The team behind Australia’s favourite advertising deep-dive is back—and they’re bringing double the disruption. Kicking off this April with a pair of explosive Gruen Nation episodes, followed by the highly anticipated Season 17 of Gruen, the ABC is about to become the only polling place that really matters.
As election season rolls around, it’s not just politicians vying for your attention. It’s spin doctors, ad agencies, and messaging maestros—and Gruen Nation is here to peel back the political packaging. Hosted by Wil Anderson and backed by a sharp panel of election advertising experts, the show offers a no-holds-barred look at the marketing machines that shape our votes. In true Gruen style, it’s all the sizzle, and none of the meat.
Across two special episodes, Gruen Nation will unbox the ballot, shining a spotlight on how policy takes a backseat to publicity. Expect analysis so sharp it could make Antony Green envious, as the team explores how marketing overtakes mass appeal in the run-up to election day. If you want a front-row seat to electoral dysfunction with a side of laughs, you’d better tune in before someone snags your spot.
But the election is just the beginning.
From Wednesday 14 May, Gruen returns for its 17th season, delivering ten brand-new episodes that take aim at a world saturated with ads. As Wil Anderson says, “Advertising has changed. It’s worse, and it’s everywhere.” With brands chasing our money, our attention, and even a five-star review, Gruen steps in to decode the chaos—with bite, brains, and belly laughs.
Anderson is joined by an “artisanal selection” of regulars and fresh faces: Russel Howcroft, Todd Sampson, Christina Aventi, Karen Ferry, Dee Madigan, Camey O’Keefe, Lauren Zonfrillo, and surprise panellists that’ll keep even the most loyal viewers on their toes. Delivered fresh to your screen at a new time of 8pm, this season promises both hilarity and alarm in equal measure.
For long-time fans enrolled in the unofficial Gruen Loyalty Program, your viewing experience auto-renews—no subscription fee required, just your personal data, attention span, and any dopamine the team can extract.
Whether you’re watching on your TV, phone, watch, or even a holographic interface (yes, really), Gruen is ready to remind us all that in the age of overexposure, there’s still room for smart commentary with a satirical twist.
