# Open Slather

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***Open Slather*** is an Australian [sketch comedy](/source/Sketch_comedy) television series which first aired on [The Comedy Channel](/source/The_Comedy_Channel) on [Foxtel](/source/Foxtel) on 24 May 2015.[1][2] The 20 episode series is executively produced by Laura Waters and Rick McKenna.[3] After the first ten episodes aired, the series experienced a hiatus while new episodes were in production. Replacing new episodes were 30 minute 'best of' episodes titled *Open Slather Reopened*.[4] The second block of ten episodes began airing on 6 September,[5] and concluded on 8 November 2015.[6]

On 31 December 2015, it was announced the show had been cancelled.[7]

## Cast

- Holly Austin
- Hannah Bath
- [Shane Jacobson](/source/Shane_Jacobson)
- Jay K. Cagatay
- Dave Eastgate
- [Gina Riley](/source/Gina_Riley)
- [Stephen Curry](/source/Stephen_Curry_(comedian))
- [Ben Gerrard](/source/Ben_Gerrard)
- Laura Hughes
- [Demi Lardner](/source/Demi_Lardner)
- [Magda Szubanski](/source/Magda_Szubanski)
- Ben Lomas
- [Marg Downey](/source/Marg_Downey)
- Miles O'Neil
- [Glenn Robbins](/source/Glenn_Robbins)
- Ilai Swindells
- [Jane Turner](/source/Jane_Turner) (11 episodes)[note 2]
- [Emily Taheny](/source/Emily_Taheny)
- [Michael Veitch](/source/Michael_Veitch)
- [George H. Xanthis](/source/George_H._Xanthis)

### Guest

- [Franklyn Ajaye](/source/Franklyn_Ajaye) (1 episode)

### Special guests

- [Mark Holden](/source/Mark_Holden) as himself (1 episode)
- [Hamish Blake](/source/Hamish_Blake) as God (3 episodes)[8]
- [Dave Lawson](/source/Dave_Lawson) (9 episodes)
- [Gerry Connolly](/source/Gerry_Connolly_(comedian)) as [Queen Elizabeth II](/source/Elizabeth_II) (1 episode)[8]
- [Sting](/source/Sting_(musician)) as himself (1 episode)[8]
- [Paul Hogan](/source/Paul_Hogan) as Cardinal (1 episode)[9]
- [Peter Rowsthorn](/source/Peter_Rowsthorn_(actor)) (5 episodes)
- [Amy Schumer](/source/Amy_Schumer) (1 episode)[citation needed]
- [Bill Hader](/source/Bill_Hader) (1 episode)[citation needed]
- [John Flaus](/source/John_Flaus) (3 episodes)
- [Jane Hall](/source/Jane_Hall_(actress)) (1 episode)
- [Colin Lane](/source/Colin_Lane) (1 episode)
- [Eddie Perfect](/source/Eddie_Perfect) (3 episodes)
- [John Wood](/source/John_Wood_(actor,_born_1946)) (2 episodes)
- [Ronda Rousey](/source/Ronda_Rousey) (1 episode)
- [Nick Bracks](/source/Nick_Bracks) (1 episode)
- [Geoff Morrell](/source/Geoff_Morrell_(actor)) (3 episodes)
- [Christie Whelan Browne](/source/Christie_Whelan) (1 episode)

### Parodied characters

- Hannah Bath — [Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark](/source/Mary,_Crown_Princess_of_Denmark), [Kirstie Allsop](/source/Kirstie_Allsop)
- Jay K. Cagatay — [Tony Abbott](/source/Tony_Abbott), [Ed Sheeran](/source/Ed_Sheeran), [Jon Snow](/source/Jon_Snow_(character)), [Johnny Depp](/source/Johnny_Depp), [Redfoo](/source/Redfoo), [Calum Hood](/source/Calum_Hood), [Harry Styles](/source/Harry_Styles), [Jesus](/source/Jesus), [Russell Brand](/source/Russell_Brand), [Julian Assange](/source/Julian_Assange), Hamburglar, Steve Baxter, Pete Evans, [Jonathan Ive](/source/Jonathan_Ive)
- Marg Downey — [Helen Clark](/source/Helen_Clark)
- [Ben Gerrard](/source/Ben_Gerrard) — [Donatella Versace](/source/Donatella_Versace)
- Gina Riley — [Liz Hayes](/source/Liz_Hayes), [Gina Rileyano](/source/Gina_Liano), [Anna Wintour](/source/Anna_Wintour), [Hillary Clinton](/source/Hillary_Clinton)
- Magda Szubanski — [Angela Merkel](/source/Angela_Merkel), [Gina Rinehart](/source/Gina_Rinehart)
- Jane Turner - [Julie Bishop](/source/Julie_Bishop), [Grant Denyer](/source/Grant_Denyer)
- George H. Xanthis — [Don Draper](/source/Don_Draper)

