Commercial TV networks ‘can’t be trusted’ with scripted comedy

Rosehaven and Utopia’s Celia Pacquola has told producers at the Screen Forever conference that free-to-air commercial networks don’t back Australian scripted comedy and can’t be trusted to invest in programs and then stick with them.

Kevin Whyte, Holly Hines, Celia Pacquola and Rick Kalowski on stage at Screen Forever

Pacquola said only the ABC commits to local scripted comedy, while its commercial counterparts will promote “the shit out of it” and then pull it.

“In terms of networks, honestly, if I had a scripted comedy I would not trust it anywhere other than the ABC. With what I’ve seen in the past – I haven’t had dealings with them [the commercial networks] – but from what I see… I don’t trust them to back it. There’s been a history of them promoing the shit out of stuff and then giving it one episode, two episodes, and if it doesn’t rate its arse off, just pulling it,” she said.