Over the two years of The Late Show, there were various sketches starring children ranging from 8 – 14. They eventually became known and credited as The Pissweak Kids. What originally began as sketches from The D-Generation in 1986 – 1987 as Tommy Cravat Jnr promoting pissweak theme parks, the idea was rejuvenated for The Late Show, starring a few kids (explained later) and parents exploring theme parks that are promoted extravagantly, but end up being way below expectations – pure pissweak.
Each ‘Pissweak World‘ would be a different theme, with poorly constructed amusement rides, exhibitions, and entertainment that was hosted by a dull looking but bewildered Tom Gleisner. Even though The Pissweak Kids attended each theme park, they were never entertained to the maximum pleasure you could receive.
Each theme park theme was as follows:
- Ep 4 – Pissweak World
- Ep 6 – Pissweak Colonial World (Ye Olde Pissweak Worlde)
- Ep 8 – Pissweak World Fun Park
- Ep13 – Pissweak Western World
- Ep 15 – Pissweak Marine World
- Ep 19 – Pissweak Movie World
- Ep 20 – Pissweak Air World
- Ep 21 – Charlie The Wonderdog – Ep 1 – Run Charlie Run
- Ep 22 – Charlie The Wonderdog – Ep 2 – Charlie Digs In
- Ep 23 – Charlie The Wonderdog – Ep 3 – Dead Man’s Weir
- Ep 24 – credited – but no appearance
- Ep 26 – Charlie The Wonderdog – Ep 4 – Rescue on Mt Variable Weather
- Ep 28 – Charlie The Wonderdog – Ep 5 – Love Thy Neighbour / Charlie The Star (and Dickhead Tonight ad)
- Ep 30 – Charlie The Wonderdog – Ep 6 – Double Trouble
- Ep 40 – Charlie The Wonderdog – Ep 7 – A Very Charlie Christmas
Other than Pissweak World and Charlie The Wonderdog, the kids were also used in other sketches, such as Beadle’s A Prick! and other sketches. The youngest boy – Nic Anderson, is more well known in the Chicken Tonight food commercial parody Dickhead Tonight, saying “Mum, can we have Dickhead Tonight tomorrow?”
Justin: I was 14Nic: I was only 8
I had previously filmed a spot for a 7 up sketch that was never aired, and was surprised to be asked back to film the Pissweak World sketches. I never expected there would be more than one.I was just asked to come along because they needed another kid to be in it, I really had no idea what I was getting in to. The whole family can be found in the pissweak world sketches, our middle brother, mum and dad all make an appearance.
It was a blast. I had no trouble doing anything that was asked from braving fierce flames to the icy cold waters of Dead Mans Weir.It was always a lot of fun, and nothing was taken too seriously, the hardest part was trying too look sad while being put in ridiculous situations, but Tom, Santo and Uncle Rob (as we called him at the time) always made it a good time.
I’m sure there may have been a few, I think the biggest joke was my appalling green checked shirt that they insisted i wear in every episode after the second Charlie. I still have it somewhere.I think my D grade acting abilities were probably enough input.
Being so young when I filmed that not many people recognise me now, but if it ever gets mentioned it’s one of the first things that comes to peoples minds. I remember being sat down by Rob and he was telling me not to tell my mum that I was going to have to swear on camera, he always made things so fun.
Absolute pleasure to work with, he was a real gentleman, and always had a pocket full of mints. Some of the advice he gave me I still use today. But thats between Bud and I.To be honest with you at the time I had no idea who he was but I knew he must be important because people always asked about him, I just remember him being such a nice and genuine man, always had a lot of time for everyone.
The way the scripts were written that they couldn’t be done any other way apart from over the top, it was a heap of fun.I wasn’t hamming it up, I’m just a terrible actor, but being a young kid with a face full of teeth they thought it was funny to give me the hardest lines and progressively put in bigger and harder words to say, most of the time I didn’t even know what I was talking about, I guess that’s what makes it funnier.
Hahaha, each episode usually took a couple of hours to film, depending on how many locations we had to go to, and they went to air the same week.
Of course my brother Nic, but I haven’t seen the girls for a long time.Same as above.
It was great to be a small part of such an amazing show that still has a place in the hearts of so many people. I am as much a fan of their work as everybody else, and it is great to see that “The Pissweak kids” are still fondly remembered.
My favourite quote is still from Dead Mans Weir when Laura says ” Lucky he came to this picnic in a wetsuit”.Obviously at the time I had no idea the impact the show was going to have. I’m just glad people are still getting a laugh out of it and that Working Dog has now become such a successful identity, they thoroughly deserve everything.
I still do the odd acting spot, I have been on Underbelly, Blue Heelers, Rush, Stingers and various other shows and commercials. But you can usually find me at Draculas Cabaret in Melbourne. I am the bar manager there.Nothing terribly exciting, once I realised how bad I was at acting I stopped doing that, currently trying to get into the MFB.
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Great work guys. This was a fantastic time for the boys
Signed Pissweak Parent
Im the parent of the Pissweak baby, Mel who is now 27 years old. I attribute her wicked sense of humour to the time she spent with Rob and the team.
Proud Pissweak Mum
Didn’t some of the Pissweak Kids also appear in Bush Kids? This was a radio serial broadcast during the Richard Stubbs show on Triple M in the mid 1990s, from memory.
I’m sure that one of the Pissweak kids appeared as the son on The Bob Morrison Show, and in t.v. commercials.
One ad was for World 4 KIds, Coles Myer’s unsuccessful mega toy store chain.
Awww… “Uncle Rob” 🙂
Great memories, thanks heaps for sharing.
[…] If you want to read the 2012 interview with Justin and brother Nic, read here. […]