest cast

Episodes

Series 1

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"I Love Gay"Adam Murfet and Jessie Oldfield Naomi Higgins, Humyara Mahbub, Mark Samual Bonanno, Michelle Brasier, Vidya Rajan and Laura Davis27 November 2018 (2018-11-27)
After being made redundant from her job, Mia (Olivia Junkeer) struggles to find another gig. Mia and Penny’s (Naomi Higgins) friend Austin (Wil King) performs as a drag queen at local bars and clubs and the two women regularly attend his shows. Penny’s attempts at her workplace to raise awareness about various social issues (a tech start-up) get derailed due to her co-workers’ disinterest. Penny is frustrated in particular by her co-worker Daniel (Lawrence Leung), who she perceives as homophobic due to his apathy regarding “International Day for Queer Visibility”. She invites her queer friends, Mia and Austin, to a work party because she wants to call out Daniel, but it turns out that Daniel is queer himself.
22"The Pressures of Late Capitalism"Adam Murfet and Jessie OldfieldNaomi Higgins, Humyara Mahbub and Mark Samual Bonanno16 February 2021 (2021-02-16)
Penny, Daniel and Richard (Rik Brown) go to a client’s office to help set up some new tech, and are shocked by the culture of misogyny there. Penny tries to help the women (who work in mostly administrative duties) improve their situation through collective action. The situation spirals, as it turns out the technology being introduced effectively renders the admin workers at the office obsolete. Meanwhile, Mia’s menstrual cup gets stuck. Because Penny is busy with work, Mia forcefully requests the help of Austin (much to his chagrin).
33"D*ck or P*ssy of Colour"Adam Murfet and Jessie OldfieldNaomi Higgins, Humyara Mahbub and Mark Samual Bonanno23 February 2021 (2021-02-23)
Mia decides she wants to hook up with another POC, as she is sick of dating white guys. She arranges a night out to an ethnically diverse nightclub with her other group of friends (who are all POC) and Penny. Mia strikes out at the club and gets rejected multiple times. She meets a girl, Grace (Tiama Martina), and they hit it off. However, it turns out that Grace wants to have a threesome with her boyfriend and Mia (which Mia is disinterested in). Penny feels alienated by the inside jokes and deep connection that Mia has with her other friends. Austin was also invited to join them, but he is struggling with his mental health and is unable to leave his home.
44"Hey Rich Baby"Adam Murfet and Jessie OldfieldMark Samual Bonanno2 March 2021 (2021-03-02)
Penny is de-cluttering her stuff, and Austin wants to reinvent his drag persona for an upcoming competition. Mia’s new co-worker, Maddie (Lara Robinson), is a cosplayer. Mia convinces Maddy monetise her hobby and online audience, mainly because Mia wants a cut of the profits.
55"The Infinite Mercy of God"Adam Murfet and Jessie OldfieldHumyara Mahbub9 March 2021 (2021-03-09)
Mia is fasting for Ramadan, and is compelled to reflect on her behaviour after several friends describe her as being self-absorbed and unkind. She is irritated by Munia (Aadhya Wijegoonawardena), her frenemy, befriending Penny. Austin spends money on skincare that he can’t afford, after running into an old classmate.
66"I Will Not Speak for the Queer Community"Adam Murfet and Jessie OldfieldNaomi Higgins, Humyara Mahbub, Mark Samual Bonanno and Vidya Rajan16 March 2021 (2021-03-16)
Penny is on her way to see a performance by her favourite artist, Alma Chen (Ra Chapman). Austin works at the theatre where the show is happening. However, Alma Chen’s use of sweatshops and other problematic behaviour causes Penny to feel conflicted about attending the event, since she is 'cancelled' online.

Reception

Awards and accolades

In 2021, Naomi Higgins, Humyara Mahbub and Mark Bonanno won the Comedy - Situation or Narrative category at the 54th Annual AWGIE Awards for their writing on the series. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Courtney B. Vance</span> American actor (born 1960)

Courtney Bernard Vance is an American actor. He started his career on stage before moving to film and television. Vance has received various accolades, including a Tony Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards, as well as nominations for a Grammy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kitty Flanagan</span> Australian comedian

Kitty Flanagan is an Australian comedian, writer and actress who works in Australia and the United Kingdom. She has also performed in France, Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Japan and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Montreal Just For Laughs festival.

Ian Meadows is an Australian actor, playwright and writer.

Pete McTighe is a British screenwriter and executive producer. He is originating writer of Wentworth, a female ensemble prison drama series that won Most Outstanding and Most Popular Drama at the Logie Awards. He is the creator and writer of the BBC1 mystery thriller series The Pact and has written various television productions in the UK and internationally including Doctor Who, The Rising, Glitch, Nowhere Boys and A Discovery of Witches. McTighe has received five Australian Writers Guild Award and one Welsh BAFTA nomination for his work.

Amanda Brotchie, born in Melbourne, Victoria), is an Australian director known for Picnic at Hanging Rock (2018), Mr Black (2019), Girlboss (2017), and Lowdown (2010-2012). She is also a writer, producer and linguist.

<i>Please Like Me</i> Australian comedy television series

Please Like Me is an Australian television comedy-drama series created by and starring Josh Thomas. Thomas also serves as a writer for most episodes. The series premiered on 28 February 2013 on ABC2 in Australia and is on occasion available on Netflix in certain regions. The show explores realistic issues with humorous tones; executive producer Todd Abbott had pitched the show as a drama rather than a sitcom. The show aired later on the United States network Pivot, which then helped to develop the show from its second season onwards. Four seasons of the show have been broadcast, and creator Thomas has stated that he has no plans to make any further episodes. The show has attracted praise from critics and has garnered numerous nominations, winning a number of awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aja Naomi King</span> American film and television actress

Aja Naomi King is an American actress. She began her career in guest-starring roles on television, and starred as Cassandra Kopelson in short-lived The CW medical comedy-drama, Emily Owens, M.D. (2012–13). She also has starred in the films Four (2012) and Reversion (2015).

BedHead is a comedy web series created by Jon Dalgaard, Claire Phillips, Tom Keele, Reece A. Jones & Benjamin Mathews. Filmed in Sydney, Australia, the series allows the audience to hear the thoughts of two old friends, Paul and Sarah, who end up in bed together when Sarah comes to stay for the weekend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aunty Donna</span> Australian comedy group

Aunty Donna is an Australian surrealist comedy group formed in Melbourne in 2011. The group consists of performers and writers Mark Bonanno, Broden Kelly and Zachary Ruane, alongside writer and director Sam Lingham, director Max Miller and composer Thomas Zahariou. Their work spans numerous live shows, a YouTube channel, a podcast, a studio album, the Netflix series Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun, the ABC Australia series Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe and the picture book Always Room for Christmas Pud.

Alice Bell is an Australian screenwriter and director. She has written for Australian TV dramas, including The Beautiful Lie, The Slap, Spirited, Rush and Puberty Blues. She has directed music videos for artists including Silverchair, Toni Collette and the Finish, Jimmy Barnes, Little Birdy, and Missy Higgins. In 2007, she won the ARIA Award for Best Video, with co-director Paul Goldman, for Silverchair's "Straight Lines".

Kate McLennan is an Australian comedian, writer and actor. McLennan has performed in Australia and internationally, including at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She is known in Australia for her work on television and web series such as The Katering Show, Get Krack!n, The Mansion, and Deadloch (2023). She produces most of her work with Kate McCartney, which has led to their being dubbed the Kates.

