'Your heart goes out to the Australian Tourist Board': critical uncertainty and the management of censure in Chris Lilley's TV comedies

摘要

Chris Lilley’s domestic reputation as a writer and creator of nationally award-winningudmaterial has largely not suffered, in contrast to other shows featuring provocativeudthemes. What is distinctive about Lilley’s work that allows him to forestall accusationsudof ‘racism’ that other shows would face? In order to address these questions, this articleudinvestigates key components of Lilley’s comedies in three major contexts. First, Iudconsider the work in the framework of post-2000 Australia. How might the depictedudthemes of aspiration and disenfranchisement dispose at least ‘middle’ Australianudviewers to find favour with Lilley? Second, I look at the material in the context ofud‘cringe’ comedy. A key theme that emerges throughout critical appraisals is theuduncertainty about the ethical value of the humour. How do Lilley’s shows create a senseudof critical ambiguity that plays out in Lilley’s favour? Finally, I examine the framing ofudLilley’s non-white characters, contrasting critical responses to them with the receptionudof another well-known performance of blackface on Hey Hey It’s Saturday. How mightudthe more contained criticism of performance and scripting flaws (that Lilley’s workudreceived) displace more serious charges?