The Cheap Seats
The Cheap Seats is an Australian comedy panel television series that premiered on Network 10 on 20 July 2021, hosted by comedians Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald.[1][2] The show, produced by Working Dog—the team behind Have You Been Paying Attention?—airs weekly on Tuesday nights, offering a humorous recap of the week's major and minor news stories, entertainment, sports events, and viral videos.[1][3] The format centers on Bracewell and McDonald leading a panel of rotating guest comedians and personalities who react to curated video clips and discuss topical events in a lighthearted, satirical style.[4] Episodes typically run for around 45 minutes and are available to stream on 10 Play following broadcast.[1][5] By 2025, the series had entered its fifth season, with episodes continuing to air regularly; season 5 concluded on 18 November 2025 with a year-in-review episode.[4][6] Critically, The Cheap Seats has been praised for its consistent humor and timely commentary, earning an IMDb user rating of 7.2 out of 10 based on over 200 reviews as of November 2025.[4] It serves as a companion program to Have You Been Paying Attention?, sharing a similar witty approach to current events while distinguishing itself through its focus on visual clips and broader pop culture coverage.[1]Overview
Premise and format
The Cheap Seats is a weekly Australian comedy panel television series that reviews video clips from the previous week's events in sports, news, politics, and pop culture, delivering humorous commentary from an everyday perspective. The show's core premise revolves around the "cheap seats" viewpoint, capturing the reactions of ordinary viewers to timely and often absurd happenings rather than providing expert analysis, thereby highlighting relatable and overlooked aspects of current events. Produced by Working Dog—the team behind similar comedy formats—it premiered on Network 10 on 20 July 2021 as a companion to established panel shows, emphasizing fresh, week-specific content over evergreen topics.[3][7][8] Episodes follow a straightforward format centered on a panel of comedians gathered at a simple desk, where hosts introduce and react to curated video clips in real time, fostering a mix of prepared sketches and spontaneous banter. The structure prioritizes clip-driven discussions that blend light-hearted critique with improvised humor, avoiding deep political satire in favor of entertaining takes on viral moments, sports highlights, and pop culture quirks. Running for approximately 43 minutes per episode, the show maintains a fast-paced rhythm to cover a broad range of weekly stories efficiently.[7][9][2] The format's lo-fi aesthetic underscores its "cheap seats" ethos, with minimal production elements like basic sets and no elaborate visuals, allowing the panel's chemistry and clip selection to drive the comedy. Across seasons, subtle refinements have included greater incorporation of social media clips and digital trends to align with evolving viewer habits, while preserving the core focus on accessible, timely humor.[10][11]Production history
The Cheap Seats was developed by Working Dog Productions, the team behind Have You Been Paying Attention?, as a comedic news review show aimed at younger audiences with a fast-paced format drawing on viral clips and current events. The concept had been in development for years, with producers Tom Gleisner and Rob Sitch refining the idea to complement their existing quiz-style program by focusing on satirical commentary rather than questions and answers. Internal pilots were produced to test the format, emphasizing scripted setups and punchlines delivered by emerging talent. Network 10 greenlit the series in early 2021 amid ongoing COVID-19 lockdowns in Australia, which had disrupted comedy programming schedules and created a gap for light-hearted content that could be produced under restricted conditions.[12] The show premiered on 20 July 2021, airing Tuesdays at 9:00 pm on Network 10 and 10 Play, with hosts Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald selected for their fresh energy—Bracewell, a New Zealand comedian known for her stand-up and writing on Wellington Paranormal, and McDonald, a Working Dog staffer who had appeared as a guest on Have You Been Paying Attention?. Production adapted to pandemic protocols, filming without a live studio audience initially and relying on a crew of around 60 to provide on-set reactions, while incorporating remote elements where necessary to minimize health risks. Key producers included Working Dog founders Rob Sitch, Santo Cilauro, and Tom Gleisner, alongside executive producer Michael Hirsh, who oversaw the curation of weekly news segments by a small research team of about six writers. Taping occurred in Melbourne studios, specifically in South Yarra, allowing the show to maintain its Melbourne-based operations despite lockdowns.