Comedy Festival 2018: Chelsea Zeller’s chat show host needs work in Massive Bitch ★★

BEHIND the scenes of a struggling TV show: Chelsea Zeller’s comedy characters have great accents but are working with thin material.

CHELSEA Zeller’s solo show is a great showcase for the young actor-comedian’s broad range of characters and accents, but in the context of the loose narrative she’s written, all those accents appear a little incongruous.

We’re on the set of the once-popular prime time Aussie TV show Do You Want The Good News? It’s a bit like a Project-Good Morning Australia hybrid.

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Lately, the show’s ratings have plummeted and it’s up to hard-nosed producer Vicki to turn things around.

The news/infotainment format allows Zeller to portray a range of guests (including a moronic, Hanson-esque politician and a clueless rugby league icon); front a number of infomercials (Boris the rope salesman is a highlight); and present a handful of news gags (including some timely material on cricket’s recent ball-tampering outcry).

Chelsea Zeller nails a broad range of accents in Massive Bitch.

Besides Boris (Russian accent), there’s Mel B. spruiking Weight Watchers (Brit accent); a guest psychic (American accent); Vicki herself (another British accent); co-hosts Hugh and Angie (Aussie accents); and when Vicki is forced to fill in after the co-hosts unexpectedly quit, she inexplicably chooses to adopt a good ‘ole gal persona (southern American accent).

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There’s no denying Zeller’s mastery of accents. She’s an engaging performer with obvious talent. But more time spent on other nuances of character besides clever voices might have made for a sharper, more satisfying show.

Chelsea Zeller, Massive Bitch

The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, Melbourne until April 8.

comedyfestival.com.au