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Please Like Me

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Please Like Me
GenreComedy
Drama
Created byJosh Thomas
Written byLiz Doran
Josh Thomas
Thomas Ward
Directed byMatthew Saville
Josh Thomas
StarringJosh Thomas
Debra Lawrance
David Roberts
Thomas John Ward
Wade Briggs
Caitlin Stasey
Nikita Leigh-Pritchard
Renee Lim
Judi Farr
Theme music composerClairy Browne & The Bangin' Rackettes
Opening themeI'll Be Fine
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes32 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersTodd Abbott (2013-)
Debbie Lee (2013)
Josh Thomas (2013-)
Kevin Whyte (2013-)
Belisa Balaban (2015)
Holly A. Hines (2014)
Rick Kalowski (2014-)
Jeff Skoll (2014-)
Brett Sleigh (2014-)
Chris Loveall (2014-)
ProducersTodd Abbott (2013-)
Lisa Wang (2015-)
Production locationMelbourne, Australia
CinematographyKatie Milwright[1]
EditorChris Branagan
Running time28 minutes (approx.)
Production companiesJosh and John Productions
Original release
NetworkABC2
Release28 February 2013 (2013-02-28) –
present

Please Like Me is an Australian television comedy drama series starring Josh Thomas. The series premiered on 28 February 2013 on ABC2 in Australia. The show explores realistic issues with humorous tones; the executive producer Todd Abbott had pitched the show as a drama rather than a sitcom. The show aired later on the United States network Pivot, which then helped to develop the show from its second season onwards. On 12 July 2014, it was announced that Please Like Me had been renewed for a third season that began on 15 October 2015; 16 October in the United States.[2] The show has attracted praise from critics and has garnered numerous nominations, winning eight awards. The show was renewed for a fourth season on 7 July 2016, via a post on the show's Twitter page. The six-episode season premiered on 9 November 2016.[3]

Background

Please Like Me is written by Josh Thomas, who also plays the main character, Josh. It is produced by Todd Abbott and all episodes were directed by Matthew Saville.[4] Thomas and Abott developed the series together for four years. They held a series of consultation meetings with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Abbott was careful to pitch the series as a drama rather than a sitcom. It portrays a set of circumstances that could happen to a young person but has humorous themes.[4] Thomas envisioned an original show, something he had not seen on television before. The actor, also a known comedian in Australia, wanted honesty in the script and wrote the comedy with that in mind. He also wanted the actors to not intentionally react to the scripted jokes.[4]

In January 2013, The West Australian reported that Please Like Me would air on ABC2.[5] The show had been meant to air on ABC1, but it was decided that the show would be better suited to the digital channel ABC2. The broadcaster stated that the show is aimed at a younger demographic more appropriate for ABC2, while ABC1 caters to all ages. The move was criticised because it was believed to be the result of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation viewing the show's content as "too gay" for their primary channel.[6] The series begins with Josh realising that he is gay and his mother attempting suicide with an overdose of Panadol.[4]

In September 2013, ABC1 started running the series on Wednesday nights (10pm), six months after its original ABC2 run.

It was announced in July 2013 that the series would air in the United States as part of the launch programming of Pivot, a new digital cable and satellite television channel which released the first episode of the series online prior to its screening on the channel.[7] It will also offer the series as part of its video on demand service.[7] Pivot also launched a social media website "pleaselikeme.org" for viewers to share personal experiences about breaking stigma and fear of being unliked, in relation to the series.[8]

On 26 July 2013, it was announced that both ABC and Pivot had commissioned a second season of the show consisting of ten episodes.[9] The season debuted in its American territory first from 8 August 2014.[10] Producers also added a host of new regular characters to the cast.[11] On 12 July 2014, it was announced that the networking partnership had renewed Please Like Me for a third series also comprising ten episodes.[12] On 7 July 2016, the series was renewed for a fourth season consisting of six episodes, making it ABC's first scripted comedy show to go to a fourth season.[13]

Cast

Key
Main Actor received "Starring" credit that season
Recurring Actor appears in two or more episodes that season
Guest Actor appears in only one episode that season
Actor Character Seasons
1 2 3 4
All characters
Josh Thomas Josh Main
Caitlin Stasey Claire Main Recurring Main Guest
Thomas Ward Tom Main
Wade Briggs Geoffrey Main Guest Guest[14]
Nikita Leigh-Pritchard Niamh Main Recurring
David Roberts Alan (Dad) Main
Debra Lawrance Rose (Mum) Main
Renee Lim Mae Main
Judi Farr Aunty Peg Recurring
Hannah Gadsby Hannah Main
Charles Cottier Patrick Main
Keegan Joyce Arnold Recurring Main Recurring
Denise Drysdale Ginger Recurring
Charlotte Nicdao Jenny Recurring
Bob Franklin Stuart Recurring
Emily Barclay Ella Main
David Quirk Ben Recurring Guest

Episodes

Main article: List of Please Like Me episodes
SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
1628 February 2013 (2013-02-28)28 March 2013 (2013-03-28)ABC2
21012 August 2014 (2014-08-12)14 October 2014 (2014-10-14)
31015 October 2015 (2015-10-15)17 December 2015 (2015-12-17)ABC
469 November 2016 (2016-11-09)14 December 2016 (2016-12-14)

