I could have cried tears of elation when I heard Ja’mie: Private School Girl would be premiering in the UK on BBC Three earlier this month because all of Chris Lilley’s previous work has been hilarious and original.
The show is Australian and follows the life of Ja’mie, an egotistical bitch of a girl, played by Chris Lilley who happens to be a man yet also happens to be hotter than pretty much all girls I know. Ja’mie was originally a character in one of my favourite shows ever, Summer Heights High. The show only ran for one series which was disappointing because it had me crying with laughter. It is set in an Aussie high school and focuses on a few main characters which are all played by Lilley (the less significant characters have different actors).
Ja’mie is one of the significant and most loved characters from Summer Heights High so has subsequently earned her very own show. Ja’mie and her group of popular girl prefects are in the final few months of their time at Hilford Girls’ Grammar but are more interested in the social side, particularly the boys from Kelton Boys’ Grammar down the road. One particular guy, Mitchell, is the favourite of Ja’mie and she embarks on her mission to get him to be her’s.
Whilst caring about the social side of school, Ja’mie is also determined to earn the Hilford Medal at the end of her time there- the prize basically given to the most successful, thoughtful and popular girl in school. It is inevitable that Ja’mie will win the prize despite probably being the most hated bitch in school.
I really admire Chris Lilley’s work: his ability to take on so many different personas, his character development, the mockumentary style of the series and his uncanny ability to look hot in a dress and a wig.