Have You Been Paying Attention?

Have You Been Paying Attention? turns the week’s headlines into a fast, jokey contest where five guests answer questions about recent events. Tom Gleisner hosts, with regular panellists like Sam Pang and Ed Kavalee trading insults and improv as they recall stories from politics, sport, international affairs and entertainment. Each episode stitches short clips, quiz prompts and spontaneous banter to reward sharp memory, quick wit and comic timing, rather than deep reporting. The pace keeps things light and unpredictable, contestants compete for points but the real aim is to make viewers laugh while catching up on what happened over the past seven days. Surprises, running gags and accidental reveals often become highlights, with producers leaning into unscripted reactions for laughs.

The Australian series premiered in 2013, fronted by host Tom Gleisner with Sam Pang and Ed Kavalee as regular panellists. Produced for television as a fast-paced comedy-quiz, its format relies on topical questions, clips and improvised responses each week.

The supplied information doesn't include a clear awards history. The program's long run and consistent popularity point to some industry recognition in Australia. However, I don't have verified, detailed listings of nominations or wins for specific seasons or years, so I can't safely list awards here.

It became a familiar fixture on Australian TV, making weekly news more approachable through humour and competitive banter. Memorable exchanges and clips frequently spread online, helping the show reach viewers beyond its broadcast slot and influencing other panel-style comedy programs across social media, and sometimes inspires social-media debate.

Critics and audiences often praise the program's rapid-fire structure and the chemistry among the host and panellists, reflected in a user vote average of 8.3/10. The show balances satire with light fact-testing, raising themes of media literacy, selective attention and how news is consumed and remembered, and the role of humor in public conversation.