Thank God You're Here

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Thank God You're Here is a partially improvised comedy television program created by Working Dog Productions, which premiered on Network Ten on the 5 April 2006 and concluded its first series on 7 June 2006. Each episode involves celebrities walking through a door into an unknown and interesting situation, greeted by the line "Thank God you're here". They must then improvise their way through the scene. At the end of each episode a winner is announced, usually along with honourable and dishonourable mentions. It has been the most successful new show of 2006, attracting an average of 1.7 million viewers after the first few episodes. Many Australian viewers liken it to Theatresports which was televised in the 1980s.

The show is hosted by Shane Bourne, who in the past has worked on the famous Australian TV show Hey Hey It's Saturday, and is judged by Tom Gleisner, who in the past has hosted both The Late Show and The Panel.

Shane Bourne and Tom Gleisner appeared on Rove Live on 11 April, 2006, to promote the show after the first episode had screened. After an interview with Rove McManus, they were confronted with a scene in which they had to perform, without preparation, a situation involving a funeral, and the reading of an improvised eulogy.

The main theme of the program is Come Anytime, by the Sydney based rock band, The Hoodoo Gurus. Another piece used throughout the interludes of the show is Don't You Know Who I Am, performed by [The Small Mercies].

A second series of the program will begin airing in September 2006.

Contents

Ensemble cast

Though their parts are thoroughly scripted, the actors who interact with the guest stars in each scenario are drawn from an ensemble of experienced improvisers, mostly from the Sydney Theatresports community.

Improvisation experience is preferred so that the cast can react appropriately to the improvisations of the guest stars, though in most cases this improvisation is limited. This ensemble is also used in many of the assignments, fulfilling the roles of customers or members of the public with whom the guests must interact in a real-life setting.

The following are ensemble cast members that have regularly appeared on the show:

Heidi Arena
Daniel Cordeaux
Ed Kavalee
Nicola Parry
Andrew Bayly

Guest stars

Frank Woodley exits the All-in Group Challenge in Episode 1 when told that police checks will be conducted on each member of their children's group.

Guests include various Australian personalities, usually with a comedy/acting background.

Guest star Known for Appearances Wins
Angus Sampson actor 6 2
Fifi Box Triple M radio host 5 1
Peter Rowsthorn comedian and actor 4 2
Frank Woodley comedian, from Lano and Woodley 4 1
Akmal Saleh comedian 3 1
Josh Lawson actor 3 -
Shaun Micallef comedian, actor and radio host 3 -
Hamish Blake comedian and actor 2 1
Bob Franklin comedian and actor 2 1
Julia Zemiro comedian, host of RocKwiz 2 1
Alan Brough actor, comedian, from Spicks and Specks 1 1
Tanya Bulmer comedian and actor 1 -
Robyn Butler radio host and actor 1 -
Santo Cilauro writer, comedian and performer 1 -
Kate Langbroek radio host 1 -
Matthew Newton actor, son of Bert Newton 1 -
Glenn Robbins comedian and actor 1 -

Guest star	Known for	Appearances	Wins
Angus Sampson	actor	6	2
Fifi Box	Triple M radio host	5	1
Peter Rowsthorn	comedian and actor	4	2
Frank Woodley	comedian, from Lano and Woodley	4	1
Akmal Saleh	comedian	3	1
Josh Lawson	actor	3	-
Shaun Micallef	comedian, actor and radio host	3	-
Hamish Blake	comedian and actor	2	1
Bob Franklin	comedian and actor	2	1
Julia Zemiro	comedian, host of RocKwiz	2	1
Alan Brough	actor, comedian, from Spicks and Specks	1	1
Tanya Bulmer	comedian and actor	1	-
Robyn Butler	radio host and actor	1	-
Santo Cilauro	writer, comedian and performer	1	-
Kate Langbroek	radio host	1	-
Matthew Newton	actor, son of Bert Newton	1	-
Glenn Robbins	comedian and actor	1	-

Episode overview

[Spoiler warningSpoiler warning]: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Denotes the Winner, or Joint Winner

Episode 1:

Guest star Scenario
Fifi Box With a tracksuit, was placed into an infomercial for a fitness product, a la Good Morning Australia

Frank Woodley With Roman warrior outfit, was sent back into Roman times, to meet his family and deliver war news to the Emperor.
Angus Sampson In full doctor outfit, was placed into the operating room, played a surgeon operating on a woman with some form of foot illness.
Peter Rowsthorn Placed in a Council Meeting selling the idea of a new, highly eco-unfriendly land development in Byron Bay.
Group scene Featured contestants as members of a childrens' group, called The Wibbly Wobblies, a la The Wiggles, pitching their proposed TV show at an audition.

