Shaun Micallef's Unemployer

Shaun Micallef made the decision to become a full time comedian when he was 30 years old in 1992. During his career as a comedian he displayed his capabilities justifiably as the greatest Australian comedian ever. These factors attributing to his success included his writing in books and television, hosting lose variety television shows, notably The Micallef Program and Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation (TAYG), and hosting satirical comedy shows, specifically Newstopia and Mad as Hell. However, it can be argued that Micallef has been unsuccessful in his created sitcoms, particularly Welcher & Welcher and The Ex-PM.

In 1992, after years as a solicitor, Micallef took a gamble on something he saw as a hobby, comedy writing and acting. After leaving
Series such as The Micallef Program and Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation (TAYG) were integral to his success. After Full Frontal disestablished in 1997, Micallef ran The Micallef Program between 1998-2001, hosted by Micallef and written by both himself and Gary Mccaffrie. The variety show had Micallef play a far more pedant version of himself as host, conducting scripted interviews, and interacting with the studio audience by holding strange game shows and competitions. The show ran for three seasons, achieving a logie for ‘Most Outstanding Comedy’, standing today as an Australian TV highlight. Additionally, Micallef’s arguably most popular show, aiding his title, was the show TAYG. The show was a variety show with three teams, one for each generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y. The show lasted four season, receiving a logie for ‘Best Light Entertainment’. Modestly Micallef claims the success was as “It wasn't just about me, it had Charlie Pickering, Amanda Keller, and Josh Thomas as well”. Micallef also saw that “it wasn't a comedy show in that ‘here’s what I think is funny’... I was in the service of this show...it was something I hopefully brought something to... Hopefully contributing to it's success”. Both award winning comedy variety shows are attributed to Shaun Micallef being the greatest Australian Comedian
He first got his chance in 2003 with the program Welcher & Welcher, which focused on the staff on an inept legal firm. The show did not include a laughing track which made it difficult to reach a wider audience, running for only eight episodes. Micallef himself honestly branded that “two of the episodes stink”, and he believed “I don’t think the ABC liked this show”. He stated years after doing Welcher & Welcher that he “could go back and do a sitcom better than I did". Eleven years on and Micallef created the sitcom series The-Ex PM. It can be argued that it was an unsuccessful show, lasting just one season, criticized by analysts, “The Ex-PM shows what happens when a single writer struggles with a solo voice”. Micallef admits "I have done a few things that are lesser than stellar successes”. He goes as far to concede he does not have the skills to create a sitcom, “I can't do everything, I appreciate that I have limited skills”. Unlike such successful comedy sitcoms like Kath and Kim, which received three logies and was viewed by over 2 million viewers each episode. Also, the classic Mother and Son, which ran for ten seasons, receiving four logies. Micallef had many successes during his time as a comedian, but as aforestated he was unsuccessful in sitcoms, almost tarnishing his