I Discovered This Amazing TV Show Last Night
Have you ever seen the show…
You Can’t Ask That? The Australian documentary series features people from different marginalized groups in each episode — say, people who live in public housing, transgender folks, Muslim men and women, survivors of sexual assault, people with eating disorders, wheelchair users, and more. The interviewees take turns answering blunt questions about their lives — and, in doing so, break down stigmas and stereotypes.
What a brilliant concept — I’d love to watch an American version — and such a great way for viewers to garner more empathy and understanding of others’ lives. Have you seen it? What other shows are you watching these days?
P.S. Three transgender kids share their stories, and what it feels like to have autism. Plus, 10 memoirs I’ve adored.
Comments
88 commentsThere’s a Norwegian version too. The episodes with people with down syndrome and drug addicts were especially good. Guessing the concept has been grabbed by other countries too?
There’s a podcast similar to this on CBC called Inappropriate Questions. It’s great.
The Heart Guy and Offspring are 2 of my favorite shows!
Also upvoting The Assembly, but the Canadian version! Mattreyi Ramakrishnan from “Never Have I Ever” and Howie Mandel are amongst the celebs interviewed.
Australian here. Loved Frayed, Fisk, A Moody Christmas and if you love school playground handball, check out the kids series Hardball
This show is an amazing and I recommend it. It will tear at your heart and you will find your thinking challenged. Enjoy.
Oh I love this show!! I have OCD and the OCD episode made me feel very seen. My wife is a screenwriter and a show she worked on for the ABC is coming out next year. Keep an eye out, it’s called Dog Park! She also wrote for a wonderful young teen show called Turn up the Volume, you can see it on ABC iview. It’s the first queer children’s show – exploring a few different storylines including grief, having crushes on a friend (and that friend is the same sex), being non-binary and your family accepting you, friendship and of course – music! The group of friends meet at a music camp in Footscray and start a band together. I cried when I watched it because of this show existed when I was a young teen, it would have probably changed my life and removed so much internalised shame I had for being gay. I’m obviously biased but it’s an amazing show. My wife was actually nominated for an AUGIE for the episode she co-wrote. So proud of her!!! 😭 Anyway, gushing aside look out for Dog Park!
Ahh, this wifey love – my heart! Googling Dog Park and Turn Up the Volume now…
Based on the picture & title of this post I assumed that you were recommending the Brittish show We are lady parts, which is A+++. I have seen the Dutch and Belgian versions of this ask-any-question format and I liked it a lot too. But I like We are lady parts even more ;-)
Seeing the picture, I thought the same. We are lady parts is fantastic!
Hahaha, me too! I watched it in England and just made my Canadian parents find it online too. It’s brilliant <3
Fellow Canucks – there’s a Canadian version! You can watch for free on CBC Gem. Thanks Jo, for the recommendation!
Woooo! How cool. Also check out The Assembly if you can find it. Autistic journalists interviewing celebrities. Whilst most celebs are Aussie the questions rarely relate to their celebrity and instead are so interesting and insightful. Perhaps Sam Neill might be a good ep to start if you want to know the celeb.
Pernille! I think it was my favorite show of the year, at least up there near the top.
Loved this show!! Can also add Boy Swallows Universe, Rita, Fisk, Chad Powers, and Self Made. all of these were hits for me over last couple of years!
New Zealander here, but swinging in on the antipodean recs – please try to watch After The Party starring national treasure Robyn Malcolm. Some of the best tv I’ve seen in years. Also Jane Campion’s two seasons of Top of the Lake which are a decade old now admittedly, but remain superb.
haha Anna, Aussie here – you know we claimed Jane Campion (like we did the pavlova) – hahahah, I am joking! But also, I REALLY love your country – especially those Queenstown mountains. I basically spend 70% of my holidays looking up (we only have hills basically,so at least you know we can’t steal your Remarkables).
I absolutely love that you shared this Joanna. This particular series is incredible. I also love that this chat has shined the spotlight on Australian television. We make good shit down here!!
Agree! Couldn’t have said it better myself
Yes, I love the Australian TV shows!
Yay as an Aussie this makes me so happy! Also want to recommend The Assembly and Boy Swallows Universe for others that might want great Aussie tv
Absolutely check out Boy Swallows Universe! Loved everything about this show!
Boy Swallows Universe is amazing!!!!
Telling about the antisemitism in Australian society that in 5 seasons they don’t feature an episode about Jews.
