Popular improv series Thank God You’re Here returning after 14 years

A much-loved Aussie sketch comedy show is gearing up for its big return to television after more than a decade.

Improvised comedy series Thank God You’re Here is gearing up for its big return to Aussie television after 14 years.

Network 10 teased the program’s revival during on-air promotions at the Australian Grand Prix over the weekend, with TV Tonight later confirming the happy news with fans.

“The much-loved comedy program is walking back through that door and on to our screens later this year,” said Daniel Monaghan, senior vice president of content and programming at Paramount ANZ – the US parent of Network Ten.

“Thank God You’re Here holds a special place in our hearts at Network 10. It was one of the most talked about shows on Australian television and was responsible for launching and celebrating a wealth of intelligent, lively and hilarious Australian talent,” the statement said.

Thank God You’re Here is set to return to TV screens after 14 years off-air. Picture: Network 10

“The show’s fast-paced and quick-witted format resonates, captivates and engages viewers. We’re so excited for the show’s return to our screens and we can’t wait to see what we’re about to walk into next. To put it bluntly … thank God it’s back!”

TGYH was hosted by comedian Shane Bourne and ran for three seasons on Network 10, from 2006 to 2007, before defecting to Seven in 2009 for its final season.

This time around, comedian and actress Celia Pacquola will be the host in charge of inviting a guest comedian to walk through the famous blue door and into a scene where an ensemble cast will greet them with the show’s famous catchcry, “Thank God You’re Here.”

The comedian must then improvise the remainder of the scene in character for five minutes.

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Comedian Shane Bourne hosted Thank God You're Here from all four seasons from 2006 to 2009. Picture: Network 10

Thank God You're Here’s famous blue door. Picture: Network 10

“I’m so excited Thank God You’re Here is coming back, and I’m thrilled to host because that means I’ll be in the best position to watch it,” Pacquola – who currently stars on the hit Binge series Love Me – said in a statement. “I can’t wait to send comedians through the big blue door and not have to go through it myself.”

Casting is currently under way for actors with improvisation skills. In the original series, local acts such as Hamish Blake, Rebel Wilson, Anh Do and many more were invited to participate. Ed Kavalee was part of the ensemble cast during all four seasons and now co-hosts the Hit Network’s breakfast show, Hughesy, Ed & Erin.

New host Celia Pacquola. Picture: Josie Hayden

Ed Kavalee (second from right) was part of the Thank God You're Here ensemble cast. Picture: Network 10

In a previous interview with news.com.au, Kavalee revealed what it was like appearing on the iconic show, including how hard it was to keep a straight face among the guest comedians.

“Shaun Micallef looks like a lawyer, because he is one, but he’s an anarchist. He would pick up things, he would flip pieces of the set and he would try and open doors on the set that weren’t meant to open,” Kavalee recalled in the 2020 interview.

So how did he refrain from laughing on set?

“The secret was, we were always taking what the guest said seriously, not too seriously, but seriously enough,” Kavalee said.

“Josh Lawson is one of my closest friends and he was on the show as a guest and as soon as he saw me, he would just walk up to me in the scenario and just try and start making me laugh and I was like, ‘It’s not going to happen.’”