Please Like Me

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Please Like Me
250px
Please Like Me title card
Genre Comedy
Drama
Created by Josh Thomas
Written by Liz Doran
Josh Thomas
Thomas Ward
Directed by Matthew Saville
Josh Thomas
Starring Josh Thomas
Debra Lawrance
David Roberts
Thomas John Ward
Wade Briggs
Caitlin Stasey
Nikita Leigh-Pritchard
Renee Lim
Judi Farr
Theme music composer Clairy Browne & The Bangin' Rackettes
Opening theme I'll Be Fine
Country of origin Australia
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 3
No. of episodes 26 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Todd Abbott
Debbie Lee
Josh Thomas
Kevin Whyte
Producer(s) Todd Abbott
Production location(s) Melbourne, Australia
Cinematography Katie Milwright[1]
Editor(s) Chris Branagan
Running time 28 minutes (approx.)
Production company(s) Josh and John Productions
Release
Original network ABC2
Original release 28 February 2013 (2013-02-28) –
present
External links
Official website

Please Like Me is an Australian television comedy drama series starring Josh Thomas. The series premiered on 28 February 2013 on ABC2 in Australia. The show explores realistic issues with humorous tones; the executive producer Todd Abbott had pitched the show as a drama rather than a situation-comedy series. The show aired later on the United States network Pivot, which then helped to develop the show from second season onwards. On 12 July 2014, it was announced that Please Like Me had been renewed for a third season that began on 15 October 2015; 16 October in the United States.[2] The show has attracted praise from critics and has garnered numerous nominations, winning eight awards.

Background

Please Like Me is written by Josh Thomas, who also plays the main character Josh. It is produced by Todd Abbott and all episodes were directed by Matthew Saville.[3] Thomas and Abott 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.[3] 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.[3]

In January 2013, The West Australian reported that Please Like Me would air on ABC2.[4] 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.[5] The series begins with Josh realising that he is gay and his mother attempting suicide with an overdose of Panadol.[3]

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.[6] It will also offer the series as part of its video on demand service.[6] 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.[7]

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

Cast

Actor Character Ref
Josh Thomas Josh [12]
Caitlin Stasey Claire [13]
Thomas Ward Tom [14]
Wade Briggs Geoffrey [15]
Nikita Leigh-Pritchard Niamh [16]
David Roberts Alan (Dad) [17]
Debra Lawrance Rose (Mum) [18]
Renee Lim Mae [19]
Judi Farr Aunty Peg [20]
Andrew S. Gilbert Rod [21]
Charles Cottier Patrick [22]
Denise Drysdale Ginger [10]
Hannah Gadsby Hannah [10]
Keegan Joyce Arnold [10]
Charlotte Nicdao Jenny [10]
Bob Franklin Stuart [10]
Emily Barclay Ella [23]

Episodes

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Main article: List of Please Like Me episodes
Series Episodes Originally aired DVD release date
Season premiere Season finale Region 4 Region 2
1 6 28 February 2013 (2013-02-28) 28 March 2013 (2013-03-28) 4 April 2013 (2013-04-04)[24] TBA
2 10 12 August 2014 (2014-08-12) 14 October 2014 (2014-10-14) 30 October 2014 (2014-10-30)[25] TBA
3 10 15 October 2015 (2015-10-15) 17 December 2015 (2015-12-17) 14 January 2016 (2016-01-14)[26] TBA

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' portrayal of Josh and wished that US broadcasters could emulate the show's format.[27] 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.[28] Andrew Mast, writing for Music.com.au, praised Brigg's "naturalistic performances" and the inclusion of accomplished actress Farr. But he criticised Saville's direction of the show and Ward's acting abilities. He concluded that Thomas' writing was good and comedic, but the on-screen delivery did not meet his expectations.[29] 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".[30]

Colin Vickery and Darren Devlyn News.com.au said that it "has a sweetness that sets it apart from other boundary-pushing comedies".[5] 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.[31] 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".[31] 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.[3] Please Like Me received an invitation to screen at the Series Mania Television Festival in Paris.[32]

The AV Club regarded season 2 of Please Like Me as one of the year's best shows, praising the camera work and Josh's performance.[33] The Guardian praised Please Like Me's "unconventional writing".[34]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Recipients and nominees Result
2013 Australian Writers Guild Awards[35][36] Best Writing in a Comedy: Situation or Narrative Josh 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[37] Best Television Comedy Series Please Like Me - Todd Abbott Won
Best Performance in a Television Comedy Josh Thomas Nominated
Best Direction in a Television Drama or Comedy Matthew Saville - Series 1, Episode 3 'Portuguese Custard Tarts' Nominated
GLAAD Media Awards[38] Outstanding Comedy Series Please Like Me Nominated
Australian Directors Guild Awards[39] Best Direction: TV Comedy Matthew Saville Won
Rose d'Or[40] Sitcom Please Like Me Nominated
Logie Awards[41] Most Outstanding Light Entertainment Program Please Like Me Nominated
International Emmy Award[42] Best Comedy Series Please Like Me Nominated
Australian Screen Editors Awards[43] Best Editing in a Television Comedy Julie-Anne De Ruvo - Season 2, Episode 2 'Ham' Nominated
2015 4th AACTA Awards[44] Best Television Comedy Series Please Like Me - Todd Abbott, Josh Thomas and Kevin Whyte Nominated
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 Lawrance Won
Josh Thomas Nominated
Best Sound in Television John Wilkinson and Simon Rosenberg - Series 2, Episode 7 'Scroggin' Nominated
Logie Awards[45] Most Popular Actor Josh Thomas, Please Like Me Nominated
Most Outstanding Comedy Program Please Like Me Nominated
GLAAD Media Awards Outstanding Comedy Series Please Like Me Nominated
Australian Writers Guild Awards[46] Best Writing in a Comedy: Situation or Narrative Josh Thomas - Series 2, Episode 7 'Scroggin' Won
Australian Directors Guild Awards[47] Best Direction in a TV Comedy Matthew Saville - Series 2, Episode 7 'Scroggin' Won
Australian Screen Editors Awards[48] Best Editing in a Television Comedy Julie-Anne De Ruvo - Please Like Me (Series 2) Won
Prism Awards[49] Comedy Episode or Multi-Episode Storyline Please Like Me Season 2 (Pivot) Nominated
Dorian Awards[50] LGBTQ TV Show of the Year Please Like Me (Pivot) Nominated
Unsung TV Show of the Year Please Like Me (Pivot) Nominated
2016 GLAAD Media Awards[51] Outstanding Comedy Series Please Like Me (Pivot) Nominated
Logie Awards[52] Best Actor Josh Thomas, Please Like Me Pending
Most Outstanding Comedy Program Please Like Me Pending

See also

References

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External links

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2015/07/23/josh-thomas-please-like-me-moves-to-abc1-for-third-season/
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  33. ↑ http://www.avclub.com/review/please-me-grew-one-years-best-shows-season-two-210123
  34. ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/culture/australia-culture-blog/2014/aug/26/josh-thomas-please-like-me-interview?CMP=soc_567
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