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Superwog
Superwog
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Superwog
GenreComedy
Created by
  • Theodore Saidden
  • Nathan Saidden
Written by
  • Theodore Saidden
  • Nathan Saidden
Directed byTheodore Saidden
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes12
Production
Executive producers
  • Emma Fitzsimons
  • Elia Eliades
ProducerPaul Walton
Production locations
Running time21–24 minutes
Production companiesPrincess Pictures, Film Victoria, Screen Australia
Original release
Network
Release9 October 2018 (2018-10-09) –
13 June 2021 (2021-06-13)
Related
Superwog miniseries

Superwog1 or just simply Superwog, is a YouTube duo consisting of two Australian brothers, Theodore (Superwog) and Nathan Saidden. The channel consists of various videos including comedies and skits. They have gained over 3 million subscribers and 535 million video views. They have produced a television comedy series based on their YouTube sketch comedies. The series follows Theo, aka "Superwog", his family, and his friend Johnny, getting into all kinds of trouble throughout the Australian suburbia.

Key Information

Produced by Princess Pictures with production support from Film Victoria, the original series was developed in association with Screen Australia and YouTube through the "Skip Ahead" initiative. The six part series was the first Australian long-form series to be released on YouTube, followed by ABC linear channel, and at its conclusion had reached 13.5 million people across YouTube alone, with another 1 million plus reached across ABC Comedy.[1]

The series premiered on 9 October 2018, following a successful pilot aired in 2017. On 11 November 2020, a second season was announced, and all 6 episodes finally aired on 13 June 2021 on ABC iview.[2][3][4]

On 24 August 2022, both long form seasons of the series were released worldwide on Netflix.[5] However, due to the term wog being considered an ethnic slur to people from the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions, Superwog is displayed as Superbro on versions of Netflix outside of Australia. On 2 September of that same year, a short sketch titled Meeting with Netflix was uploaded to the official Superwog YouTube channel, as a way to promote the series' arrival to the streaming site.[6]

On 31 January 2025, Netflix uploaded a video to YouTube teasing a new series featuring the characters of Superwog, titled Son of a Donkey. It premiered on Netflix on 30 October 2025.

Background

[edit]

The Superwog series is based on characters from the YouTube channel of the same name, created by brothers Theodore and Nathan Saidden. The brothers were born in Sydney to a Greek-Egyptian mother and Egyptian father. Growing up, they attended the Trinity Grammar School in the Inner West suburbs of Sydney.[7][8]

The series depicts humorous situations involving the titular character, an archetypal wog. The two cited Sacha Baron Cohen, Chris Lilley and Fat Pizza as influences for the series,[9] and drew inspiration from their childhoods, noting they would "re-enact scenes of [their] mum and dad fighting" and "derive a lot of observational comedy from their arguments".[10] The Saidden brothers began filming and uploading Superwog videos to their YouTube channel in 2008, while Theo was studying law at university.[11]

The YouTube series gained notable popularity, and has been adapted into stage shows.[11][12] The series launched for Adult Swim in 2013,[13] and in 2017, formed part of The Slot sketch comedy series.[14] In 2019, the Saidden brothers began performing Superwog as a live show in Australia and New Zealand.[15]

Production

[edit]

The Superwog pilot was produced by Paul Walton at Princess Pictures and supported by Screen Australia and Google, funded through Skip Ahead. It was written and created by Theodore and Nathan Saidden. Uploaded to YouTube on 16 July 2017, it quickly rose to #1 on the trending page on Australian YouTube in 2017, with over 14 million views.[16]

The pilot follows Superwog (Theodore Saidden) and his friend Johnny (Nathan Saidden), who work at a fast-food store.[17]

Cast

[edit]

Main

[edit]
  • Theo Saidden as:
    • Theo, a teenager who goes by the titular moniker 'Superwog'. He spends much of his time aggravating his Dad or hatching schemes with his best friend Johnny.
    • Mum, Theo's highly-traditional and prideful mother. While often protective of Theo, she can prove to be just as problematic as his father.
  • Nathan Saidden as:
    • Johnny, Theo's best friend, and an idiot savant. While often the voice of reason, Johnny often proves to be just as idiotic as Theo himself.
    • Dad, Theo's father who often goes through bouts of extreme anger, taking it out on his wife and son, as well as anyone else who he may believe has done him wrong.
  • Sasha Sutton as Max, the foil to Theo and Johnny's antics, often times serving as an obstacle to be overcame, portraying roles such as a fast food manager, a police chief, a detective, and a zombie apocalypse survivor.
  • Thomas Little as Steve, a returning antagonist featured in seasons 1 & 2. He portrays a childhood nemesis of Theo's, who later lures him and Johnny into a cryptocurrency scam, while also returning later as an illegitimate trainee doctor, who severs Theo's toe during surgery and steals it.

