from an article by Michael Idato in Fairfax Media.
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/homemade-is-where-the-heart-is-20130327-2gsux.html
Sketching a nation’s characters, from Con to Kath
The Mavis Bramston Show (1964-68)
One of Australia’s iconic sketch comedies, this series set the gold standard for satire
and featured Maggie Dence, Carol Raye, Barry Creyton and Gordon Chater.
The Naked Vicar Show (1977-78)
Written by Gary Reilly and Tony Sattler, this iconic sketch series featured Mavis
Bramston breakout Noeline Brown, Kevin Goldsby and Ross Higgins.
Australia You’re Standing In It (1983-84)
A brilliant series that launched the Dodgy Brothers, featuring Rod Quantock, Steve
Blackburn, Mary Kenneally, Geoff Brooks, Sue Ingleton and Evelyn Krape.
The D-Generation (1986-89)
An iconic series that launched the careers of Rob Sitch, Santo Cilauro, Marg Downey,
Michael Veitch, Magda Szubanski, John Harrison, Tom Gleisner, Jane Turner, Tony
Martin, Mick Molloy and Jason Stephens.
The Comedy Company (1988-90)
Noted for the character Kylie Mole and starred Mark Mitchell, Mary-Anne Fahey, Ian
McFadyen, Glenn Robbins and Kim Gyngell.
Fast Forward (1989-92)
The grande dame of modern sketch comedy, born out of The D-Generation and
keeping many of its stars. It also launched the careers of Steve Vizard, Peter Moon
and Gina Riley.
Full Frontal (1993-99)
A spinoff, of a sort, to Fast Forward, which launched the careers of Shaun Micallef,
Julia Morris and Eric Bana, plus Greg Fleet, Denise Scott, Kitty Flanagan and Gabby
Millgate.
Big Girl’s Blouse (1994)
The creative team of Szubanski, Turner and Riley. A commercial failure but a creative
triumph. This gave birth to Kath & Kim.
Comedy Inc. (2003-07)
The last big commercial sketch comedy, which featured Ben Oxenbould, Mandy
McElhinney, Genevieve Morris, Katrina Retallick and Jim Russell.
The Wedge (2006-07)
A baton-changer that launched a new generation of comedy stars, notably Dailan
Evans, Adam Zwar, Rebel Wilson and Jason Gann.