'':30 Seconds'' is an Australian comedy series produced for

The Comedy Channel The Comedy Channel (promoted on air as comedy) is a defunct Australian subscription television channel available on Foxtel, and Optus Television. The channel ceased broadcasting on 1 September 2020. History A joint venture between Artist Servi ...

which satirises Australian advertising companies and advertising industry. The name of the show comes from the advertising slots on television that are normally 30 seconds long. The show has had many guest appearances from famous Australians such as

Claudia Karvan Claudia Karvan (born 19 May 1972) is an Australian actress, producer and scriptwriter. As a child actor, she first appeared in the film, '' Molly'' (1983) and followed with an adolescent role in ''High Tide'' (1987). She portrayed a teacher in ...

Peter Helliar Peter Jason Matthew Helliar (born 16 June 1975) is an Australian comedian, actor, television, radio presenter, writer, producer and director. He is best known for his work on television as a former regular co-host of '' The Project'' on Networ ...

Bridie Carter Bridie Carter (born 18 December 1970) is an Australian actress best known for her role as the main character of Tess Silverman McLeod on the television drama series ''McLeod's Daughters''. Early life Bridie was born and raised in Melbourne, Au ...

Matthew Newton Matthew Joseph Newton (born January 22, 1977) is an Australian actor, writer, and director, and son of TV personalities Bert Newton, Bert and Patti Newton. His acting career was interrupted by treatment in a psychiatric unit for bipolar disor ...

and

Guy Pearce Guy Edward Pearce (born 5 October 1967) is an Australian actor. Born in Ely, Cambridgeshire in England, and raised in Geelong, Victoria (Australia), Victoria in Australia, he started his career portraying Mike Young (Neighbours), Mike Young in ...

Plot

The show revolves around a fictitious advertising agency, ''BND'' which is a global advertising network, with 61 offices worldwide. The show takes place in one of the Australian offices.

Production

Location

The show was shot on location at the offices of real-life Sydney production company Blacksheep Productions, located in Mountain Street, Ultimo.

Lazzi

'':30 Seconds'' occasionally has parts closely resembling a

lazzi Lazzi (; from the Italian ''lazzo'', a joke or witticism) are stock comedic routines that are associated with '' Commedia dell'arte''. Performers, especially those playing the masked Arlecchino, had many examples of this in their repertoire, and wou ...

. This occurs sporadically throughout the show when Martin Manning sees a product. The product that Martin sees becomes centerpiece, while a culmination of the product in Martin's eyes, and how the product could be advertised. For example, the first use in the show occurs in the first scene, when Martin first looks at an Orange Juice container. Suddenly the packet animates and a stereotypical advertising voice over sounds saying: "Now with added goodatives". The scene returns to normal after this brief lazzi, and the scene continues on.:30 Seconds, Episode 1

Cast

Joel Tobeck Joel Tobeck (born 2 June 1971 in Auckland, New Zealand) is an actor known for his roles in the television series ''Tangle'', ''The Doctor Blake Mysteries'', ''Xena Warrior Princess'', ''Hercules: The Legendary Journeys'', and '' Young Hercules'' ...

as ''Martin Manning'' *

Stephen Curry Wardell Stephen Curry II ( ; born March 14, 1988) is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, ...

as ''McBaney'' *

Gyton Grantley Gyton Stephen Grantley (born 17 July 1980) is an Australian actor and comedian, best known for his portrayal of convicted murderer and drug trafficker Carl Williams in the hit Australian television show '' Underbelly'', for which he was nomin ...

as ''Sumo'' *

Kat Stewart Katherine Louise Stewart (born 30 November 1972) is an AACTA and Logie Award-winning Australian actress who has made numerous appearances in television series, movies and on-stage. Early life Kat Stewart is the daughter of Tony and Kitty Stewar ...

as ''Marion West'' * Peter O'Brien as ''Bill Brooker'' * Jenna Lind as ''Kath Bullock'' * Emily Brennan as ''Barbara Main'' * Oliver Brookes as ''Joel''

Episodes

Notes

References

External links

:30 Seconds - Comedy Channel
*{{IMDb title, 1407326 Australian comedy television series 2009 Australian television series debuts 2009 Australian television series endings The Comedy Channel original programming Television series about advertising