Full Frontal (TV Series) - Notable Characters

Notable Characters

Peter (or as he pronounces it "Poida")

An Australian bogan, played by Eric Bana. Poida was originally a TV host on Community Television's Channel 31. Peter enjoys to drink VB and carries an esky around wherever he goes. He has a blond mullet and dresses in a velvet suit. Most of the time he is seen smoking in sketches. Poida works for Channel 31 but is usually the stand-in host for many TV shows on other networks (such as Channel 9, 10 and the ABC) when the real host doesn't turn up. He has stood in for Ray Martin on A Current Affair and Kerry O'Brien on The 7.30 Report. He takes an esky into the studio and smokes while interviewing guests. Instead of sitting on the set furniture, he prefers to make himself comfortable on a bean bag.

Impact on Eric Bana's Career

Poida was probably Eric Bana's best character and was thought to really have helped Bana's acting career. The director of the Australian film Chopper says he cast Bana because of his performance in Full Frontal. Bana is now a household name and acts in movies both in and out of Australia.

Popularity

Poida is arguably one of the most popular characters of Full Frontal and is also arguably the most popular of the characters played by Bana. Bana also plays a fictional version of Ray Martin and Eddie, an Eastern European migrant.

The Invisible Man

A man dressed heavily in military camouflage who has a hard time being noticed in day-to-day life (also played by Eric Bana).

Eddie

Eastern European migrant, whose famous line was "It's a complete shemozzle" (also played by Eric Bana). In an interview in TV Week Bana said the character was born when he was around 10 or 12 whilst playing on his CB Radio.

"Eddie is the sort of guy who could walk through the Mardi Gras and not realise it was gay. He would just see it as coincidental that there were so many men there.

Ron

A stage janitor who wears overalls and is always trying to either apply for a job or scam money. When he is caught out, he will often leave saying "Fair enough". (Played by Ross Williams)

Neville and Beulah

Elderly nudists who love doing things "totally nude" (played by Glenn Butcher and Daina Reid).

Milo Kerrigan

Punch-drunk (but much loved) ex-boxer played by Shaun Micallef. He is considered to be the most popular character of the series. Heavily reliant on slapstick, sketches involving Kerrigan routinely destroying large portions of the set.

Nobby Doldrums

An obsessed fan of 7.30 Report presenter Kerry O'Brien who is willing to be interviewed about anything, just to be on the program (played by Shaun Micallef).

David McGahan

Incompetent TV personality and failed actor who hosted nature documentaries, (played by Shaun Micallef).

Roger Explosion

'Alter ego' of David McGahan from his failed acting career (played by Shaun Micallef).

Leon

Art critic, renowned for his liberal use of the word "crap" (played by Kym Gyngell).

Ian Goodings

Sleazy TV news presenter on the fictitious Australian National Nightly Network News (played by John Walker).

Narelle Parkinsom

Bitchy and unenthusiastic co-presenter on fictitious Australian National Nightly Network News (played by Kitty Flanagan).

Phil Toinby

Much maligned weatherman on Australian Nightly Network News, renowned for his outrageous and colourful ties and using unusual pointers sent in by viewers, as noticed by the two newsreaders (played by Francis Greenslade).

Chaka

Hippie and poet, her poems usually circulate about her hometown of Nimbin (played by Kitty Flanagan). On a parody of A Current Affairs on Full Frontal, Eric Bana's Ray Martin asks Chaka what type of name is "Chaka" and what it means. Chaka is Arabic for "Joanne".

Enzo

Organized crime boss believed to be parody of figures in the Melbourne organized crime underworld (played by Ross Williams). He has a strict hatred of cameras and responds to questions with the word 'NO' frequently.

Allen Bamff

Appeared in three episodes as an unconfident Car Salesmen promoting his self titled car yard "Allen Bamff Holden" (played by Francis Greenslade).

The show also famously satirised many prominent celebrities including:

Paul Keating

Former Australian Prime Minister (played by Glenn Butcher)

John Howard

Former Australian Prime Minister (played by John Walker). Earlier parodies of John Howard were also played by Glenn Butcher.

Pauline Hanson

Controversial right-wing politician (played by Daina Reid).

Ray Martin

Journalist and presenter of Australia's A Current Affair (played by Eric Bana).

Fabio

Male model and "most beautiful man in the cosmos, including the black holes". Fabio was Shaun Micallef's favourite character on the show. Fabio himself once appeared on the show being interviewed by Poida.

Kerry O'Brien

Journalist and presenter of The 7.30 Report (see: Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (Played by Kim Gyngell).

Glenn Ridge

Sale of the Century host from 1991–2001. Portrayed by Eric Bana.