Guest star	Scenario
Fifi Box	With a tracksuit, was placed into an infomercial for a fitness product, a la Good Morning Australia
Frank Woodley	With Roman warrior outfit, was sent back into Roman times, to meet his family and deliver war news to the Emperor.
Angus Sampson	In full doctor outfit, was placed into the operating room, played a surgeon operating on a woman with some form of foot illness.
Peter Rowsthorn	Placed in a Council Meeting selling the idea of a new, highly eco-unfriendly land development in Byron Bay.
Group scene	Featured contestants as members of a childrens' group, called The Wibbly Wobblies, a la The Wiggles, pitching their proposed TV show at an audition.

Episode 2:

Guest star Scenario
Matthew Newton In a new alcoholic drink board room presentation.
Shaun Micallef Hosting a children's TV show, a la Play School.

Fifi Box In a Pride and Prejudice scenario, meeting a suitor.
Angus Sampson On a late night TV show (a la The Late Show With David Letterman) as a famous TV chef guest.
Group scene Set in a World War II P.O.W. camp, with the characters planning an escape, a la The Great Escape.

Guest star	Scenario
Matthew Newton	In a new alcoholic drink board room presentation.
Shaun Micallef	Hosting a children's TV show, a la Play School.
Fifi Box	In a Pride and Prejudice scenario, meeting a suitor.
Angus Sampson	On a late night TV show (a la The Late Show With David Letterman) as a famous TV chef guest.
Group scene	Set in a World War II P.O.W. camp, with the characters planning an escape, a la The Great Escape.

Episode 3:

Guest star Scenario
Fifi Box Presenting a new corporate image for the Socceroos.
Glenn Robbins Arriving home from a cycling trip to find his wife leery of suspicious messages on the answering machine.
Frank Woodley As an Asian martials arts master just returned from a 10 year sojourn meditating silently in a cave.

Akmal Saleh As a doctor presenting a range of pharmaceutical products on a morning talk show.
Group scene Set in a Viking den, with each actor to demonstrate their prowess in various Viking arts.

Guest star	Scenario
Fifi Box	Presenting a new corporate image for the Socceroos.
Glenn Robbins	Arriving home from a cycling trip to find his wife leery of suspicious messages on the answering machine.
Frank Woodley	As an Asian martials arts master just returned from a 10 year sojourn meditating silently in a cave.
Akmal Saleh	As a doctor presenting a range of pharmaceutical products on a morning talk show.
Group scene	Set in a Viking den, with each actor to demonstrate their prowess in various Viking arts.

Episode 4:

Guest star Scenario
Santo Cilauro As a plumber paying a house visit to a lonely housewife.
Peter Rowsthorn As the captain of a starship (a la Star Trek).
Robyn Butler As an actress promoting her recent movie.

Angus Sampson Sacking a long time employee of a hardware firm.
Group scene Set in a church office, with all guests as Catholic priests working on ideas to increase church-going, particularly amongst children.

Guest star	Scenario
Santo Cilauro	As a plumber paying a house visit to a lonely housewife.
Peter Rowsthorn	As the captain of a starship (a la Star Trek).
Robyn Butler	As an actress promoting her recent movie.
Angus Sampson	Sacking a long time employee of a hardware firm.
Group scene	Set in a church office, with all guests as Catholic priests working on ideas to increase church-going, particularly amongst children.

Episode 5:

Guest star Scenario
Akmal Saleh As a group instructor for a get-rich-quick scheme.
Shaun Micallef As a Tudor physician sent to treat the king's ailing foot.

Alan Brough As a senator on the television show "Meet The Leaders", explaining his unique political standpoints.

