FUNNY, MOVING, LIFE CHANGING - THE UNIQUE SERIES THAT EXPLORES AND EMBRACES OUR DIFFERENCES
You Can’t Ask That is an innovative, original format offering audiences an intimate, very personal glimpse into the lives of people we rarely get to hear from.
Featuring participants from all walks of life, each episode focuses on a minority or sub-cultural group (including people of short stature, Muslims, sex workers, transgender people, suicide attempt survivors, former cult members, recent war veterans, ex-reality TV stars and more), and asks some very frank and often confronting questions, sourced from the public.
By offering insight into the lives of minority or the marginalised, You Can’t Ask That breaks down stereotypes by answering the questions people are afraid to ask. Creating a safe space for its participants, the series forgoes the typical TV trope of relying on celebrities, social commentators, experts and academics to speak on the show’s chosen subject areas. Instead, You Can’t Ask That goes straight to the source – giving only those with lived experiences the opportunity to talk to the camera.
One of the most interesting and diverse programs on Australian television, and having the ability to work successfully for both linear broadcast and digital first strategies, You Can’t Ask That has extended its audience depth and reach with each new series.
The heartfelt and innovative You Can’t Ask That continues its winning trajectory overseas. The 40+ seasons delivered across 11 international productions in 9 languages is a testament to the power and flexibility of the format, now the ABC’s most successful ever.
Duration
S1 10 x 30' (format); 10 x 10-30' (series)
S2 12 x 30' (format and series)
S3 8 x 30' (format and series)
S4 8 x 30' (format and series)
S5 8 x 30' (format and series)
S6 8 x 30' (format and series)
S7 8 x 30' (format and series)
Production Company
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Download Flier (PDF)
Genres
Factual, Formats, Factual Entertainment
Festivals & Awards
AUSTRALIAN PRODUCTION
AACTA Awards 2022: Nomination Best Factual Entertainment Program, Winner Best Direction in Non-Fiction Television (Kirk Docker)
Rose d’Or Awards 2021: Nomination Best Reality & Factual Entertainment Program
MIPCOM Diversify TV Awards 2021: Nomination Best Reality & Factual Entertainment Program (LGBTQIA+/Non-Scripted Category)
AACTA Awards 2021: Nomination Best Factual Entertainment Program
AACTA Awards 2021: Nomination Best Direction in Non-Fiction Television
AACTA Awards 2020: Nomination Best Factual Entertainment Program
Australian Broadcasting Union 2020: Best Entertainment Autism Spectrum
Television Business International – Content Innovation Awards 2019: Nomination for Entertainment Format of The Year
Media Diversity Australia Walkley Award 2019: Winner
AACTA Awards 2019: Winner Best Factual Entertainment Program
AACTA Awards 2018: Nomination Best Factual Program/Best Direction in Non-Fiction Television
Logie Awards 2018: Nomination Most Outstanding Factual or Documentary Program
INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTIONS
Israeli Television Academy Awards 2022: Winner Best Magazine, Entertainment & Enrichment Program Award – Children & Youth Category (Hebrew)
Golden Screen Awards 2022: (Norway): Nomination Best Lifestyle Series
Canadian Screen Awards 2021: Winner Best Factual Series (English)
Golden Screen Awards 2021 (Norway): Winner Best Lifestyle Series
Israeli Television Academy Awards 2021: Winner Best Factual Series, Best Director, Best Research (Hebrew)
Israeli Television Academy Awards 2021: Best Sound (Hebrew)
Israeli Television Academy Awards 2021: Nomination Best Factual Series (Arabic)
Golden Screen Awards 2020 (Norway): Nomination Best Lifestyle Series
Ondas Awards 2020 (Spain): Winner Best Broadcast Program for TeleMadrid
Israeli Television Academy Awards 2019: Winner Best Factual Series
Israeli Television Academy Awards 2018: Winner Best Factual Series
Iris Awards 2018 (Spain): ‘Best Program’ Jury Award for TeleMadrid
Rose d'Or 2017: Winner Reality & Factual Entertainment
Executive Producer
Lou Porter
Series Producers
Kirk Docker, Aaron Smith
Producers
Jess Cohen, Scott Mitchell, Josh Schmidt
Directors
Kirk Docker, Aaron Smith