Last week, Parks and Recreation star, and most importantly Megan Mullally’s husband, Nick Offerman, was asked on Amy Poehler’s podcast what he’s been laughing at recently. He revealed he has been loving the Australian comedy Colin from Accounts. A few days later, during promo for The Devil Wears Prada 2, award-winning actor and the Princess of Genovia herself, Anne Hathaway, also said she loves Colin from Accounts (maybe less surprising given it features her DWP2 co-star).

In both those instances, I felt an unfamiliar sense of national pride. I’m genuinely excited to see an Australian TV comedy getting its flowers like this. Not because it means it will get more American viewers, but because it’s external validation that the comedy we make in this country can be excellent. We can be world class – if we are given the chance.

We are currently in Australia’s comedy season, with major comedy festivals around the country – not just Melbourne and Sydney but also Perth, Canberra and Brisbane. It’s like a season of sport, except with less physical contact. I have never done standup, but I do work in comedy writing and have many comedian friends, so it’s also the time of year that my Instagram feed is taken over by friends spruiking their shows. I don’t hold this against them – it’s my fault for knowing........

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