If podcasts are good enough for everyone else, they’re good enough for Chris Lilley: the comedian has launched a series as Ja’mie King.
We all know the old line “those who can’t do, teach”, but perhaps there should be an updated version for the 2020’s: “those who can’t do, make podcasts”. It seems like every person and their dog has their own podcast these days, spouting their opinions on any matter the mind can imagine (usually serial killers and crime but that’s another issue).
As per The Sydney Morning Herald, it’s Chris Lilley’s turn now. He’s launched a new weekly 15-minute podcast series called Ja’miezing. It will see him reprise his role as the insufferable Sydney private school girl Ja’mie, now a probably even more insufferable uni student.
“So this podcast is an assignment for uni and I really need you to subscribe to it so I pass my social media subject,” Ja’mie wrote on a new Facebook page made especially for the podcast. “Seriously. It’s gonna be a weekly thing and I’m gonna give you tips on beauty and relationships and crap like that. I’ve got a lot to tell you. Also. Sorry if anyone’s offended. I’m trying hard to be woke but like no offence if I offend you.”
Where is Ja’mie now, you ask? In episode one, we find Lilley’s character expressing her anxiety about getting “cancelled”, while exhibiting just why this fate might befall her anyway.
“I’m young, white, hot – and I’m Ja’miezing,” she says in an antagonising introduction, before explaining that she’s in her final year of a PR degree and is becoming an influencer. And like the rest of us, poor Ja’mie suffered because of COVID-19. Borders being shut meant she had to cancel a luxurious Croatian yacht cruise.
The descent to podcasts makes sense once you consider Lilley’s recent past. It’s the first we’ve heard from the much-maligned Chris Lilley since his Netflix show Lunatics was released on Netflix two years ago this month. Lunatics was poorly received, a new generation of viewers not responding well to Lilley’s old school crassness.
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Last year the streaming service also removed four of his most popular shows, We Can Be Heroes, Summer Heights High, Angry Boys, and Jonah From Tonga. His direct portrayals of racially diverse characters naturally attracted controversy.
So it’s understandable that the comedian has been keeping a relatively low profile after all that. It’s not harmed him too much though, for Ja’miezing gained nearly 3,000 followers on Facebook in a matter of days. If you too want to keep up with Lilley and Ja’mie, episodes of the series are over on Apple Podcasts.
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Check out Ja’mie King’s best moments:
