If you adored The Office, Fisk, Utopia, and Ted Lasso, then ABC’s new sports comedy, Ground Up, starring Sam Pang Tonight‘s Sam Pang, should be added to your watchlist.
Inspired by real-life events, the show follows AFL administrator Hugh Shen (Sam Pang) as he establishes an AFL club in Tasmania.
In reality, Tasmania waited a long time for its own AFL team. After years of campaigning and bidding, it was finally approved in 2023. Named the Tasmania Devils, the club is preparing to join the league in the next couple of years. However, like the new television series, a new stadium is being built from scratch. Plus, the club is still building the club: hiring staff, developing players, and setting everything up.
So, in a case of art imitating life, Ground Up sees Sam Pang’s Hugh Shen as he sets up the club. In the show, it’s called the Great Southern Football Club. However, the Apple Isle is dealing with a housing crisis, a health crisis, and already has two sizeable stadiums. He and his growing team have to win over the public. First, they must convince them that not only is this a great idea, but it’s also worth spending $1.13 billion of the taxpayers’ money to do it.
In the first look trailer below, Sam Pang’s Hugh addresses a press conference speaking about the new club. He also meets with sponsors (Tasmanian salmon, of course), mascot pitches (Adam the Apple), and a team song.
Joining Sam Pang in the cast of Ground Up are Emma Harvie (Colin From Accounts), Dylan Murphy, Josh McConville, Lucy Durack and Marg Downey.
Ground Up is set to premiere on Sunday, 7 June at 8:30 pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.
Watch the first look below:
