The Hollowmen is the latest show by the Working Dog folks, the people behind The Late Show, Frontline, The Panel and Thank God You're Here. On this form alone it would seem like a must watch for at least the first two shows (which in my mind is how long it takes to get a sense of show's potential).
The fact that it's based around politics in Canberra and takes what looks like a Frontline type approach to the whole exercise - broad general humour mashed up with smart social comment - for me makes it an absolute must.
It's set in the Central Policy Unit of the federal government -
a special think tank personally set up by the Prime Minister to help him in the most important job of all - getting reelected.
It's all about the world of public servants and political advisors - the unelected "power behind the power".
They've been very careful to keep the details scant - the most you can get is from the website at http://www.abc.net.au/tv/hollowmen/#/home, which does offer some promise.
It's a little interesting that is taken so long to come to screen - given that the idea first came up when Santo Cilauro was making a documentary in 1996 about Paul Keating's last election campaign. Harder to get it made while little Johnny was running the show?
(Not entirely sure if there is some subtle point being made by using music from a New Zealand band on the promo - perhaps the sound designer is a kiwi)
