Disasteradio and Tim Batt host Space Couch. Photo / supplied
It's been nearly two years since Duke's ill-fated talk-show attempt Banter came and went, but host Tim Batt is not giving up hope yet. He's back in the chat game with something better suiting his irreverent sensibilities, going full tribute act in the delightful Space Couch.
A chat/sketch hybrid, the
show centres around a fluorescent pink couch that once was a Russian space experiment that became indoctrinated by American chat show transmissions while floating in the atmosphere (yep, you read that correctly).
It now wants to be part of a chat show, and thus enters Batt and music man Disasteradio (Luke Rowell). The earnest commitment of the two human stars helps sell the out-there concept, aided by an enthusiastic voice-over from American voice actor Paul F. Tompkins (best known as Bojack Horseman's Mr Peanutbutter). He gives 'Space Couch' a delightfully positive, pro-Communist personality whose infrequent interruptions add a welcome jolt to the show.
Infrequent is the key word there. Despite the title and a nifty intro, the space couch elements are rarely used. Instead, this is a local spin on an American late night show, including an opening monologue, comedian cameo (Ray Shipley delivered an ingenious set), and feature interview.
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