[2][13][12][14] Following a strong debut driven by its timely humor during restricted times, the series saw rapid renewals tied to solid ratings, particularly among the 25-54 demographic, where it consistently ranked in the top 20 programs. Season 2 was confirmed shortly after the premiere due to positive viewer feedback and competition performance against events like the Tokyo Olympics. Subsequent seasons built on this success, with announcements for Season 3 in late 2022, Season 4 in early 2024, and Season 5 in April 2025, reflecting Network 10's commitment to the format as a cornerstone of its comedy slate through at least 2025. Production evolved post-lockdowns to reintroduce live audiences in the Melbourne studio, enhancing the energetic atmosphere, while maintaining the core team's involvement to ensure consistency in satirical tone and visual style.[12][15][16]Cast
Hosts
The Cheap Seats is hosted by New Zealand comedian Melanie Bracewell and Australian comedian Tim McDonald, who have led the show since its premiere in 2021.[13] Both were selected for their prior guest appearances on the related panel show Have You Been Paying Attention?, where they demonstrated strong comedic timing and chemistry, making them ideal for a spin-off focused on satirical news coverage.[13] As of its fifth season in 2025, the duo continues to anchor the program, guiding discussions on weekly events with a mix of banter, clip commentary, and quiz elements.[17] Melanie Bracewell, born in Beach Haven, Auckland, New Zealand, began her comedy career as a stand-up performer in 2014 and quickly gained recognition with awards including the Billy T Award for best emerging comedian and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival's Director’s Choice Award in 2021 for her show The Rumours Are True.[13] She comes from a sporting lineage, with two uncles and two cousins who played for New Zealand's national cricket team, the Black Caps.[18] Bracewell's style features quick wit and self-deprecating Kiwi humor, often drawing from personal observations, which she honed through writing for shows like Wellington Paranormal and performing on 7 Days.[13] On The Cheap Seats, she serves as a primary banter leader and clip introducer, injecting sharp, relatable commentary that enhances the show's fast-paced dynamic.[13] Tim McDonald, born on 24 July 1993 in Australia, entered the comedy scene through digital and production roles at Working Dog, the company behind Have You Been Paying Attention?, where he spent six years before transitioning to on-screen work.[13] His early career included guest spots on panel shows like Hughesy, We Have a Problem and Have You Been Paying Attention?, building his reputation for improvisation and audience engagement.[13] McDonald's hosting style emphasizes physical comedy and sharp one-liners, complemented by his background in acting.[13] In the program, he moderates quizzes and drives interactive segments, contributing to the brotherly yet chaotic energy that defines the hosts' interplay with panelists.[13]Panelists and guests
The panel on The Cheap Seats features a rotating cast of 4 to 6 comedians, sports commentators, and media personalities per episode, who join the hosts to deliver satirical and insightful commentary on curated clips from sports, news, and pop culture events.[19] These contributors are chosen for their ability to align with the episode's themes, often bringing specialized knowledge or humorous perspectives to amplify the show's comedic dissection of the week's highlights.[8] Regular panelists include comedian Mel Tracina, who has been a frequent presence as the cultural correspondent since the show's debut in 2021, renowned for her sharp takes on entertainment and pop culture trends.[17][20] Another staple is Adam Rozenbachs, a comedian with a sports background, who regularly offers witty analysis on athletic events and competitions.[21] In the show's early seasons, sports satirist Titus O'Reilly served as a key regular panelist and correspondent, providing expert parody on sporting news until his departure following the 2023 season.[22] Notable guests have included celebrities from sports, acting, and media, such as actress and broadcaster Julia Zemiro, who has made multiple appearances discussing current events with her signature humor.