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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2015}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox television
| italic_title       = no<!-- set below -->
| image              = Skithouse.jpg
| caption            = The ''Skithouse'' logo
| camera             =
| runtime            = 22–24 minutes
| creator            = 
| developer          = 
| executive_producer = 
| starring           = [[Peter Helliar]]<br>[[Corinne Grant]]<br>[[Damian Callinan]]<br>[[Scott Brennan (comedian)|Scott Brennan]]<br>[[Michael Chamberlin (comedian)|Michael Chamberlin]]<br>Fiona Harris<br>[[Roz Hammond]]<br>[[Tom Gleeson (comedian)|Tom Gleeson]]<br>[[Cal Wilson]]<br>Jason Geary<br>[[Ben Anderson (actor)|Ben Anderson]]<br>[[Tripod (band)|Tripod]]
| country            = [[Australia]]
| language           = English
| network            = [[Network Ten]]
| first_aired        = {{start date|2003|2|9|df=y}}
| last_aired         = {{end date|2004|7|28|df=y}}
| num_seasons        = 2
| num_episodes       = 19 
}}
'''''Skithouse''''' (styled '''''skitHOUSE''''') is an Australian [[sketch comedy]] television series that ran on [[Network Ten]] from 9 February 2003 to 28 July 2004. The series was produced by [[Roving Enterprises]]. It featured many well-known Australian comedians, including comedy-band [[Tripod (band)|Tripod]]. Reruns can now{{when|date=October 2024}} be seen on [[The Comedy Channel]] on [[Foxtel]]. In the [[United Kingdom|UK]], it is shown on the channel [[Paramount Comedy 2]] and [[Trouble (TV)|Trouble]]. The title name itself is a [[pun]] on the colloquialism "shithouse".

The series only ran for two seasons, before being cancelled due to a combination of dwindling ratings and the withdrawal of the cable network Foxtel as co-financier of the program's production.

== Cast ==
''Skithouse'' was produced by Roving Enterprises, a production company formed by [[Rove McManus]]. Two key performers were Rove's [[Rove (TV series)|Rove Live]] co-hosts <!--sidekicks?--> [[Peter Helliar]] and [[Corinne Grant]]. The show also featured [[Cal Wilson]], [[Scott Brennan (comedian)|Scott Brennan]], Fiona Harris, [[Damian Callinan]], [[Roz Hammond]], [[Michael Chamberlin (comedian)|Michael Chamberlin]], Ingrid Bloom, [[Tom Gleeson (comedian)|Tom Gleeson]], Jason Geary and [[Ben Anderson (actor)|Ben Anderson]]. Members of the comedic band Tripod also featured, not just as the band but in the actual skits as well. [[Tripod (band)|Tripod]] are Scod (Scott Edgar), Yon (Simon Hall) and Gatesy (Steven Gates).

The director was ''[[Full Frontal (Australian TV series)|Full Frontal]]'' alumna, Daina Reid.

Since the cancellation of the series, a number of the stars have moved on to other areas in the comedy industry. Scott Brennan and Fiona Harris starred in ''[[Comedy Inc. (Australian TV series)|Comedy Inc.]]'' (before the show's end) as well as Damian Callinan and Cal Wilson staying on [[Network Ten]] on ''[[The Wedge (Australian TV series)|The Wedge]]'' with Roz Hammond and Ben Anderson as part of the ensemble cast on ''[[Thank God You're Here]]''. Tom Gleeson has gone on to host popular [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABCTV]] quiz show, "[[Hard Quiz]]" which he has been the host of since October 2016.

== The show ==
The show consisted of numerous [[comedy|comedic]] [[sketch comedy|skit]]s. The half-hour shows themselves often seemed to have themes (or at least they repeated the use of sets, costumes, characters and props). Its comedic styling was reminiscent of many classic Australian sketch comedies, like ''[[Full Frontal (Australian TV series)|Full Frontal]]'' and ''[[Fast Forward (Australian TV series)|Fast Forward]]'', sharing common elements such as self-depreciating humour, low-cost props and effects. <!--ethnic stereotyping: thought i'd leave it out for now, feel free to re-add. -->

== Notable characters and sketches ==
Many characters recurred throughout the series, often appearing several times in a single episode, creating a semi-coherent storyline. Some more notable recurring characters and/or scenarios are listed below.

;The Australian Fast Bowler (Gleeson): A [[cricket]] [[fast bowler]], loosely resembling [[Dennis Lillee]], who uses his bowling skills to help people or defend against evil, [[superhero]] style.

