This show is just hilarious and so unbelievably accurate. As an Aussie, my school experience was so much like this. There were boys just like Jonah and girls just like Ja'mie, and the interactions between students and teachers were just spot on.
@@motioninartI went to high school in the late 80s and every time anyone showed any interest in a girl suddenly the lesbian P.E teacher would appear from behind a tree or something and start screaming 😂
Same here. There was a student in my class that was SO much like Jonah. Always disruptive, bullied and HATED the Year 7’s for no reason, talked back to the teachers and always getting suspended. Jonah is my favourite character in the series.
It's not politically incorrect, it's just what happens - this show perfectly captured the essence of being in a public high school (even how we viewed private school knobs like Jamie)
The reason summer heights high will always be relevant to us is because if you were in a public highschool at the time it was so accurate to your experience.
The Jonah from Takalua movie was actually very touching with the whole subplot of his mother dying and the sweet relationship with the other boy ( their singing omg). It's so incredibly rare to find that in a comedy movie
Damn man I subscribed yesterday because i randomly found (and loved) your Danger 5 video, now this.. I am of islander heritage and thought Jonah was the funniest thing since Bro Town. So much of comedy is risk and it is always going to be hit or miss.. but these days people are offended before it has even been made (eg. risky projects not getting greenlit) or even after it has been accepted and beloved by the fans (eg. chris lilley comedy removed, removing the Always Sunny Lethal Weapon episode, Simpsons voice actors bs, *groan*)... I'm scared that is going to be the death of these type of shows. It actually makes me depressed.
Exactly man, well put. I'm a white dude in America so nowadays I'm not even supposed to have an opinion on things like this. It's good hearing your perspective. I wondered if the show was overly offensive towards Islanders. It's good to hear that you enjoyed it, as much as I did. This new outlook that they're shoving down everyone's throat is ridiculous. For some reason perceived oppression has become a currency, and I don't understand why. We all used to be able to laugh at stereotypes, but now there's a knee jerk reaction to lash out against it. It really bums me out.
I love Summer Heights High. It came out 2 years after I finished school and find it’s SO accurate about High School in Australia. Whoever says it’s offensive can get lost.
One of the funniest shows ever created, sooo quotable, relatable, and memorable. A decade later I'm still quoting this show. Comedy is supposed to explore what is not comfortable and it relates because we all know these characters in real life despite growing up in another country. To the people who get offended by authentic comedy Puuuck Youuu with a capital P!!!!
Chris Lilley you should be very proud .I just typed in the most offensive show on Australian television and up came this clip😂 obviously the status quo does not like humour because that gets people thinking
Your vid has a lot of great sources from Chris Lilley and others. I’ve seen The Panel interview, Kate Langbrook would be cancelled if she asked that question today and yet it’s a valid question. It’s true, there are a lot of people that feel they were being represented, myself included. It’s such a shame that some people don’t get it and have to ruin it for those that do.
Nicole Pickering thank you, glad to hear you liked it. I wonder what Kate Langbrook thinks about her comments now because I definitely agree that she would be risking aspects of her career if she asked a questioned like that now. Out of curiosity, which character did you feel like represented you? Ja’mie?
Motion In Art I’m curious to know too what Kate Langbrook’s opinion is now on comedy like Chris Lilley’s. A lot of people in the entertainment industry are either supportive of cancel culture, sit on the fence & don’t support cancel culture but want comedy to be progressive (PC) in the future, or stay silent. Apart from Chris Lilley, the only person I’ve come across that first took a stand against cancel culture was Joe Hildebrand. So I’d be curious to see what Kate Langbrook’s opinion is today. I’m part Pacific Islander and went to a private girls high school so I related to both Ja’mie and Jonah. Lilley stuck up for the minorities in both Jonah and Ja’mie’s shows including SHH.
Agreed. Hopefully more people take Lilley’s initiative and stand up to the cancel culture masses. Interesting to hear your personal relation to the shows characters. Thanks for stopping by
This show was hilarious, especially the ending. I won't give it away (actually the video shows it, though out of context) but you think it's going to finish on a melancholy note until...well, it involves Jonah being Jonah. "Political correctness" is a term that goes back decades. I don't think there's a cut-and-dried answer whether it's "good" or "bad" because people use it to mean so many different things. Really depends on the context.