[8] Athletes and Olympians, like singer Nikki Webster reflecting on her iconic Sydney 2000 Olympics performance, have joined for thematic episodes, alongside comedians like Tony Martin, a Working Dog production alum, for recurring satirical insights.[23] Other examples feature international talents such as French comedian Celya AB and Australian funnyman Ray O'Leary, adding diverse viewpoints to the discussions.[21][24] Over time, the panel composition evolved to emphasize greater diversity, particularly in seasons 4 and 5, with increased inclusion of female voices like Tracina and guests such as Zemiro and AB, alongside a broader mix of cultural perspectives to reflect contemporary Australian media.[17][25] This shift followed O'Reilly's exit, allowing for fresher rotations while maintaining the show's focus on relevant, humorous expertise.[22]Content
Recurring segments
The Cheap Seats revolves around a core recurring segment centered on curated news clips from the previous week, where hosts Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald (or substitute co-hosts) provide witty, light-hearted commentary on major, minor, and absurd stories, emphasizing entertainment over analysis.[19] These clips often highlight global events with Australian relevance, such as international sports controversies or viral moments involving local figures, maintaining a focus on humorous, non-political satire.[7] Specialized recurring segments include dedicated coverage of sports and entertainment. The sports segment, originally presented by comedian Titus O'Reily through 2023, featured deadpan recaps of athletic events, blending factual rundowns with quirky observations on athletes and media coverage.[26] Entertainment updates are handled by Mel Tracina, who dissects celebrity news, TV mishaps, and pop culture oddities in a similarly comedic vein, often joined by panelists like Adam Rozenbachs for added banter.[27] Viral videos and social media highlights form another staple, showcasing trending online content like unusual animal behaviors or public gaffes to amplify the show's accessible, shareable appeal.[19] Over time, the segments have evolved to incorporate more contemporary elements, such as expanded viral and social media reactions starting in season 3, reflecting shifts in audience consumption habits.[10] In season 5 (2025, as of November), adaptations for temporary host changes—with comedian Carlo Ritchie filling in for Tim McDonald in early November episodes—introduced fresher improv-style interactions within the clip commentaries, enhancing panelist involvement without altering the core structure.[28] Each segment typically runs 5-10 minutes, utilizing simple graphics and sound effects for punchy transitions, prioritizing quick-paced entertainment drawn from Australian-centric global stories.[7]Episode structure
A typical episode of The Cheap Seats adheres to a consistent blueprint that balances scripted humor with spontaneous panel reactions, delivering an approximately 42-minute fast-paced review of the week's news, sports, and viral moments. The program opens with a brief 2-3 minute monologue from hosts Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald, where they introduce key stories and establish the comedic lens through quick-witted banter. This transitions into the core clip review segment, spanning about 20-25 minutes, during which the rotating panel of comedians and experts watches and comments on curated footage from broadcasts, social media, and events, blending prepared gags with off-the-cuff insights.[19][12] The panel provides ongoing engagement through reactions and banter integrated across the segments, including specialized sports and entertainment coverage. The episode wraps with a 5-minute closing recap, highlighting standout moments and teasing upcoming topics, ensuring a tight narrative arc that keeps viewers hooked. Commercial breaks are seamlessly integrated around these segments, typically after the opening, mid-clip reviews, and before the finale, to align with broadcast scheduling.[12] Pacing is frenetic and digestible, reflecting short-form content trends, with runtime occasionally adjusted for tie-ins to major live events like sports finals, allowing flexibility in segment lengths without disrupting the overall flow. Variations occur in special episodes, such as year-end reviews that extend montages of top clips for reflective compilations rather than weekly recaps. Early seasons, particularly during COVID-19 restrictions in 2021, incorporated more virtual elements, with panelists in separate studio rooms or remote setups to minimize delays and ensure safety, adapting the in-person dynamic while preserving interactive commentary.[12][29] Technical aspects enhance the casual, stadium-gallery vibe: the title sequence features animated visuals evoking "cheap seats" in a sports arena, accompanied by upbeat theme music that sets a lively tone. Transition music—short, jaunty stings—bridges segments, underscoring punchlines or clip shifts to sustain energy without overt production flair.[30]Broadcast history