It sounds like you have a need to be seen. I hope that you are able to ask the important people in your life to help you fulfill that need ❤️
100% And yes CD, Jews across the world do feel a need to be seen. We are facing the highest levels of antisemitism since the 1930s and so many people are silent on it. It’s painful
Agree completely, L G and Rachel. So many people are silent/ignorant about the level of antisemitism that is becoming normal right now. @ C D it’s not on the important people in our lives to help us — it’s on all of society to see it and speak against it.
@rachel ball Are you Australian?
I am not Australian but I am Jewish, and as a marginalized minority, am painfully aware of the global rise in antisemitism, of which Australia is still a victim. And I correct myself, as there have been 7 seasons of this show but the creators, whether out of Jew hatred or fear of appearing sympathetic to Jews, have not featured a single episode on us. Google antisemitism in Australia and you will find plenty of proof for my statement.
Out of curiosity I tried to find a list of episode topics and saw that the show was adapted for Israeli TV twice. I’d hope whoever produced those saw the show as a way to cultivate empathy across difference.
As a Jew, I want to push back on the suggestion that our community is at imminent risk and experiencing a crisis of hatred. Jewish-Canadian activist David Meslin has an excellent essay about this, focused on the Canadian context: https://rabble.ca/human-rights/risk-fear-and-deflection-some-thoughts-about-antisemitism/
Sending a big hug to you, Rachel. There are appalling levels of antisemitism now-a-days. Truly disturbing. I am not Jewish but I see it. Even at work, my son said it is now perfectly acceptable for people to say they hate the Jews. Literally. Sigh. My heart goes out. We are living in strange times but know that you are not alone.
Nicole, thank you for that thoughtful read. I feel like I understand this issue a little bit better for it.
Hi Nicole. Unfortunately, the facts speak for themselves. Here in Canada, statistics show that antisemitic crimes have skyrocketed. Even in mid-sized city, someone recently shot at a Jewish girl’s school. They are literally targeting Jewish children. That is just one example of the antisemitic acts occurring far too frequently. I wish it were not true, but it is.
Thank you for mentioning this, Rachel! 100% agree with you (I live in France, and it’s the same here).
@rachel ball The reason I asked if you lived in Australia is because there is honestly no shortage of conversations about antisemitism in Australian media and especially in the past few years to the point that I question their legitimacy and effectiveness because they obviously aren’t fixing anything. On another point I wonder who you think isn’t worthy of being in this series when you jump so adamatly into calling Australian society antisemitic for not including them. Who do you think doesn’t deserve a spotlight for an hour because antisemitism is more important without inside knowledge of living in Australia and understanding who and what is being discussed in the media?
It is remarkable and noteworthy that there’s been no episode on Jews across 7 seasons. For anyone unaware of antisemitism in Australia, see https://apnews.com/article/australia-antisemitism-sydney-melbourne-hate-crimes-a1cfd13991d79cb48080a87d2170f642 The comment from CD about “a need to be seen” is condescending, offensive nonsense. The comment about which group would need to be “excluded” to make room for an episode about Jews is also total nonsense. No group needs to be excluded for others to be included. There have been seven seasons of this show, with differing numbers of episodes across seasons. These commenters should be ashamed of themselves. I thought this was supposed to be an accepting space.
Thinking again about this thread after the horrible attack on the Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach this weekend. Sadly, we stayed home from our local public menorah lighting last night — I wanted to go but my husband didn’t feel safe taking our kids. May everyone be safe to celebrate their respective holidays without fear.
This looks fascinating, thanks for letting us know! It immediately makes me think of a volunteer project I’ve been working on for a few years: Bridging the Gap, where we (volunteers) are trained and then call everyday folks in our area to ask them open-ended, curious questions about their thoughts and experiences with abortion. The ultimate goal is to reduce abortion stigma, but really it’s just about making a connection with another human being and listening and sharing stories. It’s amazing how much people are willing to open (and often change) their hearts and minds when they are talking one on one with someone else, even if that person has a lived experience different from their own. It’s the most heartening thing I do and it feels like a superpower to talk openly, calmly, and confidently about abortion (and now, really any “difficult” topic).
Wow! How has your experience been?
speaking of Australia, the Australian Lego Masters is the BEST Lego Masters. Hamish is a way more fun host than Will Arnett’s cynical one, and ooo boy you better watch out if Brick Man starts crying.
Yes!! Our family loves this one.