Guests

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Episodes

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Season 1

[edit]
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date Viewers
(millions)
0"Pilot"Theodore SaiddenTheodore & Nathan Saidden16 July 2017 (2017-07-16)
Theo gets embarrassed by his dad yet again as the neighbours spotted him trying to solve constipation issues in their back yard, and decides to run away with his mate Johnny and get a job at a fast food restaurant. The manager interviews them, and lets them work after discovering their incredible memorisation of the restaurant menu's prices. Joel, a blonde worker gets on their bad side, but they fix it by holding his head under an ice-cream dispenser. The manager sides with the two as Joel wasn't the best worker, while recognising and relating with their need of guidance. Theo's Mum and Dad go to a counselling session, and after causing many distractions, are instructed to put themselves in each others shoes, causing them to mockingly imitate one other. When the councillor shows the final results to Mum about Dad being highly violent and abusive, Mum calls her out for being sad, lonely, and in denial. Theo gets home and gives a drugged burger to Dad, solving his constipation.
1"Breaking Dad"Theodore SaiddenTheodore & Nathan Saidden9 October 2018 (2018-10-09)n/a
In primary school, Theo hated swimming, as his excessive pubic hair was visible outside of his swimming undies. In the present, Dad bashes though his door to get him to school, after Theo refused to go as it was swimming day. Theo fakes disassociation, and a concerned teacher involves CPS after learning of Theo's dad's abusive tendencies. The teacher takes Theo to a traditional Australian foster family, where he is welcomed. Mum and Dad end up at a mandatory psychiatric evaluation, and Dad reveals he often puts Theo's head though gyprock, stating that he doesn't like his son that much, insulting his intelligence. Theo gets along with his foster family at first, but his manerisms start causing trouble, such as playing Put It in Your Mouth over the radio, or making sexually provocative comments towards his foster mother. He ends up taking his foster dad's car for a joyride with his foster brother, and upon returning is attacked by his foster dad. As a result, Theo is sent home to his family, and his foster brother stands at his front door, wishing him farewell.
2"The Family Jewels"Theodore SaiddenTheodore & Nathan Saidden16 October 2018 (2018-10-16)0.141[18]
Whilst renovating their bathroom, Theo and Dad fight over a sledgehammer, both wanting to knock the bathroom wall. Dad wins, not allowing Theo to use it and declares that he always wins. His subsequent smashing of the wall reveals a hidden letter from a soldier, presumably a former owner of the house, regarding the location of buried treasure located within a nearby mountain range, intended to help finance his family following his death. Dad attempts to distract Theo by offering him the sledgehammer to smash the wall, but having lost all interest, Theo races to the car and escapes, causing Dad to launch a brick into the back window, and a race to the treasure ensues. Theo enlists Johnny's help, and together they purchase a shovel and embark towards the mountain range. During a pit stop, Johnny gets food poisoning, causing them to wreck their car. Dad, who has stolen Johnny's bike at the hardware store, starts having issues with it and hitchhikes in the RV of a touring American family. However, after turning violent and hijacking the RV, he is attacked by the family and thrown out. Enraged, a numbed Dad takes on a gang of bikers, and steals one of their motorcycles. Both Theo and Dad arrive at the location, and Dad gets the briefcase first. They fight over it, and Dad almost falls over a cliff, but Theo catches his hand. Not wanting to split the treasure 80/20 in Theo's favour, Dad throws the briefcase down the mountain side, declaring himself the ultimate winner in the end. Later that night at home, the two learn while watching the news that the touring American family Dad had hitchhiked with found the briefcase that had been discarded down the mountain, and that the dad will split it with his son 50/50. Enraged, Dad chases Theo out of the house, feeling cheated out of the riches.
3"The Final Exam"Theodore SaiddenTheodore & Nathan Saidden23 October 2018 (2018-10-23)0.111[19]
Theo wakes up in the morning to the sound of the mailman putting his school test results in the mail. Dad gets to it first, and after discovering Theo's absurdly low grades, collapses. After being rushed to the hospital, Mum is told by the doctor that Dad has suffered a minor heart attack and must avoid stress no matter the cost. After discovering Theo is the source of Dad's stress, Mum bargains with Theo to buy him a used car so long as he passes his final exam. Theo enlists Johnny's help in acquiring the answer sheet to the exam by blackmailing their teacher with an innappropriate photo purchased from the janitor. After finding the document in the staff room, they photocopy it at the library, and rush back before the teachers arrive. Theo is forced to hide within one of the lockers as the teachers arrive back, and Johnny disguises himself as a substitute teacher in order to allow Theo to slip out unnoticed. However, Johnny is caught in his ruse and expelled from school. Meanwhile, a Japanese therapist is enlisted to aid Dad in managing his anger. After being diagnosed Valium, he is sent home, having achieved a peaceful mind. However, his anger returns when he discovers Theo cheated on his final exam.
4"The Formal"Theodore SaiddenTheodore & Nathan Saidden30 October 2018 (2018-10-30)0.095[20]
Theo and Johnny speak to their formal dates over the phone, who convince them to wear a gorilla and Captain Planet costume to the formal. However, they soon discover it was a cruel joke played upon them by their nemesis, Jackson. After getting home, Theo is approached by Dad, who convinces him that his grandmother has a special formula which will make him sexually attractive to other women, and that he himself used this formula to attract 523 women, as well as a donkey. Mum overhears this, and outraged, she storms off. Theo and Johnny retrieve the formula from Theo's grandmother and attempt to attract women at the gym, but soon discover the tonic attracts women much older than expected. Meanwhile, Mum refuses to have sex with Dad, refusing to be objectified any longer. Dad spends the day in agony, at one point even attempting to purchase surgical scissors to castrate himself. However, he learns to earn his wife's affection by doing her household chores. Meanwhile, Johnny and Theo bring two sex workers to their formula, and are called out publicly by Jackson. However, they embarrass Jackson by recounting a previous encounter they had with him in which he requested they play with his feet. Later that night, the two sex workers, Johnny, and Theo bond over their shared love for donuts.
5"The Power Trip"Theodore SaiddenTheodore & Nathan Saidden6 November 2018 (2018-11-06)n/a
