"Outrageous Fortune" (2005) TV series

User Rating:

8.5/10   

Creators:

James Griffin
Rachel Lang

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

June 2005 (New Zealand)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

Plot Keywords:

Alcohol Abuse | Prison | Corruption | Gay Slur | Police

Awards:

6 nominations

Cast

Robyn Malcolm	...	Cheryl West (74 episodes, 2005-2009)
Antony Starr	...	Van West / ... (74 episodes, 2005-2009)
Antonia Prebble	...	Loretta West (74 episodes, 2005-2009)
Frank Whitten	...	'Grandpa' Ted West (74 episodes, 2005-2009)
Siobhan Marshall	...	Pascalle West (73 episodes, 2005-2009)
Tammy Davis	...	Munter (69 episodes, 2005-2009)
Kirk Torrance	...	Judd / ... (67 episodes, 2005-2009)
Nicole Whippy	...	Kasey (59 episodes, 2005-2009)
Grant Bowler	...	Wolfgang West / ... (52 episodes, 2005-2008)
Roz Turnbull	...	Rochelle / ... (38 episodes, 2005-2008)

Also Known As:

"Gia kaki tous tyhi" (Greece) [el]
"Hullud päevad" (Estonia) [et]
"Posketonta porukkaa" (Finland) [fi]

Runtime:

New Zealand:60 min

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:MA (some episodes) | New Zealand:R16

Filming Locations:

Auckland Central Business District, Auckland, New Zealand

Company:

South Pacific Pictures

Trivia:

Police vehicles used within the show are outdated versions of current NZ Police vehicles. The EL Ford Falcon was used by the NZ Police from 1998-2001 and phased out by early 2002.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In several of the first two series of 'OF', studio space can be seen above where the house ceiling should be. Mosty wide up-facing shots, but also in some scenes where the camera pans fast. 'OE' is filmed on a sound stage, not in the actual house shown as the exterior.

Quotes:

Munter: Yeah, it was float like a butterfly, sting like a wasp.
Eric: Bee.
Munter: What?
Eric: Nah, the saying goes 'float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.'
Munter: How do you know how it goes? I only just made it up.

Movie Connections:

Remade as "Honest" (2008)

Best Kiwi Drama Ever Created

This is undoubtedly one of the greatest Kiwi drama's ever created.

The acting is brilliant with a "who's who" of Kiwi actors (Robyn Malcolm, Frank Whitten) and also some great newcomers (Siobhan Marshall, Antony Starr) This show lets Kiwi's laugh at themselves, it's something that we can all relate to. An old 70's style house. A funeral party with a BBQ and heavy drinking.

Although it's hard to determine whether some parts of the show are comedy or drama, it's fairly easy and enjoyable to watch.

Thankfully it's been commissioned for a second season, a rare thing that happens with New Zealand TV. TV3 has finally seen that people enjoy homegrown shows, lets hope TVNZ does the same and would STOP CANCELLING ALL HOMEGROWN SHOWS! Overall - 9.5/10