Please Like Me

Last updated

Please Like Me
Please Like Me.JPG
Genre Comedy drama
Created by Josh Thomas
Written by
Directed by
Starring
Opening theme"I'll Be Fine" by Clairy Browne & The Bangin' Rackettes
Composer Bryony Marks
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes32 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Todd Abbott
  • Debbie Lee
  • Josh Thomas
  • Kevin Whyte
  • Rick Kalowski
  • Brett Sleigh
  • Jeff Skoll
  • Holly A. Hines
  • Chris Loveall
  • Belisa Balaban
Producers
  • Todd Abbott
  • Lisa Wang
Cinematography
  • Katie Milwright
  • Matthew Temple
Editors
  • Chris Branagan
  • Julie-Anne De Ruvo
  • Geoff Hitchins
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time25–27 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network
Release28 February 2013 (2013-02-28) –
14 December 2016 (2016-12-14)

Please Like Me is an Australian comedy-drama television 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. [1] The show has attracted praise from critics and has garnered numerous nominations, winning a number of awards.

Contents

Creation

Please Like Me was chiefly written by Josh Thomas, who also played the main character, Josh. Most episodes were directed by Matthew Saville. [2] Thomas and producer Todd Abbott developed the series together for four years. They held a series of consultation meetings with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Abbott was careful to pitch the series as a drama rather than a sitcom. It portrays a set of circumstances that could happen to a young person but has humorous themes. [2] Thomas envisioned an original show, something he had not seen on television before. The actor, also a known comedian in Australia, wanted honesty in the script and wrote the comedy with that in mind. He also wanted the actors to not intentionally react to the scripted jokes. [2]

In January 2013, The West Australian reported that Please Like Me would air on ABC2. [3] The show had been meant to air on ABC1, but it was decided that the show would be better suited to the digital channel ABC2. The broadcaster stated that the show is aimed at a younger demographic more appropriate for ABC2, while ABC1 caters to all ages. The move was criticised because it was believed to be the result of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation viewing the show's content as "too gay" for their primary channel. [4] The series begins with Josh realising that he is gay and his mother attempting suicide with an overdose of Panadol. [2]

In September 2013, ABC1 started running the series on Wednesday nights (10pm), six months after its original ABC2 run.

It was announced in July 2013 that the series would air in the United States as part of the launch programming of Pivot, a new digital cable and satellite television channel which released the first episode of the series online prior to its screening on the channel. [5] It would also offer the series as part of its video on demand service. [5] Pivot also launched a social media website "pleaselikeme.org" for viewers to share personal experiences about breaking stigma and fear of being unliked, in relation to the series. [6]

On 26 July 2013, it was announced that ABC and Pivot had commissioned a second season of the show consisting of ten episodes. [7] The season debuted in its American territory first from 8 August 2014. [8] Producers also added a host of new regular characters to the cast. [9] On 12 July 2014, it was announced that the networking partnership had renewed Please Like Me for a third series also comprising ten episodes. [10] On 7 July 2016, the series was renewed for a fourth season consisting of six episodes. [11] On 2 February 2017, it was announced that season 4 would conclude the series.

Plot

Twenty something Josh is going through a number of big changes as he navigates his first decade of adulthood. After being dumped by his girlfriend, he comes to the realization that he is gay. [12]

Cast

ActorCharacterSeasons
1234
Main characters
Josh Thomas Josh Main
Debra Lawrance Rose (Mum) Main
David Roberts Alan (Dad) Main
Judi Farr Aunty Peg Main
Thomas Ward Tom Main
Wade BriggsGeoffrey Main Guest [lower-alpha 1] Guest [lower-alpha 1]
Caitlin Stasey Claire Main Recurring [lower-alpha 1] Main
Nikita Leigh-PritchardNiamh Main Recurring [lower-alpha 1]
Renee Lim Mae Main
Denise Drysdale Ginger Main
Hannah Gadsby Hannah Main
Charles Cottier Patrick Main
Keegan Joyce Arnold Main
Charlotte Nicdao Jenny Main
Bob Franklin Stuart Main Recurring [lower-alpha 1]
Emily Barclay Ella Main
Recurring characters
John the DogJohn Recurring
Andrew S. Gilbert Rod Recurring [lower-alpha 1]
Luke McGregor Rental Agent Guest
Nick CodySteve Recurring Guest
David Quirk Ben Recurring Guest
Geoff Morrell Bruce Guest Guest

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Received "Starring" credit for appearance(s), but appeared in a minority of the season's episodes.

Episodes

SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
1 628 February 2013 (2013-02-28)28 March 2013 (2013-03-28) ABC2
2 1012 August 2014 (2014-08-12)14 October 2014 (2014-10-14)
3 1015 October 2015 (2015-10-15)17 December 2015 (2015-12-17) ABC
4 69 November 2016 (2016-11-09)14 December 2016 (2016-12-14)

Reception

Critical response

Anthony D. Langford from AfterElton.com said that he "absolutely loved this charming series. It’s funny and sweet and has plenty of heart." He also praised Thomas's portrayal of Josh and wished that US broadcasters could emulate the show's format. [13] He later said that he would miss the show and hoped a second season would be commissioned. He added that he did not want to say goodbye to Josh's world. [14] Andrew Mast, writing for Music.com.au, praised Briggs's "naturalistic performances" and the inclusion of accomplished actress Farr. He concluded that Thomas's writing was good and comedic, but the on-screen delivery did not meet his expectations. [15] David Knox from TV Tonight praised the performances of many cast members. He opined that the dynamic between Josh and his parents created a "very rich comedic terrain" for the show. He added that Please Like Me displays "a confidence that delivers laughs, pathos and insight". [16]

Colin Vickery and Darren Devlyn from News.com.au said that it "has a sweetness that sets it apart from other boundary-pushing comedies". [4] Giles Hardie from The Age praised the show for "breaking new ground" and not making stereotypes of gay characters. He viewed the comedy as being genuine without feeling like a sitcom. He noted that coming out and attempted suicide are given humour without the gags. Hardie concluded that Josh, his family and friends were "incredibly well" played. [17] His colleague Scott Ellis believed that Please Like Me was an important show and the type of material the ABC should be investing more in. He also branded it "gentle" and insightful when covering "tough ground". [17] Fellow critic Craig Mathieson also agreed that the show's darker moments are some of the most humorous and compared it to US show Louie . [2] Please Like Me received an invitation to screen at the Series Mania Television Festival in Paris. [18]

The A.V. Club regarded season 2 of Please Like Me as one of the year's best shows, praising the camera work and Josh's performance. [19] The Guardian praised Please Like Me's "unconventional writing". [20]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipients and nomineesResult
2013Australian Writers Guild Awards [21] [22] Best Writing in a Comedy: Situation or NarrativeJosh Thomas, Liz Doran and Thomas Ward – Series 1, Episode 3 'Portuguese Custard Tarts'Won
Josh Thomas, Liz Doran and Thomas Ward – Series 1, Episode 5 'Spanish Eggs'Nominated
2014 3rd AACTA Awards [23] Best Television Comedy Series Please Like Me – Todd AbbottWon
Best Performance in a Television Comedy Josh ThomasNominated
Best Direction in a Television Drama or Comedy Matthew Saville – Series 1, Episode 3 'Portuguese Custard Tarts'Nominated
GLAAD Media Awards [24] Outstanding Comedy SeriesPlease Like MeNominated
Australian Directors Guild Awards [25] Best Direction: TV ComedyMatthew SavilleWon
Rose d'Or [26] SitcomPlease Like MeNominated
Logie Awards [27] Most Outstanding Light Entertainment ProgramPlease Like MeNominated
International Emmy Award [28] Best Comedy Series Please Like MeNominated
Australian Screen Editors Awards [29] Best Editing in a Television ComedyJulie-Anne De Ruvo – Season 2, Episode 2 'Ham'Nominated
2015 4th AACTA Awards [30] Best Television Comedy Series Please Like Me – Todd Abbott, Josh Thomas and Kevin WhyteNominated
Best Direction in a Television Drama or Comedy Matthew Saville – Series 2, Episode 7 'Scroggin'Nominated
Best Screenplay in Television Josh Thomas – Series 2, Episode 7 'Scroggin'Won
Best Performance in a Television Comedy Debra LawranceWon
Josh ThomasNominated
Best Sound in Television John Wilkinson and Simon Rosenberg – Series 2, Episode 7 'Scroggin'Nominated
Logie Awards [31] Most Popular ActorJosh Thomas, Please Like MeNominated
Most Outstanding Comedy ProgramPlease Like MeNominated
GLAAD Media Awards Outstanding Comedy SeriesPlease Like MeNominated
Australian Writers Guild Awards [32] Best Writing in a Comedy: Situation or NarrativeJosh Thomas – Series 2, Episode 7 'Scroggin'Won
Australian Directors Guild Awards [33] Best Direction in a TV ComedyMatthew Saville – Series 2, Episode 7 'Scroggin'Won
Australian Screen Editors Awards [34] Best Editing in a Television ComedyJulie-Anne De Ruvo – Please Like Me (Series 2)Won
Screen Producers Australia Awards [35] Comedy Television Production of the YearPlease Like Me Season 2, Guesswork TelevisionWon
Prism Awards [36] Comedy Episode or Multi-Episode StorylinePlease Like Me Season 2 (Pivot)Nominated
Dorian Awards [37] LGBTQ TV Show of the YearPlease Like Me (Pivot)Nominated
Unsung TV Show of the YearPlease Like Me (Pivot)Nominated
2016 GLAAD Media Awards [38] Outstanding Comedy SeriesPlease Like Me (Pivot)Nominated
Logie Awards [39] Best ActorJosh Thomas, Please Like MeNominated
Most Outstanding Comedy ProgramPlease Like MeNominated
Australian Writers Guild Awards [40] [41] Best Writing in a Comedy: Situation or NarrativeJosh Thomas – Season 3, 'Coq au Vin'Nominated
Josh Thomas and Liz Doran – Season 3, 'Pancakes with Faces'Won
Josh Thomas, Liz Doran and Thomas Ward – Season 3, 'Simple Carbohydrates'Nominated
Australian Screen Editors Awards [42] Best Editing in a ComedyJulie-Anne De Ruvo – Please Like Me, Season 3 – Episode 10Won
Screen Producers Australia Awards [43] Comedy Television Production of the YearPlease Like Me Season 3, Guesswork TelevisionNominated
Prism AwardsComedy Episode or Multi-Episode StorylinePlease Like Me Season 3 (Pivot)Nominated
6th AACTA Awards [44] Best Television Comedy Series Please Like Me – Todd Abbott, Josh Thomas, Lisa Wang and Kevin WhyteNominated
2017 Logie Awards [45] Most Outstanding Supporting ActressDebra LawranceWon
Most Outstanding Comedy ProgramPlease Like MeWon

See also

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