Review: Shaun Micallef’s Eve of Destruction – Terminally Bland Filler TV

Just when you thought the ABC had exhausted every possible idea for a middle-of-the-road interview program, along comes another one. Shaun Micallef’s Eve of Destruction is a notably bland comedy series that repurposes the old “what objects would you take to a desert island?” question. In this case, a hypothetical meteorite is about to crash into the guest’s home, leaving them with just enough time to save a couple of items. To add to the primary school-level activities, it also employs the classic “show and tell” routine, where the guests bring their prized objects into the studio.

The series is, of course, hosted by Micallef, continuing his trend of shows named after him. The list includes Shaun Micallef’s World Around Him, Shaun Micallef’s New Years Rave, Shaun Micallef’s On the Sauce, The Micallef Program, Micallef Tonight, and Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell, a highly praised political satire that ran for many seasons. Like many others, I’ve watched Micallef’s career grow over the years, tuning into Mad As Hell most weeks.

When Micallef announced his retirement from Mad As Hell in 2022, he tweeted, “after 11 years and 15 seasons, I just felt it was time for someone younger to take advantage of the resources and opportunities on offer.” He made similar comments while a guest on Fran Kelly’s ABC talk show Frankly, and to the Age, emphasizing the need for younger, more diverse programming.

So what do we make of Micallef’s decision to host yet another comedy series with his name in the title soon after Mad As Hell concluded? What happened to the idea of passing the baton to younger talent who lack similar access to limited resources? It’s one thing to express virtuous ideals, but another to act on them. Adding to the posturing, Micallef is set to host another show titled Shaun Micallef’s Origin Odyssey, which premieres on SBS next month.

In the debut episode of Eve of Destruction, Micallef’s first guest is actor Stephen Curry. Micallef notes, “Full disclosure, ladies and gentlemen, Stephen and I know each other.” It typifies a network where interviewers know the interviewees, who in turn know other interviewees and possibly even the crew. The show then veers into podcast territory as Micallef and Curry banter about whether they’re friends or acquaintances, creating an insider atmosphere that leaves the audience feeling excluded. Micallef revisits the premise, informing Curry that a meteorite is on its way, giving him time to save only a couple of items. Curry humorously chooses “a chainsaw and an air hockey table.”

The items are brought on stage, allowing Micallef to react with feigned incredulity. We discover Curry’s chainsaw is named Brian, leading to a tangent about how “Brian’s don’t let you down.” Although Curry is charming, the show feels like filler. The inclusion of a second guest, Felix Cameron from Boy Swallows Universe, doesn’t salvage the show – a fault attributed more to the format than the guest.

Experienced comedians like Micallef have the freedom to be bold and experimental, using their established brand to take creative risks. Yet, as people age, they often become more cautious, which underscores the necessity for the younger, diverse programming Micallef himself advocated. This shouldn’t mean replacing older talent, whose experience remains valuable, but rather creating a collaborative environment that enriches the content.

Had Eve of Destruction dazzled with wit, flair, or fresh ideas, these criticisms might not have arisen. Instead, the show’s formulaic approach makes the ABC appear more outdated than ever.

Source: The Guardian