Comedy duo David McPhail and Jon Gadsby rose to fame in New Zealand on the pioneering 1970s comedy show A Week of It, which popularised their catchphrase, “Jeez Wayne”.
When McPhail first pitched the idea of a local satirical comedy, his broadcasting superiors initially rejected it, claiming that “New Zealanders do not have a sense of humour – and certainly don’t like laughing at themselves.”
Disregarding the feedback, the duo went on to create a TVNZ show which became a massive local success.
The first series dedicated entire episodes to single, taboo topics like sex and religion.
The very first episode – which featured the actors dressed as religious figures – sparked massive public outrage, letters to the editor, and even death threats.
Recognising the backlash, the show pivoted to a steady format of political satire, musical parodies, and current-affairs impersonations. Alongside political targets, the show regularly featured original skits, most notably McPhail playing the smug “Denny” opposite Gadsby’s dim-witted “Ron”.
David McPhail’s ruthless impersonation of New Zealand’s sitting Prime Minister, Robert “Piggy” Muldoon (pictured below), became legendary, capturing Muldoon’s distinct, combative mannerisms perfectly.
The show frequently featured segments like This Is Your Life parodies that mocked Muldoon, putting political satire at the forefront of New Zealand mainstream media.
The show was briefly revived in 1997 – 1998 with updated political targets.
David McPhail and Jon Gadsby continued working together for decades, later starring in another highly successful Kiwi comedy series, Letter to Blanchy.
Jon Gadsby died on 12 December 2015, aged 62, after a battle with cancer.
David McPhail died at the Merivale Retirement Village in Christchurch on 14 May 2021 at the age of 76, following a myocardial infarction (heart attack).
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When McPhail first pitched the idea of a local satirical comedy, his broadcasting superiors initially rejected it, claiming that “New Zealanders do not have a sense of humour – and certainly don’t like laughing at themselves.”
David McPhail and Jon Gadsby continued working together for decades, later starring in another highly successful Kiwi comedy series, Letter to Blanchy.
