Entertainment
10 Greatest Australian Comedy Shows of All Time, Ranked
Australian comedy has always had a distinct flavor—dry, self-aware, a little bit unhinged, and completely unafraid to laugh at itself. Whether it’s skewering institutions, exposing social awkwardness, or simply leaning into the absurdity of everyday life, Aussie comedies have a way of feeling both hyper-specific and yet universally relatable. It’s emblematic of our larrikin ways. There’s a looseness to the humor—a sense that anything could happen (to which it often does).
So, while Australia has made some strides in the world of cinema—especially in recent years—it’s important to celebrate the brilliance of our comedic shows. From razor-sharp satires to chaotic character studies, this list represents the very best of what Australian television has to offer. Some became cultural landmarks, while others built their reputations more quietly, but no less deservedly. Together, they prove the strengths of the underrated giant that is the Australian comedy scene.
10
‘Rake’ (2010–2018)
Cleaver Green (Richard Roxburgh) is a brilliant barrister with a talent for taking on unusual cases—and an even greater talent for ruining his own life. Yet between courtroom battles, personal scandals, and a string of questionable decisions, Cleaver somehow manages to keep going, no matter how chaotic things may become.
Without a doubt, Roxburgh carries Rake into iconic status by delivering a performance that’s equal parts charming and infuriating. Sure, the legal cases provide structure, but it’s Cleaver’s personal life that drives the show’s energy. The writing is sharp, the humor is biting, and the tone constantly shifts between comedy and drama without ever feeling disjointed. It’s unpredictable in the best way, making it an endlessly watchable procedural.
9
‘Summer Heights High’ (2007)
Set in a fictional Australian high school, three wildly different characters—Ja’mie, Jonah, and Mr. G (all played by Chris Lilley)—navigate the chaos and drama of school life. Presented in a mockumentary style, the series captures both the students and teachers with equal parts affection and satire.
Yes, Lilley’s series hasn’t exactly aged well given its divisive style of humor, but Summer Heights High‘s impact on Australian comedy is undeniable. The jokes are bold, extremely quotable, sometimes uncomfortable, and yet very observational in a way that captures the awkwardness of adolescence and the absurdity of institutional culture. It doesn’t ever play it safe—but that’s exactly why it resonates. At its best, it feels like a time capsule of a very specific (and very real) school experience.
8
‘Deadloch’ (2023–Present)
In the quiet Tasmanian town of Deadloch, a shocking murder disrupts the community’s sense of calm, bringing together Dulcie Collins (Kate Box) and Eddie Redcliffe (Madeline Sami)—two wildly different detectives to solve the case. But as more bodies appear, the investigation grows increasingly complex, revealing dark secrets that ripple through the entire town.
While a lot is stuffed into the plot, Deadloch deserves its flowers for its ability to juggle tone without ever dropping the ball. Part noir crime thriller, part biting satire, the show uses its central mystery as a vehicle to explore gender dynamics, small-town politics, and cultural tensions. The humor is sharp, crass, and often unexpected, emerging from character clashes and observational details rather than punchlines alone. It’s a show that can make you laugh one moment and genuinely invest in the stakes the next—something that only becomes more prevalent in the second season.
7
‘Frontline’ (1994–1997)
Taking viewers behind the scenes of a current affairs program, Frontline exposes the inner workings of television journalism—where ratings, egos, and network pressures often take precedence over truth. Anchored by the ever-ambitious Mike Moor (Rob Sitch), the show dissects how stories are shaped before they ever reach the public.
Similar to other legacy shows, decades on, Frontline feels almost eerily relevant. Its satire is precise and unrelenting, skewering media practices with a clarity that hasn’t dulled over time. The humor is intelligent rather than loud, built on character dynamics and ethical compromises that feel all too familiar. It’s the kind of show that earns its laughs through insight, making it as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
6
‘Utopia’ (2014–Present)
Set within the National Buildings Authority, a fictional government infrastructure agency, Utopia follows the team’s daily operations as they’re tasked with delivering large-scale projects—despite endless bureaucratic obstacles, shifting political priorities, and an overwhelming number of meetings that achieve very little.
The genius of Utopia purely lies in its accuracy. Just like other great workplace-sitcoms, every scario feels ripped straight from real life, capturing the absurdity of workplace culture with painful precision. The humor builds through repetitions and escalation, turning minor frustrations into major comedic payoffs. It’s not flashy, but it doesn’t need to be—because anyone who’s ever worked in an office will recognise exactly what it’s doing, and probably laugh a little too hard in response.
5
‘Class of ’07’ (2023)
When a catastrophic tidal wave wipes out most of civilization, a group of former all-girls high school classmates find themselves stranded at their 10-year reunion—now forced to survive together on the one piece of land left above water. Hoping to somehow make contact with the outside world (or at least what remains), they’re left to fend for themselves, building a new society while confronting the ghosts of who they used to be.
Of all modern Aussie shows, Class of ’07 proved to be a surprising standout. Not only did it twist the tropes of the survival genre, but it brilliantly weaponized social dynamics to generate genuine comedy gold. Here, the apocalypse becomes a backdrop for petty grudges, power plays, and painfully familiar social hierarchies that never really left high school. It’s chaotic, self-aware, and often absurd—and yet, a sharp emotional undercurrent lingers beneath the madness. Think of it as a messy tale of sisterhood that’s shown through the lens of a Lord of the Flies-esque reality. How it wasn’t immediately renewed for a second season is perplexing to say the least.
4
‘Mr Inbetween’ (2018–2021)
Ray Shoesmith (Scott Ryan) is a professional hitman trying to balance his violent line of work with the demands of everyday life, from raising his daughter, maintaining friendships, and dealing with the general annoyances of suburban living. Unfortunately for him, it’s a precarious balance that becomes harder to maintain as his two worlds begin to collide.
While Mr Inbetween often leans into darker territory, its humor is razor-sharp and deeply effective. Indeed, the comedy comes from contrast: watching Ray switch from brutal enforcer to quietly attentive father in the span of a single episode. Ryan’s understated performance gives the show its unique tone, allowing absurdity and menace to coexist seamlessly. It’s funny in a way that sneaks up on you, often leaving you laughing before you fully realize why. A truly underrated piece of the crime genre.
3
‘Fisk’ (2021–Present)
After a humiliating professional and personal implosion, high-end contract lawyer Helen Tudor-Fisk (Kitty Flanagan) leaves her life in Sydney and relocates to her home in Melbourne. Seeking a fresh start, she takes a job at a small, shabby suburban wills and probate firm, where she must navigate her eccentric clients and equally odd colleagues who don’t quite operate on her wavelength.
Like all good ensemble comedies, Fisk shines in its banter and understated qualities. Flanagan’s performance is built on micro-reactions, dry line deliveries, and a complete refusal to overplay a joke. In many ways, the humor often comes from what isn’t said, lingering in uncomfortable silences and painfully polite interactions. It’s deceptively simple, but incredibly precise—turning the mundane into something quietly hilarious. The result is a show that feels effortlessly funny, even when it operates at the smallest possible scale.
2
‘Colin From Accountants’ (2022–Present)
After a chance encounter leads to a car accident and an injured dog, two strangers—Ashley (Harriet Dyer) and Gordon (Patrick Brammall)—find themselves unexpectedly connected. What follows is a messy, often awkward exploration of modern relationships, as they attempt to navigate their growing feelings alongside their many personal flaws.
What makes Colin from Accounts so refreshing is its commitment to authenticity. The humor isn’t heightened or exaggerated. Instead, it’s rooted in awkward pauses, miscommunications, and the small, painfully real moments that define relationships. Dyer and Brammall (the show’s writer-creators and real-life husband-and-wife) bring an easy, natural chemistry that makes everything feel lived-in rather than performed. It’s romantic, yes, but never idealized, and that honesty is where the comedy truly shines.
1
‘Kath & Kim’ (2002–2007)
Set in the fictional suburbs of Fountain Lakes, Kath & Kim follows the day-to-day lives of Kath Day-Knight (Jane Turner) and her daughter Kim Craig (Gina Riley), along with their equally memorable circle of friends and family. From shopping trips to romantic misadventures, the show turns everyday life into iconic moments of hilarity.
To anyone who doesn’t know Australian culture, there’s a reason why this show remains the gold standard of the nation’s comedy landscape. For one, its humor is deeply rooted in character, language, and cultural specificity, creating something that feels both heightened and instantly recognizable. Turner and Riley are utter perfection, delivering performances that are endlessly quotable and consistently camp. It’s more than just a sitcom—it’s a cultural touchstone and one that continues to resonate because it understands exactly who it’s portraying and why it’s so funny. Nothing can touch it (even, and especially, the poorly made American remake).
Kath & Kim
- Release Date
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2002 – 2007-00-00
- Network
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Seven Network
- Writers
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Magda Szubanski
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Glenn Robbins
Kel Graham Knight
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Jeremy Kewley
Audience Member
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Next: The 10 Greatest Movies of the Australian New Wave, Ranked
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