John Safran

John Safran investigates the micro parties contesting the 2016 Australian Federal Election, revealing bizarre alliances that unpend perceptions of Australian multiculturalism, uncovering what could be the most religious election ever. As the nation heads towards a neck-and-neck election, the micro parties supported by Australia's religious minorities could end up with a balance of power. Join Safran as he cracks the lid on unlikely alliances and surprising frenemies in his inimitable style.

Having faithfully served his South Melbourne parish for nearly four decades, the cantankerous, controversial Catholic provocateur affectionately called Father Bob is well known and loved, as much for his incorrigible media savvy and battles with Church hierarchy as for his staunch advocacy on behalf of the disadvantaged and disenfranchised. In Bob We Trust goes behind the scenes with Bob, documenting his everyday trials during one of the most turbulent times in his career: his forced retirement and eviction from the church he called home for 38 years.

In Pine Falls, a secluded and usually peaceful town, multiple acts of dismemberment and cannibalism have been reported. Nate, an unemployed teenager, is too caught up in his own world to notice or even care. For Nate, a terrible tragedy is when he can't find the time to hang out with his best friend Steve. Steve is a wise cracking, quick thinking, loyal friend- at least that's how Nate sees it. The reality is that Steve is a Zombie; a living corpse, contaminated by an infection that raises the dead, giving them an unquenchable desire to feed on human flesh. Despite his gruesome appearance and lack of social skills, the people of Pine Falls consider Steve to be nothing more than Nate's handsome friend, until it's too late.

The once-every-five-years Australian Census is upon us (Census night is August 9, 2011). Which means the vexed 'What is your religion?' question will raise its head. This, in turn means thousands of pranksters will write down Jedi, Matrixist or Metal Head. Over the years John Safran has heard claims that far from being a joke, young people were combining spirituality with popular culture. Safran wants to hunt down these spiritual innovators. "I thought I'd potter off around the world and try to find people who sincerely and unsarcastically synchronise spirituality with popular culture. Is it good, is it trivialising, is it even spiritually dangerous?"

In this pilot which was never aired on Australian television, John Safran demonstrates the innovative talent he is capable of. The program is essentially a magazine-style presentation of social rebellion and challenge to Australian institutions. In what has become the most famous (and litigious) incident, Safran and A Current Affair 'victim' Shane Paxton rummage through Ray Martin's garbage, and are soon approached by an angry Martin and his wife. Classic television in a similar vain to the work of American Michael Moore, which was deemed too controversial by the ABC to screen and was also beyond the pail for the commercial networks

John Safran investigates the food industry.