It's Dad's birthday, and Mum is baking him a cake. Meanwhile, Theo and Johnny are monitoring two computers mining Bitcoin. Johnny doubles their efficiency and in extension, their power consumption. Theo dismisses the notion of Dad finding out, citing the fact that he likely doesn't know what day it is. Dad checks the electricity bill amount, which totals to $5,434.56. Dad is outraged and storms into Theo's room, demanding to know why the bill is so high. He finds out Theo is mining Bitcoin using several computers and insults his intelligence, citing him to be the idiot of the family, and Bitcoin to be worthless, calling it a scam. He unplugs the computers, and is stopped by Theo before he can do any further damage. Theo then brings the computers over to Johnny's house, asking what to do with them. Johnny calls in a favour with a friend from pre-school(who earned Johnny's trust by assisting him in finger-painting) and the two bring the computers to his work building. At the post office, Dad states that there is a mistake on his electricity bill, but the lady working behind the counter confirms there is not, saying the only issue is the fact that it is two weeks overdue. Dad grows angry and shouts that only a fool would pay such a high bill, incorrectly stating it to be over $10,000. He then storms out, stating that God will give him electricity. Meanwhile, Theo and Johnny meet up with Steve, and they put their computers in a vacant room, across the hall from Steve's office, and he assures the two that he'll keep an eye on the machines as they mine Bitcoin. Later, while they're having milkshakes, Theo and Johnny discover the Bitcoin-mining computers have vastly increased in efficiency due to the good air-conditioning of Steve's workplace. After learning of the sudden dramatic increase in the value of Bitcoin on the news, Theo and Johnny discover their current 200 Bitcoins are now worth over $500,000. At home, Dad installs a solar panel to supply the house with electricity, refusing to pay the electricity bill, incorrectly stating it's amount once again, citing it to be $15,000. Dad declares himself to be a genius, before rain clouds form and cover the sun, rendering the solar panel useless. Theo and Johnny spend their newly-earned wealth, buying expensive coats, chains, watches, eating at fancy restaurants, and arranging for the purchase of two Ferraris. The two then take Steve to get burgers, assuring him that they'll "take care of him", as thanks for watching over the computers. However, Steve reveals his 3-month contract with the company has ended, and as such doesn't work there anymore, nor does he have access to the computers. Enraged, Theo throws a burger at Steve, who promptly runs away. At home, Dad is forced to manually generate electricity by pedalling an exercise-bike as Mum bakes a cake, while watching TV and blow-drying her hair. At the company building, Theo and Johnny sneak in disguised as general contractors, and go to retrieve the computers, only to find them missing. They question some Asian employees, who state that all of the computers in the building belong to them. Enraged, Theo threatens to bash them, and the men promptly return the computers. On the way home, Theo and Johnny discover the computers they've been carrying were gutted for their hardware, and have been filled with trash. Nearby, the employees drive Ferraris down the road as they yell "Bitcoin boys for life". At home, Dad has solved the electricity problem, and Theo returns to find him and Mum eating cake on the couch, watching TV. Dad learns on the news that Bitcoin has value after all, and insults Theo for being lazy, instead of doing something productive like mining Bitcoin. Enraged, Theo chases Dad with a knife, until the power cuts out. It turns out Dad had temporarily solved their electricity issues by plugging into the neighbor's outlet; who has now shut it off, discovering his scheme.
6"The Zombie Apocalypse"Theodore SaiddenTheodore & Nathan Saidden13 November 2018 (2018-11-13)0.088[21]
Theo and Johnny are speaking over the phone, and Johnny mentions a nearby abandoned rail yard, saying the ghosts of famous celebrities haunt it. Wanting to make contact with 2Pac and Colonel Sanders, the two make their way there. They avoid a Ranger checking up on a homeless man, and take an alternative route into the abandoned building. After going inside, Theo calls out for 2Pac, but the duo turn to hear a loud creaking sound, and are knocking unconcious. The two wake up dazed, and agree to leave. Upon making it back outside, Johnny and Theo decide to ask the homeless man for directions. He turns around and reveals his decomposed face, and Theo and Johnny turn to leave, before being chased. Following a fast chase, the homeless man is gunned down, and the duo are ushered into a cabin by the Ranger. Theo and Johnny question him and they discover they've been unconcious for six months, and in the time since then, a zombie apocalypse has begun and wiped out most of Australia. Back at Theo's house, it's revealed that Dad and Mum are alive, and have turned their home into a shelter, also housing their neighbor Holly, and another unnamed survivor. Dad goes on a rant about conspiracy theories regarding bottled water, and the government giving people cancer, after having consumed five year's worth of canned corn in six months. Meanwhile, the Ranger, Theo, and Johnny hide behind a train as they devise a plan to get to a nearby truck without attracting attention from the zombies. However, Theo and Johnny fight over the passenger seat, forcing the Ranger to use his last two bullets on a charging duo of zombies. Back at home, the unnamed survivor breaks down and laments over how he took food for granted, and how his large amount of body fat was basically "lamb fat". Dad looks at the unnamed survivor and drools at the thought of cannibalising him, but is stopped by Mum. In the truck, the Ranger is headed for the supermarket to find some water, but is tormented by Theo and Johnny as they say he has gonorrhea and accused of being a pedophile. Meanwhile, the large unnamed survivor is confronted by Dad, who offers him a hot bath. The survivor accepts the offer, but soon escapes after Dad bites into his arm and realises he is attempting to cook him. Dad chases the survivor but is knocked out by Holly. Back in the truck, the Ranger is having issues understanding a map, when a female zombie approaches the window, seducing Theo into rolling it down. Theo reaches out and inadvertedly tears off one of the zombie's breasts, leading to he and Johnny fighting over it. The Ranger grabs it and throws it out the window, and drives off. They pick up another survivor, but he is quick to take offense at Theo calling the creatures "zombies" and that they prefer to be referred to as "the living deceased". After going on a spiel, the survivor is promptly thrown out of the truck and killed by a zombie. Back home, Dad has been restrained and convinces Mum to release him after saying he loves her. The Ranger, Theo, and Johnny make it to the supermarket, but the pair of friends get distracted conversing about the ethics of buying glass bottled water and comparing zombies to pitbulls; in that they won't attack if you avoid eye contact. Johnny volunteers to prove this correct, but is tackled by a zombie and killed. Back at home, Dad promises not to attempt to eat the unnamed survivor, but is distracted from this when he realises a zombie is using his outside toilet and smoking his cigarettes. Enraged, he storms outside and beats the zombie to death with a baseball bat, while Mum is chased by another zombie and killed. Cornered, the unnamed survivor screams as he is slowly approached by a hungry Dad. The Ranger and Theo make it to the house, but discover that Dad has eaten all of the canned corn, as well as the unnamed survivor. The Ranger goes out to send out a broadcast for help, but returns with the revelation that there is nobody else alive, leaving the Ranger, Theo, Dad, and Holly the last remaining humans on Earth. They soon release that they are responsible for repopulating the human race, and Dad promptly proclaims himseld to be the ultimate savior of humankind, and that he will "plant his seed" in Holly and as such, he shall bear the future children of the world. The Ranger reveals his inability to procreate due to having gonorrhea after all, and being impotent. Dad is shot by Holly, but it isn't until he is shot three more times before he succumbs. Theo initially exclaims, but then approaches Holly, seeing it as a contest he won, but is promptly shot as well. Theo wakes up in the abandoned rail yard building once again with Johnny by his side, and are led out by the Ranger. Confused, the duo question what is going on, and the Ranger reveals they were knocked unconcious by a gas leak, and that their zombie appocalypse experience was a collective dream. The homeless man nearby is alive and well, but is revealed to have teabagged Theo and Johnny in their sleep. Disturbed, Theo returns home and sits in the kitchen as Dad prepares a bowl of canned corn. Theo reveals the details of the dream he had, and Dad dismisses it, saying everything is okay. However, he turns around to reveal a missing patch of skull in the back of his head, exposing his brain, much to Theo's horror.

[22]

Season 2

[edit]
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"The P Plates"Theodore SaiddenTheodore & Nathan Saidden13 June 2021 (2021-06-13)
Superwog’s Dad attempts to stop his neighbour from parking outside his house, whilst his son borrows his car for a driver's test, which forces his Dad to find other ways to block his neighbour from parking in the spot.
2"The Lawsuit"Theodore SaiddenTheodore & Nathan Saidden13 June 2021 (2021-06-13)
Superwog's Dad files a lawsuit against his local supermarket after they accuse him of theft, while Superwog bumps into an old friend from primary school.
3"The Magpie"Theodore SaiddenTheodore & Nathan Saidden13 June 2021 (2021-06-13)
Superwog and Johnny have a dilemma with a territorial magpie, while Superwog's Dad rushes to stock up on cheap petrol following a record low drop in the price of it.
4"Something Fishy"Theodore SaiddenTheodore & Nathan Saidden13 June 2021 (2021-06-13)
Superwog helps an old Swedish widow, but begins to discover strange things about her, whilst Superwog's Dad and his father-in-law go head-to-head in trying to catch the bigger fish.
5"The Lump"Theodore SaiddenTheodore & Nathan Saidden13 June 2021 (2021-06-13)
Theo questions Johnny about a strange protrusion on his body, whom the latter labels as a bump, saying a bump is good and a lump is bad. After researching on the internet, a frantic Theo demands Johnny to take him to the hospital. The secretary dismisses Theo's worries about the "lump" at first, but immediately calls for a doctor upon learning Theo had used Google, citing it as a credible source. Meanwhile, Dad visits his parents in-law with Mum, who are fawning over his father in-law's new table tennis table. He and Dad compete, and the former wins, citing himself as the winner, a tic shared by Dad. Enraged, Dad later turns around the car to return for another match. After wagering 500 dollars, the father-in-law accepts. At the hospital, Theo is assured by a doctor that his "lump" is actually a "bump" and that he had nothing to worry about. However, the doctor reveals he has a speech impediment and proceeds to mix up "lump" and "bump", confusing Theo. He sits down to get his blood drawn, but is spooked when he notices Steve, who has apparantely became a doctor. He panics and crashes into a shelf, knocking himself unconcious. Meanwhile, Dad wins the bet, securing himself as the winner of the table tennis match. However, the father-in-law ups the ante, and puts his brand new tennis table on the line. Dad accepts, and subsequently wins the match, earning the table for himself. At the hospital, Theo wakes up to learn that his "lump" was a rare cyst that just required quick surgery to remove. Believing Steve to be a hallucination, Theo stands up in victory, but exclaims when he discovers his left toe has been amputated. Nearby, the doctors question Steve's credentials as they discover he listed a fake country in his resumé. Steve drives off, carrying two jars containing Theo's toe and cyst, while smiling devilishly.
6"21 Jump Ya"Theodore SaiddenTheodore & Nathan Saidden13 June 2021 (2021-06-13)
Theo approaches Johnny and tells him about a pair of fake shoes he sold to a local on eBay, but Johnny expresses worry as Theo didn't specify on the listing that they were fake shoes. Later, Theo discovers that the customer he sold the shoes left him a bad review, and that not only was his buyer feedback in the negative range, but the customer had received a full refund. Angered, Theo confronts the customer and assaults him with the very pair of shoes he sold him, leading to him and Johnny being arrested. The police chief proposes a deal to the two; confront the suspected ringleader of the fake shoe market and record evidence of a purchase, and they go free. Theo initially refuses, citing the fact that he isn't a snitch. However, the police chief intimidates the two with their potential cellmate, a large man named Bob. Later, the police chief introduces the two to Head of Operations; Detective Max, and Theo points out that Max is the drive-thru manager. Theo and Johnny insult Max's detective work as well as his name of choice for the operation; "Operation Ping-Ming". Later on, Theo and Johnny meet up with Ming, the ringleader of the fake shoes market, but they find out that Ming is a pleasant person, buying them both food as well as tipping a waitress 50 dollars, while citing his charitable intentions. In the bathroom, Theo refuses to bust Ming, citing him as "Asian Robin Hood". Johnny becomes angry and expresses his desire to be a free man again, so the two continue with the operation. When they return, they both learn that Ming's shoe market is ran to fund a charity, as well as for the purpose of paying off a foreign war lord named Big Wang, who has Ming's wife and son serving as slaves. Theo and Johnny return to the police station, and point out to Max that Big Wang should be who they're after, and not Ming. Max brings in Bob as well as other three prisoners, and Johnny points out that Max is exploiting the men as blackmail by mislabelling them as rapists. Emboldened, Theo tells Max to "shove Operation Ping-Ming up his arse" but backtracks and agrees to go through with a final purchase with Ming after Max aims his pistol at him. At Ping-Ming's home, they learn that it is also used to shelter the homeless. After proposing a purchase of 5,000 fake shoes, Ming is touched, and reveals that the order will free his wife and son for slavery. However, Theo exposes the sting operation and reveals to Ming that he and Johnny are working for the police after Ming wishes the two to be his son's godfathers. The three men are thrown in prison, and are confronted by Bob and the three other promised cellmates. They applaud Ming for his charity, Johnny for his thoughtfulness, and Theo for being "a real piece of shit". The prisoners chip in their cigarette money to hire the best lawyer in the country, who successfully frees Theo, Johnny, and Ming, under the guise that the fake shoes were to support the installation of an art exhibit, commenting on the role of brands in a consumer-oriented society. Max is promptly fired from both police-work and the drive-thru, and after attempting to lunge at Theo, is dragged out by security as Ming, Theo, and Johnny exit the courthouse in victory.

[23]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Superwog is an franchise created by brothers Theodore and Nathan Saidden, consisting of a YouTube sketch series launched in 2008 and a adaptation that aired on ABC from 2017 to 2022. The content centers on the misadventures of the Superwog family—a dysfunctional Lebanese-Australian household—and their friend Johnny navigating suburban life through exaggerated sketches involving cultural clashes, family conflicts, and petty crimes. Originating as low-budget YouTube videos, the channel superwog1 has accumulated over 3.66 million subscribers and more than 536 million views across 71 videos, earning YouTube's Silver and Play Buttons for surpassing 100,000 and 1 million subscribers, respectively. The ABC series, which expanded into half-hour episodes, earned a 7.6/10 rating on from over 2,000 user reviews, praised for its irreverent depiction of immigrant family dynamics but critiqued by some for its edgy, racially themed humor that challenges . In 2024, the Saidden brothers announced a spin-off series titled Son of a , reviving the characters in a new standalone production.

Origins

YouTube Beginnings

The Superwog YouTube channel was created on July 5, 2008, by brothers Theodore "Theo" Saidden and Nathan Saidden, who began producing and uploading low-budget comedy sketches filmed primarily in suburban Sydney locations. The duo, of Lebanese-Australian descent, drew from their migrant family background to depict exaggerated stereotypes of ethnic household dynamics, including overbearing parents, sibling rivalries, and cultural clashes with mainstream Australian life. Sketches often centered on everyday scenarios like schoolyard antics, parental arguments over trivial matters, and awkward adolescent mishaps, delivered through rapid-fire editing and minimal production values using handheld cameras and basic props. Theo Saidden primarily portrayed the titular "Superwog" character, a brash teenage persona embodying hyperbolic ethnic youth traits, while Nathan handled supporting roles such as family members or friends, with the brothers frequently playing multiple characters within single skits via quick cuts and costume changes. This self-deprecating humor highlighted authentic migrant experiences, such as strict family expectations and generational gaps, without relying on scripted polish or external funding, reflecting their grassroots approach—Theo created content amid university studies in business law, and Nathan while working odd jobs like online furniture sales. By 2013, the channel's sketches had accumulated millions of views collectively, establishing Superwog as a phenomenon among Australian audiences, with popular entries like family dinner clashes and school prank sequences driving viral shares and subscriber growth. The content's appeal lay in its unfiltered portrayal of suburban ethnic life, fostering a dedicated following through relatable, unpretentious that resonated via organic online dissemination rather than promotional campaigns.

Path to Mainstream Recognition

The Superwog duo, consisting of brothers Theodore and Nathan Saidden, achieved initial virality through comedic skits uploaded to their YouTube channel starting around 2013, exemplified by the "America v China: RAP BATTLE" video, which garnered over 21 million views. This early online success propelled their content to accumulate tens of millions of views cumulatively by the mid-2010s, fostering a dedicated Australian audience and enabling self-funded live comedy tours in major cities including Sydney and Melbourne. In 2017, the brothers independently produced and uploaded a pilot episode for a potential Superwog series on July 16, which rapidly ascended to the top trending position on , accumulating more than 3.7 million views within the year. This milestone, highlighted in YouTube's 2017 Rewind summary as dominating 's top trending videos, drew attention from established broadcasters, including the (ABC), which commissioned a full series based on the evident audience demand. Their trajectory exemplified organic progression in a saturated environment, where viewer metrics and engagement—rather than institutional endorsements—drove opportunities, contrasting with conventionally funded productions reliant on gatekept networks. Self-financed from , the Saiddens' efforts relied on iterative content refinement attuned to audience feedback, culminating in over 500 million total channel views by 2025.

