Ed Kavalee recruits all-star Aussie cast for cop comedy

By Billie Schwab Dunn 

Some of Australia’s best talent has come together to bring comedian Ed Kavalee’s vision to life.

Kavalee created, wrote, produced and co-directed the comedy telemovie Cop This, which features a who’s who of homegrown talent.

The film is peppered with distinctly Australian references and in-jokes, including a gag about Cosima De Vito, who competed on the first season of Australian Idol, and a nod to the infamous “succulent Chinese meal” viral video.

“I wanted to make something that’s an ensemble comedy with Australian and New Zealand talent that is just flat-out funny for Australian audiences,” Kavalee said.

“If it travels, good news, but I’m not trying to make it with one eye on an international audience.”

The story unfolds inside a suburban police station on its final day of operation as police are due to be replaced by an AI-powered “Terminal”.

For their final assignment, the last two remaining cops have to babysit a drug dealer for 24 hours – and hijinks ensue.

The telemovie will screen on Ten with a cast that includes Celia Pacquola, Luke McGregor, Rob Carlton, Gary Sweet, Tony Martin, Josh Lawson, Julia Morris and Dilruk Jayasinha.

Synchronising so many people’s schedules to work together wasn’t easy but it was a challenge Kavalee readily accepted.

“We literally just booked out 12 days of the Como building in South Yarra Channel 10, and then it became the jigsaw of people’s schedules,” he said.

“I tried to be as respectful of people’s time as I possibly could.”

This meant in some instances, cast members were on set for less than an hour.

This was the case with comedian Mick Molloy, who gave Kavalee his first job on the comedy musical movie BoyTown, a favour he “wanted to repay”.

“He very kindly came after doing three hours of breakfast radio before he went to a production meeting for one of his television programs,” Kavalee said.

“Because we were so prepared, Mick was only on set for 28 minutes, and then he was back in the car.”

Kavalee wanted to show the industry, as well as viewers at home, that Australia is home to incredible talent and crews.

He also praised Ten and Screen Victoria for helping get the project off the ground.

“It takes a bit for people to say yes to original Australian comedy, and they jumped at it,” he said.

“I really hope that it does open up a lane for people to go, ‘Hang on, if that idiot with the big nose can do it, then I can do that’.”

Cop This screens on Ten on Monday.