Seasons overview
The first season of The Cheap Seats premiered in 2021 with 19 episodes, airing from 20 July to 23 November 2021 during the later stages of COVID-19 restrictions in Australia, which affected production with limited live audiences and remote elements. The content focused on news recaps, including pandemic-altered sports like the Tokyo Olympics.[5] Season 2 in 2022 consisted of 30 episodes, airing from 26 April to 15 November 2022, expanding coverage to international events like the Commonwealth Games alongside Australian news, with occasional guest hosts and on-location segments.[9] The third season, with 30 episodes airing from 9 May to 28 November 2023, emphasized major events such as the AFL Grand Final and global sports, hosted by Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald. Season 4 in 2024 featured 30 episodes from 30 April to 19 November 2024, hosted by Bracewell and McDonald, incorporating digital clips and social media for commentary on events like the Paris Olympics.[31] Season 5 aired 30 episodes from 29 April to 18 November 2025, hosted primarily by Bracewell and McDonald with some fill-ins, adapting to streaming formats. This season concluded on 18 November 2025.[9] Across seasons, the show aired weekly on Tuesdays, resulting in a total of 139 episodes by the end of season 5, demonstrating adaptability to scheduling and events.[4]Episode list
The Cheap Seats features untitled episodes that each provide a comedic recap of the week's major and minor news stories, sports events, entertainment, and viral moments, often featuring recurring panelists like Mel Tracina alongside rotating guests. The series airs weekly on Tuesdays during its seasons. As of November 2025, five seasons have concluded. The complete episode catalog is listed below by season, with air dates and brief summaries of featured topics where specific details are available; otherwise, episodes follow the standard format of weekly news review. Guest panelists and topics vary but emphasize humorous takes on current events such as sports scandals, political news, and pop culture.[32][9][33]Season 1 (2021)
Season 1 ran from July to November 2021, consisting of 19 episodes focused on news recaps during the Tokyo Olympics period and early post-pandemic events.[34]| No. | Air date | Summary of featured topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | July 20, 2021 | Review of major and minor news stories, including early Olympic anticipation and viral entertainment clips, with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Natasha Exelby.[34] |
| 2 | July 27, 2021 | Coverage of news, entertainment, and viral videos, highlighting Olympic opening and sports updates.[34] |
| 3 | August 3, 2021 | Recap of the week's news, entertainment, and viral videos, featuring ongoing Olympic events.[34] |
| 4 | August 10, 2021 | Standard weekly review of news stories, sports, and pop culture moments.[33] |
| 5 | August 17, 2021 | Coverage of the week's news, entertainment, and viral videos, with Olympic highlights.[34] |
| 6 | August 24, 2021 | Recap of news, entertainment, and viral videos, including mid-Olympics sports scandals.[34] |
| 7 | August 31, 2021 | Review of the week's events, focusing on Olympic wrap-up and entertainment news.[34] |
| 8 | September 7, 2021 | Coverage of post-Olympics news, sports, and viral moments.[34] |
| 9 | September 14, 2021 | Recap of entertainment, news, and viral videos from the week.[34] |
| 10 | September 21, 2021 | Standard weekly news and sports review with panel discussion.[33] |
| 11 | September 28, 2021 | Coverage of current events, including viral news and entertainment.[33] |
| 12 | October 5, 2021 | Review of the week's sports and pop culture topics.[33] |
| 13 | October 12, 2021 | Humorous take on news stories and viral clips.[33] |
| 14 | October 19, 2021 | Recap of entertainment and sports scandals from the week.[33] |
| 15 | October 26, 2021 | Review of the week's events, wrapping season topics on news and viral news.[34] |
| 16 | November 2, 2021 | Standard weekly recap of news, entertainment, and sports. |
| 17 | November 9, 2021 | Coverage of current events and viral moments. |
