The Chaser's 'just war' on celebrity worship

But satire is not always a vicious or intellectual exercise. Sometimes it's downright humane. Another Aussie television satirist who's copped his share of flak, Chris Lilley, has this aspect of the form down to a fine art.

The creator, writer and star of the sleeper hit We Can Be Heroes reached new heights (some might say depths) with his popular follow-up series Summer Heights High. Such is Lilley's insight into and compassion for humanity that one of his characters, a foul-mouthed and underachieving Tongan student named Jonah, evolved from a potential racial stereotype into the series' most sympathetic character.

However it was Lilley's portrayal of the narcissistic and obliviously bigoted teacher Mr G that seemed most prone to rubbing people the wrong way. But Mr G is not a celebration of deplorable humanity - quite the opposite. While he possesses questionable attitudes toward students with disabilities, the show's 'black comedy' works because the audience is trusted to recognise how despicable his attitudes actually are.

In that respect, Lilley, through his 'nudge-nudge, wink-wink' portrayal of a bigoted character, is both putting faith in and reinforcing the positive attitudes of his audience to recognise and reject that bigotry. While The Chaser wages caustic war on celebrity, Lilley's waging a subtler battle against prejudice in all its forms.