## Writers

- Holly Austin (episodes 5, 9, 11, 15, 20)
- Hannah Bath (episodes 3, 8, 10, 17, 19, 20)
- Jay K. Cagatay (episodes 2, 5, 7, 9, 11)
- Paul Calleja
- John Campbell (episodes 1, 3–14, 17–20)
- Bryan Cockerill (episode 18)
- Mark Conway (episode 3)
- Lucas Crandles (episodes 13–17, 19)
- Stephen Curry (episodes 1–8, 10–18)
- Des Dowling (episode 7)
- Marg Downey (episodes 7, 10–13, 15, 16, 19, 20)
- Dave Eastgate (episodes 17, 18)
- [Ben Gerrard](/source/Ben_Gerrard) (episodes 4, 8, 17, 18, 20)
- Happy Hammond (episodes 1–8)
- Jess Harris (episodes 10–13, 15, 17, 18, 20)
- Tegan Higginbotham (episodes 2–11, 17–20)
- Angus Hodge (episode 13)
- Laura Hughes (episode 3, 8, 9, 11, 15, 19, 20)
- Rhett Hughes (episodes 3–8, 11–14, 16–20)
- Shane Jacobson (episodes 1–3, 6–8, 10–12, 16)
- Dan Knight (episode 8)
- Demi Lardner (episodes 4, 5, 11, 13, 18)
- Dave Lawson (episodes 3, 4, 10, 11, 13–18)
- Ben Lomas (episodes 4–6, 8, 9, 14, 15)
- Brendan Luno (episodes 1���14, 17)
- [Doug MacLeod](/source/Doug_MacLeod_(TV_writer)) (episodes 2–7)
- Shannon Marinko (episode 6, 9, 10)
- Cameron Marshall (episodes 2, 6, 9, 12, 14–20)
- Ray Matsen (episode 8)
- Zoe McDonald (episodes 8, 9, 11, 14, 18)
- Maggie McKenna (episodes 1, 2, 4, 11)
- Lauren Merolli (episodes 11–13, 16)
- Steve Mitchell (episodes 5, 13)
- [Tony Moclair](/source/Tony_Moclair) (episodes 1–7, 11, 13, 15, 18)
- Nick Musgrove
- Timothy Nash (episodes 13–17, 19)
- [Dave O'Neil](/source/Dave_O'Neil) (episodes 1–8, 10–17, 19, 20)
- Miles O'Neil (episodes 6–9, 12, 13)
- Mark O'Toole (episodes 1–14, 18)
- Nick Place (episodes 7, 12, 15)
- Anita Punton (episodes 1–18)
- Amanda Reedy (episodes 4, 8, 14, 18–20)
- Gina Riley (episodes 1–8, 10–12, 14–18)
- Glenn Robbins (episodes 1, 2, 4–9, 11, 12, 14–17, 19, 20)
- Peter Rowsthorn (episode 10)
- Adam Rozenbachs (episodes 1–15, 17, 18, 20)
- Joel Slack-Smith (episode 14)
- Ilai Swindells (episodes 7, 11, 15, 19)
- Magda Szubanski (episodes 1, 7, 11–13, 20)
- Emily Taheny (episodes 7, 10, 11, 15)
- Richard Thorp (episodes 17, 18)
- Nathan Valvo (episode 19)
- Lory Vecchio (episodes 3, 15, 20)
- Michael Veitch (episodes 4, 5, 15)
- [Paul Verhoeven](/source/Paul_Verhoeven_(Australia)) (episodes 2, 6)
- Eric Walsh (episode 8)
- Michael Ward (episodes 3, 6–9, 11–15)
- Tom Ward (episode 18, 19)
- Nick Weller (episodes 4, 5, 7)
- George H. Xanthis (episodes 3, 7, 9, 19, 20)