We were also the original! Hamish’s idea!
I LOVE this show. I can’t recommend it enough!
Joanna and team, just letting you know that photos are blocking post titles in the “More to Love” section at the bottom of this (and other) posts. I’m also seeing the same thing on the main page. It could be happening only at certain screen sizes (I’m on a laptop).
Thank you for flagging, Katie! We’re checking it out!
Thank you for this rec! Adding to my list! I would love to hear recs for other Australian or New Zealand TV shows. Here’s a short list of ones we’ve loved: Rake Stateless Fisk Brokenwood mysteries The Heart Doctor Colin From Accounts Upper Middle Bogan Secret City Deadloch Well-mannered Apple Cider Vinegar The Tourist
Fisk is one of my favorite shows ever! And I can’t wait for Deadloch to come back.
Kia Ora Sasha, Kiwi here. Try Far North, a 2023 drama set in, surprise, surprise, the far north of New Zealand. Defo worth a look.
I discovered „Rosehaven“ just last week, was unclear if I would like it for about 17 sec, then: actually a really sweet funny weird story about two friends ending up in Tasmania (let me know if you want me to tell you whether it’s a „When Harry met Sally“ situation or not, hehe). Or just give it a try :)
Kia Ora Sharon S!!, ooh, we loved Far North!! So so good. I have a terrible memory and had to Google to remember most of the list I shared, so I’m sure i forgot so many. I love British TV, but honestly, Aussie and Kiwi is THE BEST. I’m trying to remember a super funny one about dysfunctional family who own, a furniture business?? Something like that. I can picture the female main character but I don’t know the actor’s name to look her up. There’s a murder mystery one cashed The Road (maybe??) super good also. And a murder mystery set in northern Australia about a murdered high school girl in the past, and her sister (friend?) comes back, stirs up trouble. I think it focused on Torres Strait peoples. I really need to start keeping track of shows! Lol. Oh, also recently loved Queen of Oz.
Years ago another COJ reader had recommended Five Bedrooms, which I adored. It had so much heart! Unfortunately I was only able to watch the first two seasons and was never able to find a way to watch season 3 in the US.
Adding Our Flag Means Death, which i think is Kiwi? Directed, produced and starring Taika Waititi. It’s just so quirky and delightful and wryly funny it defies description.
If anyone is looking for a good show for the 8-10 year old set, we adored the Inbestigators when my kids were that age. (Also, we obviously cannot have a list of great Australian TV shows without a Bluey mention. True prestige television.)
The Moody’s! A Moody’s Christmas has become a Christmas tradition for me and my husband – 6 short, bingeable, hilarious episodes.
I have watched FISK 3-4x, it’s so good. And Deadloch was a treat as well. Must check more of these, fingers crossed they’re on Netflix or something where Im a subscriber.
Offspring is one of my favourite shows ever! Bump is another great one
It isn’t a show, sadly, but the movie Hunt for the Wilderpeople is the best. It has Taika Waititi and Rachel House. We laughed our guts out and cried and laughed again. We are no longer able to say Fanta without attempting Taika’s accent.
Please Like Me comes to mind.
The Games is a funny and smart satirical sitcom about organising the Sydney Olympic Games, relevant to US right now! Highly recommend
I love Colin from Accounts and Fisk with a white hot passion. For those that watched Rosehaven, where did you see it in the US? I adore Australian (and Irish) tv and Offspring, Deadloch, and Fisk are pretty readily available but the others – not so much.
Offspring, and 5 Bedrooms
Great list Sasha. Can add some more: – No Activity (the guy from Colin from Accounts’s earlier show that he wrote) – Mr InBetween (Rake vibes) – Frayed (was skeptical but it’s great)
Another vote for Offspring! Loved the show and the music is fabulous—I discovered many awesome songs/artists.
I’ve watched and loved most of your list. Australian programmes are quite different to New Zealand, and Brokenwood (while great) is probably not the most typical example. As a New Zealander, for NZ programmes I’d say: Outrageous Fortune (although it may have a New Zealand sensibility that doesn’t translate – probably most like Rake on your list), the Almighty Johnsons. There’s also a range of fairly good newer shows like Creamerie, Kid Sister, Double Parked (mixed reviews but I lived it), and Miles from Nowhere. After the Party has a very heavy subject but the acting is amazing and the scenery is stunning. I have no idea whether any of these are available overseas as mostly here they’re on NZ streaming aps. In terms of Australian tv programmes, Offspring is amazing (particularly the first 3 seasons, probably my favourite show of all time), Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Five Bedrooms, the Survivors (set in Tasmania), Kath and Kim (not sure how the humour would translate outside of Australia and New Zealand). There’s more than this as Australia does some good TV.