Summer Heights High was brilliant.....as was We Can Be Heroes. Chris Lilley was at his best with these two series. Angry Boys was funny but a bit hit and miss.
True satire will always work. J'amie (to me at least) is a highly problematic character, but it works perfectly. She clearly is the "villain" of her own show and very hypocritical. We can laugh AT her and sometimes with her. She has some real moments, but mostly you see how much of an hypocrite she is. Political correctness is important , because it basically means not to be homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic and racist. If the joke is only about someone being gay/trans/a woman/non white, it is just not a joke, it is an insult. J'amie says homophobic/racist stuff, but a) she herself experiements around and b) is clearly shown to be in wrong for saying such things by many characters. That doesn't mean you can't have this type of comedy if done well. But it's different when you play a character that has a different ethnicity... There it's much more difficult to really show you make fun of a character/personality trait and not of the entire ethnic group. I think Jen is actually a satire of a momager (like kris jenner) and honestly... at first (from Insta memes) i didn't even realize she was supposed to be asian. But if it's hurtful for people of asian descent, it's a problem of course...
I remember J'amie, on her solo show, sponsoring the African refugee girl to come to Australia, only to abandon her right after having her pose for a professional photo shoot with her, so she could post it on social media later 🤣🤣🤣
It's comedy...it's art...it's not a definite reflection of character.... caricatures...Sasha baron Cohen... cultural appropriation is a form of flattery...imatation is the sincerest form of flattery...we should embrace those that embrace that in us.....right?
'Offensive'? I don't understand, what's offensive about it? Maybe in 30 years when the PC lefties have seen all comedy banned, but no, this was a delight.
@@motioninart I can’t remember but there was many forms of discrimination throughout them all I can’t remember characters name but I remember the character was in black face which said the N word
@@blaze56701 That was actually hilarious, cuz his father, would tear him apart for it, and every other dumb ignorant thing the character did and said in pursuit of being a rapper.
Plus blackface has been generalized, in the social media moral grandstanding era, into losing the actual context and true meaning why it was so racist and offensive.
@@earlpipe9713 Between the accent, how tired the joke is, and how much better actual black comic writers have done it, Smouse is pretty objectively racist, even if he was able to find a few actual black actors to show up for a paycheck. I can see the argument that he needed to be cast as Jonah because he brought his experience of working in schools into the role, and as weird as Ricky was, the character was sufficiently compelling that it wasn't super bothersome, but honestly there is nothing new or interesting about Smouse or Jen that Lilley's writing or his performance brings to the 'dumb rapper' or 'tiger mom' tropes.
@@jahmo0 i think blackface can never be done respectfully. it has a culture that is explicitly racist and keeps people of color out of roles meant for them. a white person also cannot accurately portray the struggles of people of color.
@TheJumboBurrito I feel like your answer implies that it should be treated the same no matter where it originates but im assuming you mean American culture. Culture is different everywhere in the world though. And yes, the vaudeville shows that disrespected African Americans at probably the most racist times in modern American history should definitely be condemned, i agree. But this was satire and in a country far removed from that culture. As a person of Polynesian descent Jonah made me homesick if anything. It wasn't mean spirited and poked fun at things a lot of people wouldn't normally talk about or try to portray. And I disagreeabout not being able to portray struggles, for a comedy setting i can't think of anyone doing it better than Chris lilley has. Jonah even got a mini series about him going back to Tonga and it is a good look into polynesian life and family culture (but of course with heaps of dick jokes lol).. idk man I think intent matters and if it isn't done with the intent to harm or insult, this sort of stuff should be considered bad taste at worst. In this case I think it should be applauded for its honesty and laughs. Just my opinion man but I appreciate your point of view and civil reply. I feel like outlawing or disregarding something (black face, n word, cultural "appropriation") we will never move past those things and onto a more inclusive future if we freeze these things in time as forbidden. I wish people could see past the rule book and consider the intent and context instead of immediately vilifying people with good intentions.. but that's almost a whole other discussion haha Much love man, thanks for replying homie 😄
0:35 is toby legit special or is it really good casting? And if toby's legit, how do you get him to play this role, like who ok's this? I just cant see this being done today. therefore its genious
i imagine children require a walk through regarding these matters, poor kids have no idea what is appropriate anymore because we (mostly others actually) have spent the better part of the past 10 years telling them all sorts of weird stuff 🥲
Whether you agree with its premise or not, you can't deny it's one of the most brilliant shows Australia's ever produced
that we have to even care if some asshole "agrees with the premise" is all that is wrong about modern comedy
This show is just hilarious and so unbelievably accurate. As an Aussie, my school experience was so much like this. There were boys just like Jonah and girls just like Ja'mie, and the interactions between students and teachers were just spot on.
