Fijian-Māori comedian Joe Daymond’s talents are showcased in Bouncers – streaming on Neon. It’s a hilarious show that’s also a relatable representation of Pacific people onscreen, writes Laumata Lauano Volavola.
What do you get when you make a whole show around the most popular character from 2018 mockumentary series This is Auckland—K Road bouncer Iwin? Bingeworthy comedy. It’s like if The Office and Parks and Rec had a baby with sketch comedy show SIS—which makes sense as Hanelle Harris is also an executive producer here.
Iwin is a toned-down version of the moustached clown from Daymond’s online sketch series This is Auckland, which was created and written to depict the city’s nightlife. However, Iwin’s delusions of grandeur are still very much intact. He and his colleagues have great chemistry, bouncing off each other with hilarious exchanges and then taking turns roasting each other in confessionals. As you get to know them better, you feel like you’re part of their inside jokes.
We have cool guy ladies man Doc (Dre Mane),who’s been on a self-help journey ever since he stopped playing rugby. Shaq (Natalie Samy), who’s one of those ‘says what she’s thinking even if inappropriate at any time’ types. Who holds a black belt in “Fijian jiu-jitsu”, which she says is similar to Brazilian jiu-jitsu but can be done while sitting. She also runs a side hustle as a lost and found service, where she helps people find their lost items… by listing them on Trade Me.
Then there’s Karen O’Leary’s Martine/Marty (of Wellington Paranormal)—the trio’s ‘I’m only here because I got no other job prospects and am at my wit’s end’ security company supervisor. And I can’t forget the seemingly only sane character, the manager of the bar they bounce at, Edna (Valeria Mendoza-Davis). Edna’s a full-time law student who’s had a fling with Doc, one that she’s not keen on repeating—although Doc seems to be enamoured.
Though brief, Bouncers is packed with quotable lines that feel natural and unforced. Even in the case of literally awkward exchanges, it’s hilarious. The characters are loveable and relatable, and the budding unrequited love storylines are both heartwarming and humorous. The show features excellent character development in the little screen time it has, which would definitely make for great viewing down the line if the series is developed into a full blown show.
The actors, especially Daymond and O’Leary, seem to do best in small, improvised moments. And I think had the show had a bigger budget, more time and there were more off-the-cuff scenes the Bouncers would definitely benefit. I swear I don’t know how they don’t just crack up during some of their lines, I would love to see the outtakes.
This is Auckland was a low-budget show, and Bouncers was tasked with making it more appealing to a wider audience. And it really was a sink or swim, hit or miss type situation. Personally it’s a hit, probably because the jokes are the types of jokes you’d hear in the garage at a drink up with your mates, or the cuzzies.
Also I just love the representation of Pacific/brown people onscreen. We are a diverse group of people with unique experiences, and it is important to see ourselves represented in the media. I may not be a bouncer, but I can relate to every single remark Shak, Iwin or Doc make about either of their parents or families. At the same time, these characters are clearly more than bouncers, for instance with Shak that’s more obvious with her side hustles.
All in all, it is important for shows like this to exist because they help to break down stereotypes and show that we are just like everyone else—sometimes cunning, sometimes thick as heck. We have the same hopes, dreams, and fears, and we just want to be treated with respect. (That was an unintentional rhyme.)
Bouncers is a well-crafted and enjoyable watch that demonstrates Daymond’s ability to tell compelling stories. The characters are well-developed and the writing is sharp. The show is funny. Personally, I can’t stand the music that plays between scenes, because it makes me think of some kind of circus. However, this is a minor quibble in an otherwise excellent show. I’ll look forward to more from the main trio, whether it be together or separately.
The writing offers enough to be intriguing and really rounds each character out. They often say surprisingly profound things, but then follow it up with a silly remark that makes it even funnier. Oh and I forgot to mention how hilarious the premise is, Iwin just has his cousins following him around like they’re a legit camera crew capturing his life for what reason? Even the camera guy is funny.
Overall, Bouncers is a great show that I highly recommend.
Honourable mentions:
Doc talks about his Edna and really shows how much keener he is than she is: “I asked her about commitment, she said ‘she wasn’t in the right place’, so I tried asking her in a different place.”
The cameos are too good, we have Angella Dravid and even Israel Adesanya turn up for episodes which had me in stitches. Not just because they were in it, but the way the trio work around them and the storylines are just ‘chef’s kiss’.
Anything Shak says, I thought she was grating at first but no—she may be my favourite character. Actually, that’s not true—you can’t have one without the others, they’re so funny together.
Iwin compares fighting Israel Adesanya to not meeting his mother’s expectations and only having been made to cry by the latter. Same Iwin, same.
