Peter Helliar has been a mainstay on Australian television for almost 30 years. Since gaining his start alongside Rove on their C31 show ‘The Loft Live’ Helliar has carved out an impressive career for himself as a stand-up, broadcaster and writer.
Helliar’s career was most prominent in the mid-2000s when he was staring on Rove Live and simultaneously hosting the footy variety show ‘Before the Game’ where his iconic character Strauchanie captured the imagination of Australia’s footy fans.
Helliar has never stopped working but in 2014 a decision to join ‘The Project’ mainstream Australia’s relationship with the lovable larrikin, Between 2014 and 2022 Helliar was broadcasting nightly, playing the comic relief role in the current affairs show which at different times has put off all sides of the Australian political spectrum.
Personally I felt that the association with the show did massive damage to his career. Although providing Helliar a prominent place in the television landscape, the role itself did little to win Helliar creative or artistic acclaim. Helliar was essentially forced to read poorly written, low value, generic punchlines, every night for eight years. Inevitably, Helliar’s reputation as a comedian deteriorated as a result of his association with the often maligned show.
Since his exit from The Project though, something really exciting has been happening. Helliar has maintained his prominence on Australian television but now in a number of diverse roles which has pushed him creatively and allowed him to shine. It should be said that even when contracted to ‘The Project’ Helliar’s continued to create critically acclaimed work – but often behind the camera including writing two comedy series ‘It’s a Date’ and its spin-off ‘How to Stay Married’.
In 2023 he joined the cast of ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’ where finally he was free from the forced punchlines and free to present a more personal and endearing side of himself. This dynamic continued in 2024 when Helliar was cast in ‘The Amazing Race Australia’ where he again demonstrated his likability as well as a ability to actually create natural and original comedy.
This pivot into roles which allow Helliar to be himself has won back the attention of mainstream Australia and endeared audiences to his humor, which when presented on ‘The Project’ felt daggy and cringe. Judging roles on ‘Thank God You’re Here’, guest spots on ‘Have You Been Paying Attention’ have helped in this regard as audiences can more fairly judge his comedy against other comedian peers.
His recent casting on the latest season of Taskmaster though seems like a masterstroke. The format thrives on a diverse cast of comedians interacting allowing Helliar to shine his brightest since his time on Rove.
Helliar’s story shows the value of choosing the right roles and not forcing creativity. It has been a joy to have him back on screens in a way that once again gets the best out of him.
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