Super City (TV series)

Super City is a television comedy series from New Zealand starring Madeleine Sami and directed by Taika Waititi. Season 1 premiered on the TV3 network in 2011.[1] The series was picked up by the American Broadcasting Company in 2012.[2] It opened with a healthy 24 percent share of the 25-54 age bracket, earning it 11th place on TV3's rating table for the week.[3] The second season, directed by Oscar Kightley, premiered on 26 July 2013.

Super City
GenreComedy
Created byMadeleine Sami
Written by
Directed by
StarringMadeleine Sami
Country of originNew Zealand
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes14
Production
ProducerCarthew Neal
Running time23 minutes
Release
Original networkTV3
Original release11 February 2011 (2011-02-11) –
20 September 2013 (2013-09-20)

Overview

In Season 1, Madeleine Sami transforms into five different characters, all living in Auckland. Pasha is an aging cheerleader clinging to her partying lifestyle; Azeem is an immigrant taxi driver embracing Maori culture; Jo is a gym instructor in love with her best friend; Linda is the runt of her "old girls" clique fostering impoverished artists; and Georgie is a homeless girl whose freedom is unexpectedly interrupted.[4]

In Season 2, Madeleine transforms into some new characters, including Levi Tutaima, a 20-year-old Niuean who's keen on making his way as a semi-professional rugby star, but is concerned with getting his hair right and fitting in; 26-year-old Ofa Faka'apa'apa, a benefit case-manager who has little sympathy for those who need state help and is always ready to provide unorthodox advice; 45-year-old Mary Dalziel who, while not on the path to pop stardom anymore, still awkwardly flirts her way around the local covers band scene; and 62-year-old Ray Donaldson, a British panel beater who does his best to teach his immigrant employees while also supporting his bodybuilder wife Tiffany. The second season also features other characters, including Urzila Carlson as Ofa's manager and Elroy Finn as Mary's son.[5]

Episodes

There are six episodes in the show's first season:

Episode
number		 Original air date
1TBA11 February 2011 (2011-02-11)
An observational comedy starring Madeleine Sami as five very different characters living in one super city.
2TBA18 February 2011 (2011-02-18)
Homeless girl Georgie adapts to being a new mum, Linda finds her tortured young artist, Jo has a new rival at the gym, Pasha shows off her acting abilities, and poor old Azeem just ain’t having luck with the ladies.
3TBA25 February 2011 (2011-02-25)
Georgie is loving motherhood, Azeem must find ways of making money, Linda tries to impress with her Polynesian rapper, Jo reaffirms her heterosexuality. And could Pasha have found love?.
4TBA4 March 2011 (2011-03-04)
Super City Pasha’s party girl lifestyle takes its toll, Azeem attempts to make Maori friends don't go to plan, Jo is losing her grip as her feelings for Tracy get stronger, Georgie's maternal instincts kick in and Linda is ashamed of her artistic endeavours.
5TBA18 March 2011 (2011-03-18)
Pasha gets pushed to her limits, Georgie fights to keep her baby, Jo’s emotions get the better of her, Azeem gets some surprise visitors and Linda gets P Money to help her rapper.
6TBA25 March 2011 (2011-03-25)
Georgie attempts a normal life; Jo comes out; Pasha's party spirit reignites; Linda lets loose on the ladies; and Azeem gets the surprise of a lifetime.

Awards

Madeleine Sami won Best Performance by an Actress at the 2011 Aotearoa Film & Television Awards (previously Qantas TV and Film Award). The series was a finalist in two other categories —Best Comedy and Best Script.[6]

Madeleine Sami and Tom Sainsbury also picked up Best Comedy Script award for Episode 3 at the 2011 SWANZ awards.

Reception

"Madeleine has an extraordinary ability to flit from character to character…she uses it to explore and have a good laugh at various aspects of 'being' Auckland. This is funny, this is funny, its smart and sharp," said Simon Wilson of Metro Magazine.

"Sami absolutely nailed these characters...very cleverly layered. Its a very good mix of comedy and tragedy. I'm disappointed it's a 6 episode season and we're halfway through. Its definitely definitely worth watching," said Sarah McMullan of National Radio.

"I applaud Super City, think it's very clever…Sami produces a medley of five very different Auckland stereotypes, obviously demonstrates her clever acting abilities and broad range," said Jane Bowron of Dominion Post.

"Have you been watching Super City? Well you should be. It shows an Auckland like you never see on TV and has genius observations and characters, great lines and it's surprising and fresh. And it is funny too. So good," said Simon Pound.

References
  1. "New season TV: Super City". The New Zealand Herald. 27 January 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  2. "ABC Greenlights Comedy Presentation 'Super City'". 25 April 2012.
  3. "New TV line-up cuts the mustard". The New Zealand Herald. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  4. "Home".
  5. "Meet Madeleine Sami's many faces - Television - NZ Herald News". The New Zealand Herald. 25 July 2013.
  6. "Welcome to the Aotearoa Film and Television Awards | AFTA 2011 - Aotearoa Film and Television Awards 2011". Archived from the original on 13 November 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
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