Was your high school similar?
@@motioninart my primary school was a lot like this.
@@motioninartI went to high school in the late 80s and every time anyone showed any interest in a girl suddenly the lesbian P.E teacher would appear from behind a tree or something and start screaming 😂
Same here. There was a student in my class that was SO much like Jonah. Always disruptive, bullied and HATED the Year 7’s for no reason, talked back to the teachers and always getting suspended. Jonah is my favourite character in the series.
It's not politically incorrect, it's just what happens - this show perfectly captured the essence of being in a public high school (even how we viewed private school knobs like Jamie)
Well, it is ‘politically incorrect’. Whether you agree with political correctness is another matter
This is correct. Im in high school right now. Its all correct. And i live in new zealand. Haha
Life is not politically correct that's what I don't understand why should we lie about ourselves and pretend that we're all Melbourne social workers
The reason summer heights high will always be relevant to us is because if you were in a public highschool at the time it was so accurate to your experience.
It changed our high school for the better
Exactly
The Jonah from Takalua movie was actually very touching with the whole subplot of his mother dying and the sweet relationship with the other boy ( their singing omg). It's so incredibly rare to find that in a comedy movie
There's no such thing as a "Jonah from Takalua" movie
@@idontthink
There should be
Damn man I subscribed yesterday because i randomly found (and loved) your Danger 5 video, now this.. I am of islander heritage and thought Jonah was the funniest thing since Bro Town. So much of comedy is risk and it is always going to be hit or miss.. but these days people are offended before it has even been made (eg. risky projects not getting greenlit) or even after it has been accepted and beloved by the fans (eg. chris lilley comedy removed, removing the Always Sunny Lethal Weapon episode, Simpsons voice actors bs, *groan*)... I'm scared that is going to be the death of these type of shows. It actually makes me depressed.
Exactly man, well put. I'm a white dude in America so nowadays I'm not even supposed to have an opinion on things like this. It's good hearing your perspective. I wondered if the show was overly offensive towards Islanders. It's good to hear that you enjoyed it, as much as I did. This new outlook that they're shoving down everyone's throat is ridiculous. For some reason perceived oppression has become a currency, and I don't understand why. We all used to be able to laugh at stereotypes, but now there's a knee jerk reaction to lash out against it. It really bums me out.
I am from the USA and Chris is a Legend to me. He is a tremendous talent. I have slowly acquired his shows on DVD.
whats ur favourite scene from Jonah From Tonga?
Nice ❤️
It’s like your trying to give us all massive nostalgia trips .
I don't see anything bad about that considering all the crap they put on TV today depressing the hell out of people lol
Show was a goldmine and it was created by a comedic genius. Love it
When Barry Humphries the famous comedian who we all love ,was asked who makes him laugh he said Cath and Kim and Chris Lilley
So good
I love Summer Heights High. It came out 2 years after I finished school and find it’s SO accurate about High School in Australia. Whoever says it’s offensive can get lost.
Lololol
Jonah from tonga the follow up was ABSOLUTELY worth it
yeah? I wasn't sure about it but I believe I've heard some good things. what about ja'mie?
I was in year 10 when this came out (I went to high school in Melbourne, Australia). Oh man. "Puck you Miss" was inescapable.
So good
How has he been around for decades and I just now discovered him? Gutted. This guy is genius AF.
sadly not many know about him :(
One of the funniest shows ever created, sooo quotable, relatable, and memorable. A decade later I'm still quoting this show. Comedy is supposed to explore what is not comfortable and it relates because we all know these characters in real life despite growing up in another country. To the people who get offended by authentic comedy Puuuck Youuu with a capital P!!!!
"hey i hear you have social problems or some shit - hey the fat one you tell me first" 🤣
💀💀💀
This is a brilliant reflection on the show, great work dude. Keep it up!!!
Ninbendo 360 thanks man!
Angry Boys had funny moments but SHH is definitely Lilley's magnum opus.
Sorry for the late reply but agreed.
