Australian Comedian Chris Lilley, who has a major fan following because of his successful productions is resurfacing. He was never truly gone.
Successful Productions
The Australian comedian has built a wide variety of fan favourites from his successful mockumentary productions like Summer Heights High and Angry Boys, which are one of the best at creating characters. He has an unmatched capacity to inhabit each character. Consider Ja’mie, the obscenely privileged “Queen of Quiche,” who has her spinoff series called Ja’mie: Private School Girl. Like with all of his characters, Chris Lilley convincingly transitioned into Ja’mie utilising his voice, mannerisms, and writing skills rather than using prosthetics or heavy makeup to persuade people.
Despite a career in comedy spanning two decades and a cult following throughout the world, Lilley is renowned for avoiding the media at all costs, which some have argued adds to the authenticity of his characters.
Speaking with Lilley
Yet a channel was fortunate enough to speak with the natural person behind the aliases to learn more about his current situation and, most importantly, whether he is engaged in any current projects.
Everyone who has followed Lilley’s career will be aware of how polarising his boundary-pushing humour can be. There is no denying that the television environment has changed recently, causing a schism in the comedy community. Should the same social norms apply to satire?
Negative Preconceptions
It would be simple to believe Chris Lilley had been “cancelled” if you read the most recent stories about him. In his spinoff series Jonah from Tonga, people charge the comedian with feeding “negative preconceptions” about Tongan culture. After his Netflix epic Lunatics debuted in 2019, reports claimed networks were “quietly deleting” his shows from their schedules. Others even claimed his relationship with the streaming giant soured.
Speaking with Lilley, it becomes clear that everything is just noise. The fans’ ongoing support supports this assertion. If anything, there is a greater desire than ever for his kind of humour, which criticises and parodies worn-out cliches and narcissistic nonsense.
Working Experience with Netflix
He tells that working with Netflix has been a pleasure. “I believe that whatever was discussed was more of a media interpretation of the issue than actuality.
“All of my shows have been and will continue to be accessible. If you read some headlines, you might not realise they never vanished. Yet they’re still well-liked, and I still get along well with Netflix. They strongly support Lunatics, which continues to do exceptionally well on that network. It just looks to be more of a phoney take, so there’s no problem.
Instead of remaining silent, Chris Lilley has been active with his parody podcast Ja’miezing, in which he resurrects his famed superbrat and has her recount her absurd antics as a college student and professional influencer.
Lilley is just providing himself with some breathing room in addition to the project.
I didn’t want to be out there because “Lunatics came out, it was a tremendously big production, and then the entire Covid thing happened. Simply said, it felt like a good time to unwind.
More Focus on Writing
I’m just kind of taking things easy, continuing writing, and I’m enjoying having time to watch all the series again and manage the social media pages. Even though he doesn’t currently have a new programme scheduled, significant changes are to come.
Chris Lilley declares, “I’m writing all the time.” “I have scripts and ideas that I have written since I can remember. And gradually, things just sort of bubbled to the top and found their way. Many screenplays and ideas are going about, so I truly would love to and am looking forward to playing new roles or bringing old ones back.
Good news for Fans of Mr G
Fans of Mr G, the narcissistic drama school teacher and one of Lilley’s earlier inventions, will be happy to know that he will have another opportunity to sing, dance, and act in the much-discussed spinoff series that will revolve around him. I’ve written a lot for Mr G, and I’d want to bring him back, the author declares.
Just the current circumstances, I suppose. Others may believe that I have some sort of method or plan, but everything just happens at random. You are somewhat constrained by this since you move between various networks and they always demand something special from them.
“But, I could devise a way for him to return. There are screenplays for him on the shelves. Of course, Chris Lilley would love to bring back every single character from his programmes; Mr G. alone could easily support a whole season.
Things would be Different
In light of the current environment, would things be any different if he started a new TV project? Maybe, but not in the way you may think.
Lilley responds when asked whether there is anything he would change about the past, “I surely would not change a thing. I’m so proud of what I’ve accomplished, that I almost wish to push the envelope even further.
As an illustration, he uses Mr G, saying, “I simply believe if you aim to be hilarious and point out a very insane, narcissistic figure that’s behaving inappropriately in front of kids, it’s like, that’s the joke.
“I wish I had pursued it more. And I will if he does return.
Wrapping Up
Even though it would be startling to see him in a more serious context, we do not doubt that he would be able to embody whatever character he took on given his ability to adapt. Chris Lilley is currently concentrating on his podcast and writing while also taking pleasure in the influx of fan mail.
