Hug The Sun!
Let's all have some fun,
and HUG THE SUN!"
Hug the Sun is a Dark Comedy Series, Created by and starring Australian Comedians Xavier Michelides and Ben Russell, about a children's television show based on the religious teachings of a fictional cult that worships the sun god, Oxtos, led by a leader known only as The Second Prophet Gary.
It is presented in a Found Footage style introduction, with the intros claiming the show ran from 1988 until 1991, with tapes containing the episodes being brought and found from scattered garage sales and rubbish dumps around Australia. The episodes are shown mostly in a 4:3 format, and with scenes being interrupted by commercials or other random footage.
The show features the Aunty Donna Boys, who, as well as serving as the series producers, make reoccurring cameos throughout the show.
The first episode premiered on May 6th, 2021, with the Grouse House Channel and Trailer first appearing only three days earlier. The final episode premiered on June 10th, 2021. The whole series, as well as extras, bloopers and behind the scenes footage can be watched on Youtube on the Grouse House Channel
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Tropes related to Hug The Sun
- Biting-the-Hand Humor: This is a show funded by the Australian Government that constantly refers to the AFP (Australian Federal Police) as 'Dogs' and 'Pigs'.
- Butt-Monkey: Magician Paps O'Sullivan, who is always shown to be on the verge of a breakdown. In one episode he starts by complaining that not a single person came to his latest magic show and his Extras Video claims that he is a convicted dine-and-dasher.
- Also Neighbour George, whose new business ventures are always ruined by Bikies.
- And Linda, who suffers a growing list of injuries.
- Continuity Nod: Linda's injuries stack and BJ's sunburns gets increasingly worse during the show's run.
- Can also be seen in the "Try New Things" intro after 'Nourishment Week', where Linda's friend Amy's face has Trina's face plastered over it. Goes a step beyond in the final episode when Linda is removed from the show, and Trina's face is plastered over Linda's face.
- Deliberate VHS Quality: The show is presented as Found Footage from VHS tapes of a show made in the late 80s and early 90s. Some scenes are shown in full screen with HD visuals.
- Hollywood Tone-Deaf: Linda, on one of her 'Try New Things' segments claims that she used to not sing because her mum told her "I thought everyone could sing before I had you!" She may have had a point...
- Jerkass Gods: Oxtos does not like being crossed. 'Gratitude' begins with BJ and Trent reacting the story of Oxtos stealing the hands of King Bootoot and turning his family into plants. Later in the episode tells the tale of when Oxtos turned half a village into animals after a tribe leader requested more sun to help with a failing harvest. Also, in the final episode Oxtos made The Second Prophet Gary explode during the ascension.
- Manipulative Bastard: The leader of the Oxtos Cult, The Second Prophet Gary. As well as getting his followers to help raise money to get him out of jail, they all call him a great man, despite his habits of forging money and theft, which is odd, since the followers of Oxtos seem to have a low tolerance for thieves, if the fates of Stevie The Thief and Linda are anything to go by.
- Period Piece: The introductions claim the show originally broadcast between 1988 and 1991, but as there are only six episodes, we are not sure of the exact dates these shows originally aired with the exception of the final episode, which was broadcasted live on the 23rd of February, 1991.
- The Power of the Sun: The religion the show teaches about is based on the Sun God, Oxtos. This is taken to extremes with BJ, who swears off food and water, as he only needs "Oxtos' graze" to nourish him.
- Put on a Bus to Hell: Linda is absent from the final episode, as the intro explains that she was caught stealing donations and will not be appearing on the show again. Trinia also quickly mentions that she is "definitely not buried", though the intro cuts her off before she can name a location.
- Running Gag: Quite a few, including:
- Neighbour George taking up a new venture, which quickly runs into trouble, if not outright destroyed, by Bikies.
- Linda suffering injuries throughout the show.
- BJ swearing off food and water after 'Nourishment Week', and only being filled by "Oxtos' light". As a result, his sunburns and mental state get worse from every episode onwards.
- Scam Religion: A more light-hearted and far less extreme example, as the show asks for donations not for monetary gain, but to help get their leader released from jail. They earn enough to release Gary by the start of 'Miracles', though he ends up getting arrested again by the end, meaning that they need to ask for donations again.
- Sacred Scripture: Similar passages appear in 'Rituals' and 'Nourishment Week, about how rain, clouds and 'the jealous wind' shield us from Oxtos' gaze. BJ uses this scripture as an excuse to stop drinking water.
- Subverted Kids' Show: Presented as kids show, despite the odd swear word and questionable content.
- Theme Naming: The episodes are all named of the topic they focus on, with the possible exception of the final episode, 'Gary', which is less to do with Gary himself and more about his ascension.