Production

Development and Commissioning

The Superwog pilot episode, a self-produced television-length installment created by brothers Theodore and Nathan Saidden, was uploaded to YouTube on July 16, 2017, and quickly amassed over 20 million views, demonstrating strong audience demand for their unscripted, ethnically focused suburban comedy style. This viral success prompted the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) to commission a full six-episode first season in June 2018, marking it as the first original scripted series for ABC Comedy, with episodes formatted as half-hour sitcoms produced by Princess Pictures. Principal production funding for Season 1 came from in association with ABC, building on initial support through Screen Australia's Skip Ahead initiative with , which had backed the pilot's development to transition digital creators to professional television formats while preserving creative autonomy over the series' raw, unfiltered humor. The commissioning emphasized logistical adaptations for broadcast, including weekly premieres on both ABC platforms and YouTube, to leverage the pilot's online momentum without diluting the Saidden brothers' control over content tone. Following Season 1's reception, ABC renewed the series for a second season on September 26, 2020, with providing renewed investment to enable production starting in November 2020 in , despite challenges from that influenced scheduling and suburban-themed episode logistics. This expansion reflected institutional confidence in the format's viability, prioritizing public broadcaster backing to sustain the show's focus on authentic family disruptions amid real-world events, while adhering to production protocols that maintained the creators' vision.

Creative Process and Style

The Saidden brothers, Theodore and Nathan, employed a low-budget production approach in Superwog, frequently taking on multiple roles as writers, directors, performers, and producers to control costs and maintain creative control. This multi-role strategy allowed them to portray core family members and various supporting characters using minimal additional cast, relying on quick changes and exaggerated mannerisms rather than extensive makeup or prosthetics. Practical effects, such as everyday props and simple stunts, were prioritized over digital enhancements to preserve a raw, unpolished aesthetic that mirrored their sketch origins. Filming predominantly occurred in suburban locations, selected for their authentic representation of working-class Australian neighborhoods despite the series being set in , enhancing realism drawn from the brothers' own migrant family upbringing. The style blended initially scripted sketches that evolved into structured narrative arcs across episodes, incorporating improvisational elements during performances to capture spontaneous and rapid pacing. This favored chaotic, high-energy sequences—emphasizing mishaps and bodily humor—over refined dialogue, resulting in a deliberately unvarnished look that rejected mainstream sanitization. The humor's raw edge stemmed from exaggerated depictions of ethnic migrant family dynamics, informed directly by the Saiddens' Lebanese-Australian experiences, including strict parental expectations and cultural clashes in suburbia. By avoiding polished scripting in favor of authentic, over-the-top portrayals, the series maintained a low-fi fidelity to lived realities, prioritizing visceral laughs through unfiltered rather than contrived .

Cast and Characters

Core Ensemble

Theodore Saidden stars as the titular character Superwog, depicted as a rebellious Lebanese-Australian teenager frequently scheming with his friend amid familial and suburban pressures. He also portrays the Wog Mum, a recurring maternal figure enforcing household discipline. Nathan Saidden plays , Superwog's loyal yet hapless best friend who participates in their misadventures and often encounters resistance from Superwog's family. Saidden additionally embodies the Wog Dad, representing paternal authority rooted in traditional immigrant expectations. As co-creators and siblings, the Saidden brothers handle these core roles, drawing from their own Lebanese-Australian upbringing to portray intergenerational tensions between cultural preservation and local assimilation.

Supporting and Guest Roles

The supporting roles in Superwog center on members integral to the series' depiction of suburban dysfunction, including Wog Mum and Wog Dad, both portrayed by the Saidden brothers in dual performances that emphasize authentic generational tensions and immigrant cultural norms. Theodore Saidden assumes the role of Wog Mum, a maternal figure enforcing traditional expectations, while Nathan Saidden plays Wog Dad, a patriarchal prone to explosive reactions over mishaps. These portrayals, often delivered through exaggerated accents and , underscore clashes between parental aspirations and the brothers' rebellious antics without relying on external actors. Guest roles feature select Australian comedians and performers for episodic flavor, such as Akmal Saleh, who appears in scenarios amplifying community or authority interactions, contributing to the show's satirical edge on ethnic suburbia. Other guests, including in early episodes as peripheral figures like school peers, add situational variety in settings like formals or exams, but remain secondary to maintain narrative focus. The production's approach limits external hires, favoring improvisation among core talent for roles like office workers or relatives to ensure unpolished realism aligned with the creators' vision.

Series Content

Season 1 Overview

Season 1 of Superwog consists of six half-hour episodes that premiered on ABC on 9 2018, with the finale airing on 13 November 2018. The season follows teenage protagonist Superwog (Theo Saidden) and his best friend as they engage in increasingly absurd schemes to navigate financial woes, school pressures, and family dysfunction in Melbourne's western suburbs. Amid their parents' ongoing marital strife, including counseling sessions and emotional volatility, the duo prioritizes self-directed hustles over seeking adult intervention. The narrative unfolds chronologically through episodic misadventures that highlight the protagonists' resourcefulness and recklessness. It begins with Superwog's fallout with his father prompting a reluctant job hunt and false accusations to a psychologist, escalating family tensions. Subsequent plots involve discovering a 1940s letter hinting at hidden family jewels, leading to a competitive dig; a botched after Superwog's poor grades trigger his father's simulated heart attack; frantic date-hunting for the school formal; and a mining operation derailed by soaring electricity costs and paternal interference. The season culminates in the pair breaking into an abandoned railyard, hallucinating a that forces improvised survival tactics. Core conflicts revolve around Superwog's rebellion against parental authority and suburban institutional norms, compounded by his ethnic "" identity clashing with Anglo-Australian expectations, as evidenced in school avoidance and cultural family dynamics. Resolutions emphasize , with schemes often failing spectacularly but reinforcing independence from unreliable adults or systems, without reliance on external resolutions like or .

Season 2 Overview

The second season of Superwog consists of six 21-minute episodes, all released simultaneously on ABC iview on June 13, 2021. Produced by Superwog Productions and Princess Pictures, the series builds on the familial chaos of the Lebanese-Australian Superwog household in Melbourne's western suburbs, with protagonists Superwog (played by Theodore Saidden) and his best friend (Nathan Saidden) confronting heightened personal and legal risks as young adults. Episodes center on schemes driven by economic pressures, such as Superwog's attempt to sell counterfeit sneakers, which leads to by police for an undercover in "21 Jump Ya." Key narratives escalate dysfunction through legal troubles and relational strains, including a in "The Lawsuit" stemming from neighborhood disputes and a health-related panic in "The Lump" that exposes family vulnerabilities. Opportunistic antics, like probing suspicious activities in "Something Fishy" or territorial conflicts with a in "The Magpie," underscore suburban survival tactics amid financial strains, while "The P Plates" depicts Superwog's bid for driving independence clashing with parental oversight. These plots reflect broader themes of adolescent rebellion against immigrant family expectations, with recurring emphasis on immediate repercussions from impulsive decisions, such as or , differentiating the season's tighter cause-and-effect progression from prior standalone sketches. Filming commenced in November 2020 under Victoria's restrictions, influencing production logistics but not overtly shaping episode content, which instead amplifies isolation through confined family interactions and home-based hustles. The season's release during ongoing measures amplified its appeal for depicting relatable opportunism in locked-down suburbia, though without explicit viral references.

Themes and Humor

Ethnic and Class-Based Satire

Superwog exaggerates "" stereotypes, such as loud, emotionally expressive families and frequent cultural friction with -Australian norms, to underscore the assimilation pressures borne by working-class migrant youth in suburban settings. These tropes, rooted in the Saidden brothers' upbringing in Melbourne's western suburbs, highlight the tension between preserving ethnic heritage and conforming to dominant societal expectations, often manifesting in comedic scenarios like reporting parental behavior to authorities, which leads to temporary placement in more "refined" households. The reveals class dynamics as central to the humor, portraying ethnic identities as intertwined with blue-collar economic realities—frugal , manual labor expectations, and suburban —rather than isolated racial traits, a perspective shared across Mediterranean migrant communities in . Creators and Nathan Saidden base these elements on observable family experiences, rejecting idealized in favor of unvarnished depictions that prioritize comedic truth over aspirational narratives. Depictions of bungled get-rich-quick schemes and welfare system navigations critique entitlement mindsets among younger characters, contrasting their failures with the self-reliant hustle of immigrant parents who prioritize labor and provision amid hardship. This approach privileges causal links between effort and outcome, satirizing dependency traps while affirming migrant-driven upward mobility through grit. By incorporating unapologetic —raw language, , and exaggerated emotional outbursts—Superwog challenges sanitized media portrayals of ethnic life, directing barbs at "uptight" mainstream audiences uncomfortable with migrant expressiveness and thereby exposing hypocrisies in assimilation rhetoric. Theo Saidden emphasizes humor's primacy over , stating, "The only question for us is, 'Is it funny?' All we care about is being funny."

Family and Suburban Dynamics

The Superwog series portrays patriarchal migrant households where the father exerts authoritative control, often through intense verbal confrontations and implied physical enforcement, rooted in cultural traditions that prioritize discipline and hierarchy. This structure clashes with the laxer norms of Australian suburban life, prompting adolescent rebellion as characters like Superwog prioritize escapades over obligations such as or chores. In episodes, parental marital exacerbates these tensions, forcing younger members to improvise survival amid the ensuing chaos. Suburban locales function as gritty backdrops for economic tenacity, depicting migrant families in working-class Western Sydney navigating bills, home repairs, and daily scrimping through hands-on decisions rather than reliance on welfare or excuses. manifests in resistance to —such as rejecting restaurant meals in favor of homemade substitutes—underscoring cause-and-effect outcomes of in modest households. Narrative arcs highlight mishaps from impulsive choices, like renovation blunders or petty disputes, as direct contributors to instability rather than diffused societal factors. Male friendships emerge as vital resilience mechanisms, with Superwog and Johnny's alliance buffering against paternal overreach and domestic upheaval by fostering shared defiance and problem-solving. Their escapades, from dodging authority to mutual aid during crises, illustrate camaraderie as a pragmatic shield in environments lacking softer support systems. This bond underscores adaptive toughness, enabling navigation of independence amid parental breakdowns on specific dates like those in Season 1 episodes aired in 2018.

Reception

Critical Evaluations

Critics have praised Superwog for its successful transition from YouTube sketches to a structured television , highlighting the creators' ability to maintain raw, authentic depictions of working-class ethnic family life in Australian suburbia. Reviewers noted the series' daring humor, which eschews in favor of unfiltered on immigrant experiences, earning descriptors like "damn funny" from outlets covering its debut. The overall IMDb rating stands at 7.6/10, reflecting aggregated professional and viewer assessments of its comedic execution across two seasons aired from 2017 to 2021. The show's layered comedy has been recognized for subverting expectations of crude " humor" through commentary on class tensions and racial dynamics, described as a "smart masquerading as a dumb " that uses stereotypes to probe deeper social realities. This approach allows for innovative takes on suburban dysfunction, with ethnic tropes serving as vehicles for universal absurdities rather than mere punchlines. However, some evaluations point to limitations in execution, including a perceived overreliance on repetitive ethnic and stereotypes that can render episodes formulaic or lowbrow in appeal. Critics argue this foundation, while effective for shock value, occasionally prioritizes surface-level gags over sustained narrative depth, potentially alienating viewers seeking more varied comedic structures.

