‘You can’t polish a turd. But you can roll it in glitter.’
Tonight marks the launch of 30 Seconds – the long awaited comedy drama about the Australian advertising industry.
As Mumbrella has previously reported, the first episode airs on pay TV’s Comedy Channel at 8.30pm AEST.
The show is the work of Three Drunk Monkeys’ Justin Drape and Scott Nowell along with Tim Bullock of Prodigy Films.
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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I so want this show to be great. I love what Prodigy and the Monkeys do.
However when you consider the insights into the workings of the Ad world from The Gruen Transfer, films like Art & copy and the gripping viewing (albeit supposedly fictional) of Mad Men, I do wonder how deep it will go.
The trailer makes it look like just another lame, childishly written, ABC style ‘comedy’ (Summer heights high excluded) that won’t delve too deep into the real working of the industry but keep it light enough for the masses to raise a smile.
I hope I’m wrong and I cringes as I watch it, feeling the writers scraping so close to reality.
Dan
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Gee original and insightful fluff, er I mean stuff…seriously that looks lame, cheap and truly cringeworthy – def fodder for the masses.
The great thing about Gruen is that it did a lot to expose the real science and art behind the industry, in terms of strategy and thinking. The show also highlighted the learned and insightful decision making and tremendous creativity used in solving business problems…but this sort of drivel will drive the respect-o-meter for advertising as a commercial profession down even further below used car salesmen, real estate agents and credit derivative traders.
I am a bit over seeing Carl williams in anything and everything too…nothing against Gyton Grantley, he was great in the those Fisherman’s Friend commercials, but some new talent please casting agents???
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Hi Lynton,
Bear in mind that the teaser above is shot doco-style, and the programme itself isn’t.
Worth watching it and then making up your mind. For what it’s worth, I’ve seen all six episodes and liked them a lot.
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella
Well, well. well. I bet these 3 think this is really clever, it just shows what a bunch of advertising wankers they really are, just ask Fox, lucky they are not subject to ratings, all this trash does is help make clients treat the industry the way it deserves to be treated….
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BTW, have also seen all episodes Timothy, wankers…
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Complete tossers….
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oooooo…. it’s like so like clever… sooo like these guys are soooo like brilliant…sooooo like….. like…. oooo … so beside myself with their brilliance…like. , like…omg… awesome…..totally …like….awesome….like…..
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Charlie, talking of tossers…
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Ummm … since when are comedies supposed to reflect “the real art and science behind the industry” (there is a hint in that it is on The Comedy Channel). If you want a documentary on advertising pitch your idea to ABC Factual. If not, get over it and have a laugh!
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Charlie. Fox not subject to ratings eh? Where have you been since August 1, 2003 when subscription TV ratings started in Australia? Makes me view your other ,… like .. wow … comments … like … with a different .. ummm .. a different … umm … perspective. When I look in the pencil case all the blunt ones have the name ‘Charlie’ on them.
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Dont be a twat charlie, its a tv show for cryin out loud. Looks like more of a laugh than alot the shite out there. Yes, they’re all wankers and tossers, producers and all, and thats what i find funny… then again, I sit opposite side of the table from the agencies….
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Yowsers. I really wanted to like that, but that clip looks like it’s been marinated in lame. Can someone appoint Chris Lilley to be quality control on charachter satire in this country?
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Funny stuff. Just watched it. Well done.
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Tim Burrowes were you a media buyer in a former life?. That was probably the most efficient media buy goiing as I dont reckon anyone outside the industry watched 30″ after the first break. Perhaps its a grower like The Office was first up!
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Sorry monkeys, but it just wasn’t funny.
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I watched this last night not expecting much from it and I was right not to expect much.
The show is another The Office like knock off, which is already old and worn out, the characters aren’t likable with the exception of Sumo and the show was predictable and unfunny.
Nice try guys but next time something more original might be more successful.
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I watched 30 Seconds for exactly…. .30 seconds!!
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I liked it very much. Much funnier than 30 Rock. Tina Fey is massively overrated. The only improvement I can suggest would perhaps be the addition of Samuel Johnson, Angus Sampson and Adam Zwar to the cast. Along with Gyton Grantley, these are my favourite radio voice over guys and it would be unreal to see them all in the one program.
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ive nvr heard of this shpw????? it sounds funnyyyyyy lol 🙂 xx luv pRiTiGuRl
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I so wanted it to be awesome and it wasn’t. Not funny. Fail.
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I will take your word for it Tim.
But to John’s point above, since when cant smart and insightful also be funny?
How many seasons did Seinfeld run for again ???
I made the point about Gruen as opening up the real world of advertising to the man on the street and it gave us some credibility – and I think overall it helped the adland brand as it was an original and authentic take on exactly what we do in this game, and it is deserving of respect.
The cliche ridden trailer above only serves to take it back to base level stereotypes and the ‘wanker’ image that has devalued what we do for so long.
If it was funny I could see the humour in it.
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I was eager not to miss this show, even had it set to record just in case. Unfortunately I was very disappointed with what I got…..don’t think I’ll be back next week.
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Yeah I must say I wasn’t particularly impressed. Even my undying love for Guy Grantley couldn’t save this one unfortunately.
In saying that, I must agree with Andy, very efficient media buy there from Tim Burrowes. By the end of the show my non-marketing/advertising flatmate was dying to know who the hell you were and what the Mumbo Report was all about!
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ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!! Funny as Cancer
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