Fast Forward (1989–1992) User Reviews

Not quite the best comedy show ever - but probably the best sketch show!!

[speckled10 · 3 November 2002]

I too tend to agree this show is proabbaly the best sketch show ever produced in Australia - beating Comedy Company, Big Gig and original D-Generation which are also right up there.

Starting with the talent of Steve Vizard (like him or loath him - he's extremely funny) adding to that the genius of Michael Veith, Marg Downey and Magda Szubanski - who all began with the 'Late-Show' core team on the original hysterical sketch show, The D-Generation (and whom Vizard infamously lured away for these respective series). And not forgetting Kath & Kim themselves - Gina Riley & Jane Turner! Also other great talents like Peter Moon, The Dodgy-Brothers duo (ok I've forgot their names!) etc. and you've got one HELL of a great comedy combination.

Just like the Late-Show, with so many indivudal talents how could it *not* be funny!! To think of the depth of talent across all the above mentioned Melbourne produced shows, just proves why Melbourne is Australia's and one of the worlds great comedy capitals..

Having said all that, I think without doubt the mantle of 'Best Comedy Show Ever' (performance based not sitcom) would have to go to 'The Late Show'. Remebering that The Late Show actually featured very few traditional 'sketches' unlike most of the other shows. So while it is funniest overall, Fast Forward takes the prize as best traditional sketch show...

It's a huge tragedy that Ch.7 wont release a DVD compilation of best bits like The Late Show has. Just last week they put together a 1-hour compilation on TV, but that was barely enough to scratch the surface of all the shows finest moments, of which there are many! Come on Seven, get your act together!

Slice of Aussie humor, but still cringeworthy moments...

[safenoe · 6/10 · 11 March 2016]

Fast Forward was part of the new wave of Australian comedy that followed on from ABC's D-Generation (a classic which was formed by a group of talented Uni of Melbourne students), and back in the days of Fast Forward there were only 3 commercial channels in the whole of Australia, so really choice was limited, hard as it is to imagine.

I think one moment that really sticks in my mind is a brief sketch where one of the comedians asks the studio audience if they like Chinese. They all respond with "yes!!". Guess what, a tray of food is wheeled out with a Chinese actor lying face up, much to the guffaw of the audience. Really??? That wasn't funny, sorry. Incredibly offensive at the least. I know some fans will smile and proclaim "political correctness"!!! Sorry, it was offensive and sadly that was the sad state for ethnic Aussie actors at the time.

best ever skit show out of Australia

[jimmy-113 · 27 September 1999]

This show was and still is the best skit comedy show to be made ever!! It was so funny. Many skits are still done in other shows that the performers from this show have gone on to do. Every skit was extremely funny, laughs-a-second in this one!! If you ever get a chance to see it, do it!! Definitely one to go out of your way to see!! 10/10

Best T.v Show Ever

[dhuna · 21 November 2001]

Fast Forward started with the first episode consisting of a send-up of the Midday show with Don Lane and Jana Wendt (Steve Vizard + Marg Downey respectivley) and the last episode consisting of a send up of The Sound Of Music. 75 episodes in all were made Fast Forward. Fast Forward however Certainly wasn't short of a classic Moment sending-up the likes of Are You Being Served, Bewitched,I Dream Of Jeannie,Get Smart + Lost In Space just to name a few. My particular favorite sketch is ''Spot The Queensland Police Deputy Assistant Commisioner of Police'' done during the tubulant Fitzgerald inqury In Queensland.

I Don't want to give to much away thats for your eyes only!

EXPLOSION!

[keith_dude-1 · 18 October 2003]

This is one of the funniest programs I have ever seen. No matter how many times I see it, it always makes me laugh. My favourite skit of all time has to be the Gas Explosion skit...what a riot. The humour might be stupid at times, you just can't help but laugh at the quality of the acting and the originality. The actors/actresses are so versatile that they can perform any role as needed. I wish that it would be released on DVD or VHS so that everyone around the world could enjoy it.

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Send Up

[StuOz · 28 June 2007]

This comedy series gets high marks with me for the TV send ups it did, it even sent up shows such as the submarine adventure series, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.

They went to the trouble of getting a rare submarine Seaview miniature model for the "action" scenes. But one of the sub crew was played as an in-your-face homosexual, I never understood the logic or humour in that as the original series never had any character of that nature. However, the rest of it was okay.

The bulk of the three minute satire was filmed at the glass nose window of the sub with about four comics present. Voyage/Sea was a grim faced series where the crew were always having problems, the satire played tribute to that when someone says something like "....Shut up, we have enough problems", in a grim tone.

Voyage/Sea had an endless amount of scenes where the sub does the "rock and roll" after being hit by something. The satire really played on that as, after the sub was struck by something, the comics rolled around on the set over and over again. Rather funny.

Fast Forward also did an amusing send up of Lost In Space...where Dr Smith seemed very gay.