Some of these have been mentioned before but are worth repeating! – Bump – 800 Words (NZ) – Mystery Road – Janet King – A Place to Call Home – Jack Irish – Upright – Lockie Leonard – Heartbreak High (old and new) – Harrow – Fake – Five Bedrooms – North Shore – Deep Water – Total Control – The Time of Our Lives – H2O – Mako Mermaids – Blue Water High
Hi Tara, I watched Rosehaven on ARTE TV, a french-german TV channel. Hope that works for you :)
Fisk, of course. And we also loved A Place to Call Home and RFDS: Royal Flying Doctor Service. Love all the other recommendations! We have really enjoyed the Australian TV we’ve seen.
Offspring is great for the first few series, but really declines in quality in the later series. Colin from Accounts and No Activity would be good for Fisk fans, I reckon… similar humour.
I forgot The Letdown!
Thank you all!! Making a new to be watched list! Emma, The Letdown!!!!! I’d forgotten that one. So good. For everyone that loves Colin From Accounts, the dude (those two are married in real life and they are pretty darn adorable with a couple kids too, anyhoo), is in Upper Middle Bogan. My gosh, that show makes me howl, esp the teenage daughter. If you love silly dysfunctional family dynamics, this is for you.
Great list, 2 great Aussie drama series I can add – The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (set in Aus with mostly Aussie cast, but also features Sigourney Weaver) and The Cry (with Asher Keddie from Offspring fame, another warm-hearted offbeat Aus series)
Seconding Maxi’s After the Party rec. Heavy, but also the best drama I have seen in years and I watch a lot of TV 😆
There’s a Belgian/Flemish version of this called ‘Durf te vragen ‘ (Dare to ask). Exactly the same and from the screen shots, it looks even the same style. Not sure which one inspired the other. Such a simple and great concept!
According to Wikipedia, there have been quite a few international versions.. including the one that you mention- the original is Australian.
I strongly recommend watching The Assembly – it’s on YouTube (at least it is where I am!). UK celebrities are asked questions by “a collective of autistic, neurodivergent and/or learning-disabled interviewers”. It’s some of the most heart-warming TV I’ve ever seen. As they say, “nothing is off limits…”. Let me know if you watch it!
Ooooo can’t wait to check this out!
The documentary, Prime Minister, about Jacinda Ardern, is *fascinating*. She is just so lovely. And the contrast with is utterly jarring. Though the contrast with Mamdani is obviously much better, as in someone of that caliber *is* possible. Humor is definitely a through line.
Ha, I left out a word. Maybe it was intentional?
Her book: A Different Kind of Power – was excellent. She narrated the audio book! Amazing (and sad) her perception of what a different kind of power actually is (hint…kindness).
Hi COJ. I love you. That’s all. xo
The world needs this.
In Portugal we had a similar show called Tabu, in which serious topics were discussed by the people that lived with disabilities, or were transgender and other topics, but combined with comedy. The interviewer is a fantastic comedian (Bruno Nogueira) with a dark, twisted but 100% respectful sense of humour. In fact, the show motto was: how far can we go in comedy? It blended emotion and comedy, defending that humour is for everyone. It was wonderful and I think they’re already working on a second season.
That sounds amazing! Maybe just accidentally leave it playing while the extended family is around at Thanksgiving??
I was thinking along those lines too, but f-i-l isn’t self-aware enough to realize that “You can’t ask that” applies to him as well as everybody else!
Kristin, I was just thinking the same. If my mother watched this what she would get is, it’s FINE to ask inappropriate questions and make comments. She would be pointing and saying see!! The actual point would fly right over her seemingly deliberately obtuse head.
There’s Canadian series of You Can’t Ask that produced by the Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC our country wide government-run tv network, which used to be the only network available in a lot of places). You can search for places to watch including You Tube. It’s amazing. I just watched one where the panel all had schizophrenia. Really enlightening and I highly recommend that we all watch both the Canadian version and Australian. It’s like talking to a new friend who has these experiences, really personal, sometimes troubling but always eye-opening. Such a thoughtful addition to the conversation, as always, Joanna.
I was going to mention this! A great series that focused on people with disabilities. Thank you Susan!