A Unique Approach to Live TV
Ed Kavalee once received a piece of advice about working with Santo Cilauro on live television. He was told, “Santo will have seven clips, they’ll all be called ‘clip’ but they’ll be out of order.” And indeed, that’s exactly what happened.
Cilauro, sitting next to Kavalee at the St Kilda office of production company Working Dog, doesn’t argue against the remark. In fact, he agrees. “Often you get your biggest laughs when something doesn’t go right,” he says. “I mean, that’s the fun of it.”
TV rarely feels as raw or improvised as on Cup Fever!, a series of sport-themed panel shows created by Cilauro, Kavalee, and Sam Pang since the 2010 World Cup. The trio has explored various formats over the years, including a vodcast and podcast for the 2018 World Cup, a review show on Fox Sports, and even a radio version.
This year, the show returns to its roots on SBS, the broadcaster for the 2026 World Cup. It will feature nightly recaps that blend discussions of the day’s matches, analysis, guest appearances, and sketches.
With 48 nations competing—16 more than previous editions—and three host countries (the US, Canada, and Mexico), this is the largest World Cup ever. Yet, Kavalee and Cilauro have no plans to change the vibe of a show that leans more toward Wayne’s World than Wide World of Sport. “Oily rags have now become a bit more expensive since the war, but it’ll be small, it’ll be small,” promises Cilauro.
Each brings their own strengths to the show. For Cilauro, it’s his deep, sentimental love for football and his European heritage (just don’t mention that Italy didn’t qualify again). He also has a contact list filled with Australian players. Kavalee, on the other hand, has an encyclopedic knowledge of the game and a talent for sharp-witted retorts.
There will be new additions to the show, such as a new legend taking over “Bresci’s Diary,” a segment where former Socceroo Mark Bresciano shared highlights from his retirement. There may also be a return of Kiwi commentators Jim and Terry, played by Kavalee and Rob Sitch, though Kavalee can’t recall who plays which role. Some segments were filmed with the Australian squad before they left for the tournament.
While Sam Pang won’t be co-hosting, he is expected to make an appearance, possibly in a surprise role.
“We’re lucky enough because we do Have You Been Paying Attention? and The Cheap Seats,” says Cilauro. “There are so many comedians around. It’s an open invitation, it’s a bit of an open house, so I suspect there’ll be a few interesting faces dropping in. We can’t tell what it is, because we’re going to do it live. We don’t really know what’s going to happen.”
The Power of Trust and Passion
Besides which, the best-laid plans don’t always work out. Cilauro recalls being in the media section at the Australia-Croatia match during the 2006 World Cup, a historic game that ended in a draw but allowed Australia to progress to the round of 16.
“The players were going crazy,” recalls Cilauro. “We were hugging and from behind I felt this big bear hug. It’s [team captain] Mark Viduka. I was in tears. And he goes, ‘Do you have any Late Show tapes on you?’ And you know when someone says something and you don’t actually believe it, so you ignore it. I kept on talking about the football and he goes, ‘Mate, we’re going crazy in camp. [The coach] doesn’t let us see anybody. We need some comedy. Can you get us a Late Show tape?’”
Having players on board, combined with the presenters’ genuine passion for the game, is key to the show’s success.
“I think they trust us to know that we’re not going to make them look like idiots,” says Cilauro. “For a lot of people who are not in the world of comedy, [they think] you’re taking the piss. ‘Bresci’s Diary’ … he doesn’t come out looking like an idiot, you know what I mean? Because I would never let that happen.”
Adds Kavalee: “They trust us to be on their side, which we are because it’s not a gotcha show, it’s a celebration.”
A Party in the Studio
The studio where they’ll be filming has space for a very small audience, what Cilauro calls “our starting 11.”
“It’s a party and it’s an Australian audience, too,” says Kavalee. “We know that on the day that Mexico plays, there’ll be a bunch of people in our crowd who are either from Mexico or families from Mexico. You bring that world party to your little room.”
As for who will win …
Kavalee: “If Australia doesn’t win, I think Brazil will.”
Cilauro: “Brazil?”
Kavalee: “Fit, angry, written off, and they have a European coach who is the most pragmatic man. Brazil for me.”
Cilauro: “France.”
And which coach will provide the best entertainment?
Kavalee: “Who’s gonna get the villain cut? [England coach] Thomas Tuchel, he already looks like a Bond villain.”
Cilauro: “You’re quite right, yeah. He doesn’t need any help, he’s got it. And does he get a bit sullen?”
Kavalee: “Oh yeah, really [sullen].”
Cilauro: “[Brazil coach] Ancelloti can get sullen.”
Kavalee: “Yeah, he sulks, which I like. Petkovic, the Bosnian guy that coaches Algeria, he’s got a wild look in his eyes, and if he’s not happy, you’ll know about it. He’s good fun.”
Cilauro: “Is [Australian coach Tony] Popovich going to do his nut, too, if things go against Australia?”
Kavalee: “I hope so. And why not? He doesn’t have an assistant. Sometimes people have an assistant that does it for them, but he likes to do it himself. Ancelloti has his son do it for him. He does this thing with his hand and his son goes over, ‘What are we angry about? OK, got it.’”
What to Watch Next
Santo and Ed’s Cup Fever! streams on SBS On Demand from June 12.
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