Chris Lilley is the funniest ever. Never gets old watching his stuff😅
Chris Lilley you should be very proud .I just typed in the most offensive show on Australian television and up came this clip😂 obviously the status quo does not like humour because that gets people thinking
Your vid has a lot of great sources from Chris Lilley and others. I’ve seen The Panel interview, Kate Langbrook would be cancelled if she asked that question today and yet it’s a valid question. It’s true, there are a lot of people that feel they were being represented, myself included. It’s such a shame that some people don’t get it and have to ruin it for those that do.
Nicole Pickering thank you, glad to hear you liked it. I wonder what Kate Langbrook thinks about her comments now because I definitely agree that she would be risking aspects of her career if she asked a questioned like that now. Out of curiosity, which character did you feel like represented you? Ja’mie?
Motion In Art I’m curious to know too what Kate Langbrook’s opinion is now on comedy like Chris Lilley’s. A lot of people in the entertainment industry are either supportive of cancel culture, sit on the fence & don’t support cancel culture but want comedy to be progressive (PC) in the future, or stay silent. Apart from Chris Lilley, the only person I’ve come across that first took a stand against cancel culture was Joe Hildebrand. So I’d be curious to see what Kate Langbrook’s opinion is today.
I’m part Pacific Islander and went to a private girls high school so I related to both Ja’mie and Jonah. Lilley stuck up for the minorities in both Jonah and Ja’mie’s shows including SHH.
Agreed. Hopefully more people take Lilley’s initiative and stand up to the cancel culture masses. Interesting to hear your personal relation to the shows characters. Thanks for stopping by
American here and I still quite Ja’mie to this day:)
Most of my friends don’t get his humour I disowned these friends lol
wise choice
This show was hilarious, especially the ending. I won't give it away (actually the video shows it, though out of context) but you think it's going to finish on a melancholy note until...well, it involves Jonah being Jonah.
"Political correctness" is a term that goes back decades. I don't think there's a cut-and-dried answer whether it's "good" or "bad" because people use it to mean so many different things. Really depends on the context.
I agree wholeheartedly and sorry for the late reply. The ending is heartbreaking in a way but perfect.
Brilliant videos on this channel! I would love to see you do a video/hear your take on the TV show 'Spaced'.
Oo it’s been on my list. I’m a fan.
Thanks for the kind words.
Potentially the funniest and most nostalgic comedy to ever come from Australia
Agreed ❤️
This is literally my highschool
Summer Heights High was brilliant.....as was We Can Be Heroes. Chris Lilley was at his best with these two series. Angry Boys was funny but a bit hit and miss.
Agreed. Have you seen his other works past angry boys?
Great comedy series, Lilley was fearless
Truly
jonah is prob one of the best teen characters ever
bart simpson but grounded
Holy shit go off king making hella videos and they all fire
True satire will always work. J'amie (to me at least) is a highly problematic character, but it works perfectly. She clearly is the "villain" of her own show and very hypocritical. We can laugh AT her and sometimes with her. She has some real moments, but mostly you see how much of an hypocrite she is.
Political correctness is important , because it basically means not to be homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic and racist. If the joke is only about someone being gay/trans/a woman/non white, it is just not a joke, it is an insult. J'amie says homophobic/racist stuff, but a) she herself experiements around and b) is clearly shown to be in wrong for saying such things by many characters.
That doesn't mean you can't have this type of comedy if done well.
But it's different when you play a character that has a different ethnicity... There it's much more difficult to really show you make fun of a character/personality trait and not of the entire ethnic group.
I think Jen is actually a satire of a momager (like kris jenner) and honestly... at first (from Insta memes) i didn't even realize she was supposed to be asian. But if it's hurtful for people of asian descent, it's a problem of course...
I remember J'amie, on her solo show, sponsoring the African refugee girl to come to Australia, only to abandon her right after having her pose for a professional photo shoot with her, so she could post it on social media later 🤣🤣🤣
5:57 "The term "political correctness" wasn't even a thing!"
Someone hasn't seen _The Swan Princess_ .
Chris Lilley is a comedic and musical genius
❤️❤️❤️
This show and angry boys are Australian classics
Anyone who finds summer heights high offensive was born humourless and has no business watching comedy anyway.
One of the greatest comedy series of all time!!
So good
Australian have summer heights high.
Angry boys .. jonah from tonga..
UK England has Little britain and
Come fly with me
Which do you prefer
@@motioninart
All 5 shows now have been banned in UK tv and online
@@motioninart all of them 30 minute show..
