Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont Spelling Bee, now airing on ABC, brings the comedian's popular New Zealand format to Australia. The show, which began as a Zoom and YouTube project during the Covid lockdown, evolved into a live comedy festival hit before landing on television. Host Montgomery, in character as a wide-smiling, eccentric TV host, combines quick-witted jokes with classic spelling bee questions, creating a fast-paced and nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of shows like Spicks and Specks.
Each episode features four Australian comedians, from veterans like Wil Anderson and Tom Gleeson to rising stars such as Demi Lardner and Jenny Tian. Contestants choose words from categories like The Coward's Cup (easy) or Bucket of Bravery (difficult) for points. Rounds include Spell It Better, where they invent new spellings, and Impressions, where they spell a celebrity's name while impersonating them. The show's 70s-inspired set design, with orange-hued walls and Montgomery's brown suit, adds to the retro feel.
The highlight is Aaron Chen as Montgomery's sidekick, whose deadpan one-liners and ever-changing outfits bring absurdist humour. The final buzz round, where contestants hit a buzzer to spell themed words, often decides the winner in a nail-biting finish. The winner returns for the next episode, while the loser is sent to the dunce corner with a hat of shame.
Guy Mont Spelling Bee is a joy to play along with at home, tapping into childhood spelling bee nostalgia while adding a dash of feral insanity. It airs on ABC on Wednesdays at 8.30pm and is available on ABC iview.
