Have You Been Paying Attention? celebrates ten years of chaos

Not many Aussie shows make it to 10 years like Have You Been Paying Attention. Well, The Bachelor Australia has. And so has Australia’s Got Talent. Actually, maybe it’s not that hard after all…

At any rate, from humble beginnings way back in 2013, the comedy panel show, based around events in the news and fronted by host Tom Gleisner and regular panellists Ed Kavalee and Sam Pang, has grown into a ratings powerhouse for Network 10.

Have we been paying attention? Yes, we have – and we’ve liked what we’ve seen. Here, Ed, 43, tells TV WEEK what really makes him laugh…

Ten seasons! Can you believe it?

I can’t. To think Sam, Tom and I met on Tinder and we’re still together.

A lot has happened in the HYBPA? decade: what are some of your highlight memories?

When Glenn Robbins brought in his new Seniors card to show us and then dropped it behind his buzzer and we had to stop recording to get it out. Wonderful.

Any guests who surprised you?

Marty Sheargold is surprising to me and the network lawyers.

How does it feel to get back on set again for another year?

Fantastic. It’s the best fun.

How do you prep for a show that, by its very nature, has to be based on things happening as you record it?

I do daily radio on [Sydney’s] 2DayFM, so I have to read the news. I know that since Pang has left radio, he gets his news from the dark web.

At times, the comedy on HYBPA? verges on theatre sports/improv. Is that the case?

No. We’re far less organised than that.

The banter between you all is great – what’s that like to do?

To get to muck around with friends and new people every week is a joy. It’s also nice because, off-season, Tom, Pang and I communicate only through our lawyers.

There seem to be genuine moments of hilarity for you. Are you still surprised by what comes out of people’s mouths sometimes?

It’s my favourite part of the show. When someone says something so funny.

You’re the master of keeping a straight face – mostly – through this madness, but who makes you break?

It kills me when Kitty Flanagan [the comedian and Fisk star] gets fired up. It’s always over something ridiculous. Tom (please don’t tell him I said this) is the funniest, especially when he’s naming his favourite rappers.

Why do you think the show has struck such a chord with Australians?

I hope it’s because we’re genuinely having a great time – that and the fact that we marry each other at first sight, then get voted off.