Get Krack!n

Get Krack!n is a riotous Australian television comedy series that originally aired on the national broadcaster - the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) from 2017 to 2019. Celebrated comedians and writers Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan, fondly known as 'The Kates,' are the creators, writers, and stars of this uniquely humorous show. Following the resounding success of their wildly popular cooking parody show, "The Katering Show," The Kates continued to apply their brilliant comedic writing and sharp, biting wit to the landscape of the early morning television in Get Krack!n.

This series satirizes morning television programs, particularly the frothy, light-hearted breakfast shows that have long been a staple of the Australian television landscape. Each 30-minute episode shows the two Kates as they co-host the fictional morning TV show 'Get Krack!n,' presenting an array of familiar elements seen in such shows, including cooking segments, celebrity interviews, and wellness and fitness demonstrations. However, all these segments are consistently turned on their heads, overlaid with The Kates' distinctive brand of humor, which includes a strong focus on social commentary and the absurdities of everyday life.

Humorous in its absurdity and relatable in its representation of the everyday struggles, the show is riddled with the awkwardness, tensions, and technical hitches that are often part and parcel of live television. Much of the humor arises from the hilarious interplay between ‘The Kates,’ who in the show are characterized as hapless, beleaguered hosts, worn down by the early mornings and the mind-numbingly banal content they are obliged to deliver on the show.

The series serves as a comedic platform for its creators’ forthright commentary on a variety of relevant sociopolitical issues, subtly and not so subtly woven into the narrative. Topics parodying the cluelessness of privileged perspectives, addressing everyday sexism, racism, and body shaming are well included in its gags and satirical skits. This is a show that is just as comfortable delivering rapid-fire, absurdist comedy as it is using its humor to highlight societal issues.

However, Get Krack!n does more than simply poke fun at morning TV. Late night TV, reality TV, and other aspects of the media and entertainment industry are also in the cross-hair of this whip-smart satire. In their fictional, inept TV personas, McCartney and McLennan comically stumble their way through an array of awkward encounters with their guests, satirically brave through the underhand sniping and passive-aggressiveness of their co-workers, and hilariously mishandle various production misfires, all in the quest to feign the perky cheerfulness required to ‘Get Krack!n’ each day.

The comedic chemistry between the two leads is undeniable, their dialogue is peppered with very Australian linguistic quirks, and many of the gags center on a particularly Antipodean self-deprecation and sense of the ridiculous. It's a refreshing take on comedy that manages to be both hilarious and thought-provoking.

Beyond the humor, Get Krack!n is noteworthy for the creative ways it challenges dominant concepts and presents multiple perspectives in an uproarious way. It gives center stage to panels of all-female experts, all-Indigenous guests, including those with disabilities, demonstrating their commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity.

Overall, Get Krack!n is a comedic exploration of the inanity and behind-the-scenes tensions of morning television, skillfully interspersed with incisive social commentary. While lampooning the mundanities and various facets of television programming, it does not shy away from addressing provocative issues of the contemporary society. This is breakfast television parody as you have never seen it before, providing laughter, along with food for thought, in big helpings. For audiences, it’s an opportunity to start the day with not just a giggle but also an understanding of the discourse that reality may often ignore.