Reception

Critical response

Anthony D. Langford from AfterElton.com said that he "absolutely loved this charming series. It’s funny and sweet and has plenty of heart." He also praised Thomas's portrayal of Josh and wished that US broadcasters could emulate the show's format.[15] He later said that he would miss the show and hoped a second season would be commissioned. He added that he did not want to say goodbye to Josh's world.[16] Andrew Mast, writing for Music.com.au, praised Briggs's "naturalistic performances" and the inclusion of accomplished actress Farr. But he criticised Saville's direction of the show and Ward's acting abilities. He concluded that Thomas's writing was good and comedic, but the on-screen delivery did not meet his expectations.[17] David Knox from TV Tonight praised the performances of many cast members. He opined that the dynamic between Josh and his parents created a "very rich comedic terrain" for the show. He added that Please Like Me displays "a confidence that delivers laughs, pathos and insight".[18]

Colin Vickery and Darren Devlyn News.com.au said that it "has a sweetness that sets it apart from other boundary-pushing comedies".[6] Giles Hardie from The Age praised the show for "breaking new ground" and not making stereotypes of gay characters. He viewed the comedy as being genuine without feeling like a sitcom. He noted that coming out and attempted suicide are given humour without the gags. Hardie concluded that Josh, his family and friends were "incredibly well" played.[19] His colleague Scott Ellis believed that Please Like Me was an important show and the type of material the ABC should be investing more in. He also branded it "gentle" and insightful when covering "tough ground".[19] Fellow critic Craig Mathieson also agreed that the show's darker moments are some of the most humorous and compared it to US show Louie.[4] Please Like Me received an invitation to screen at the Series Mania Television Festival in Paris.[20]

The A.V. Club regarded season 2 of Please Like Me as one of the year's best shows, praising the camera work and Josh's performance.[21] The Guardian praised Please Like Me's "unconventional writing".[22]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Recipients and nominees Result
2013 Australian Writers Guild Awards[23][24] Best Writing in a Comedy: Situation or Narrative Josh Thomas, Liz Doran and Thomas Ward - Series 1, Episode 3 'Portuguese Custard Tarts' Won
Josh Thomas, Liz Doran and Thomas Ward - Series 1, Episode 5 'Spanish Eggs' Nominated
2014 3rd AACTA Awards[25] Best Television Comedy Series Please Like Me - Todd Abbott Won
Best Performance in a Television Comedy Josh Thomas Nominated
Best Direction in a Television Drama or Comedy Matthew Saville - Series 1, Episode 3 'Portuguese Custard Tarts' Nominated
GLAAD Media Awards[26] Outstanding Comedy Series Please Like Me Nominated
Australian Directors Guild Awards[27] Best Direction: TV Comedy Matthew Saville Won
Rose d'Or[28] Sitcom Please Like Me Nominated
Logie Awards[29] Most Outstanding Light Entertainment Program Please Like Me Nominated
International Emmy Award[30] Best Comedy Series Please Like Me Nominated
Australian Screen Editors Awards[31] Best Editing in a Television Comedy Julie-Anne De Ruvo - Season 2, Episode 2 'Ham' Nominated
2015 4th AACTA Awards[32] Best Television Comedy Series Please Like Me - Todd Abbott, Josh Thomas and Kevin Whyte Nominated
Best Direction in a Television Drama or Comedy Matthew Saville - Series 2, Episode 7 'Scroggin' Nominated
Best Screenplay in Television Josh Thomas - Series 2, Episode 7 'Scroggin' Won
Best Performance in a Television Comedy Debra Lawrance Won
Josh Thomas Nominated
Best Sound in Television John Wilkinson and Simon Rosenberg - Series 2, Episode 7 'Scroggin' Nominated
Logie Awards[33] Most Popular Actor Josh Thomas, Please Like Me Nominated
Most Outstanding Comedy Program Please Like Me Nominated
GLAAD Media Awards Outstanding Comedy Series Please Like Me Nominated
Australian Writers Guild Awards[34] Best Writing in a Comedy: Situation or Narrative Josh Thomas - Series 2, Episode 7 'Scroggin' Won
Australian Directors Guild Awards[35] Best Direction in a TV Comedy Matthew Saville - Series 2, Episode 7 'Scroggin' Won
Australian Screen Editors Awards[36] Best Editing in a Television Comedy Julie-Anne De Ruvo - Please Like Me (Series 2) Won
Screen Producers Australia Awards[37] Comedy Television Production of the Year Please Like Me Season 2, Guesswork Television Won
Prism Awards[38] Comedy Episode or Multi-Episode Storyline Please Like Me Season 2 (Pivot) Nominated
Dorian Awards[39] LGBTQ TV Show of the Year Please Like Me (Pivot) Nominated
Unsung TV Show of the Year Please Like Me (Pivot) Nominated
2016 GLAAD Media Awards[40] Outstanding Comedy Series Please Like Me (Pivot) Nominated
Logie Awards[41] Best Actor Josh Thomas, Please Like Me Nominated
Most Outstanding Comedy Program Please Like Me Nominated
Australian Writers Guild Awards[42] Best Writing in a Comedy: Situation or Narrative Josh Thomas - Season 3, 'Coq au Vin' Pending
Josh Thomas and Liz Doran - Season 3, 'Pancakes with Faces' Pending
Josh Thomas, Liz Doran and Thomas Ward - Season 3, 'Simple Carbohydrates' Pending
Screen Producers Australia Awards[43] Comedy Television Production of the Year Please Like Me Season 3, Guesswork Television Pending