| 18 | November 16, 2021 | Humorous review of the week's stories, including post-Olympics updates. |
| 19 | November 23, 2021 | Season finale recapping late-year news and entertainment highlights. |
Season 2 (2022)
Season 2 aired from April to November 2022, with 30 episodes covering a range of topics including political news, sports like the Commonwealth Games, and celebrity scandals; the finale was a year-end special.[9][35]| No. | Air date | Summary of featured topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 26, 2022 | Humorous coverage of the week's news, launching the season with entertainment recaps.[35] |
| 2 | May 3, 2022 | Review of news, entertainment, and viral videos.[35] |
| 3 | May 10, 2022 | Major news stories, entertainment, and viral videos in Reader's Digest style.[35] |
| 4 | May 17, 2022 | Weekly news, entertainment, and viral videos recap.[35] |
| 5 | May 24, 2022 | Standard review of the week's events with panel guests.[33] |
| 6 | May 31, 2022 | Coverage with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Archie Thompson, focusing on sports news.[35] |
| 7 | June 7, 2022 | News recap with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Adam Bandt on political topics.[35] |
| 8 | June 14, 2022 | Entertainment and news with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Ryan Moloney.[35] |
| 9 | June 21, 2022 | Viral videos and news with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Tony Martin.[35] |
| 10 | June 28, 2022 | Review with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Gen Fricker on pop culture.[35] |
| 11 | July 5, 2022 | Hosted by Melanie Bracewell and Emma Holland with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Costa Georgiadis, covering environmental and news topics.[35] |
| 12 | July 12, 2022 | News and entertainment with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Felicity Ward.[35] |
| 13 | July 19, 2022 | Sports and viral moments with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Matt Agnew.[35] |
| 14 | July 26, 2022 | Recap with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Karla Lopez on adventure news.[35] |
| 15 | August 2, 2022 | Weekly events with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Nicole Livingstone.[35] |
| 16 | August 9, 2022 | News with guests Mel Tracina, Sam Garlepp, and Maeve Plouffe on cycling sports.[35] |
| 17 | August 16, 2022 | Entertainment recap with guests Mel Tracina, Sam Garlepp, and Abbie Chatfield.[35] |
| 18 | August 23, 2022 | Viral news with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Ray O'Leary.[35] |
| 19 | August 30, 2022 | Sports topics with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Beau Ryan.[35] |
| 20 | September 6, 2022 | Music and news with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Myf Warhurst.[35] |
| 21 | September 13, 2022 | Comedy on current events with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Nazeem Hussain.[35] |
| 22 | September 20, 2022 | Weekly recap with guests Mel Tracina and Titus O'Reily.[35] |
| 23 | September 27, 2022 | Celebrity news with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Jonathan Van Ness.[35] |
| 24 | October 4, 2022 | Sports and entertainment with guests Mel Tracina, Adam Rozenbachs, and Concetta Caristo.[35] |
| 25 | October 11, 2022 | News review with guests Mel Tracina, Adam Rozenbachs, and Daniel Doody.[35] |
| 26 | October 18, 2022 | International topics with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, Bill Bailey, and Jo Weston.[35] |
| 27 | October 25, 2022 | Entertainment with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Rob Mills.[35] |
| 28 | November 1, 2022 | Viral and news stories with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Michael Hing.[35] |
| 29 | November 8, 2022 | Pre-finale recap with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Dane Simpson.[35] |
| 30 | November 15, 2022 | Year-end special reviewing 2022 highlights in sports, news, and entertainment with guests Mel Tracina, Titus O'Reily, and Sam Pang.[35] |
Season 3 (2023)
Season 3 aired from May to November 2023, with 30 episodes emphasizing sports like the AFL Grand Final recap and global events; specific guest details include appearances by Anthony Albanese in one episode.[9][36]| No. | Air date | Summary of featured topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 9, 2023 | Season premiere reviewing the week's news and entertainment.[36] |
| 2 | May 16, 2023 | Standard weekly recap of sports and viral news.[33] |
| 3 | May 23, 2023 | Coverage of entertainment and current events.[33] |
| 4 | May 30, 2023 | News and pop culture review.[33] |
