Frontline
Behind the scenes at a commercial current affairs program called Frontline, producers chase ratings with hidden cameras, chequebook deals and ambush interviews, while their vain, dim anchor Mike Moore (Rob Sitch) believes he is a crusading journalist. Jane Kennedy, Alison Whyte, Santo Cilauro and Bill Hunter round out the newsroom.
Where to watch
No confirmed streaming home for Frontline here yet. It originally aired on ABC; we update this as platforms announce.
No confirmed streaming home for Frontline here yet. It originally aired on ABC; we update this as platforms announce.
No confirmed streaming home for Frontline here yet. It originally aired on ABC; we update this as platforms announce.
No confirmed streaming home for Frontline here yet. It originally aired on ABC; we update this as platforms announce.
No confirmed streaming home for Frontline here yet. It originally aired on ABC; we update this as platforms announce.
Our take
Behind the scenes at a commercial current affairs program called Frontline, producers chase ratings with hidden cameras, chequebook deals and ambush interviews, while their vain, dim anchor Mike Moore (Rob Sitch) believes he is a crusading journalist. Jane Kennedy, Alison Whyte, Santo Cilauro and Bill Hunter round out the newsroom.
Why watch Frontline turned real Australian media scandals into comedy, which gives it a bite most workplace sitcoms lack. Mike Moore's self-regard, Brooke's ruthless ambition and the producers' cynical cool still feel recognisable in any era of ratings-driven news. Viewers who enjoy The Newsroom's subject matter but prefer satire, or who like Drop the Dead Donkey, will find plenty here.
What to know
The Working Dog team, Rob Sitch, Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner and Jane Kennedy, wrote, directed and produced the series. They had come up through Melbourne University revues and the sketch shows The D-Generation and The Late Show, and went on to make The Castle and The Dish, host The Panel and create Thank God You’re Here.
ABC TV broadcast three series of 13 half-hour episodes, in 1994, 1995 and 1997. The fictional program competes with real rivals of the period, and many plots were thinly veiled versions of misconduct first exposed on the ABC’s Media Watch. Mike Moore parodies the current affairs hosts of the day, though Sitch has said no character was based directly on one person.
Where to start
Series one establishes the newsroom politics and the tug of war between Mike and Brooke, so start at the beginning. By series three Mike is the network’s untouchable star, and the jokes shift accordingly.
Cast & crew
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Quick answers
- Where can I watch Frontline?
- We do not have a confirmed streaming listing for Frontline in Canada, the US, the UK, Australia or New Zealand yet. This page updates as platforms add it.
- What is Frontline about?
- Behind the scenes at a commercial current affairs program called Frontline, producers chase ratings with hidden cameras, chequebook deals and ambush interviews, while their vain, dim anchor Mike Moore (Rob Sitch) believes he is a crusading journalist. Jane Kennedy, Alison Whyte, Santo Cilauro and Bill Hunter round out the newsroom.
- Who is in the cast of Frontline?
- Frontline stars Rob Sitch, Jane Kennedy, Alison Whyte, Santo Cilauro and Bill Hunter.
- When did Frontline start?
- Frontline premiered in 1994 and ran until 1997.
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