What to stream: Rostered On and Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s and '70s

Rostered On

Netflix, from Wednesday

Paul Moore (Winners & Losers) heads a cast of little-known but exceedingly likeable actors as this Australian indie comedy series puts the retail caper under a slightly wobbly microscope.

Moore plays Shaun, a scruffy sort whose family responsibilities keep him working as a salesman at an electronics store called ElectroWorld, even though he'd rather try to make a living as a photographer.

At ElectroWorld he suffers fools all day, every day, in the forms of frustrating co-workers and even more exasperating customers.

The staff are an interesting bunch, though, characters brimming with potential. Young Winston (Ronn Kurtz) is sweet but too easily led by top salesman and cheerfully misogynistic pick-up artist Brett (Lliam Murphy).

Brett's toxic advice seems certain to cruel Winston's chances with smart saleswoman Tess (Tara Vagg), who already finds herself belittled and underestimated at every turn.

Diana Brumen is particularly good as sardonic counter girl Beeanka, and Stephen Francis is a hoot as store manager Gary, one of those cheerfully old-fashioned Australian blokes who look like they've just strolled in from the 1970s.

Writer-director Ryan Chamley sets the stage well with promising characters astutely cast, and he absolutely nails the feeling that comes with having to endure condescension from every quarter.

He has yet to hit his full stride, though.

Some of the episodes in this short first season (which became an online hit before being picked up by Netflix) spend too long on things that don't pay off enormously; Shaun's breaking of the fourth wall and the character of aggressive security guard Vish (Sreed Sathiamoorthy) are used erratically; and the staff's interactions with one-note customers could have been kept shorter to allow for deeper exploration of the more interesting dynamics between the staff.

That said, it's good, relatable fun, and with a new season in the works there'll be more of it.

Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s and '70s

Amazon Prime Video

This collection of decently lengthy bits from some of the brilliant minds that revolutionised stand-up comedy is essential companion viewing for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Funnily enough, women struggle to make it here too – the only one featured is Lily Tomlin, and it's not one of her funnier bits.

Still, the wit, polish and sheer inventiveness is astounding, from Jackie Mason and Mel Brooks through Bob Newhart (whose act Joel Maisel shamelessly stole in Mrs Maisel) to Andy Kaufman and the rapidly evolving George Carlin and Richard Pryor.

It's great to see Mort Sahl performing in front of a mainstream audience politically sophisticated enough to appreciate him.