| 5 | June 6, 2023 | Humorous take on the week's stories.[33] |
| 6 | June 13, 2023 | Sports-focused recap.[33] |
| 7 | June 20, 2023 | Entertainment and viral videos.[33] |
| 8 | June 27, 2023 | Weekly news highlights.[33] |
| 9 | July 4, 2023 | Review including mid-year events.[33] |
| 10 | July 11, 2023 | Standard format with panel discussion on news.[33] |
| 11 | July 18, 2023 | Sports and entertainment topics.[33] |
| 12 | July 25, 2023 | Viral moments and current affairs.[33] |
| 13 | August 1, 2023 | Recap of the week's major stories.[33] |
| 14 | August 8, 2023 | News and celebrity scandals.[33] |
| 15 | August 15, 2023 | Entertainment review.[33] |
| 16 | August 22, 2023 | Review of the week, including sports updates.[36] |
| 17 | August 29, 2023 | Fun look at news and viral content.[36] |
| 18 | September 5, 2023 | Weekly events recap.[33] |
| 19 | September 12, 2023 | Sports and pop culture.[33] |
| 20 | September 19, 2023 | Coverage with guests Mel Tracina, Concetta Caristo, and Anthony Albanese on political and news topics.[36] |
| 21 | September 26, 2023 | Grand Final-related sports recap and entertainment.[33] |
| 22 | October 3, 2023 | Post-Grand Final news review.[33] |
| 23 | October 10, 2023 | Viral and current events.[33] |
| 24 | October 17, 2023 | Entertainment highlights.[33] |
| 25 | October 24, 2023 | Sports scandals and news.[33] |
| 26 | October 31, 2023 | Weekly recap.[33] |
| 27 | November 7, 2023 | Pre-finale topics.[33] |
| 28 | November 14, 2023 | Year-end preview.[33] |
| 29 | November 21, 2023 | News and entertainment wrap-up.[33] |
| 30 | November 28, 2023 | Season finale with year-in-review special on 2023 events like the Grand Final.[36] |
Season 4 (2024)
Season 4 ran from April to November 2024, comprising 30 episodes with recurring segments on sports and viral news; no specific cancellations were reported.[9][33]| No. | Air date | Summary of featured topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 30, 2024 | Season premiere recapping weekly news and sports.[33] |
| 2 | May 7, 2024 | Entertainment and viral videos review.[33] |
| 3 | May 14, 2024 | News stories and pop culture.[33] |
| 4 | May 21, 2024 | Standard weekly coverage.[33] |
| 5 | May 28, 2024 | Sports and current events.[33] |
| 6 | June 4, 2024 | Recap of entertainment highlights.[33] |
| 7 | June 11, 2024 | Viral news and panel discussion.[33] |
| 8 | June 18, 2024 | Weekly sports scandals.[33] |
| 9 | June 25, 2024 | News and entertainment recap.[33] |
| 10 | July 2, 2024 | Mid-season review of events.[33] |
| 11 | July 9, 2024 | Pop culture and viral moments.[33] |
| 12 | July 16, 2024 | Sports-focused topics, including Olympic previews.[33] |
| 13 | July 23, 2024 | Current affairs humor.[33] |
| 14 | July 30, 2024 | Entertainment news.[33] |
| 15 | August 6, 2024 | Weekly viral clips.[33] |
| 16 | August 13, 2024 | Sports and news recap, featuring Paris Olympics updates.[33] |
| 17 | August 20, 2024 | Panel on recent events.[33] |
| 18 | August 27, 2024 | Entertainment scandals.[33] |
| 19 | September 3, 2024 | Grand Final preview topics.[33] |
| 20 | September 10, 2024 | Sports news review.[33] |
| 21 | September 17, 2024 | Post-Grand Final recap.[33] |
| 22 | September 24, 2024 | Viral and pop culture.[33] |
| 23 | October 1, 2024 | Weekly news highlights.[33] |
| 24 | October 8, 2024 | Entertainment focus.[33] |
| 25 | October 15, 2024 | Sports updates.[33] |
| 26 | October 22, 2024 | Current events recap.[33] |
| 27 | October 29, 2024 | Pre-finale topics.[33] |
| 28 | November 5, 2024 | Year-end preview.[33] |
| 29 | November 12, 2024 | News and sports wrap-up.[33] |
| 30 | November 19, 2024 | Season finale year-in-review special.[9] |
Season 5 (2025)
Season 5 aired from April to November 2025, with 30 episodes featuring topics like political news and sports. The season concluded on 18 November 2025.[9][37]| No. | Air date | Summary of featured topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 29, 2025 | Review of the week with guests Mel Tracina, Anne Edmonds, and Chloe Petts on news and entertainment.[37] |
| 2 | May 6, 2025 | Unpack of news with guests Mel Tracina, Santo Cilauro, and Mike Goldstein.[37] |
| 3 | May 13, 2025 | Weekly recap with guests Mel Tracina, Anthony Green, and Danny Estrin on music and events.[37] |
| 4 | May 20, 2025 | Coverage with guests Mel Tracina, Adam Rozenbachs, and Celya Ab on pop culture.[37] |
| 5 | May 27, 2025 | Review with guests Mel Tracina, the Philippou Brothers, and Luke Rocca on viral topics.[37] |
| 6 | June 3, 2025 | News unpack with guests Mel Tracina, Andy Allen, Emma Holland, and George Kapiniaris.[37] |
| 7 | June 10, 2025 | Standard weekly sports and news recap.[33] |
