Jonah from Tonga is actually really sad

[annebullin]

I know it's a comedy and Jonah is played by a middle aged man, but I find the character of Jonah quite sad. Is it just me?

Yes - it's just you . I think he's brilliant - so typical of a lot of teenage boy behaviour (exaggerated for effect of course).

Why do you find him quite sad?

I find it a bit sad too, because of the relationship with his dad.

No I think he's brilliant...it's not that!
It's just that Jonah is so lovable but he always gets it wrong. I really felt for him in the last episode when he wanted 'Miss' to sit and watch telly with him, but then ended up being restrained and put in exclusion when he found out that she was leaving as he was so upset. I just find it really sad!

Yes the relationship with his Dad too. I mean it was really funny when he made his Dad walk into the wall, but his Dad is horrible to him.

YANBU. I think Chris Lilley really manages to get Jonah's vulnerability across as well as being really funny.

He's partly being an irritating teenager and partly reacting against racism, and that he's probably not going to have much of a chance in life .

A lot of comedy characters are actually quite sad though - think way back to Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy, and right up to Mr Bean/Blackadder/Flight of the Conchords etc.

We watched Summer Heights last week as well (which is genius) and I don't want to post any spoilers, but there's a part with Jonah in the last episode where I was so close to tears. It was heartbreaking.

Yes Black Adder is a good example - the last episode of the WW1 series especially.

I don't think Jonah is meant to be a laugh a minute situation comedy though - I'm not sure what the comedy genre is known as - mockumentary? It takes a character, develops a storyline around them, and within that you have comedy as well as a level of tragedy. Hopefully someone who understands comedy better will be able to explain it better.

I find it sad too. Jonah is so complex - sometimes he is a nasty, vicious bully and other times a sweet little boy. I suspect that's probably quite a realistic portrayal of a 'troubled' teen.

No, it's not just you. I think he's the best character in it because he has heart. I was close to tears in some bits!

hmm yes that makes sense - comedy and tragedy. Maybe it's because I have teenage boys, so I think about how he feels a bit more than with other characters. Poor magical Jonah -hope he gets out on time for feel the beat!

Chris Lilley really has managed to get it so right. Was he a troubled teen himself I wonder?

I know what you mean - he's actually quite a troubled boy, but he's still daft as a brush and lacking any level of common sense. A bit like most teenage boys (DC1 included...). His attempt at break dancing just cracks me up, as does his obsession with "your dick" and "you homo" - they are the same the world over.

Yes the break dancing is brilliant - I love it.

I can't watch it. Its is brilliant but I really find it hard to watch.
He is such a vulnerable, sweet boy but because of his life he comes across just as the world wants to see him IYSWIM?

Its very clever. Lets face it, that is how teenage boys, specially ones from certain backgrounds, are perceived.

I agree. I work with kids like Jonah and although I find the programme really funny, it's because I recognise a lot of the situations. I have a lot of sympathy for Mr Joseph!

As a mum of a teenage boy I'm not sure it's necessarily how they are perceived as such...more just how they actually are

I love the show, it's funny but I agree it's really sad as well. Feel so sorry for Jonah. Did you watch Summer Heights High? Jonah was originally a character in that and the way his character was portrayed, and the way things didn't go wuite right, was similar and the events throughout the show were really quite sad.

Chris Lilley really is quite fantastic.

Yes it's very clever.

Yes chesterberry I agree - Summer heights was so sad (for Jonah anyway) at the end of the series. Apart from the scene with the lovely SEN teacher.

I agree. Some bits of funny but I recognise a lot of my brother in that when he was a teen- can be horrible, can be completely unthinking, can be vulnerable. The bits with his dad and him makes me feel sad too.

Yes, he is just so misunderstood all of the time. I was really pleased to discover that Jonah was getting his own TV series as his character on Summer Heights High really affected me as it was such a sad ending for him and, out of the 3 main characters, he was the only one who was actually likeable. I've liked that they've given him and his family a bit more of a back-story now and we're seeing more of his vulnerability, I really hope things work out for him finally and they make it to Feel the Beat too. Was so touching at the end of this week's episode when his family all stood outside singing for him and he was so thrilled. Hoping for a happy ending, and perhaps one which sets the scene for a second series...

Yes - his Dad was singing too. Cool Chris is a bit like a surrogate Dad though. It was so sweet when he was crying last week when he visited Jonah.
Does the song Eternal flame supposed to be a reference to Jonah's Mum? He and Moses were singing it at the start of the series and they looked really sad.

I love jonah, it's actually brilliantly written.