Audience Engagement and Viewership

The Superwog YouTube channel, operated by creators Theo and Nathan Saidden, has accumulated over 535 million total video views and 3.66 million subscribers as of October 2025. Key sketches, such as the "America v China: RAP BATTLE" video from 2013, have exceeded 21 million views, while the 2016 "If Superwog worked on an Airplane" clip has surpassed 18 million. This organic growth, driven by viral sharing and repeat viewership among Australian youth, preceded the channel's transition to formal television production. The 2017 Superwog series pilot episode, initially released on on July 16, 2017, achieved 20 million views, reflecting rapid uptake and national buzz that propelled its adaptation for ABC broadcast. By 2019, the full series had generated over 27 million views alongside linear TV audiences on ABC2, underscoring sustained interest fueled by word-of-mouth recommendations rather than promotional campaigns. The content's resonance with young demographics is evidenced by consistent high engagement metrics, including monthly views averaging 1.4 million on the channel. Live performances have further highlighted fanbase strength, with multiple tours featuring sold-out venues since the duo's stage debut in , including the 2017 "Fake it Till You Make it" show and subsequent national runs. Recent extensions, such as added dates for the Mad Dogs Tour, indicate ongoing demand from live audiences. The series' availability on under the title Superbro since has extended its reach internationally, maintaining viewership through algorithmic recommendations and subscriber retention, as demonstrated by the creators' subsequent Netflix development deal announced in June 2024. This streaming presence counters perceptions of limited appeal, with the platform's hosting of both seasons signaling enduring organic interest beyond initial YouTube virality.

Controversies and Backlash

Some critics have argued that Superwog's humor perpetuates ethnic , particularly through exaggerated depictions of migrant family dynamics, gender roles, and suburban tropes associated with Lebanese-Australian communities. A 2023 academic analysis of "wog humor" traditions, including Superwog, notes that such self-representational risks reinforcing negative racialized images, even when performed by creators from the depicted backgrounds, by commodifying stereotypes for broad appeal. Progressive commentators have similarly viewed the series' portrayals of patriarchal family structures and cultural clashes as insensitive, potentially normalizing outdated or harmful tropes rather than subverting them. In response, creators and Nathan Saidden, who are of Egyptian-Greek and Lebanese heritage, have emphasized the authenticity of their material, drawn from personal experiences to highlight human flaws, agency, and class-based realities over ethnic alone. They position the humor as reclaiming derogatory terms like "" and debunking narratives of perpetual victimhood by showcasing self-inflicted absurdities within migrant communities, arguing that offense arises from discomfort with unfiltered truth rather than malice. Supporters frame this as a deliberate anti-political-correctness stance in , prioritizing observational candor over sanitized portrayals. Formal backlash has been limited, with no major institutional campaigns or cancellations reported, though online discourse reveals polarization: detractors label the content as crass or unfunny "jackass" antics, while proponents praise its cultural and rejection of offense-based . This divide underscores broader tensions in between free expression and sensitivity to marginalized identities, with Superwog exemplifying resistance to the latter.

Impact and Developments

Cultural Influence in Australian Comedy

Superwog has played a pivotal role in revitalizing "wog humour," a comedic tradition that emerged in during the as second-generation children of European migrants used self-deprecating to navigate and claim cultural in a predominantly Anglo-centric society. Earlier precedents, such as Paul Fenech's (2003) and (2011), established the genre's focus on exaggerated portrayals of working-class migrant life in Sydney's western suburbs, blending ethnic stereotypes with socioeconomic critique. Superwog extends this lineage by incorporating Middle Eastern immigrant experiences—creators and Nathan Saidden draw from their Egyptian-Australian upbringing—while amplifying the genre's appeal to diverse non-European migrant communities. Unlike tokenistic representations that prioritize ethnic , Superwog shifts emphasis toward class realism, depicting the gritty realities of suburban , family , and intergenerational tensions without softening edges for broader . This approach mirrors a broader evolution in , where socioeconomic struggles—such as haggling over bills or navigating low-wage jobs—intersect with , fostering relatability among working-class audiences beyond racial lines. The series' influence is evident in contemporaries like Sooshi Mango's sketches, which similarly leverage migrant-led, class-inflected to challenge sanitized narratives. The production's progression from independent sketches, amassing millions of views since the mid-2010s, to a Screen Australia-backed ABC series in 2020 exemplifies the pathway for digital-first creators to enter traditional media, circumventing institutional gatekeeping that often favors polished, consensus-driven content. This model has empowered other ethnic Australian comedians to self-produce raw, audience-tested material online before securing commissions, contributing $14 million to online drama production in 2016-17 alone through similar ventures. By foregrounding unvarnished depictions of migrant domestic chaos and economic , Superwog counters polite societal norms that discourage overt portrayals of ethnic dynamics, thereby enriching Australian comedy's reflection of a pluralistic yet stratified . This has spurred a subtle shift toward authenticity in ethnic humour, prioritizing causal socioeconomic factors over performative diversity.

Upcoming Projects

In May 2024, announced Son of a Donkey, a new standalone comedy series created by and Nathan Saidden, reviving their Superwog characters in fresh scenarios centered on chaotic family and personal mishaps. The series follows as he devises increasingly absurd schemes to retrieve his impounded car following a incident, while grappling with his father's and the ensuing family turmoil. Produced by Princess Pictures and supported by , with filming completed in , the Saidden brothers handle writing, directing, production, and starring roles, preserving the raw, satirical style of their prior work amid 's push into Australian original content. Scheduled to premiere on on October 30, 2025, Son of a Donkey marks the duo's expansion from YouTube sketches and ABC Me broadcasts to global streaming, capitalizing on Superwog's established fanbase without committing to additional seasons of the original series as of late 2025. No further extensions or revivals beyond this project have been officially confirmed by the creators or .

References

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