What I’ve Been Watching: Sammy J.

After a year that was unpredictable, Sammy J next week looks back on the sketches that touched a nation. Or, at the very least, made them chuckle for three minutes every week.

He tells TV Tonight what shows have been high on his watch list.

What shows are on your must-see TV list lately?
New series of Bluey for the kids. New series of Succession for the adults. New series of Gardening Australia for the dog. We’ve tried everything but turns out only the sight of Costa’s beard can calm his anxiety.

How has lockdown affected your viewing?
It reduced it by 97% because the kids took the iPad for home schooling.

Which guilty pleasure show are you reluctant to admit watching?
I disagree with the premise of the question. There is no shame in watching old episodes of Huey’s Cooking Adventures. More people should do it.

When you settle down for a night on the couch what are your ‘must-haves?’
My dog, curled up at my feet, watching Costa on the iPad, while Huey cooks up a feast in 1997 on the main screen.

What show you would secretly love to appear on?
Media Watch, with one of those animated audio graphics playing over a grab of me making a d*** of myself on radio. I make about four gaffes every day but they just keep ignoring me. In 2022 I’m going the full cash-for-comments.

Which were your favourite sketches in 2021 and which were the hardest to pull off?
I’m proud of the songs we did this year, like the Bruce Springsteen-inspired “So Close”, but they’re also the most stressful as we have to write, record, film and edit a full music clip in 48 hours. It was also nice to bring Playground Politics back a bit this year. Although it’s rewarding trying new characters, when there’s a special event like Halloween or a global climate conference it’s still a really fun world to play in. And Big Ted hasn’t sued me yet.

Sammy J: Full Credit to Christmas 9pm Thursday, 16 December on ABC TV Plus