Series synopsis
Good News Week is an Australian news comedy family television series that premiered on ABC TV on April 12, 1996. It ended on May 9, 2011. It stars Paul McDermott, Claire Hooper, Mikey Robins and Julie McCrossin.
Good News Week was an Australian satirical panel game show hosted by Paul McDermott that aired from 19 April 1996 to 27 May 2000, and 11 February 2008 to 28 April 2012. The show's initial run aired on ABC until being bought by Network Ten in 1999. The show was revived for its second run when the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike caused many of Network Ten's imported US programmes to cease production.
Good News Week drew its comedy and satire from recent news stories, political figures, ...
Premise
Good News Week was an Australian satirical panel game show hosted by Paul McDermott that aired from 19 April 1996 to 27 May 2000, and 11 February 2008 to 28 April 2012. The show's initial run aired on ABC until being bought by Network Ten in 1999. The show was revived for its second run when the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike caused many of Network Ten's imported US programmes to cease production.
Good News Week drew its comedy and satire from recent news stories, political figures, media organisations, and often, aspects of the show itself. The show opened with a monologue by McDermott relating to recent headlines, after which two teams of three panellists competed in recurring segments to gain points.
The show has spawned three short-lived spin-off series, the ABC's Good News Weekend, Ten's GNW Night Lite and Ten's skit-based Good News World.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Paul McDermott as Self - Host
- Claire Hooper as Self - Team Captain
- Mikey Robins as Self - Team Captain
- Julie McCrossin as Self - Team Captain
- Arj Barker as Self
- Eddie Ifft as Self
- Brooke Satchwell as Self
- Julia Morris as Self
Supporting cast
- Pia Miranda as Self
- Pat Cash as Self
- Ian Dickson as Self
- Marc Maron as Self
- Charli Robinson as Self
- Chris Taylor as Self
- Jensen Ackles as Self
- Meshel Laurie as Self
- Cal Wilson as Self
- Corinne Grant as Self
- Wil Anderson as Self
- Frank Woodley as Self
Guest cast
- Mikey Robins as Self - Team Captain
- Julie McCrossin as Self - Team Captain
- Arj Barker as Self
- Eddie Ifft as Self
- Brooke Satchwell as Self
- Julia Morris as Self
- Pia Miranda as Self
- Pat Cash as Self
- Ian Dickson as Self
- Marc Maron as Self
- Charli Robinson as Self
- Chris Taylor as Self
Episodes
This series spans 10 seasons with 308 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 24 | March 29, 2010 | April 28, 2012 |
| Season 1 | 30 | April 12, 1996 | November 1, 1996 |
| Season 2 | 41 | February 14, 1997 | November 28, 1997 |
| Season 3 | 37 | March 6, 1998 | November 20, 1998 |
| Season 4 | 33 | March 21, 1999 | November 22, 1999 |
| Season 5 | 29 | February 26, 2000 | November 21, 2000 |
| Season 6 | 29 | February 11, 2008 | November 24, 2008 |
| Season 7 | 36 | February 9, 2009 | November 23, 2009 |
| Season 8 | 38 | January 2, 2010 | December 13, 2010 |
| Season 9 | 11 | February 7, 2011 | April 28, 2012 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best In Show | March 29, 2010 |
| 2 | Melbourne International Comedy Festival - 20th Annual Great Debate | |
| 3 | The Couch (2011) |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
12 April 1996 Mikey Robins (captain), Kate Fischer, James O'Loghlin Anthony Ackroyd (captain), Alison Whyte, Sandy Ireland |
April 12, 1996 |
| 2 |
19 April 1996 Mikey Robins (captain), Fiona Horne, Matt Parkinson Anthony Ackroyd (captain), Kitty Flanagan, Rachael Maza |
April 19, 1996 |
| 3 |
26 April 1996 Mikey Robins (captain), Kate Fisher, Noel Ferrier Anthony Ackroyd (captain), Su Cruickshank, Julia Zemiro |
April 26, 1996 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
14 February 1997 Mikey Robins (captain), Happy Ho, Adam Spencer Julie McCrossin (captain), Magda Szubanski, Pru Goward |
February 14, 1997 |
| 2 |
21 February 1997 Mikey Robins (captain), Glenn Butcher Julie McCrossin (captain), James O'Loghlin, Johanna Griggs |
February 21, 1997 |
| 3 |
28 February 1997 Mikey Robins (captain), Sue-Ann Post, Anthony Morgan Julie McCrossin (captain), Peter Berner, Georgie Parker |
February 28, 1997 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
6 March 1998 Mikey Robins (captain), Poppy King, Anthony Morgan Julie McCrossin (captain), Peter Berner, Amanda Keller |
