Please Like Me

Please Like Me is an Australian television comedy-drama series created by and starring Josh Thomas. Thomas also serves as a writer for most episodes. The series premiered on 28 February 2013 on ABC2 in Australia. The show explores realistic issues with humorous tones; the executive producer, Todd Abbott, had pitched the show as a drama rather than a sitcom. The show aired later on the United States network Pivot, which then helped to develop the show from its second season onwards. Four seasons of the show have been broadcast, and creator Thomas has stated that he has no plans to make any further episodes.[1] The show has attracted praise from critics and has garnered numerous nominations, winning a number of awards.

Please Like Me
GenreComedy-drama
Created byJosh Thomas
Written by
  • Josh Thomas
  • Thomas Ward
  • Liz Doran
Directed by
Starring
Opening theme"I'll Be Fine" by Clairy Browne & The Bangin' Rackettes
ComposerBryony Marks
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes32 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Todd Abbott
  • Debbie Lee
  • Josh Thomas
  • Kevin Whyte
  • Rick Kalowski
  • Brett Sleigh
  • Jeff Skoll
  • Holly A. Hines
  • Chris Loveall
  • Belisa Balaban
Producers
  • Todd Abbott
  • Lisa Wang
Cinematography
  • Katie Milwright
  • Matthew Temple
Editors
  • Chris Branagan
  • Julie-Anne De Ruvo
  • Geoff Hitchins
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time25–27 minutes
Production companies
Distributor
  • Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  • Pivot (2014)
  • Participant Media (2015–16)
Release
Original network
Picture format
Original release28 February 2013 (2013-02-28) –
14 December 2016 (2016-12-14)
External links
Website

Background

Please Like Me was chiefly written by Josh Thomas, who also played the main character, Josh. Most episodes were directed by Matthew Saville.[2] Thomas and producer Todd Abbott developed the series together for four years. They held a series of consultation meetings with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Abbott was careful to pitch the series as a drama rather than a sitcom. It portrays a set of circumstances that could happen to a young person but has humorous themes.[2] Thomas envisioned an original show, something he had not seen on television before. The actor, also a known comedian in Australia, wanted honesty in the script and wrote the comedy with that in mind. He also wanted the actors to not intentionally react to the scripted jokes.[2]

In January 2013, The West Australian reported that Please Like Me would air on ABC2.[3] The show had been meant to air on ABC1, but it was decided that the show would be better suited to the digital channel ABC2. The broadcaster stated that the show is aimed at a younger demographic more appropriate for ABC2, while ABC1 caters to all ages. The move was criticised because it was believed to be the result of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation viewing the show's content as "too gay" for their primary channel.[4] The series begins with Josh realising that he is gay and his mother attempting suicide with an overdose of Panadol.[2]

In September 2013, ABC1 started running the series on Wednesday nights (10pm), six months after its original ABC2 run.

It was announced in July 2013 that the series would air in the United States as part of the launch programming of Pivot, a new digital cable and satellite television channel which released the first episode of the series online prior to its screening on the channel.[5] It will also offer the series as part of its video on demand service.[5] Pivot also launched a social media website "pleaselikeme.org" for viewers to share personal experiences about breaking stigma and fear of being unliked, in relation to the series.[6]

On 26 July 2013, it was announced that ABC and Pivot had commissioned a second season of the show consisting of ten episodes.[7] The season debuted in its American territory first from 8 August 2014.[8] Producers also added a host of new regular characters to the cast.[9] On 12 July 2014, it was announced that the networking partnership had renewed Please Like Me for a third series also comprising ten episodes.[10] On 7 July 2016, the series was renewed for a fourth season consisting of six episodes.[11] On 2 February 2017, it was announced that season 4 was the final season for the series.