| 8 | June 17, 2025 | Entertainment and viral videos.[33] |
| 9 | June 24, 2025 | Current events discussion.[33] |
| 10 | July 1, 2025 | Mid-year news highlights.[33] |
| 11 | July 8, 2025 | Sports topics recap.[33] |
| 12 | July 15, 2025 | Pop culture and scandals.[33] |
| 13 | July 22, 2025 | Weekly viral moments.[33] |
| 14 | July 29, 2025 | Entertainment review.[33] |
| 15 | August 5, 2025 | News and political humor.[33] |
| 16 | August 12, 2025 | Sports updates.[33] |
| 17 | August 19, 2025 | Current affairs recap.[33] |
| 18 | August 26, 2025 | Viral news focus.[33] |
| 19 | September 2, 2025 | Entertainment and sports.[33] |
| 20 | September 9, 2025 | Grand Final-related topics.[33] |
| 21 | September 16, 2025 | Post-event recaps.[33] |
| 22 | September 23, 2025 | Weekly news stories.[33] |
| 23 | September 30, 2025 | Pop culture highlights.[33] |
| 24 | October 7, 2025 | Sports scandals review.[33] |
| 25 | October 14, 2025 | Entertainment viral clips.[33] |
| 26 | October 21, 2025 | Current events humor.[33] |
| 27 | October 28, 2025 | Pre-finale recap.[33] |
| 28 | November 4, 2025 | Review of the week's news with hosts Melanie Bracewell and Carlo Ritchie, joined by guests.[38] |
| 29 | November 11, 2025 | Standard weekly recap of news, sports, and entertainment. |
| 30 | November 18, 2025 | Season finale year-in-review special on 2025 highlights. |
Reception
Critical response
The Cheap Seats has received generally positive critical reception for its sharp, clip-based humor that satirizes current events and news bloopers, often praised as a lighter alternative to more serious current affairs programs like The Project. Reviewers have highlighted the show's effortless comedy and consistent laughs, with one critic describing it as "the most consistently funny show on Australian television" due to its clever curation of viral clips and witty panel banter.[10] Another outlet noted its emergence as a "surprise hit" during the 2021 lockdown period, appreciating the no-frills format that delivered accessible entertainment without relying on elaborate production.[7] Audience reception has been strong, evidenced by solid viewership figures on Network 10, attracting, for example, 488,000 national viewers for the episode on 14 October 2025, with total TV reach exceeding 800,000 including BVOD streaming, as seen in recent episodes.[39][40] The show has cultivated significant social media engagement, with viral clips from segments like news fails generating buzz on platforms such as Facebook and TikTok, where fans share highlights and memes that amplify its reach beyond traditional broadcasts.[41] Demand metrics indicate it outperforms the average Australian TV show by over nine times, placing it in the top 3% for audience interest.[42] Culturally, The Cheap Seats filled a notable void in Australian comedy programming during the 2021 pandemic restrictions, providing timely satirical relief when live events were scarce, and its format has influenced subsequent clip-driven comedy shows by emphasizing quick-witted commentary on everyday absurdities. Recurring elements, such as the "Clip of the Week," have spawned widespread memes that resonate in online discussions of media mishaps.[7][11] Later seasons have been positively noted for promoting inclusivity through diverse guest panelists and topics, enhancing its reputation as a progressive comedy outlet. In 2025, the show continued to perform well, with the 18 November episode attracting 436,000 national viewers and a total TV reach of 850,000.[40]Awards and nominations
The Cheap Seats has garnered recognition from prominent Australian television awards bodies, including the TV Week Logie Awards and the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards, highlighting its impact in the light entertainment and comedy genres. The series earned its first major accolade in 2023 and has accumulated several nominations across categories focused on entertainment programming and emerging talent.[43]| Year | Award Body | Category | Nominee | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | TV Week Logie Awards | Most Popular New Talent | Melanie Bracewell | Nominated[44] |
| 2023 | TV Week Logie Awards | Most Outstanding Entertainment Program | The Cheap Seats | Won[43] |
| 2024 | AACTA Awards | Best Light Entertainment / Comedy | The Cheap Seats (Michael Hirsh, Deb Herman, Rob Sitch – Working Dog Productions / Network 10) | Nominated[45] |
| 2025 | AACTA Awards | Best Light Entertainment / Comedy | The Cheap Seats (Michael Hirsh, Deb Herman, Rob Sitch – Working Dog Productions / Network 10) | Nominated[46] |