australian television information archive

Episode 1

Australia: July 27, 2005 (ABC)
New Zealand: May 15, 2006 (TVOne)
USA: Sept 2006 (Sundance Channel)
Canada: Sunday, April 04, 2010 (Comedy Channel)

A new comedy about society's obsessive search for heroes; people who can inspire us with their courage, dazzle us with their talents and encourage us with their tenacity...

The six-part comedy mockumentary series, We Can Be Heroes, follows the trials and tribulations of five unique Australians who have made the shortlist to represent their state for the prestigious title of Australian of the Year. The only thing our nominees have in common is that they are all played by comedian Chris Lilley.

What makes a hero? And do our nominees have it?

Guest Cast: Mick Graham as Terry, Pixie Jones as Tracey, Jane Hopkins as Jane, Gayle Delosa as Lorraine, Chung Jade Koh as Chun, Frieda McKenna as Frieda, Carol Chong as Carol, Bill Lee as Professor Lee, Maria Angelico as Mel, Emma Clapham as Brianna, Adrienne Smith as Emma, Lise Ridgers as Mrs. Welham, Debbie Jones as Kerry, Taylor Potter as Tyson, Tracey Mathers as Shelly, Woody Miles as Jordan

"…this whole 'Australian of the Year' thing… I laughed at the suggestion when I nominated myself" — Phil Olivetti

"It's not exactly my fault, you know what I mean? I can't help it, I didn't ask to be born hot" — Ja'mie King

Episode 2

Australia: August 03, 2005

Meet the friends and family of the five Australian of the Year nominees. Phil grapples with his newfound fame. Ja'mie has a sleepover with her friends. Ricky auditions for "Indigeridoo". Daniel and Nathan spend a day in Dunt. Pat begins planning her roll to Uluru with her devoted husband and coach, Terry.

Guest Cast: Mick Graham as Terry, Chung Jade Koh as Chun, Frieda McKenna as Frieda, Carol Chong as Carol, Mariel Wong as Auditionee, Ferdinand Hang as Mr Wong, Maria Angelico as Mel, Emma Clapham as Brianna, Adrienne Smith as Emma, Jhyll Teplin as Mrs King, Debbie Jones as Kerry, Taylor Potter as Tyson, Cara Foley as Cara, Andrew Walker as Sam, Rueben Heenan as Craig, Zac Jardine as Tom, Tracey Mathers as Shelly, Woody Miles as Jordan

"That's the weird thing about Nathan, like heaps of chicks in town are like fully into him and that cause he's like slightly retarded, and I think chicks are totally into… like attracted to spastic qualities in blokes so… that's what I'm thinking, once I give up my ear and that I might be more attractive to chicks and that cause I'm sort of a little bit handicapped" — Daniel Sims

Episode 3

Australia: August 10, 2005

On tonight's episode of We Can Be Heroes, the nominees get a chance to demonstrate why they should be the Australian of the Year.

Phil teaches rescue techniques to a scout group. Ja'mie steps out of her comfort zone to visit one of her sponsor children, Sonali, in a detention centre. Ricky and his Chinese Theatre Group begin rehearsals for Indigeridoo. Daniel shows a magazine journalist the farm while being interviewed for a story. Pat starts training for her roll to Uluru and has a nasty incident with a gumnut.

Guest Cast: Mick Graham as Terry, Chung Jade Koh as Chun, Frieda McKenna as Frieda, Carol Chong as Carol, Bill Lee as Professor Lee, Ferdinand Hang as Mr Wong, Maria Angelico as Mel, Emma Clapham as Brianna, Adrienne Smith as Emma, Nyathan Hoth Mai as Sonali, Debbie Jones as Kerry, Taylor Potter as Tyson, Nicole Brady as Journalist, Tracey Mathers as Shelly, Woody Miles as Jordan, Louis Corbett as Jeremy

"We are very similar. If you had a naked aboriginal man and a naked chinese man, they would be exactly the same… except the naked chinese man would have a smaller penis" — Ricky Wong

Episode 4

Australia: August 17, 2005

On tonight's episode of We Can Be Heroes, our nominees face obstacles on their journey towards the Australian of the Year finals.

