Summer Heights High

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Season 1
  • Network: HBO , ABC1
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 5, 2007
Season #: 3, 2, 1
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
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Critic Reviews

  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ari Karpel
    91
    Thank you, HBO, for airing Australia's outrageous Office-like, eight-part high school mockumentary, rather than getting a lesser comedian to do an American version.
  2. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    80
    The nonfictional veneer feels authentic, and so does Lilley's talent.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    80
    All in all, it's a rich work, full of detail and small moments, and grounded in reality by an utterly believable supporting cast partly drawn from the school where the series was shot.
  5. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Tom Shales
    80
    Lilley's script and performances are rife with recognizable personalities, neuroses and human absurdities.
  6. Salon
    Reviewed by: Heather Havrilesky
    80
    The only bad thing about Summer Heights High is that it makes a lot of American comedies look pathetically unoriginal and lackluster by comparison.
  7. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Nancy DeWolf Smith
    80
    It is funny in the manner of "Best in Show" or "A Mighty Wind," but much more biting. Although that means there are some truly painful moments, the talent of Mr. Lilley, a brilliant mimic, is a divine salve.
  8. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    75
    The documentary look is engaging, and Lilley's wildly over-the-top performance as three distinct characters is made all the more funny as it clashes against the reserved nature of the nonactors.
  9. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    75
    A funny/sad Office-style mockumentary depicting a year in the life of an Australian public high school, this wildly talented writer-star loves making you squirm (à la Gervais) while submerging himself inside the skin of characters so diverse (à la Ullman) you can hardly believe it's the same guy.
  10. Time
    Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    67
    Summer Heights High is not a perfect comedy, and those offended by crossed boundaries will feel their boundaries crossed. But it's a welcome, if sometimes familiar, HBO comedy while we wait for the return of "Flight of the Conchords."
  11. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    50
    In the end, while its outrageous characters are often amusing, their palate of jokes runs thin.
  12. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    50
    Much as I admire Lilley's ability to pull off a sort of one-man Christopher Guest movie, only one of the three Summer Heights High leads is funny on a consistent basis.
  13. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    40
    It’s easy to admire Mr. Lilley’s writing and performing talent, and some jokes work anywhere. But if he’s interested in really connecting with audiences here--something HBO probably has in mind for the future--he needs to do some more research.
  14. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    30
    Cultural distinctions notwithstanding (will U.S. viewers double over at a Tongan accent?), Summer Heights High seldom rises above silliness and mostly proves just plain irritating.

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best TV Season of 2007
56
#56 Most Discussed TV Season of 2007
44
#44 Most Shared TV Season of 2007

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 60 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 60
  3. Negative: 6 out of 60
  1. Judddy
    Apr 22, 2011
    10
    An exceptionally funny and clever Australian comedy series by master comedian Chris Lilley.
  2. Kellym.
    Dec 3, 2008
    10
    So smart and funny.
  3. OpinionatedGuy
    Jul 23, 2014
    7
    Even though I liked Chris Lilley’s effort on Ja’mie’s stand-alone show, I felt like Chris Lilley needs to do a show with ensemble charactersEven though I liked Chris Lilley’s effort on Ja’mie’s stand-alone show, I felt like Chris Lilley needs to do a show with ensemble characters again.

    Summer Heights High was the show that launched Chris Lilley’s career outside Australia.

    First of these reasons was the sarcastic harsh humor. The humor was served well thanks to Chris Lillley’s performances as Mr. G, Jonah and Ja’mie. Sometimes, I forgot that these three characters were played by a same man.

    Second of these reasons was the school setting. This isn’t like any typical high school dramas/comedies shown right now. It’s different, realistic and over the top.

    Third of these reasons was the character driven plot. It keeps us interested on what happens next to Ja’mie’s journey as an exchange student and Mr. G’s journey to make the best musical he has ever made.

    One minor drawback was Jonah. He was very annoying and unfunny. He doesn’t have a proper plot to be honest. But Chris Lilley did a good job portraying him that I forgot it was Chris Lilley playing Jonah. So this can be easily overlooked.

    Summer Heights High was the reason why Chris Lilley’s fame has expanded outside Australia thanks to its humor, characters, plot and Chris Lilley’s performance.    … Full Review »
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