;Bubble Wrap Man (Yon): [[Bubble Wrap]] Man is a send-up of traditional superheroes. His outfit consisted of a standard red superhero outfit, complete with underwear on the outside, and a bubble wrap cape. Bubble Wrap Man would appear in stressful situations for other unnamed characters, and say to them: "Pop the bubbles on my cape!" 

;The "I'll Snap Ya" Guy <!--better name desired-->(Callinan): A parody of an Australian '[[bogan]]' who continually narrates sketches in which he speaks of various people he has punched (or 'snapped'). 

;Redheads (Gleeson, Wilson, Hammond, Yon): [[Stereotype]]d [[red hair|red-haired]] Caucasian people who have an extreme fear of sunlight. They seem incapable of natural speech, communicating in squeaks.

;Batman (Callinan): A [[Clinical depression|depressed]], [[alcoholism|alcoholic]] version of [[Batman]]. His [[Batmobile]] is a wreck, he has no work, and seems romantically attracted to [[Robin (comics)|Robin]] (Chamberlin). He is perpetually at odds with the more dynamic ''Captain Terrific'' (Helliar), who is now Robin's partner.

;The "I Love Beer" Guy <!--better name desired-->(Helliar): A man who, despite professing to everyone how much he loves [[beer]], quite obviously cannot stomach the drink. Onlookers try to convince him that it is okay not to drink beer, but he refuses to acknowledge his dislike. This is a mockery of the common stereotype of the beer-drinking Australian male.

;The Ticket Lady (Harris): A perpetually cheerful [[parking ticket|parking inspector]] who is oblivious to how much she is hated by the general public; she often speaks highly of people while being pelted with rocks, eggs, and other heavy objects. Usually ends a sketch after having something thrown at her, by exclaiming "I ''love'' this job!"

;Glenn Bush (Brennan): An awkward, annoying schoolboy in his teens, with many pimples and a squeaky voice. Glenn is mostly portrayed at school camp in video diary format, or doing a school biology assignment with his "friend" (Chamberlin), who cannot get rid of him.

;Tripod as themselves: The three friends engaged in various strange or [[geek]]y activities, including playing ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', and teaching Yon how to dance.

;"Nothing Suss!" (Gleeson, Brennan): Two men attempt to sell odd products (normally partner [[exercise equipment]]) in the medium of an infomercial for their mail-order service. The two frequently use the exercise equipment to demonstrate and end up in sexually suggestive positions, while maintaining all the while that there is "nothing [[wikt:suss|suss]]" about what they are doing.

The credits of each show are accompanied by a song by Tripod. While sometimes new material is used, it is sometimes a song previously featured in their "[[Triple J#The Breakfast Show|Song In An Hour]]" challenge with [[Triple J]].

== Music and theme ==
The main title was composed by John Von Ahlen and recorded at [http://www.subterrane.com.au/ Subterrane Recording Studio], and the end credits read "Theme by John Von Ahlen for Planet J Productions". The incidental stings were also recorded at Subterrane Recording Studio. The credits of each show are accompanied by a song by [[Tripod (band)|Tripod]]. A compilation of expanded studio versions of these songs was later released as the album [[Middleborough Rd]], which won an [[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]] award in 2005 for Best Comedy Release.

==Awards and nominations==
===ARIA Music Awards===
The [[ARIA Music Awards]] are a set of annual ceremonies presented by [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the [[music of Australia]]. They commenced in 1987.

{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| [[ARIA Music Awards of 2005|2005]]
| ''Classic Skithouse''
| [[ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release|Best Comedy Release]]
| {{nom}}
| <ref name="awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/award/Best-Comedy-Release|title=ARIA Awards Best Comedy Release|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)|access-date=17 April 2022}}</ref>
|-
{{end}}

== See also ==
* ''[[Rove (TV series)|Rove Live]]''
* [[Tripod (band)|Tripod]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://colsearch.nfsa.afc.gov.au/nfsa/search/display/display.w3p;adv=yes;group=;groupequals=;holdingType=;page=0;parentid=;query=Number%3A703155;querytype=;rec=0;resCount=10 SkitHOUSE at the National Film and Sound Archive]
* {{IMDb title|0350457|skitHOUSE}}

{{Roving Enterprises}}

[[Category:Network 10 original programming]]
[[Category:Australian television sketch shows]]
[[Category:2003 Australian television series debuts]]
[[Category:2004 Australian television series endings]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Melbourne]]
[[Category:2000s Australian comedy television series]]