Phil tries to bribe a judge on the selection committee at a backyard barbeque. Ja'mie promotes her cause in a shock assembly presentation. Ricky's musical production faces criticism and he confronts his father with the news that he intends to give up science to become an actor. The twins return from their miracle eardrum surgery and Nathan refuses to thank Daniel for giving up his eardrum. Terry constructs a cage to protect Pam from dingoes on the roll to Uluru.

Guest Cast: Mick Graham as Terry, Chung Jade Koh as Chun, Frieda McKenna as Frieda, Carol Chong as Carol, Ferdinand Hang as Mr Wong, Maria Angelico as Mel, Emma Clapham as Brianna, Adrienne Smith as Emma, Nyathan Hoth Mai as Sonali, Lise Rodgers as Mrs Welham, Adam Ford as Mr Butell, Debbie Jones as Kerry, Taylor Potter as Tyson, Tracey Mathers as Shelly, Woody Miles as Jordan, Donald Baigent as Malcolm, Katie Collins as Cathy

"I don't appreciate you guys being inconsiderate, and I basically think you're all slack bitches" — Ja'mie King

Episode 5

Australia: August 24, 2005

It's a nervous wait for our nominees on tonight's episode of We Can Be Heroes as the Australian of the Year State finalists are officially notified.

Ja'mie receives devastating news that all her sponsor children have died. Phil is rejected as a finalist but lies to his family about the result. It's opening night of Indigeridoo and Ricky has a teary farewell as he takes to the stage for the last time. Daniel is accepted as a finalist but refuses to go to Canberra, while Nathan joyfully tests his new hearing. Pat's farewell party celebrations come to an abrupt end after the doctor delivers some devastating news.

Guest Cast: Mick Graham as Terry, Pixie Jones as Tracey, Chung Jade Koh as Chun, Frieda McKenna as Frieda, Carol Chong as Carol, Ferdinand Hang as Mr Wong, Jess Young as Cathy Freeman, Mariel Wong as Deborah Mailman, Ethan Thoi as Captain Cook, Jack Charles as Aboriginal Elder, Corleen Cooper as Professor Maza, Maria Angelico as Mel, Emma Clapham as Brianna, Adrienne Smith as Emma, Lise Rodgers as Mrs Welham, Jhyll Teplin as Mrs King, Debbie Jones as Kerry, Taylor Potter as Tyson, Tracey Mathers as Shelly, Woody Miles as Jordan

"Are you a manager? Because you so don't sound like a manager, you sound like a dumb-ass fat bitch." — Ja'mie King

Episode 6

Australia: August 31, 2005

At last, our nominees head to Canberra for the State finals of the Australian of the Year competition.

Sydney schoolgirl Ja'mie, ever so generous, brings her Sudanese sponsor child, Sonali, to the awards. Daniel and Nathan are more interested in fireworks than the awards. Pat puts her illness aside and rubs shoulders with celebrities. Ricky gets the chance to meet Cathy Freeman while Phil faces humiliation and family rejection as he tries to bribe his way into the awards.

Special Guests: Cathy Freeman, Vince Colosimo

Guest Cast: Mick Graham as Terry, Pixie Jones as Tracey, Chung Jade Koh as Chun, Frieda McKenna as Frieda, Ferdinand Hang as Mr Wong, Maria Angelico as Mel, Emma Clapham as Brianna, Adrienne Smith as Emma, Jhyll Teplin as Mrs King, Nyathan Hoth Mai as Sonali, Debbie Jones as Kerry, Taylor Potter as Tyson, Jamie & Julia Collins as Jamie & Julia Sims, Tracey Mathers as Shelly, Woody Miles as Jordan, Peter Hearne as Senior Official, Genevieve Moore as Door Attendant, Jill Singers as Awards MC, Sancia Robinson as Casting Agent