Randling (2012)
Synopsis
Randling is a game show that hearkens back to the good old days when a point was a point and a team was something worth barracking for. Using sporting competition as inspiration and framework, Randling pits ten amazing teams against each other over 27 rounds of bone-crunching combat. White-water rafting for the brain, Randling is a show where smart people can be funny and funny people can be smart, where actual knowledge may help you, but just as likely won’t. It’s a cheeky, surprising show that allows Mr. Denton to live up to his hosting motto: "I’m Andrew and I’m not here to help". Mostly, Randling is a show where brilliant performers can come to play. And that’s play for fun as well as play to win. It’s a half hour filled with insight and insults, brilliance and bullshit. We guarantee every episode of will leave you at least 1% smarter and 100% happier.
Creator
Andrew Denton, Sophia Zachariou
Network
ABC TV
Episodes
Match 01: West Coast Odd Sox VS Southern Furies
The West Coast Odd Sox, radio host Merrick Watts and political journalist Annabel Crabb, continue their hundred year-old blood feud with the Southern Furies, TV host Julia Zemiro and Wheeler Centre director Michael Williams.
Match 02: Fitzroy Fireballs VS The Argopelters
In tonight's second round match, comedians Dave O'Neil and Anthony Morgan take on the might of The Chaser's Chris Taylor and First Tuesday Book Club's Jennifer Byrne.
Match 03: Roget's Ramjets VS The Help RC
Silver Logie-winning actor Rob Carlton and head librarian Robyn Butler go up against performer Angus Sampson and theatre actor Toby Schmitz.
Match 04: The Ducks of War VS Northern Thrusters
Comedians Felicity Ward and Heath Franklin go up against Renaissance woman Wendy Harmer and writer Benjamin Law.
Match 05: The Bette Davis Cup Squad VS Manchester & Haberdashery United
It's the final match of the first round and the last two of our ten duos make their debuts. The Bette Davis Cup Squad are up against Manchester and Haberdashery United.
Match 06: The Help RC VS Southern Furies
It's the start of round two. The Southern Furies meet The Help: Julia Zemiro and Michael Williams grapple with Angus Sampson and Toby Schmitz.
Match 07: The Ducks of War VS Roget's Ramjets
Kapow! Sock! Crunch! What have Batman graphics and sound effects have to do with a game show about words? The Ducks of War (Felicity Ward and Heath Franklin) and Roget's Ramjets (Robyn Butler and Rob Carlton) find out.
Match 08: West Coast Odd Sox VS Manchester & Haberdashery United
The West Coast Odd Sox (Annabel Crabb and Merrick Watts) parade their latest moves against a highly motivated and possibly dangerous Manchester and Haberdashery United (Genevieve Morris and Toby Truslove).
Match 09: Fitzroy Fireballs VS Northern Thrusters
This week a no-holds barred tussle between The Fitzroy Fireballs and The Northern Thrusters: Anthony Morgan and Dave O'Neil versus Wendy Harmer and Benjamin Law.
Match 10: The Bette Davis Cup Squad VS The Argopelters
The match-up every English teacher's been waiting for, The Bette Davis Cup Squad versus The Argopelters. Jonathan Biggins and David Marr take on Chris Taylor and Jennifer Byrne in a knock-em-down, drag-em-out contest.
Match 11: Southern Furies VS The Ducks of War
This week on Randling, a very special Either Or. We won't ruin the surprise by telling you what it is, but let us be clear: it may be simultaneously the hardest and yet stupidest so far. Attempting to scale its impossible north face are the Ducks of War and The Southern Furies: Felicity Ward, Heath Franklin, Michael Williams and Julia Zemiro. Other things to watch out for include: some rather rude airport identification codes, the terror of the Thought Grenade and the even greater terror of this week's Hard Sell invention, the 'Apparatus For Facilitating The Birth Of A Child By Centrifugal Force'.
Match 12: The Help RC VS The Argopelters
This week on Randling, another round of mortal combat on the battlefield of language. We welcome back The Help and The Argopelters: Angus Sampson, Toby Schmitz, Jennifer Byrne and Chris Taylor.
Match 13: Roget's Ramjets VS Northern Thrusters
Is it a paint colour or is it a porn star? The Northern Thrusters and Roget's Ramjets - Wendy Harmer, Benjamin Law, Robyn Butler and Rob Carlton - contemplate whether the hottest Ginger of all was on Gilligan's Island.
