Housos’ Paul Fenech: Australia suffers from Nazi political correctness
Comedic writer and director Paul Fenech has warned that the Australian public is being marginalised by the influences of the media.
“People in the media are so polished that the real people are being marginalised.” Fenech told Encore. “You don’t see real people on TV, (even) reality contestants are hand-picked.”
His new show Housos, a slapstick comedy about residents living in a housing commission began airing on SBS this week.
“The show is more about bogans than housing commissions. It follows in the comedic tradition of Paul Hogan. I never thought it would be as topical as it has been.”
When the show’s Youtube trailer first aired in February, A Current Affair initially reported the comedy was a reality TV show, missing known actors Ian Turpie, Amanda Keller, Melissa Tkautz, Jason Davis and Fenech himself, and called for a ban on the program before seeing it.
“I think they outsourced the research to some Indian guy because they actually thought that. And they had this promo ‘tomorrow night – the reality show that makes fun of poor people.’ They went and reshot the story. The housing commission guys loved it. It basically became a promo.”
Fenech said the location of the story didn’t matter, the show was character-based. “It’s like people working in an office being offended by The Office.”
“I get offended by people who get offended. I think there’s some sort of Nazi political correctness happening in Australia. The principals of political correctness are good but we have the top ten per cent of Australia wanting to nanny state everything we do. We’re not responsible for ourselves. We can’t decide what’s funny. What’s insulting is you can’t have a joke in Australia. Housos is the most ango-friendly show I’ve done. I’m copping it for having a go at bogans – are you serious?”
“I like doing stuff that has truth in it. I do a lot of research whenever I go into comedy. The truth always hurts. I think the thing is, there is nothing better than seeing the qualification of something you know in the media.”
Fenech told Encore’s sister publication Mumbrella, “People don’t realise that 60% of the population are into V8 Supercars,” acknowledging that his show will appeal to the majority of Australia.
“You may not advertise Chanel [around our show], but maybe Britney Spears’ new perfume. You’d advertise anything that gets the testosterone going for people aged 15 – 25 – cars, army recruitment or fast food.”
He also told Mumbrella, he was disappointed by SBS’s decision to premiere Housos at the 10pm timeslot, but the network thought the show was too “full-on” for an 8.30 or 9pm slot.
UPDATE: Housos pulled 284,000 viewers according to OzTam.
Whenever Paul Fenech believes he’s got it tough in TV in this country he should thank his luck stars he’s not in Stalinist commercial film.
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I don’t care for TV and this show does not especially appeal to me. But I agree with Fenech’s comments. We are really becoming children when it comes to making up our own minds. Whenever I do catch TV it is always baby issues. This country is being manipulated by tabloid shows like A Current Affair and Today Tonight and constant police shows enforcing authority above all else. I’m disappointed at the dim witted, idiots that inhabit this country.
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Great show! keep it up Paul
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LOVE LOVE LOVE this show….
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Mark – never put shit on your potential audience – ever.
As for TV vs Film?
Script writers vs Screenwriters?
Big Screen vs Big Picture?
Guess which ones called Talking Heads?
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I live in Frankston, Melbourne, full of single mothers, unemployment, 18 year old boys with V8’s, tattoo’s and cheap alcohol. I choose to live there. I’m not offended by the people I’m surrounded by, but if this is suppose to be a comic portrayal of life with bogans all around you, it’s not very funny. “Fuck off we’re Full” stickers aren’t funny either. I think Lilley got the comedy right when portraying the characters from Dunt (outer outer suburbs of Melbourne), with heart, with truth and clever comedy. This looks like a bunch of average actors, attempting to be funny, with crappy scripts. Sure portray the bogan community, just try being a bit more sophisticated with your comedy.
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Lucky u – I live in Qld – & here they rule…
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“It follows in the comedic tradition of Paul Hogan”. Uhhh, no. Hoges’ early stuff was actually funny! This isn’t. Aussies been making fun of bogan stereotypes for over 40 years and Fenech’s show bought nothing new to the table – just the same tired “jokes” we’ve been hearing for decades. Shazza, Dazza, Wazza… gimme a f*#%ing break!
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Lets hope Fenech’s career trajectory does’t mirror his – make it big & they set the bureaucratic dogs on you…
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If you don’t like the show fine. But Fenech has created his own style of comedy. It’s deliberately over acted, and that’s all part of the charm. I don’t consider myself a bogan, and i’m certainly not a houso. And i like the show… In fact a large chunk of it is shot about 2 minutes from my house, which ads the the humour for me
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Wanna to see redneck (bogan) humour at its pinnacle?
Check out politically incorrect ‘Married With Children’ (D TV).
Snowflakes chance in hell of anything like that getting made here.
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Houso’s is a funny funny funny show and Paulie is a legend and a champion.
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I think this has to be the funnies show on TV in a very long time. Poeple in this country are becoming to up tight and need to relax.. Paul you are a legend and many of my friends and family love your shows keep them coming mate and lets hope these boring people in Austraija stop being so anti…HTFU you housos plenty of jobs out there if you really want to work!!!! Why does everybody these days take offence to everything i thought we were suppose to be relaxed and enjoy a little humour thats what us aussies are known for….Whats happened we have turned into a NANA country where you cant even fart anymore as people take offence to that..Serioulsy people take a chill pill!!!!!!!!
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Paul Fenech has it 100% right.
Ok, it gets a bit full on with the swearing, drugs, sex and the rest just like what get through hollywood only its a fair dinkum Aussie humour with a lot of truth about the houso’s culture. Its good to see that Paul makes a valid point with each and every show. Keep it up Paul.
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The show has a lot of truth in it,How there is still a big gap between the rich and poor.The Truth!!!
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