The Slap and ABC's Latest Ad Campaign

When a program is as heavily promoted as The ABC's The Slap, it's hard not to become skeptical before the opening credits even begin. After seeing an ad for what seems like the thousandth time, it can feel like you've already seen the whole series and already know all the lines off by heart. Despite this, I was still somewhat hopeful that this eight-part Aussie drama would have something in it worth watching. Friends of mine have read the book and swear by it, and as I've already said, there's always that chance that it will be a good old fashioned home-grown classic.

So what was the verdict?  The cast is full to the brim with familiar names and faces, raising expectations high. All in all, they didn't disappoint.  Most notably, Melissa George has graced us folk down-under with her television prescence again as Rosie, the mother of the child that is slapped at Hector's (Jonathan LaPaglia) birthday BBQ. Aside from bringing attention to the program, the cast's major achievement seems to be portraying characters that you instantly hate, yet not in the way that makes you want to stop watching. As each episode is from the perspective of a different one of these characters, there's an incentive to watch again and find out more about what's going on behind the insufferableness.

Of course,  William McInnes' occasional snippets of narration are a highlight. What more do you need?

The Slap screens on ABC1 at 8.30 on Thursdays (it stole Crownies' spot, sigh).

Image from Borders.