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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed shows.

Summer Heights High

EMAILPRINTSERIES: HBO, Sunday 10:30p (30 minutes)

Summer Heights High
67
9.1 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 13 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 34 votes
Read user comments
Rate this show >

Show Info

Genre(s): Comedy

Created By: Chris Lilley

First Air Date: November 9, 2008

Summary

Starring Chris Lilley

Chris Lilley created and stars in this Australian comedy about high school life.

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

91

Entertainment WeeklyAri Karpel

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.

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80

Washington PostTom Shales

Lilley's script and performances are rife with recognizable personalities, neuroses and human absurdities.

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80

SalonHeather Havrilesky

The only bad thing about Summer Heights High is that it makes a lot of American comedies look pathetically unoriginal and lackluster by comparison.

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80

Wall Street JournalNancy DeWolf Smith

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.

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80

Boston GlobeMatthew Gilbert

The nonfictional veneer feels authentic, and so does Lilley's talent.

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80

Los Angeles TimesRobert Lloyd

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.

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75

San Francisco ChronicleTim Goodman

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.

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75

TV GuideMatt Roush

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.

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67

TimeJames Poniewozik

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."

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50

New York Daily NewsDavid Hinckley

In the end, while its outrageous characters are often amusing, their palate of jokes runs thin.

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50

Newark Star-LedgerAlan Sepinwall

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.

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40

The New York TimesMike Hale

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.

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30

VarietyBrian Lowry

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.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this show is 9.1 (out of 10) based on 34 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Ed gave it a9:
I'm Aussie so I'm biased but this is GENIUS. Jamie is the best character, don't think Americans will get the Tongan one, it's too Aussie. Classic show.

Bill N. gave it a3:
Bad Taste and juvenile is the best way I can describe this program. I know it was big in Australia, but their sense of humor makes Howard Stern look like Mort Sahl. And the way they treat handicapped and minorities is so offensive that it can't be viewed as humorous , especially in light of the changes that our new president is bringing to America.

Jared W. gave it a10:
Calling this show a "comedy" isn't completely accurate. Of course there are plenty of funny moments and lots of memorable quotes. But Chris LIlley takes us deep inside the psyches of each character to places that are not funny at all. We see the parts of these characters that are broken and vulnerable. Sometimes this evokes laughter, but just as often it evokes pity and sadness. Chris Lilley's talent is unmatched. This show is groundbreaking. Watch it. But don't expect Michael Scott.

Justin K. gave it a10:
My roommate told me to watch this show cuz it was funny. It is hilarious. Mr. G is the funniest dude in the world. Ja'mie is the dumbest (funny) thing I have ever seen, he pulls it off so well, especially with the other "young" girls. And Jonah is my idol.

Anne S. gave it a10:
This show is the BEST SHOW EVER!! If you dont think that this is funny you have absolutly NOO sense of humor.

BJ N. gave it a9:
Very funny a welcome addition I now look forward to more of while waiting for Little Britain USA to return.

Spongeee gave it a10:
Great comedy and acting...really fresh take on teenage kids. I ge the humour and Ive never been near Australia either.

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