Most Memorable Fast Forward Parodies

Most Memorable Fast Forward Parodies

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Image via YouTube. 

It was one of the most popular shows in Australia in the late ’80s and early ’90s, and one of the best parts of sketch comedy series Fast Forward was its parodies of hits of the time. No one was safe as Gina Riley (aka Kim from Kath & Kim) mimicked singers ranging from Madonna to Southern Sons’ Jack Jones in soundalike versions of their songs with lyrics that pulled no punches. Here are just some of the highlights from the weekly MTV pisstake, which also featured Jane Turner (aka Kath) doing her best vacuous VJ impression.

“Famous Sister”

Parody of: “Love And Kisses” by Dannii Minogue

In 1990, Dannii Minogue followed older sister Kylie, who had been releasing music for three years, into the ARIA singles chart (despite having been a singer first on Young Talent Time). Dannii’s debut single, “Love And Kisses” was skewered as “Famous Sister” in which the faux-Minogue sang, “I’ll tell you how to get this high – all you need is a famous sister… and dancing badly seems to help.”

“Opposites Attract”

Parody of: “Opposites Attract” by Paula Abdul

The joke in this reworking of the choreographer-turned-singer’s chart-topping hit was that the duet was with a furry character that looked suspiciously like Humphrey B. Bear (“I like Vegemite, you like honey”), rather than animated feline MC Skat Kat. Another sample lyric: “When we’re together – unnatural sex acts.”

“When I Bared My Behind”

Parody of: “If I Could Turn Back Time” by Cher

“I won an Oscar, I had come really far… I had to show them that I had real class, so I made this film clip and bared my arse,” Gina as Cher sang in this send-up of the latter’s chart-topping single. For the segment, Cher’s iconic music video was recreated, down to the horny sailors and barely-there outfit.

“Nothing Is There”

Parody of: “Nothing Compared 2 U” by Sinéad O’Connor

It was the highest-selling single in Australia in 1990, so it was inevitable that such a big hit as the Irish singer’s cover of Prince-penned track "Nothing Compares 2 U" would come in for the Fast Forward treatment. And with Sinéad’s striking visual image, “Nothing Is There” must have written itself, with lines like, “When I said you could do whatever you want, I didn’t really think you’d shave it off.”

“Wholesome”

Parody of: “Hold On” by Wilson Phillips

Gina was accompanied by Jane and fellow cast-mate Magda Szubanski to imitate second generation music stars Wilson Phillips – the daughters of members of The Beach Boys and The Mamas & The Papas. “Wholesome” made light of the trio’s squeaky-clean image: “We’re a favourite of your mum’s. We’re so good we’ll disappear right up our own bums.”

“I’ve Got This Body”

Parody of: “I Need Your Body” by Tina Arena

Even Tina Arena found the humour in Gina’s parody of her breakthrough hit, which played up the fact that the former child star was now a fully, er, grown woman. “My face is still the same but things have changed – my clothes won’t fit me on the top,” the new version of “I Need Your Body” went. The parody was especially effective since it was able to be filmed at the same location as Tina’s own music video: Melbourne’s Regent Theatre.

“The Bitch That Upstaged Me”

Parody of: “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler

Less a swipe at the singer herself and more an amusing take on the plot of Bette’s hit movie Beaches, this sketch turned the film’s theme song from a tune about friendship and inspiration to a tale of bitter rivalry. “The camera would never be on you if I had my way, I tried to steal all your lines, too.”

“Comb”

Parody of: “Roam” by The B-52’s

With an image as big as theirs, the B-52’s were prime targets for imitation, and Gina and Jane took on the roles of Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson in “Comb”, which took the mickey out of their seemingly impenetrable hairstyles. “When we teased our hair we wanted it to stick, so we bouffed it then we sprayed with Tarzan’s Grip, so comb if you must do, try to comb our hair.” Bonus points to Peter Moon and Michael Veitch for their quirky portrayals of Fred Schneider and Keith Strickland.

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