Swift and Shift Couriers

Watch Swift and Shift Couriers

  • TV-MA
  • 2008
  • 2 Seasons
  • 7.4  (540)

Swift and Shift Couriers is an Australian mockumentary sitcom that aired on SBS from 2008 to 2011. Created, written, and directed by Paul Fenech, the show follows the employees of a fictional courier company called Swift and Shift, which is notorious for their subpar service and incompetent staff.

The show is presented in a documentary style, with faux interviews and behind-the-scenes footage interspersed with the action. The main characters are an eclectic mix of misfits and oddballs, each with their own quirks and flaws.

At the head of the company is owner and CEO Keith Warne, played by Fenech himself. Warne is an abrasive and egotistical man who has more interest in his own image than the success of his business. He's constantly at odds with his employees, who he views as lazy and incompetent, despite being just as responsible for the company's problems as they are.

Other key characters include the company's operations manager Amanda, who is trying desperately to keep the business afloat despite the chaos caused by her staff. Meanwhile, there's Dispatcher Rajiv, who is constantly in over his head and is always creating more problems than he solves. And then there are the couriers themselves, including the unintelligible and somewhat bumbling Mario, the hapless and accident-prone Craig, the sex-mad and overtly crude Keith Jr., and the cripplingly shy and neurotic Leanne.

Throughout the series, the characters regularly get into ridiculous situations, often caused by their own stupidity and incompetence. There are episodes where they accidentally transport an exotic animal, are mistaken for terrorists, and cause hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage. Each episode is filled with over-the-top comedy and absurd situations that never fail to elicit laughs.

Despite the lowbrow humor, Swift and Shift Couriers manages to satirize the Australian socio-political landscape, poking fun at everything from the healthcare system to racism to government bureaucracy. The show's use of politically incorrect humor and stereotypes has been both praised and criticized, with some viewers finding it hilarious and others finding it offensive. Still, there's no denying that the show's humor is unapologetically Australian and will likely appeal to viewers who appreciate raunchy, absurdist comedy.

Overall, Swift and Shift Couriers is a hilarious and irreverent comedy that expertly blends mockumentary-style humor with absurd, over-the-top situations. If you're looking for gut-busting laughs and outrageous characters, this show is definitely worth checking out.

Swift and Shift Couriers
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Seasons
Wedding Pt. 2
10. Wedding Pt. 2
October 17, 2011
While the staff are being forced to attend Oliver's wedding, Keith sneaks into the Swift & Shift board meeting in a last-ditch attempt to save the Hashfield depot. Keith finds out that the overseas depot is running an identity theft scam, using employee files. Mario and Melissa dress to the nines for their Las Vegas wedding, but take a less-glamourous mode of transport to the chapel ... walking. Fraud, mismanagement and an entire depot getting pissed at a gay wedding - bloody outrageous.
Wedding Pt. 1
9. Wedding Pt. 1
October 10, 2011
Keith's 12 months to improve the depot are nearly up and he is short staffed with Mario and his pregnant fianc?e, Melissa, in Las Vegas getting married, and Oliver quitting so he can have time off to marry Fernando the Florist. Amanda's Indian depot is saving so much money that they are extending the overseas workers contracts. By day's end Keith is forced to announce that everyone must attend Oliver's wedding and that he has been given two weeks' notice.
Snow
8. Snow
October 3, 2011
It's the social club ski trip at Swift & Shift and the winners are Mario, Melissa, Elle, Kev the Kiwi, Alex, David and Jackie. Mario has been taking steroids that Alex sold him and is enraged the whole trip. David gets left on the side of the road while Jackie gets lost on the mountain, the others get drunk and Mario gets back with Melissa.
Unlicenced
7. Unlicenced
September 26, 2011
Another day at the Hashfield depot has Keith arriving to Kev the Kiwi doing burnouts on the forklift, George with a toilet seat around his neck, Murray with an urgent complaint about the charity chocolate box and a hungover dwarf who is throwing up everywhere. Murray launches a police-style investigation into who is not paying for their coffee and chocolates only to discover Keith to be the culprit. Amanda threatens to fire any of Keith's couriers with less than two points on their licence. When the RTA list comes through, Amanda's name is on it and she has to scramble to get out of this one. David the dwarf gets locked in the toilets and knocks himself out only to be discovered by Anthony who manages to lock himself in the cubicle with him.
Birthday
6. Birthday
September 19, 2011
It's Keith's Birthday and the boys have organised a stripper for him. Due to many complaints head office have a harassment counsellor coming in to interview some of the staff ... at the same time. George takes his medication with Keith's special stash of Scotch and strips down to his undies and dashes around the office just as Amanda arrives for some instant dismissals.
Medical
5. Medical
September 12, 2011
Swift & Shift have taken on a medical delivery contract with the government, which sees Mario and Abdul teaming up on some highly contagious deliveries. They battle with seagulls, a breakdown, a snake in the desert, climb a volcano, and have a bad case of ball rash. Mario goes to Keith to complain. Keith tells him to see Murray, Murray is on a flexy day and passes him to Renzo, who in turn passes him to Safety Officer Doreen, who passes it all back to Keith. On the verge of being fired Mario applies for a job delivering pizzas with Fat Pizza's Bobo (Johnny Boxer).
Police
4. Police
September 5, 2011
On orders from head office, the Hashfield couriers must attend driver training with the Indian drivers. Mario and Habib get kicked off the course, Kev and George are doing forklift training and the twins decide to get their motorbike licenses. Keith and Alex decide to prank Murray for taking a day off at home to watch the cricket so they enlist Mario and Habib who use the swat gear from Mario's last job to scare Murray. Mario and Habib wind up in the middle of a real swat team operation ordered by Abdul to appease his wife's complaints about a noisy Aussie neighbour.
Valentine's Day
3. Valentine's Day
August 29, 2011
It's Valentine's Day and like every year it's extremely busy with people wanting their flowers and gifts delivered on time. Keith asks Anthony to buy his wife a gift, a new perfume called Pussycat. Anthony misunderstands and comes back with a real cat that manages to escape and run through the whole office. Lonely on Valentine's Day, Amanda and Murray both try internet dating using old photos and fabricated identities. Without realising it, they set up a Valentine's date with each other. Melissa, not wanting to be alone on Valentine's Day, agrees to go on a date with Mario.
Big Box
2. Big Box
August 22, 2011
Jim has fallen asleep at his desk, again, and no one can seem to wake him up. So to teach Jim and the Indian drivers a lesson, the Hashfield boys decide to box him up and book the Indians to deliver him to head office. Mario is having problems getting his mobile phone fixed from the Indian run phone shop. Damien is adjusting to his new role as Operations Manager and life in India.
Indians
1. Indians
August 15, 2011
We return to Hashfield Depot with Keith facing more cutbacks due to the global financial meltdown. He has lost people in nearly every department. Melissa has been put back in the phone room, Murray is back as HR Manager and Abdul's cousin, Habib, comes on as the additional driver. On orders from Head Office, Keith has everyone in the depot re-interviewing for their jobs. What he doesn't know is that the interviewer Amanda has sent is a spy - to help Amanda set up her own depot using outsourced labour. Mario has a package stolen from the back of his van and ends up chasing the thief all over the city to try and get it back in fear of losing his job
Description
  • Premiere Date
    October 27, 2008
  • IMDB Rating
    7.4  (540)