Shockingly, it’s been almost two years since Summer Heights High aired on HBO. Written and created by Austrailian actor Chris Lilley, who also plays the three main characters in the show, it’s filmed over one term at Summer Heights High and is done in mockumentary style. The show touches on many things, mostly hilarious sterotypes that end up driving a lot of the show’s humor. Lilley without question has his own brand and if you get it, you’re in for a trip.
The show revolves around three different individuals: the drama teacher, the bully, and the exchange student (from a private school). The teacher, Mr. G, or Helen Gregson (as some would call him), gets to take over the Drama department after one of the teachers sustains an injury. Chris Lilley’s portrayal of a teacher couldn’t be any more hilarious, his constant narcissism landing him in conflict with staff members (mostly the school’s principal). Mr. G decides that after one of the students at the school dies of a drug overdose, he will make the school play about it, which ends up turning out as Mr. G the musical. He had also written “You Can’t Skate, Mate.” based on Sk8er Boi by Avril Lavigne and also “Tsunamarama” based on the 2004 Tsunami incident.
The show also revolved around year 8 student Jonah Takalua (who is 13 years old). Lilley is able to tear the show’s humor in a completely different direction with troubled student Jonah. Not only will you believe he is actually 13 years old but you will be face down on the floor laughing by his lack of respect for other teachers (and staff), and the bullying of younger students. Jonah and his gang are not only obsessed with break dancing, but with tagging the school with his “Dictation” (take out the d-i-c and add a penis drawing and you’ve got it) grafitti. After his consistant attitude and lack of respect for others, Jonah is faced with expulsion after a comical argument between him and his English teacher.
Lastly, we have the exchange student, Ja’mie King. Chris Lilley may pull off his best performance with Ja’mie, seeing as he has to play a year 11 high school girl. It is almost scary how well Chris Lilley was able to play this character and I without question tip my hat to him for it. Immediately, Ja’mie makes friends with the most popular girls in school but it becomes obvious that she does not have a legitimate friendship with the girls. Ja’mie is soon inspired to throw a year 11 formal for her grade and if you want to pay 450 dollars for a ticket, you can go. Obviously, like four students buy tickets so they are forced to find a way to raise money for the dance. After raising money for a fradulent orginization (AIDS for Africa), they are forced to have the year 11 formal in the teachers’ lounge.
Summer Heights High may be comedy, but the story is dynamic. The three chracters should give you major doses of each side of the show’s humor, which also leaves room for very entertaining story-telling by Chris Lilley. Funny enough, these three characters never come across each other in the show and it works very well. Each character has a clear-cut personality and is completely different from the next. Personally, it is hard to pick a favorite as each has his/her own special type of levity. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like we will ever visit the school of Summer Heights High again, but even with only 8 episodes, the show ends properly and on a commendable note. However, if you haven’t been by at least once, it’s time to start. As for the future, I hope Chris Lilley has something equally as excellent in mind.
