Sam Pang stars in the new ABC comedy series "Ground Up," which focuses on Tasmania’s entry into the AFL [1, 2].
The series attempts to capitalize on the public excitement surrounding the establishment of the state's first professional Australian Rules Football team. By pairing a high-profile comedian with a major sporting milestone, the network aimed to create a broad-appeal hit.
Pang, known for his role on "Have You Been Paying Attention?", is front and center in the production [2]. The show is set against the backdrop of the logistical and cultural shift as Tasmania joins the league [1, 2].
Despite the premise, early critical reception has been poor. A reviewer from the Sydney Morning Herald described the show as an "own goal" in a review published June 1 [1]. The critic said "Ground Up relies on low‑hanging fruit for its gags, while most of the withering dialogue is delivered with indifference" [1].
The production sought to deliver a comedy series centered on the specific theme of the new team's formation [1, 2]. However, the gap between the potential of the subject matter and the execution of the script has been a primary point of contention for critics [1].
ABC has not yet responded to the critical reception regarding the dialogue or the comedic timing of the series. The show continues to air as the network navigates the launch of the Tasmanian franchise in the sporting world [1, 2].
“"Ground Up relies on low‑hanging fruit for its gags"”
The struggle of 'Ground Up' highlights the difficulty of translating niche sporting enthusiasm into scripted comedy. While the addition of a Tasmanian AFL team provides a fertile setting for humor, the critical failure suggests that star power and timely themes are insufficient without sharp writing.