Anne Elizabeth Gabrielle Edmonds is an Australian comedian and actor best known for her stand-up work and for creating and starring in the ABC comedy series The Edge of the Bush. Beginning her career in comedy at 29 (2010) after working in mental health in rural Australia, Edmonds uses her suburban background, singing/songwriting and storytelling to create a fearless, self-deprecating and often macabre stand up voice. Humiliation and despair are central themes to Edmonds' comedy, as are stories of teenage mischief, sex, failure, relationships and loneliness.

<i>Superwog</i> Australian comedy duo

Superwog1 or just simply Superwog, is a YouTube duo consisting of two Australian brothers, Theodore and Nathan Saidden. The channel consists of various videos including comedies and skits. They have gained over 3 million subscribers and 456 million video views. They have produced a television comedy series based on their YouTube sketch comedies. The series follows Theo, aka "Superwog", his family, and his friend Johnny, getting into all kinds of trouble throughout the Australian suburbia.

Fresh Blood is an Australian television comedy anthology series that began airing in May 2016 on ABC. The comedies screened in the series are seen as possible pilots for a full TV series.

Thomas Duncan-Watt is an Australian screenwriter and playwright. He has won three AWGIE Awards for his screenplays from five nominations. His work on UK series Dennis & Gnasher earned the series its first BAFTA nomination. In 2017, he was one of the mentors at the Arts/Screen Hackathon, along with Sarah Houbolt and others, which was organized by Australia Council for the Arts. In 2021, he won the John Hinde Award for Excellence in Science Fiction Writing for his work on the series Space Nova. In 2022 his original series The Eerie Chapters of Chhaya was announced as the winner of the Kindred co-production initiative between the ABC and CBC networks.

Naomi Higgins is an Australian writer, performer, comedian, influencer, and former Twitch streamer. She is best known for writing and starring in Why Are You Like This, for which she won an AWGIE comedy award.

Kristen Dunphy is an Australian television screenwriter and producer. She is best known as creator, co-writer and co-executive producer of Wakefield, which screened on ABC TV in 2021.

Kodie Bedford is an Aboriginal Australian screenwriter, filmmaker and playwright from Western Australia. She is known for her play Cursed!, and work on several television series, in particular the 2021 comedy series All My Friends are Racist.

Olivia Junkeer is an Australian actress, best known for her role as Yashvi Rebecchi in the Australian soap opera Neighbours. She also portrayed the character in the spin-off Erinsborough High. She portrayed Mia in the ABC comedy series Why Are You Like This.

<i>Aunty Donnas Coffee Cafe</i> 2023 Australian sitcom

Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe is an Australian absurdist sitcom television show on ABC iView, created by and starring the comedy group Aunty Donna and premiering on 12 April 2023. It follows the three main members of Aunty Donna running a trendy cafe in the Melbourne laneways, and is the second television series by the troupe after Netflix's Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun.

References

  1. ↑ "Why Are You Like This takes aim at Gen Z: 'This is the most humiliating thing I've done'".
  2. ↑ Shaw, Catrin (4 December 2018). "Fresh Blood 2018: Introducing the four pilots". Screen Australia . Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  3. ↑ "Why Are You Like This proceeds to ABC comedy series". 25 September 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  4. ↑ "Why Are You Like This Review". TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  5. 1 2 Thompson, Courtney (11 March 2021). "Meet the Future of Australian Comedy Television". Marie Claire. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  6. ↑ Ng, Brian (16 April 2021). "Is America Ready for Australian Sensation 'Why Are You Like This'?". Vanity Fair . Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  7. ↑ Watson, Meg (15 February 2021). "Why Are You Like This takes aim at Gen Z: 'This is the most humiliating thing I've done'". The Guardian . Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  8. ↑ "Writers of Cursed!, The Dry, New Gold Mountain, The Great and Nitram among winners at the 54th Annual AWGIE Awards". Australian Writers' Guild . 8 December 2021. Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2023. Other 2021 AWGIE Award winners: ... Mark Bonanno, Naomi Higgins and Humyara Mahbub won the Comedy – Situation or Narrative category for Why Are You Like This [original emphasis]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.