"Outrageous Fortune" (2005) TV series

User Rating:

8.5/10   

Creators:

James Griffin
Rachel Lang

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

June 2005 (New Zealand)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

Plot Keywords:

Alcohol Abuse | Prison | Corruption | Gay Slur | Police

Awards:

7 nominations

Cast

Robyn Malcolm	...	Cheryl West (89 episodes, 2005-2009)
Antony Starr	...	Van West / ... (89 episodes, 2005-2009)
Antonia Prebble	...	Loretta West (89 episodes, 2005-2009)
Frank Whitten	...	'Grandpa' Ted West / ... (89 episodes, 2005-2009)
Siobhan Marshall	...	Pascalle West (88 episodes, 2005-2009)
Tammy Davis	...	Munter (83 episodes, 2005-2009)
Kirk Torrance	...	Judd / ... (82 episodes, 2005-2009)
Nicole Whippy	...	Kasey (71 episodes, 2005-2009)
Grant Bowler	...	Wolfgang West / ... (53 episodes, 2005-2009)
Roz Turnbull	...	Rochelle / ... (45 episodes, 2005-2009)
David Fane	...	Falani (41 episodes, 2005-2009)
Shane Cortese	...	Hayden Peters (38 episodes, 2006-2009)

Runtime:

New Zealand:60 min

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:MA (some episodes) | New Zealand:R16

Filming Locations:

Auckland Central Business District, Auckland, New Zealand

Company:

South Pacific Pictures

Trivia:

Police vehicles used within the show are outdated versions of current NZ Police vehicles. The EL Ford Falcon was used by the NZ Police from 1998-2001 and phased out by early 2002.

Goofs:

Continuity: In series 1, 2 and 3 - there are many vehicles used by the actors for many story lines. In all of the first 3 seasons, several vehicles have been used with the same plate number BKW906. Series one - the blue Mazda that Loretta steals from the teachers car park at her speech evening. Series two - Again the plates were used on a blue Mazda, although this car belonged the Wests family friend Filane in series 2. In this series the plates were also used on Jethros lime green Holden - and in one episode the plates on this vehicle change from BKW906 in one scene to different plates several scenes later. Series three - In the episode where Van is befriended by Aaron Spiller and is out on the prowl to steal and 'chop' cars, the grey Mitsubishi Galant that them and Filane battle with to steal when it is hooked up to the tow truck, later having its rear axle ripped off with the tug of war also displays the plates BKW906. Again to series one - Cheryls Marroon Holden displays the plates ACTXXX....and in the subsequent series always displays the plates BSE177. Note - from series one and two the number plates on Vans Nissan Skyline change also. The only vehicles that remain with the same plates through out all series are Munters Mazda Bongo Van, Pascalles Nissan TRX and Wayne Judds four wheel drive.

Quotes:

Pascalle West: You're not loony just because you joined some weird cult!

Movie Connections:

Remade as "Honest" (2008)

Best Kiwi Drama Ever Created

This is undoubtedly one of the greatest Kiwi drama's ever created.

The acting is brilliant with a "who's who" of Kiwi actors (Robyn Malcolm, Frank Whitten) and also some great newcomers (Siobhan Marshall, Antony Starr) This show lets Kiwi's laugh at themselves, it's something that we can all relate to. An old 70's style house. A funeral party with a BBQ and heavy drinking.

Although it's hard to determine whether some parts of the show are comedy or drama, it's fairly easy and enjoyable to watch.

Thankfully it's been commissioned for a second season, a rare thing that happens with New Zealand TV. TV3 has finally seen that people enjoy homegrown shows, lets hope TVNZ does the same and would STOP CANCELLING ALL HOMEGROWN SHOWS! Overall - 9.5/10