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Chris Lilley’s satirical characters are both very funny and
offensive enough to make most people squirm in their seats. What’s
more, as long as the audience is cringing while they laugh at Jonah,
Ja’mie and Mr. G, then the mockumentary may even do some good.
But there’s the rub – will the kind of people that Lilley is ridiculing
be inspired to take a good hard look at themselves and the
self-degrading ways they behave? Or will they see their representation
in comedy, even in caricature, as licence to carry on in the same way?
In particular, will the character of Jonah be perceived to be the
boorish, puerile and homophobic lout that he is by the boorish, puerile
and homophobic louts that he is modelled on?
Maybe not. Some people with a deep-seated lack of self-esteem respond
to scorn by taking the easier path and reinforcing the characteristics
for which they are scorned. For example, there’s a minority of gay guys
who think that carrying on like stereotypical screaming, dizzy queens
is a hilarious lark, at least when they’re inside a safe environment,
no matter how much the rest of society regards their hyper-emotional
camp and the lack of self-control that it implies, with derision.
So what are the chances that some of Jonah Takula’s originals are going
to be shamed into changing their ways because their own lack of
self-control is being parodied? Aren’t they more likely to think that
it’s great to hear foul language and verbal poofter-bashing on the
national broadcaster? (Sik mate!) Even if the majority of teenagers
think that Jonah is a moron (as they may), that won’t stop some from
adopting the aspects of his behaviour that they like.
Satirising the stupidity of a character in order to attack his
offensive conduct will only be effective if the audience connects his
offensiveness with his stupidity. Unfortunately, there are plenty of
kids capable of distinguishing themselves from Jonah enough to adopt
his abusive behaviour without identifying with his more embarrassing
aspects.
In fact, there’s more chance of Lilley’s prima donnas, Ja’mie and Mr.
G, having a reforming effect than Jonah, because they’re depicted
without sympathy as obnoxious, spiteful and vain.
In contrast, while Takula has a spiteful conceit of his own that makes
him odious to other people, the program still evinces a subtle,
underlying element of indulgence towards him. After all, he has his
excuses: attention-deficit disorder, a broken home and an abusive
father – whereas what excuses do the rich bitch and the gay bitch have?
And let’s face it – nobody can stand a princess, female or male.
Compared to Lilley’s other characters, Jonah starts to seem almost like
the hero of the show. Unless he takes a serious fall before the series
ends, this pitiable oaf is going to come off looking good to his
real-life peers, because his only competition are two pretentious prats
– one of whom is doubly despised for being “a homo”.
No offence – but it’s true.
Summer Heights High screens 9:30pm Wednesdays on the ABC.
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