Cast
Actor Character Seasons
1 2 3 4
Main characters
Josh Thomas Josh Main
Debra Lawrance Rose (Mum) Main
David Roberts Alan (Dad) Main
Judi Farr Aunty Peg Main
Thomas Ward Tom Main
Wade Briggs Geoffrey Main Guest[lower-alpha 1] Guest[lower-alpha 1]
Caitlin Stasey Claire Main Recurring[lower-alpha 1] Main
Nikita Leigh-Pritchard Niamh Main Recurring[lower-alpha 1]
Renee Lim Mae Main
Denise Drysdale Ginger Main
Hannah Gadsby Hannah Main
Charles Cottier Patrick Main
Keegan Joyce Arnold Main
Charlotte Nicdao Jenny Main
Bob Franklin Stuart Main Recurring[lower-alpha 1]
Emily Barclay Ella Main
Recurring characters
John the Dog John Recurring
Andrew S. Gilbert Rod Recurring[lower-alpha 1]
Nick Cody Steve Recurring Guest
David Quirk Ben Recurring Guest
Geoff Morrell Bruce Guest Guest

Notes

  1. Received "Starring" credit for appearance(s), but appeared in a minority of the season's episodes.

Episodes
Main article: List of Please Like Me episodes
SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
1628 February 2013 (2013-02-28)28 March 2013 (2013-03-28)ABC2
21012 August 2014 (2014-08-12)14 October 2014 (2014-10-14)
31015 October 2015 (2015-10-15)17 December 2015 (2015-12-17)ABC
469 November 2016 (2016-11-09)14 December 2016 (2016-12-14)

Reception

Critical response

Anthony D. Langford from AfterElton.com said that he "absolutely loved this charming series. It’s funny and sweet and has plenty of heart." He also praised Thomas's portrayal of Josh and wished that US broadcasters could emulate the show's format.[12] He later said that he would miss the show and hoped a second season would be commissioned. He added that he did not want to say goodbye to Josh's world.[13] Andrew Mast, writing for Music.com.au, praised Briggs's "naturalistic performances" and the inclusion of accomplished actress Farr. He concluded that Thomas's writing was good and comedic, but the on-screen delivery did not meet his expectations.[14] David Knox from TV Tonight praised the performances of many cast members. He opined that the dynamic between Josh and his parents created a "very rich comedic terrain" for the show. He added that Please Like Me displays "a confidence that delivers laughs, pathos and insight".[15]

Colin Vickery and Darren Devlyn News.com.au said that it "has a sweetness that sets it apart from other boundary-pushing comedies".[4] Giles Hardie from The Age praised the show for "breaking new ground" and not making stereotypes of gay characters. He viewed the comedy as being genuine without feeling like a sitcom. He noted that coming out and attempted suicide are given humour without the gags. Hardie concluded that Josh, his family and friends were "incredibly well" played.[16] His colleague Scott Ellis believed that Please Like Me was an important show and the type of material the ABC should be investing more in. He also branded it "gentle" and insightful when covering "tough ground".[16] Fellow critic Craig Mathieson also agreed that the show's darker moments are some of the most humorous and compared it to US show Louie.[2] Please Like Me received an invitation to screen at the Series Mania Television Festival in Paris.[17]

The A.V. Club regarded season 2 of Please Like Me as one of the year's best shows, praising the camera work and Josh's performance.[18] The Guardian praised Please Like Me's "unconventional writing".[19]

