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It's cast in the mould of The Games but falls well short of emulating its sharp-edged satire. Certainly, in setting the series in the halls of federal Parliament, the makers of Corridors of Power ensured that the subject on which they were to focus would be rich in lunacy, hypocrisy and self-interest. The secret of the success of The Gameslay in both the script and some wonderfully disciplined acting performances. Rather than outlandish plots, The Games concentrated on the nuances of power and its effect on people and used an intimate knowledge of how the political game is played in Australia to show its true madness.
Corridors of Power takes a different approach and too often tries too hard to raise a laugh. Last week's episode, which culminated in federal Liberal member Michael Fielding having a spectacular technicolour yawn in front of a visiting Indonesian delegation, was typical of the blunt axe approach it frequently takes, this following an embarrassing incident in which he locked himself in his own toilet. With last week's upchuck behind him, Fielding looks forward to brighter days but it is not to be, thanks to the old pie-in-the-face routine. The program has only reached episode four and already they have resorted to throwing pies in people's faces? Not a healthy sign. Not that there's anything wrong with a pie in the face. I think that all politicians should be pelted with them at least once a week but praiseworthy though the practice may be, it's not exactly laser-sharp satire.
On the other side of the chamber, Labor federal member Tony Dunne, whose every second utterance is "mate", has a problem and it's green. The Greens have fielded a female candidate against him, one with whom he enjoyed a one-night stand years ago while attending a conference, a scenario a lot closer to the political reality than pies in faces. How to deal with her threats to tell all to his wife and the electorate?
Corridors of Power, being broadcast as it is in the midst of a federal election campaign, promised much but to date has failed to deliver. Perhaps timing was its problem. Maybe the makers refrained from launching a savage send-up of Parliament and parliamentarians lest they be accused by either or both sides of bias? Whatever the reason, the program has a hollow ring. Its characters might say "mate" or wear stuffy blue suits and be socially dysfunctional but it fails to lampoon its subjects with any energy or accuracy. It delivers a few laughs but is unlikely to make sitting members squirm, which is a pity.
© Queensland Newspapers