### Head writers

- Nick Weller (episodes 1–6)
- Phil Van Bruchem (episodes 1–6)

## Reception

Ben Nuetze of *[Crikey](/source/Crikey)* wrote "*Open Slather* is an apt title for Foxtel's brand new sprawling sketch show...In fact, I don't think I've ever seen a sketch show which is so eclectic and disconnected in terms of style. In moments it wears its politics on its sleeve; in others it sets about satirising Australian society, and it often picks up on the classic parody style of *[Fast Forward](/source/Fast_Forward_(Australian_TV_series))*. There's really no singular idea holding all of this together, and the show seems to have no real focus and no clear reason for being...And yet, it's often surprisingly excellent."[10]

David Knox of [TV Tonight](/source/TV_Tonight) commented "On the positive side, there were some great laughs to be found in *Open Slather*....A strong cast of emerging comedians....slipped in with ease alongside *Fast Forward* veterans in this mix of popular culture, social and political humour. On the less-positive side some of the sketches struggled.....whilst others made me uneasy that they were trying to recapture *Fast Forward'*s magic with a tone stuck in the 80s."[11]

## Notes

1. "The Revolution Will Be Televised" by Smoove was used until episode 10. A new theme by John Foreman was used from episode 11 onwards.

1. Jane Turner appeared as a special guest in "[Episode 14](#ep14)", "[Episode 15](#ep15)", "[Episode 16](#ep16)" and "[Episode 17](#ep17)".

## References

1. Plant, Simon (4 April 2015). ["Beloved Australian comedians and talented newcomers join forces for a new sketch comedy show on TV"](http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/beloved-australian-comedians-and-talented-newcomers-join-forces-for-a-new-sketch-comedy-show-on-tv/story-fni0b7jg-1227291331200). *[The Daily Telegraph](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph_(Sydney))*. Retrieved 1 May 2015.

1. ["Open Slather: Australia's biggest names in comedy"](https://www.foxtel.com.au/got/whats-on/foxtel-insider/comedy/open-slather.html). [Foxtel](/source/Foxtel)

1. Knox, David (5 April 2015). ["Airdate: Open Slather"](https://www.tvtonight.com.au/2015/04/airdate-open-slather.html). [TV Tonight](/source/TV_Tonight). Retrieved 1 May 2015.

1. Knox, David (10 August 2015). ["Sunday 9 August 2015#Comments"](https://www.tvtonight.com.au/2015/08/sunday-9-august-2015.html#comments). [TV Tonight](/source/TV_Tonight). Retrieved 12 August 2015.

1. Knox, David (19 August 2015). ["Returning: Open Slather"](https://www.tvtonight.com.au/2015/08/returning-open-slather.html). [TV Tonight](/source/TV_Tonight). Retrieved 22 August 2015.

1. Knox, David (26 October 2015). ["Open Slather drawing to a close"](https://www.tvtonight.com.au/2015/10/open-slather-drawing-to-a-close.html). [TV Tonight](/source/TV_Tonight). Retrieved 10 November 2015.

1. ["Axed in 2015 | TV Tonight"](https://www.tvtonight.com.au/2015/12/axed-in-2015.html)

1. Knox, David (19 June 2015). ["Sting guest stars in Open Slather"](https://www.tvtonight.com.au/2015/06/sting-guest-stars-in-open-slather.html). [TV Tonight](/source/TV_Tonight). Retrieved 10 July 2015.

1. Knox, David (10 July 2015). ["Open Slather: July 12"](https://www.tvtonight.com.au/2015/07/open-slather-july-12.html). [TV Tonight](/source/TV_Tonight). Retrieved 10 July 2015.

1. Nuetze, Ben (26 May 2015). ["Open Slather review (The Comedy Channel, Foxtel)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150610085821/http://dailyreview.crikey.com.au/open-slather-review-the-comedy-channel-foxtel/24466). Daily Review. Archived from [the original](http://dailyreview.crikey.com.au/open-slather-review-the-comedy-channel-foxtel/24466) on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2015.

1. Knox, David (25 May 2015). ["Open Slather"](https://www.tvtonight.com.au/2015/05/open-slather.html). [TV Tonight](/source/TV_Tonight). Retrieved 16 June 2015.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.thecomedychannel.com.au/shows/open-slather/)
- [Open Slather](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4582410/) at IMDb

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Open Slather](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Slather) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Slather?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.