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Recipients and nominees Result
2013 Australian Writers Guild Awards[20][21] Best Writing in a Comedy: Situation or Narrative Josh Thomas, Liz Doran and Thomas Ward – Series 1, Episode 3 'Portuguese Custard Tarts' Won
Josh Thomas, Liz Doran and Thomas Ward – Series 1, Episode 5 'Spanish Eggs' Nominated
2014 3rd AACTA Awards[22] Best Television Comedy Series Please Like Me – Todd Abbott Won
Best Performance in a Television Comedy Josh Thomas Nominated
Best Direction in a Television Drama or Comedy Matthew Saville – Series 1, Episode 3 'Portuguese Custard Tarts' Nominated
GLAAD Media Awards[23] Outstanding Comedy Series Please Like Me Nominated
Australian Directors Guild Awards[24] Best Direction: TV Comedy Matthew Saville Won
Rose d'Or[25] Sitcom Please Like Me Nominated
Logie Awards[26] Most Outstanding Light Entertainment Program Please Like Me Nominated
International Emmy Award[27] Best Comedy Series Please Like Me Nominated
Australian Screen Editors Awards[28] Best Editing in a Television Comedy Julie-Anne De Ruvo – Season 2, Episode 2 'Ham' Nominated
2015 4th AACTA Awards[29] Best Television Comedy Series Please Like Me – Todd Abbott, Josh Thomas and Kevin Whyte Nominated
Best Direction in a Television Drama or Comedy Matthew Saville – Series 2, Episode 7 'Scroggin' Nominated
Best Screenplay in Television Josh Thomas – Series 2, Episode 7 'Scroggin' Won
Best Performance in a Television Comedy Debra Lawrance Won
Josh Thomas Nominated
Best Sound in Television John Wilkinson and Simon Rosenberg – Series 2, Episode 7 'Scroggin' Nominated
Logie Awards[30] Most Popular Actor Josh Thomas, Please Like Me Nominated
Most Outstanding Comedy Program Please Like Me Nominated
GLAAD Media Awards Outstanding Comedy Series Please Like Me Nominated
Australian Writers Guild Awards[31] Best Writing in a Comedy: Situation or Narrative Josh Thomas – Series 2, Episode 7 'Scroggin' Won
Australian Directors Guild Awards[32] Best Direction in a TV Comedy Matthew Saville – Series 2, Episode 7 'Scroggin' Won
Australian Screen Editors Awards[33] Best Editing in a Television Comedy Julie-Anne De Ruvo – Please Like Me (Series 2) Won
Screen Producers Australia Awards[34] Comedy Television Production of the Year Please Like Me Season 2, Guesswork Television Won
Prism Awards[35] Comedy Episode or Multi-Episode Storyline Please Like Me Season 2 (Pivot) Nominated
Dorian Awards[36] LGBTQ TV Show of the Year Please Like Me (Pivot) Nominated
Unsung TV Show of the Year Please Like Me (Pivot) Nominated
2016 GLAAD Media Awards[37] Outstanding Comedy Series Please Like Me (Pivot) Nominated
Logie Awards[38] Best Actor Josh Thomas, Please Like Me Nominated
Most Outstanding Comedy Program Please Like Me Nominated
Australian Writers Guild Awards[39][40] Best Writing in a Comedy: Situation or Narrative Josh Thomas – Season 3, 'Coq au Vin' Nominated
Josh Thomas and Liz Doran – Season 3, 'Pancakes with Faces' Won
Josh Thomas, Liz Doran and Thomas Ward – Season 3, 'Simple Carbohydrates' Nominated
Australian Screen Editors Awards[41] Best Editing in a Comedy Julie-Anne De Ruvo – Please Like Me, Season 3 – Episode 10 Won
Screen Producers Australia Awards[42] Comedy Television Production of the Year Please Like Me Season 3, Guesswork Television Nominated
Prism Awards Comedy Episode or Multi-Episode Storyline Please Like Me Season 3 (Pivot) Nominated
6th AACTA Awards[43] Best Television Comedy Series Please Like Me – Todd Abbott, Josh Thomas, Lisa Wang and Kevin Whyte Nominated
2017 Logie Awards[44] Most Outstanding Supporting Actress Debra Lawrance Won
Most Outstanding Comedy Program Please Like Me Won