Match 14: West Coast Odd Sox VS The Bette Davis Cup Squad
The West Coast Odd Sox and Bette Davis Cup Squad - Jonathan Biggins, David Marr, Annabel Crabb and Merrick Watts battle each other and themselves as they try to tell the difference between baby names and IKEA products.
Match 15: Fitzroy Fireballs VS Manchester & Haberdashery United
Fitzroy Fireballs take on Manchester and Haberdashery United. In one of the most twisted Either Ors yet, the teams prove it isn't always easy to spot the difference between a cat and a currency.
Match 16: The Help RC VS West Coast Odd Sox
This week, The West Coast Odd Sox take on The Help. Find out: reasons not to buy nail polish, the world's most phallic building, the only English word with six z's in it, and the phrase, 'Stop talking Four Eyes!'
Match 17: Fitzroy Fireballs VS Southern Furies
It's game on as The Fitzroy Fireballs show an uncanny ability to tell the difference between Shakespearean characters and cars. The Southern Furies unveil 'The Awkward Hug', their answer to the Fireballs' trademark fist pump.
Match 18: Manchester & Haberdashery United VS Northern Thrusters
Wendy Harmer and teammate Benjamin Law take on Genevieve Morris and Toby Truslove in their last hit-out before the finals begin.
Match 19: The Ducks of War VS The Argopelters
The Ducks of War and The Argopelters come closer to actual blows than any previous match-up on the show after some early niggling from Pelter Jennifer Byrne gets under the skin of Ducks Felicity Ward and Heath Franklin.
Match 20: The Bette Davis Cup Squad VS Roget's Ramjets
Needing to rack up some quality points to stay in the comp, The Bette Davis Cup Squad - David Marr and Jonathan Biggins - grapple with Roget's Ramjets - Robyn Butler and Rob Carlton. It's an action-packed half hour.
Match 21 - Quarter Final: The Bette Davis Cup Squad VS Fitzroy Fireballs
The heat is on as the finals kick off with a sudden death match between the Bette Davis Cup Squad and the Fitzroy Fireballs. See David Marr and Jonathan Biggins go 'mano e mano' with Anthony Morgan and Dave O'Neil.
Match 22 - Quarter Final: West Coast Odd Sox VS The Argopelters
The knockout quarterfinals continue with the Argopelters and the West Coast Odd Sox. Watch as they try to tell the difference between a Catholic prayer and a poisonous plant. Watch as Chris Taylor and Jennifer Byrne search for chinks in the armour of Annabel Crabb and Merrick Watts.
Match 23 - Quarter Final: Roget's Ramjets VS The Help RC
The third sudden death quarterfinal brings together arch rivals Roget's Ramjets and The Help. See cup hopefuls Rob Carlton and Robyn Butler take on Toby Schmitz and Angus Sampson.
Match 24 - Quarter Final: The Ducks of War VS Manchester & Haberdashery United
It's an episode that asks 'Should you ever rub a horse on your neck?' Heavyweights The Ducks Of War use every trick in the playbook as they attempt to overcome the awesome force of Manchester and Haberdashery United. See Heath Franklin and Felicity Ward use every trick in the playbook as they attempt to overcome the awesome force of Genevieve Morris and Toby Truslove.
Match 25 - Semi Final: Fitzroy Fireballs VS The Help RC
It's Fitzroy Fireballs versus The Help, Anthony Morgan and Dave O'Neil staring down Angus Sampson and Toby Schmitz. Look out for Dave's convincing New Zealand accent and a list of Australian toilet-related place names.
Match 26 - Semi Final: The Ducks of War VS The Argopelters
Who will take on The Fitzroy Fireballs in the Grand Final? It's the Ducks of War vs the Argopelters, Felicity Ward and Heath Franklin throwing everything at Jennifer Byrne and Chris Taylor for cup-winning glory.
Match 27 - Grand Final: Fitzroy Fireballs VS The Ducks of War
And then there were two. The Fitzroy Fireballs and the Ducks of War. Anthony Morgan, Dave O'Neil, Felicity Ward and Heath Franklin, Randling's wordiest warriors. After 26 Moments of Truth, this is the real one. Who will win?
Cast
Details
Original Title
Randling
Status
Ended
Seasons
1
Episodes
27
Production
Zapruder's Other Films