Julia Zemiro As a pyjama-clad woman attempting to cover up the party she held during her parents' absence.
Group scene Set in a health clinic, the members of the group each played an overweight person who had to explain why they had put on weight since their last visit.

Guest star	Scenario
Akmal Saleh	As a group instructor for a get-rich-quick scheme.
Shaun Micallef	As a Tudor physician sent to treat the king's ailing foot.
Alan Brough	As a senator on the television show "Meet The Leaders", explaining his unique political standpoints.
Julia Zemiro	As a pyjama-clad woman attempting to cover up the party she held during her parents' absence.
Group scene	Set in a health clinic, the members of the group each played an overweight person who had to explain why they had put on weight since their last visit.

Episode 6:

Guest star Scenario

Peter Rowsthorn As the captain of an ailing cruise ship.
Josh Lawson As a man meeting his Internet girlfriend for the first time.
Angus Sampson As a man hoping to join Robin Hood's Band of Merry Men.
Julia Zemiro As the author of self-help books, being interviewed on a radio program.
Group scene As members of a TV sports panel, crossing live to Julia in the locker room at half time.

Guest star	Scenario
Peter Rowsthorn	As the captain of an ailing cruise ship.
Josh Lawson	As a man meeting his Internet girlfriend for the first time.
Angus Sampson	As a man hoping to join Robin Hood's Band of Merry Men.
Julia Zemiro	As the author of self-help books, being interviewed on a radio program.
Group scene	As members of a TV sports panel, crossing live to Julia in the locker room at half time.

Episode 7:

Guest star Scenario
Josh Lawson As an expert "Dog Whisperer", demonstrating ideal dog-handling techniques to a roomful of dog owners.
Fifi Box As the Minister for Planning in a local Council, discussing her "needle" exchange program, which has been built directly across the road from a primary school.

Bob Franklin As the leader of a revolutionary army, describing to his followers the plans for the following day's battle.
Frank Woodley As the owner of a retirement estate, being interviewed on television about his unusual practices and approach to aged care.
Group scene As members of an Amish community, being called to the Elders to explain their sins.

Guest star	Scenario
Josh Lawson	As an expert "Dog Whisperer", demonstrating ideal dog-handling techniques to a roomful of dog owners.
Fifi Box	As the Minister for Planning in a local Council, discussing her "needle" exchange program, which has been built directly across the road from a primary school.
Bob Franklin	As the leader of a revolutionary army, describing to his followers the plans for the following day's battle.
Frank Woodley	As the owner of a retirement estate, being interviewed on television about his unusual practices and approach to aged care.
Group scene	As members of an Amish community, being called to the Elders to explain their sins.

Episode 8:

Guest star Scenario
Angus Sampson As Ozzie Phil, the co-manager of an Australian Pie Company.
Josh Lawson As a cowboy, returning from an Indian-related mission.
Tanya Bulmer As a bride, struggling to get to the end of the speeches with her husband at the wedding reception.

Hamish Blake As "Sledge", an Australian music icon who has sold 1 billion copies of his album, being interviewed on The Late Show. He is joined by Kate Ceberano for a duet.
Group scene As superheroes (Stacey, the 'Just Super' girl; Reptilo, who can regrow limbs; Archimedo, who knows about the displacement of water, and has a laser; and Donald, who can fix things) fighting to save the world from an asteroid sent by Darryl Eastlake Man.

Guest star	Scenario
Angus Sampson	As Ozzie Phil, the co-manager of an Australian Pie Company.
Josh Lawson	As a cowboy, returning from an Indian-related mission.
Tanya Bulmer	As a bride, struggling to get to the end of the speeches with her husband at the wedding reception.
Hamish Blake	As "Sledge", an Australian music icon who has sold 1 billion copies of his album, being interviewed on The Late Show. He is joined by Kate Ceberano for a duet.
Group scene	As superheroes (Stacey, the 'Just Super' girl; Reptilo, who can regrow limbs; Archimedo, who knows about the displacement of water, and has a laser; and Donald, who can fix things) fighting to save the world from an asteroid sent by Darryl Eastlake Man.

Episode 9:

Episode 10:

Distribution

The format has been sold to FremantleMedia for worldwide distribution.

External links

["Thank God You're Here" - TEN site]

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