See also

References
  1. "Josh Thomas Official Page". www.facebook.com.
  2. Mathieson, Craig (21 February 2013). "Thomas the frank engine". The Age. (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  3. "Hit Parade". The West Australian. Perth: Seven West Media. 26 January 2013. p. 370.
  4. Vickery, Colin; Devlyn, Darren (27 February 2013). "Is Josh Thomas's show too gay for ABC1?". News.com.au. (News Limited). Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  5. Knox, David (12 July 2013). "Josh Thomas comedy picked up by new US cable channel". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  6. "Join the Conversation". Please Like Me. Archived from the original on 22 August 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  7. "Pivot Greenlights Second Season of Josh Thomas' Scripted Comedy "Please Like Me" In Advance of August 1st Debut" (PDF). Pivot.tv. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 September 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  8. "Please Like Me on Pivot". Pivot.com. Archived from the original on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  9. Bulbeck, Pip (17 February 2014). "GLAAD-Nominated Aussie Comedy 'Please Like Me' to Get Second Season". The Hollywood Reporter. (Prometheus Global Media). Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  10. "Josh Thomas comedy Please Like Me breaks new ground in US". The Age. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  11. "Renewed: Please Like Me season 4". TV Tonight. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  12. Langford, Anthony D. (6 March 2013). "Langford on Soaps: Is It The End For Christian And Ollie on "Forbidden Love?"". AfterElton.com. (Logo TV). Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  13. Langford, Anthony D. (27 March 2013). "Langford on Soaps: Brendan Goes Out With A Bang and A Whimper on "Hollyaoks"". AfterElton.com. (Logo TV). Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  14. Mast, Andrew (6 March 2013). "The TV Set: It's Hard To Like Josh Thomas". Music.com.au. (Street Press Australia Pty). Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  15. Knox, David (25 February 2013). "Please Like Me". TV Tonight. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  16. Hardie, Giles; Ellis, Scott (21 February 2013). "Please Like Me". The Age. (Fairfax Media). Archived from the original on 25 February 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  17. Knox, David (22 February 2013). "Please Like Me, Puberty Blues selected for French TV festival". TV Tonight. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  18. "Please Like Me grew up (into one of the year's best shows) in season two". 9 October 2014.
  19. Tan, Monica (26 August 2014). "Josh Thomas and why no one is watching Australia's best comedy".
  20. "Please Like Me". Australian Writers' Guild. Archived from the original on 8 October 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  21. Knox, David. "2013 AWGIE Awards: nominees". TV Tonight. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  22. Knox, David (30 January 2014). "AACTA Awards 2014: winners". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  23. "Please Like Me". GLAAD. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  24. "Please Like Me". Australian Directors Guild. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  25. Visentin, Lisa (18 June 2014). "Josh Thomas' show Please Like Me nominated for Rose d'Or". The Sydney Morning Herald. (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  26. "Please Like Me". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  27. Bodey, Michael (14 October 2014). "ABC2 comedy Please Like Me nominated for Emmy". The Australian. News Corp Australia (News Corp). Retrieved 3 November 2014.
  28. "Australian Editors Guild awards 2014: nominees". TV Tonight. 6 November 2014.
  29. "4th AACTA Awards Winners & Nominees By Category" (PDF). Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 May 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  30. Willis, Charlotte. "Logie Awards 2015: Nominees announced". news.com.au. News Limited. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  31. "2015 AWGIE Winners – by category". Australian Writers Guild (AWG). Archived from the original on 10 December 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  32. "2015 ADG Awards Winners". Australian Directors Guild. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  33. "2015 'ELLIE' AWARDS WINNERS". Australian Screen Editors. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  34. "Screen Producers Australia Awards » Screen Producers Australia". www.spaa.org.au. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  35. "Television | Prism Awards". www.prismawards.com. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  36. Griffiths, John. "GALECA :: Gay & Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association :: Home of The Dorian Awards". www.galeca.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  37. "GLAAD Media Awards: Transparent, Sense8, I Am Cait Among Winners". TVLine. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  38. "Logie Awards 2016: nominations". TV Tonight. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  39. "AWGIE Awards 2016: nominees". TV Tonight. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  40. "AWGIE Awards 2016: winners". TV Tonight. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  41. "2016 Ellie Award Winners | Australian Screen Editors". www.screeneditors.com.au. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  42. "Screen Producers Awards 2016: nominees". TV Tonight. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  43. "AFI | AACTA | The Awards | Television Awards". www.aacta.org. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  44. "Australia's Logie Award winners". Retrieved 24 April 2017.
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