See also

References

  1. ^ "Katie Milwright - Director Of Photography". katiemilwright.com. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  2. ^ "Josh Thomas' 'Please Like Me' Moves To ABC1 For Third Season".
  3. ^ Pedersen, Erik (6 July 2016). "'Please Like Me' Renewed For Season 4 On Pivot". Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d e Mathieson, Craig (21 February 2013). "Thomas the frank engine". The Age. (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  5. ^ "Hit Parade". The West Australian. Perth: Seven West Media. 26 January 2013. p. 370. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  6. ^ a b Vickery, Colin; Devlyn, Darren (27 February 2013). "Is Josh Thomas's show too gay for ABC1?". News.com.au. (News Limited). Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  7. ^ a b Knox, David (12 July 2013). "Josh Thomas comedy picked up by new US cable channel". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  8. ^ "Join the Conversation". Please Like Me. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  9. ^ "Pivot Greenlights Second Season of Josh Thomas' Scripted Comedy "Please Like Me" In Advance of August 1st Debut" (PDF). Pivot.tv. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  10. ^ "Please Like Me on Pivot". Pivot.com. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  11. ^ Bulbeck, Pip (17 February 2014). "GLAAD-Nominated Aussie Comedy 'Please Like Me' to Get Second Season". The Hollywood Reporter. (Prometheus Global Media). Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  12. ^ "Josh Thomas comedy Please Like Me breaks new ground in US". The Age. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  13. ^ "Renewed: Please Like Me season 4". TV Tonight. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  14. ^ http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/please-like-me/
  15. ^ Langford, Anthony D. (6 March 2013). "Langford on Soaps: Is It The End For Christian And Ollie on "Forbidden Love?"". AfterElton.com. (Logo TV). Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  16. ^ Langford, Anthony D. (27 March 2013). "Langford on Soaps: Brendan Goes Out With A Bang and A Whimper on "Hollyaoks"". AfterElton.com. (Logo TV). Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  17. ^ Mast, Andrew (6 March 2013). "The TV Set: It's Hard To Like Josh Thomas". Music.com.au. (Street Press Australia Pty). Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  18. ^ Knox, David (25 February 2013). "Please Like Me". TV Tonight. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  19. ^ a b Hardie, Giles; Ellis, Scott (21 February 2013). "Please Like Me". The Age. (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  20. ^ Knox, David (22 February 2013). "Please Like Me, Puberty Blues selected for French TV festival". TV Tonight. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  21. ^ "Please Like Me grew up (into one of the year's best shows) in season two". 9 October 2014.
  22. ^ Tan, Monica (26 August 2014). "Josh Thomas and why no one is watching Australia's best comedy".
  23. ^ "Please Like Me". Australian Writers' Guild. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  24. ^ Knox, David. "2013 AWGIE Awards: nominees". TV Tonight. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  25. ^ Knox, David (30 January 2014). "AACTA Awards 2014: winners". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  26. ^ "Please Like Me". GLAAD. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  27. ^ "Please Like Me". Australian Directors Guild. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  28. ^ Visentin, Lisa (18 June 2014). "Josh Thomas' show Please Like Me nominated for Rose d'Or". The Sydney Morning Herald. (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  29. ^ "Please Like Me". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  30. ^ Bodey, Michael (14 October 2014). "ABC2 comedy Please Like Me nominated for Emmy". The Australian. News Corp Australia (News Corp). Retrieved 3 November 2014.
  31. ^ "Australian Editors Guild awards 2014: nominees".
  32. ^ "4th AACTA Awards Winners & Nominees By Category" (PDF). Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  33. ^ Willis, Charlotte. "Logie Awards 2015: Nominees announced". news.com.au. News Limited. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  34. ^ "2015 AWGIE Winners - by category". Australian Writers Guild (AWG). Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  35. ^ "2015 ADG Awards Winners". Australian Directors Guild. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  36. ^ "2015 'ELLIE' AWARDS WINNERS". Australian Screen Editors. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  37. ^ "Screen Producers Australia Awards » Screen Producers Australia". www.spaa.org.au. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  38. ^ "Television | Prism Awards". www.prismawards.com. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  39. ^ Griffiths, John. "GALECA :: Gay & Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association :: Home of The Dorian Awards". www.galeca.com. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  40. ^ "GLAAD Media Awards: Transparent, Sense8, I Am Cait Among Winners". TVLine. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  41. ^ "Logie Awards 2016: nominations". TV Tonight. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  42. ^ "AWGIE Awards 2016: nominees". TV Tonight. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  43. ^ "Screen Producers Awards 2016: nominees". TV Tonight. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.

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