Little Britain and Come Fly with me has much more different characters and more parodies in the show
The inbetweeners?
@@motioninartboth equally!
i know a thousand Jonahs, some are members of my family lol
Lololol
My favourite show. He's a genius
So good
It work at the time before political correction chris lilley couldn't get away with that sort of shows today
It's comedy...it's art...it's not a definite reflection of character.... caricatures...Sasha baron Cohen... cultural appropriation is a form of flattery...imatation is the sincerest form of flattery...we should embrace those that embrace that in us.....right?
agreed
Chris Lilly does a good Steve Stevens.
Who?
'Offensive'? I don't understand, what's offensive about it? Maybe in 30 years when the PC lefties have seen all comedy banned, but no, this was a delight.
Some people would find offensive no doubt in this era
Unpopular opinion s.mouse is funny
Wills
Was anyone offended? A racist was offended at Jonah, but who listens to them?
Yes
Think there’s a level
Saying the N word was one of the moments where he took it very far
Did he say it in the Angry Boys series?
@@motioninart I can’t remember but there was many forms of discrimination throughout them all
I can’t remember characters name but I remember the character was in black face which said the N word
@@blaze56701 That was actually hilarious, cuz his father, would tear him apart for it, and every other dumb ignorant thing the character did and said in pursuit of being a rapper.
Plus blackface has been generalized, in the social media moral grandstanding era, into losing the actual context and true meaning why it was so racist and offensive.
@@earlpipe9713 Between the accent, how tired the joke is, and how much better actual black comic writers have done it, Smouse is pretty objectively racist, even if he was able to find a few actual black actors to show up for a paycheck. I can see the argument that he needed to be cast as Jonah because he brought his experience of working in schools into the role, and as weird as Ricky was, the character was sufficiently compelling that it wasn't super bothersome, but honestly there is nothing new or interesting about Smouse or Jen that Lilley's writing or his performance brings to the 'dumb rapper' or 'tiger mom' tropes.
idk black face is pretty cringe imho
I'm curious, do you think it was done disrespectfully?
They cancelled him for that but no one talks about the kiwi and Asian stereotypes. Angry boys is one of the best things ever
@@jahmo0 i think blackface can never be done respectfully. it has a culture that is explicitly racist and keeps people of color out of roles meant for them. a white person also cannot accurately portray the struggles of people of color.
@Captain Boomer bruh are you really defending blacface rn???
@TheJumboBurrito I feel like your answer implies that it should be treated the same no matter where it originates but im assuming you mean American culture. Culture is different everywhere in the world though. And yes, the vaudeville shows that disrespected African Americans at probably the most racist times in modern American history should definitely be condemned, i agree. But this was satire and in a country far removed from that culture. As a person of Polynesian descent Jonah made me homesick if anything. It wasn't mean spirited and poked fun at things a lot of people wouldn't normally talk about or try to portray. And I disagreeabout not being able to portray struggles, for a comedy setting i can't think of anyone doing it better than Chris lilley has. Jonah even got a mini series about him going back to Tonga and it is a good look into polynesian life and family culture (but of course with heaps of dick jokes lol).. idk man I think intent matters and if it isn't done with the intent to harm or insult, this sort of stuff should be considered bad taste at worst. In this case I think it should be applauded for its honesty and laughs. Just my opinion man but I appreciate your point of view and civil reply. I feel like outlawing or disregarding something (black face, n word, cultural "appropriation") we will never move past those things and onto a more inclusive future if we freeze these things in time as forbidden. I wish people could see past the rule book and consider the intent and context instead of immediately vilifying people with good intentions.. but that's almost a whole other discussion haha
Much love man, thanks for replying homie 😄
Gen Z crying and trying to get this show cancelled
I'm Gen Z and grew up watching this show. I have no problem with it whatsoever.
@@SanctusPaulus1962 well you sre normal then
Lol
0:35 is toby legit special or is it really good casting? And if toby's legit, how do you get him to play this role, like who ok's this? I just cant see this being done today. therefore its genious
Fairly certain it’s legit casting and it doesn’t preclude him from being able to act. Such a great role.
i imagine children require a walk through regarding these matters, poor kids have no idea what is appropriate anymore because we (mostly others actually) have spent the better part of the past 10 years telling them all sorts of weird stuff 🥲