Good But.....

Right I'm from the UK and really liked The Micallef Programme and find Micallef himself a very funny bloke.
I'm currently watching the first series of NEWStopia on YouTube and I can't help but think he has really taken a huge influence for this from the two UK Chris Morris shows The Day Today & Brass Eye.
I'm not saying it's a total rip-off but it's naughtily close, and it goes a bit beyond just influence.

I'm not one of these types who moans about rip-offs everywhere because I take things for what they are, and the saying "everythings already been done" is hard to deny.
I'm glad I found the show and am enjoying the episodes, although some jokes are a bit beyond me as I don't follow the news in Australia (I have lived there though) and it's not even the actual current affairs in the ones I'm watching anyway.
That's a point actually, The Day Today & Brass Eye were pretty much 100% fictional stories whereas Micallef is mixing that with real news, something which made the Chris Morris shows not really appear dated today and Newstopia possibly will be in the near future and only Micallef fans will enjoy this in years to come.

I also always in the back of my mind felt The Micallef Programme was very similar to Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge, which was also many years before.
As I say I'm not exactly complaining or flaming Micallef as there is nothing wrong with what he's done, and it's good he takes the influence from such great comedy performers but it's possibly good to know that he's not being totally original.

Anyone whose seen Brass Eye will not fail to also notice even the opening titles and Micallef's eye is lifted straight from Chris Morris' titles.

Anyone who likes this, should definitely check out the shows I mention.