March 6, 1998 |
| 2 |
13 March 1998 Mikey Robins (captain), Wil Anderson, Kate Fischer Julie McCrossin (captain), Sister Veronica Brady, Rod Quantock |
March 13, 1998 |
| 3 |
20 March 1998 Mikey Robins (captain), Andy Parsons, Henry Naylor Julie McCrossin (captain), Adam Spencer, Natasha Stott Despoja |
March 20, 1998 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
21 March 1999 Mikey Robins (captain), Anthony Morgan, Natasha Stott Despoja Julie McCrossin (captain), Amanda Keller, Rhys Muldoon |
March 21, 1999 |
| 2 |
28 March 1999 Mikey Robins (captain), Margaret Scott, James O'Loghlin Julie McCrossin (captain), Johanna Griggs, Peter Berner |
March 28, 1999 |
| 3 |
4 April 1999 Mikey Robins (captain), Jean Kittson, Richard Fidler Julie McCrossin (captain), Corinne Grant, Adam Couper |
April 4, 1999 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
26 February 2000 Mikey Robins (captain), Amanda Vanstone, Nick Giannopoulos Julie McCrossin (captain), Amanda Keller, Tim Fischer Special appearance: John Astin Songs: "Say Your Prayers" - Midnight Oil "Can You Feel?" - Taxiride "Liberdardi Liberty" - Dili Allstars |
February 26, 2000 |
| 2 |
4 March 2000 Mikey Robins (captain), Jean Kittson, Richard Fidler Julie McCrossin (captain), Adam Hills, Molly Ringwald Songs: "Get 'Em Outta Here" - Sprung Monkey "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" - Simply Barbara & Paul McDermott "Exerciser" - Rhubarb |
March 4, 2000 |
| 3 |
11 March 2000 Mikey Robins (captain), Corinne Grant, Rove McManus Julie McCrossin (captain), Lucy Bell, James O'Loghlin Songs: "Don't Believe in Love" - Diana Ah Naid "I Am Woman" - Pop Tarts "Me, Myself, I" - Marie Wilson Tonic |
March 11, 2000 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
11 February 2008 "Supernatural" star Jensen Ackles Joins the fun this week! (Mainly helping Channel 10 sell "Supernatural" on their station. This aired just before the "Mystery Spot" episode of "Supernatural" aired in the US.) Mikey Robins (captain), Pat Cash, Cal Wilson Claire Hooper (captain), Frank Woodley, Craig Reucassel |
February 11, 2008 |
| 2 |
18 February 2008 Claire dials "M" for "Ummm...?" Mikey Robins (captain), Fiona O'Loughlin, Matthew Hardy Claire Hooper (captain), Mershel Laurie, Wil Anderson |
February 18, 2008 |
| 3 |
25 February 2008 Mikey Robins (captain), Tom Gleeson, Brooke Satchwell Claire Hooper (captain), Tommy Dean, Josh Thomas |
February 25, 2008 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
9 February 2009 Mikey Robbins (captain), Cal Wilson, Jason Coleman Claire Hooper (captain), Georgie Parker, Wil Anderson |
February 9, 2009 |
| 2 |
16 February 2009 Mikey Robbins (captain), Shaun Micallef, Julia Morris Claire Hooper (captain), Lehmo, Dave Hughes |
February 16, 2009 |
| 3 |
23 February 2009 Mikey Robbins (captain), Tom Gleeson, Ajay Rochester Claire Hooper (captain), Jordan Raskopoulos, Akmal Saleh |
February 23, 2009 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
1 February 2010 Join Paul McDermott, Mikey Robins and Claire Hooper as they discuss the news from the week with tonight's guestsCal Wilson, Ross Noble, Corinne Grant and Akmal Saleh. With Wes Carr and The McClymonts |
January 2, 2010 |
| 2 |
8 February 2010 Join Paul McDermott, Mikey Robins and Claire Hooper as they discuss the news from the week with tonight's guestsJimeoin, Kitty Flanagan, Tim Minchin and Colin Lane |
February 8, 2010 |
| 3 |
15 February 2010 Join Paul McDermott, Mikey Robins and Claire Hooper as they discuss the news from the week with tonight's guestsLiz Ellis, Peter Berner, Josh Thomas and Fiona O'Loughlin |
February 15, 2010 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
7th February 2011 This week's guests include Cal Wilson, Tom Gleeson, Kitty Flanagan, Randy, Fiona O'Loughlin, Matt Preston, Josh Thomas and Akmal Saleh. (With Special Guests Kasey Chambers and Reggie Watts.) |
February 7, 2011 |
| 2 |
14th February 2011 Tonight's guests include Amanda Keller, Dave Thornton, Sarah Wilson and Arj Barker. (With Special Guests The McClymonts and Tripod.) |
February 14, 2011 |
| 3 |
21st February 2011 Guests this week include Meshel Laurie, Eddie Ifft, Corinne Grant and Ryan Fitzgerald. (With Special Guests Amy Meredith and Paris Wells.) |
February 21, 2011 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ABC TV |
|---|---|
| First aired | April 12, 1996 |
| Last aired | May 9, 2011 |
| Runtime | 42 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Monday at 20:30:00 |